Great video! I actually use the solid stainless steel knives professionally and they do not slip on me. Also, worth mentioning is how easy they are to clean!
You are absolutely the best! I have 22 years experience in maintenance and I still check out your videos to cover any areas where I am curious or don't have a lot of experience. Thank You!
great video! I was struggling with this in Lowes yesterday so I called the 1-800 number on the taping knife package. The customer service rep had NO IDEA what the answer was
The Blue blade will rust overnight. Very frustrating. If you buy one, you better clean, and dry it completely, every single time. It will also rust in very humid conditions. I recently found that out. My quality one was in storage, and I was visiting relatives out of town, so I bought the cheap Blue blade to fix a ceiling. Rusted so quick, I was amazed. Learned a lesson though. Good information on this video.......AS USUAL!
This lady is talking out her ass. The smarter she tries to sound the dumber she looks to people who have a clue. Unfortunately the majority of her audience are clueless.
I have been finishing for over 30 years. I use blue steel. Most finishers I know use blue steel. I haven't used those wooden handle knives in years. They are heavy and will wear you out if used all day. My opinion based on my experience.
I picked up a set of wallboard high shine stainless steels like in your video. Only difference is I hit the handles with spray on rubber, and used with a pair of Milwaukee A3 cut protection gloves they are top notch. Great video and like always write in rain!
Never rule out the possibilities of that white plastic knife. If you do get some nubs on it you can drag that across a piece of 220 sandpaper on a flat piece of glass or surface equivalent and sharpen that knife right back up and you get a brand new sharp edge!
As a professional taper the blue steel knife is ok if your using it everyday. The plastic knives I keep around because they cut easy as I often need to cut a custom tool, also if you need to scrape mud off plastic or other surfaces that mark easy. The stainless knife and handle I found to be really noisy. It rings when you clean the blade on the mud pan, at least with the stainless mud pans.
Lea once I get my knifecase into stores I would love for you to try my new knifecase out..u seem to know n love the art of finishing...I'm a master at finishing...42 yrs of hanging n finishing under my belt..
Stainless is important ESPECIALLY for a DIY because we take longer to work and my non-stainless blade will start to rust within minutes of being set aside while waiting for the Spackle to dry. Bonus Tip: I keep the Spackle that I'm working with from drying out by wetting it with a spray bottle. Especially if I have to walk away for a while.
I just bought the same plastic knife set to patch and tape seams I do have a 6 inch stainless steel so i'll try both and see how it goes eventually I will buy a pro one
Good explanation of good and bad drywall knives! I have used the cheap plastic knives for odd areas where a stainless knife won't fit. With a good pair of shears I can cut them to fit a space above or behind a door frame for example.
I like the cheap plastic ones, I mostly patch plaster and drywall and am always misplacing knifes (and caulk guns but that's another story, I now own 5 guns), if I get a nick in the blade I sand it out with the drywall sandpaper I have on the job. But if I did a lot more drywall i would buy those in a heartbeat. Been using Rite in the Rain for Years, bought my first one at a gun show. They make all sorts of different books for different trades.
The cheap plastic knives have their place too! Simply take your snips to the knife for a custom sized knife for awkward places such as the small reveal between a hollow metal door frame and the angle. Around some mechanical penetrations. I ALWAYS keep a selection of plastic knives on a large key ring just for such occasions.
@@joesoxer6766 good explaination, thank you. We are manufacturer of plastic scraper set, putty knife set. If any need, feel free to contact us. Thanks Amanda email: sales@mouettemachinery.com WhatsApp: +86 18115076599
Leah, Nice video and assesments on types of knives. I have bought a lot of the blue blade knives because I can get them in really wide widths here, and because they have a bit of flex, which for me, helps in blending the compound at the edges. I don't think that I have had the rusting isue that you mention, but I will start inspecting them as I use each one. That may be because I am pretty meticulous with the cleaning and care of them, not letting them stay wet. Thank you.
Couldn’t agree more Leah!👍🏻 But, I’ve had guys that have worked for me before that swore by the blue steel taping knives. When they would get a new blue steel drywall knife they would stick it in a full box of joint compound and leave it overnight so it would rust... I’m a stainless steel man myself. Take care, -Paul
Could it be that the rust holds onto the joint compound better, and sort of pulverizes it as it's being applied, so you can load more of it on at a time? Also, the corners probably wear faster on a rusty knife, so it reaches that point where they are just dull enough to avoid scratching faster. I use a sharpener on my old rusty knife and always feel a little awkward when I have to use a stainless one, but I'm not a professional.
@@pcno2832 New blue steel knives have film on them that you need to sand off. They are very malleable. A good sanding with an 80/100 grit sanding block until there is no more blue film and you got yourself a knife that will hold mud well and will smooth compound properly.
Truth be told every knife serves a purpose. Blue steel knives work best with regular joint compounds. Clean and dry after use and they won't rust . You can even spray a coat of light oil on them. Stainless steel knives work best with setting compounds. The plastic knives are great for cutting down to a odd size for hard to get at areas. This video seems to be more of a personal preference. My favorite knive is that 6" wallboard pro stainless you show. And I've never really had an issue with it slipping out of my hands while using. The difference in blue steel and stainless is how the compounds glide off the blade while using.
I agree. I've had my blue steel taping knives for years. My friends tease me saying that I never use them because of their condition. I always clean immediately after use and spray WD40 on them to preserve.
It is all about personal preference. I never use the plastic ones tho. They’re a waste of money even tho their cheap. And they don’t do as good smooth finish. I have the all stainless ones and the blue blade ones and they lasted me for years
I've had my wal board yellow Handel set the same knife she showed for years never get them wet he'll some times I don't even clean them just sand them off in the morning with a sanding block good trick to eat up time when your on the clock stainless is just to soft for me love cutting down the plastic knifes for them small spots like door jams hate steel doors why do they all ways put them so tight to the wall has any one ever asked that or is it just me lol any way I agree with you guys 100% the knifes she showed that she likes are better for paddling a canoe with coz that's all they are big flimsy paddels
I have two blue blade, another Carbon steel 6" knife, and a Marshalltown stainless inside-angle knife. The blue blade and 6" absolutely do rust if you don't take care of them, but just some basic maintenance and common sense, prevents rusting. After every use, clean the knife off, and wipe it dry. If you're going to be storing it for a while, either store it in a cool dry place, or put a bit of grease over the blade, and cover it with a cloth. If I had to do it again, I'd go stainless Marshalltown for everything, but the blue blades work well for my purposes. I'll also add, my blue blades did develop rust at first, but nothing a bit of a steel wool didn't take off. It'll take a while for the knives to pit, in which case just toss them and buy stainless!
bob mawr I was told once to leave them in a bowl of tea so I tried that and it worked pretty good, it oxidized and turned black. But I did buy some stainless steel anyway, if you can achieve the same workload and skip the extra maintenance then I'd go with the s/s
Great vid leah!! I bought the handsome knife lol but I put some shark bite silicone wrap on it for some extra grip. I have to order level 5 tools so home depot is easier for me to grab tools. Thanks to you I was able to find good knives!
Hi Leah,love your videos,very informative step by step tutorials and reviews,have you seen the youtube video by the Canadian lad " DRYWALL PATCH WITH DRYER SHEEET !!!?? " it's really good.I live in Scotland so sometimes our products have diferent names and we can't get some of your tools and products in United Kingdom unless we have them shipped from the US which adds greatly to the cost but obviously we have equivalent tools for the job,keep them coming,always look forward to all your content
Hi Leah I'm about to to light compounding work on my bathroom ceiling. I purchased a stainless steel taping knife and it doesn't have a straight edge. It is slightly longer on the outside edges. What is that about?
Great video. I've been looking at lvl5 tools and all their knives have stainless steel handles. Now I'm new to mudding but my handle never gets coated so why not choose that one.
Level 5 is chinese made crap, but most tools are these days. But, there is no problem with the metal handles. This lady doesn't really know what she is talking about, but that goes for most people on youtube and it's getting worse every year.
Plus, rust in the blade mixes in with the mud, discoloring it. Hate having to clean the blades twice.., once after use and once before use to get the rust off
i cant speak for all the cheap-o knives, but carbon steel and some blue blades have better "flex" than stainless when using them regularly. That wouldn't make much difference to someone who doesnt use them often though.
A slightly pitted blade will not ruin a finish. I have a rusty knife I use all the time because I keep forgetting to replace it when I'm at the store. I can still get a perfectly flat finish with it.
I prefer the 6 inch stainless because it lasts, I used to use the Hyde's and other but just when they would get perfect the handle would rust off and break
My local homedepot (maybe not all) are starting to have all the cheap plastic made in china tools. I think I will habe to just order tools online or find another hardware store
For my 6 inch drywall knife I prefer the blue blade because it’s flexible compare to a stainless steel. You could always put WD-40 on it to keep it from rusting. Thanks for the video.
Absolutely ! , you just have to take care of em - stainless can be to stiff for most practical use - which is why most professional folks use blue steel, i guess the advice here is for the novice - if you want a professional opinion ask a professional .
I use mostly Marshalltown tools. Most of them are made in the USA "with global materials" whatever that means. Very good quality tools. I bought a wallboard knife the other day and I accidentally knocked it off a shelf about 3 feet high and the handle cracked in half. Not impressive at all.
I do drywall finishing for a living and hate the stainless steel knifes. They won't hang on to the mud like the regular knifes. I've had the same knifes for over a year. I clean them after every use. The mud slides off the stainless too easy which means less control and wasted mud.
Licensed drywall contractor for 30 years. The material the knife is made out of has no bearing on the application of the mud except... Blue steel is steel that is heat treated thus it turns blue to become "spring steel" and retain its shape so when you apply mud it is multiplying the force your hand is using and therefore causes less hand fatigue to drive mud into the surface. Stainless steel is thicker and the mud does not flow from it but slips from the surface because it is smooth. So when you use stainless the mud tends to run off the knife. Blue steel works best once the blueing wears off and the metal is rough and it actually grips the mud to it so you can flow the mud to the wall from it. It is the actual knife edge the mud is flowing off of, and that edge needs to be razor sharp. Each day the edge should be inspected by skimming a small patch and look for lines or grooves in the material applied to a wall. Then take 100 grit sandpaper and put it on the wall and hone the edge of the knife laying it near flat to the sandpaper and sliding the knife back and forth long ways on both sides . Then wipe blade edge with a towel. The 6 inch bell knife is used for corners and loading mud from a bucket, if you are going to leave it in the bucket overnight or for long periods then use stainless. If you care for your tools then use regular steel and clean the knife after use and spray with wd-40. The 8 inch knife is used for spotting screws and wiping down tape. It should be blue steel also to be springy to multiply pressure and reduce hand fatigue. The next knife you will need is a 12 inch knife , it too should be blue steel and should be broken in from use for best results. Ames tools and Wallboard are both professional tool manufacturer suppliers. Any knife you see in home depot with yellow handles and blue steel are your best choice to use . If it is a one time deal or you are a pro .
I'm 40 years in the trade. The yellow handle blue steel blade is really the best for coating not to mention from an 8" to a 14" when one buys them the first thing they need to do is bend a cove in the knife and only ever use that side of the knife. And the blue steel will become razor sharp and thats a good knife. Stainless just won't bend properly. I've watched many of your other videos and they are always great.... always pleasant watching your videos. Tho, I will also say, you are correct when DIY'ers buy a steel knife they just don't do enough work to break a knife in. And again, nor do they know to cove a knife when it's first bought.
Hi Jim, I always appreciate hearing from other tradesmen and women! And one thing that I have learned from many years working alongside other journeymen in the field is that there are many ways to get the job done, and everyone has their favorite method and uses their favorite tools. I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about!....:)... I appreciate your comments. Best regards, Leah
That 6 inch stainless knife the truth. It won't slip out ur hand when u tapeing the blade most become part of ur arm an extension of u. Can you drop part of ur arm?
The best drywall knives are the yellow handle Richards and are the best value in a professional tool. She is holding a black richards knife at the end that will also work but is a bit stiffer than the yellow knives. Unless you are doing mudding you are not going to paint you do not need a stainless knife.
Your channel is great. I teach in the trades and you have helped with the how to say get a point across. Thanks I do have a question; the blue handled knife with the curved handle. Who’s the manufacturer? I had them stolen and I loved them. Thanks for your help
Joe M. I take an old wash cloth with warm water and clean them off when I’m done. Or you can soak it for a bit with warm water. If it’s really stuck on, use a new plastic knife to scrap it off. Then I do the same as another viewer, a quick wipe of WD-40. I just clean it off before I use it again.
Wipe it with a sponge, I wipe down the interior sides of the 5 gallon bucket as well to kept hard crumbs and flakes from falling in and creating a problem.
Love most of your videos but this one i don't agree with. Most blades have a purpose. The flexible blue blade is without a doubt the best imo. Easy to re surface and it's forgiving.
Leah - I am so happy to have found your channel. And this video is just what I needed as I look for a quality tape knife appropriate. I appreciate your knowledge and communication skill.
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Great video! I actually use the solid stainless steel knives professionally and they do not slip on me. Also, worth mentioning is how easy they are to clean!
I use it also. Idk what she is talking about with the slipping.
I’ve been using mine for 3 years and it works great. I’ve been drywalling for 15 years.
Me too, I think it's a great knife
She hasn’t used it, just her opinion based on looks.
I used mine for years, love it, work for general contractor, it’s a Dewalt
You are absolutely the best! I have 22 years experience in maintenance and I still check out your videos to cover any areas where I am curious or don't have a lot of experience. Thank You!
great video! I was struggling with this in Lowes yesterday so I called the 1-800 number on the taping knife package. The customer service rep had NO IDEA what the answer was
Love your presentation style in the various vids of yours I've seen. No overproduction, clear concise and helpful. New sub. Go Jane Go!
And full of shit.
The Blue blade will rust overnight. Very frustrating. If you buy one, you better clean, and dry it completely, every single time. It will also rust in very humid conditions. I recently found that out. My quality one was in storage, and I was visiting relatives out of town, so I bought the cheap Blue blade to fix a ceiling. Rusted so quick, I was amazed. Learned a lesson though. Good information on this video.......AS USUAL!
Great video and fantastic advice. I've had issues with rusting blades as well as chipped plastic ones so this video is perfect for me
I have used blue blade knives for many years, I clean and dry them and even sand the edges. I also sand the edges before the first use.
This lady is talking out her ass. The smarter she tries to sound the dumber she looks to people who have a clue. Unfortunately the majority of her audience are clueless.
Hi Leah! Being new to DIY, I'm about to patch a drywall in my bathroom; you rock, you have a soothing style, thank you!
Another great tip Leah. Who would ever know that there are so many “wrong” tools to use for a job. I appreciate all of your tips Leah. Thank so much!
She is full of shit. She is using her ignorance of these tools to make a video full of misinformation.
You have a very newsworthy voice lol...so calm and collected. Great vid 👍🏾
I have been finishing for over 30 years. I use blue steel. Most finishers I know use blue steel. I haven't used those wooden handle knives in years. They are heavy and will wear you out if used all day.
My opinion based on my experience.
I picked up a set of wallboard high shine stainless steels like in your video. Only difference is I hit the handles with spray on rubber, and used with a pair of Milwaukee A3 cut protection gloves they are top notch. Great video and like always write in rain!
Never rule out the possibilities of that white plastic knife. If you do get some nubs on it you can drag that across a piece of 220 sandpaper on a flat piece of glass or surface equivalent and sharpen that knife right back up and you get a brand new sharp edge!
Plasterer here, gotta say loved your video, gotta love them high end tools for a better feel control and finish!
Yay, just bought one last week for some drywall repair. Glad I bought the right kind.
As a professional taper the blue steel knife is ok if your using it everyday. The plastic knives I keep around because they cut easy as I often need to cut a custom tool, also if you need to scrape mud off plastic or other surfaces that mark easy. The stainless knife and handle I found to be really noisy. It rings when you clean the blade on the mud pan, at least with the stainless mud pans.
I HAVE WIPED MILES OF PAPER TAPE WITH THE FIRST KNIFE FOR FORTY YEARS, IT WORKS GREAT
Your blue blade is 40 years old?
I never wore one out yet,
Yeah everybody I know uses the yellow handle ames 8 inch to wipe tape. Even if they use other brands to finish.
Del tweedie stfu they only been around for like 20yrs lol
Yup blue steel Ames or wall board yellow Handel best knifes out there just keep them dry don't clean them with water
Lea once I get my knifecase into stores I would love for you to try my new knifecase out..u seem to know n love the art of finishing...I'm a master at finishing...42 yrs of hanging n finishing under my belt..
Stainless is important ESPECIALLY for a DIY because we take longer to work and my non-stainless blade will start to rust within minutes of being set aside while waiting for the Spackle to dry. Bonus Tip: I keep the Spackle that I'm working with from drying out by wetting it with a spray bottle. Especially if I have to walk away for a while.
TheEgg185 take an old lay it on top of your mud wet and it'll be good over the for quite a few days.
Take an old what?
Before I park my spackle, I'll pour water on it and dump it out. That keeps it at it's original hydrocity.
I love listening to her speak. Her voice is soothing.
I just bought the same plastic knife set to patch and tape seams I do have a 6 inch stainless steel so i'll try both and see how it goes eventually I will buy a pro one
I use the plastic ones to scrape gunk off cooking pans.
I love your way of teaching, thank you soooooooooooo much Leeah. Stay well.
Love your experience and how you effectively speak to useful topics without long winded dissertations. 👍👌
Except she is completely wrong.
Good explanation of good and bad drywall knives! I have used the cheap plastic knives for odd areas where a stainless knife won't fit. With a good pair of shears I can cut them to fit a space above or behind a door frame for example.
nice idea!
Was just about to buy blue stee... thanks!
Leah, thank you for the thorough details and explanation! You save DIYers money and time!
I like the cheap plastic ones, I mostly patch plaster and drywall and am always misplacing knifes (and caulk guns but that's another story, I now own 5 guns), if I get a nick in the blade I sand it out with the drywall sandpaper I have on the job. But if I did a lot more drywall i would buy those in a heartbeat. Been using Rite in the Rain for Years, bought my first one at a gun show. They make all sorts of different books for different trades.
Like to tryout that DeWalt stainless knife. Looks easy to clean and outlast me.
love your trick!! I thought the sleek silver one was suppost to be the best. I wanted it! haha
The stainless steel is nice to look at but a little disappointing to use.
I like mine so far
Excellent explanations on picking out the proper tool for the job, Ms. Leah! I always thought plastic knives were for scrapping gunk off of stuff 😀
That's a good use for them!
The cheap plastic knives have their place too! Simply take your snips to the knife for a custom sized knife for awkward places such as the small reveal between a hollow metal door frame and the angle. Around some mechanical penetrations. I ALWAYS keep a selection of plastic knives on a large key ring just for such occasions.
And if they get nicked up, they sharpen up even easier than a knife.
@@joesoxer6766 good explaination, thank you. We are manufacturer of plastic scraper set, putty knife set. If any need, feel free to contact us.
Thanks
Amanda
email: sales@mouettemachinery.com
WhatsApp: +86 18115076599
Leah,
Nice video and assesments on types of knives. I have bought a lot of the blue blade knives because I can get them in really wide widths here, and because they have a bit of flex, which for me, helps in blending the compound at the edges. I don't think that I have had the rusting isue that you mention, but I will start inspecting them as I use each one. That may be because I am pretty meticulous with the cleaning and care of them, not letting them stay wet. Thank you.
Couldn’t agree more Leah!👍🏻 But, I’ve had guys that have worked for me before that swore by the blue steel taping knives. When they would get a new blue steel drywall knife they would stick it in a full box of joint compound and leave it overnight so it would rust... I’m a stainless steel man myself. Take care, -Paul
yep 🙂
Blue steel just holds its blade longer and is sharper for cutting in edges. I use stainless personally but always have a blue steel knife aswell.
Could it be that the rust holds onto the joint compound better, and sort of pulverizes it as it's being applied, so you can load more of it on at a time? Also, the corners probably wear faster on a rusty knife, so it reaches that point where they are just dull enough to avoid scratching faster. I use a sharpener on my old rusty knife and always feel a little awkward when I have to use a stainless one, but I'm not a professional.
@@pcno2832 New blue steel knives have film on them that you need to sand off. They are very malleable. A good sanding with an 80/100 grit sanding block until there is no more blue film and you got yourself a knife that will hold mud well and will smooth compound properly.
The last knife you're holding at the very end is my favorite taping knife
Halleluha!! i always wondered about whether i had the wrong knives as they were constantly leaving marks on the mud. Thank you Leah 1
my pleasure Bryan
Truth be told every knife serves a purpose. Blue steel knives work best with regular joint compounds. Clean and dry after use and they won't rust . You can even spray a coat of light oil on them. Stainless steel knives work best with setting compounds. The plastic knives are great for cutting down to a odd size for hard to get at areas. This video seems to be more of a personal preference. My favorite knive is that 6" wallboard pro stainless you show. And I've never really had an issue with it slipping out of my hands while using. The difference in blue steel and stainless is how the compounds glide off the blade while using.
I agree. I've had my blue steel taping knives for years. My friends tease me saying that I never use them because of their condition. I always clean immediately after use and spray WD40 on them to preserve.
AMEN TO BOTH COMMENTS
It is all about personal preference. I never use the plastic ones tho. They’re a waste of money even tho their cheap. And they don’t do as good smooth finish. I have the all stainless ones and the blue blade ones and they lasted me for years
@@JustinLodes agreed, If I seen a tapper with a set of plastic knifes Id think hes a hack. Richards green handle #1
I've had my wal board yellow Handel set the same knife she showed for years never get them wet he'll some times I don't even clean them just sand them off in the morning with a sanding block good trick to eat up time when your on the clock stainless is just to soft for me love cutting down the plastic knifes for them small spots like door jams hate steel doors why do they all ways put them so tight to the wall has any one ever asked that or is it just me lol any way I agree with you guys 100% the knifes she showed that she likes are better for paddling a canoe with coz that's all they are big flimsy paddels
I have two blue blade, another Carbon steel 6" knife, and a Marshalltown stainless inside-angle knife. The blue blade and 6" absolutely do rust if you don't take care of them, but just some basic maintenance and common sense, prevents rusting. After every use, clean the knife off, and wipe it dry. If you're going to be storing it for a while, either store it in a cool dry place, or put a bit of grease over the blade, and cover it with a cloth. If I had to do it again, I'd go stainless Marshalltown for everything, but the blue blades work well for my purposes.
I'll also add, my blue blades did develop rust at first, but nothing a bit of a steel wool didn't take off. It'll take a while for the knives to pit, in which case just toss them and buy stainless!
bob mawr I was told once to leave them in a bowl of tea so I tried that and it worked pretty good, it oxidized and turned black. But I did buy some stainless steel anyway, if you can achieve the same workload and skip the extra maintenance then I'd go with the s/s
Love watching and learning from you! You explain everything in great detail. Thank you!
I just found your videos yesterday. Very insightful. Thank you.
you're very welcome!
Great vid leah!! I bought the handsome knife lol but I put some shark bite silicone wrap on it for some extra grip. I have to order level 5 tools so home depot is easier for me to grab tools. Thanks to you I was able to find good knives!
Hi Leah,love your videos,very informative step by step tutorials and reviews,have you seen the youtube video by the Canadian lad " DRYWALL PATCH WITH DRYER SHEEET !!!?? " it's really good.I live in Scotland so sometimes our products have diferent names and we can't get some of your tools and products in United Kingdom unless we have them shipped from the US which adds greatly to the cost but obviously we have equivalent tools for the job,keep them coming,always look forward to all your content
Hello from the US! Thanks for Shirley Manson and I guess Craig Ferguson too :)
Your advice is always sound and right on the mark.
Hi Leah I'm about to to light compounding work on my bathroom ceiling. I purchased a stainless steel taping knife and it doesn't have a straight edge. It is slightly longer on the outside edges. What is that about?
I personally like blue blade and Ames Tools have the best finishing knifes in my opinion
You have such a great channel! So happy I found it
As a newb I appreciate the time you took to explain the differences between the various mud knives. Very helpful!
She is lying to you. It's a lie based on ignorance, but it is still a lie.
Which is best for putting gesso on my oil paint on my canvas ?
Great video. I've been looking at lvl5 tools and all their knives have stainless steel handles. Now I'm new to mudding but my handle never gets coated so why not choose that one.
Level 5 is chinese made crap, but most tools are these days. But, there is no problem with the metal handles. This lady doesn't really know what she is talking about, but that goes for most people on youtube and it's getting worse every year.
Can you give the specific brand of taping knives that you use please and where you obtained them if in a do called bug box store?
Yeah if you have a knick you can sand the blue blade smooth.
It also helps to spray some w40 on it after you're finished using it to prevent rust.
Yeah but the stainless versions are like a dollar or two more. I don't even know why the sell the blue piece of junk to be honest :)
Plus, rust in the blade mixes in with the mud, discoloring it. Hate having to clean the blades twice.., once after use and once before use to get the rust off
i cant speak for all the cheap-o knives, but carbon steel and some blue blades have better "flex" than stainless when using them regularly. That wouldn't make much difference to someone who doesnt use them often though.
Nick?
I'm just learning, I prefer the blue knife... Wash and dry, no worries
I use wire wool to clean mine when they go a little rusty, never had an issue :)
A slightly pitted blade will not ruin a finish. I have a rusty knife I use all the time because I keep forgetting to replace it when I'm at the store. I can still get a perfectly flat finish with it.
I prefer the 6 inch stainless because it lasts, I used to use the Hyde's and other but just when they would get perfect the handle would rust off and break
how cool would it be to cross paths with Leah at home Depot!!!! I was just there yesterday!
You know what, that actually happens all the time, here in the Pacific Northwest where I live! And I love talking to people!
love watching your videos! so informative!
Very informative video... You are always so helpful...
02:50 - 03:10 If I had a nickel for every time I heard that... 🤣🤣
For your very last coat try thinning down your mud & putting it on with a paint roller then hit it with your knife comes out like a mirror. 😎👍
i use the stainless ones, they are the best, haven't slipped out of my hand yet
Great information, Leah. Thank you for sharing that with us.
As always good video!
Always look forward to your videos, you always have good tips. Thanks Leah.
Take care of your tools people!
My local homedepot (maybe not all) are starting to have all the cheap plastic made in china tools. I think I will habe to just order tools online or find another hardware store
For my 6 inch drywall knife I prefer the blue blade because it’s flexible compare to a stainless steel.
You could always put WD-40 on it to keep it from rusting. Thanks for the video.
Also drywall knifes have one side that is concave and the other side for smoothing mud, I learned that today on another you tube video.
"I-! .....see beyond the road I'm drivin' " -thanks to Leah!!!
...a little Boston playing there at the end!
Good tips. Thanks
I love my Wal-Board yellow handle blades, I use the 8”,10”,12” religiously and they never let me down
Absolutely ! , you just have to take care of em - stainless can be to stiff for most practical use - which is why most professional folks use blue steel, i guess the advice here is for the novice - if you want a professional opinion ask a professional .
I use mostly Marshalltown tools. Most of them are made in the USA "with global materials" whatever that means. Very good quality tools. I bought a wallboard knife the other day and I accidentally knocked it off a shelf about 3 feet high and the handle cracked in half. Not impressive at all.
I do drywall finishing for a living and hate the stainless steel knifes. They won't hang on to the mud like the regular knifes. I've had the same knifes for over a year. I clean them after every use. The mud slides off the stainless too easy which means less control and wasted mud.
That’s the exact one I got, so easy and comfortable to use.
What would you recommend for plaster work? I'm having a little bit of trouble with it
I sometimes use a finish trowel and a 6 inch taping knife in combination.
How do you store your putty knives without them getting scratched or dinged up like you’re saying in your video
Leah, Your Great. Thanks for all the advice!
you're very welcome!
Licensed drywall contractor for 30 years. The material the knife is made out of has no bearing on the application of the mud except... Blue steel is steel that is heat treated thus it turns blue to become "spring steel" and retain its shape so when you apply mud it is multiplying the force your hand is using and therefore causes less hand fatigue to drive mud into the surface. Stainless steel is thicker and the mud does not flow from it but slips from the surface because it is smooth. So when you use stainless the mud tends to run off the knife. Blue steel works best once the blueing wears off and the metal is rough and it actually grips the mud to it so you can flow the mud to the wall from it. It is the actual knife edge the mud is flowing off of, and that edge needs to be razor sharp. Each day the edge should be inspected by skimming a small patch and look for lines or grooves in the material applied to a wall. Then take 100 grit sandpaper and put it on the wall and hone the edge of the knife laying it near flat to the sandpaper and sliding the knife back and forth long ways on both sides . Then wipe blade edge with a towel. The 6 inch bell knife is used for corners and loading mud from a bucket, if you are going to leave it in the bucket overnight or for long periods then use stainless. If you care for your tools then use regular steel and clean the knife after use and spray with wd-40. The 8 inch knife is used for spotting screws and wiping down tape. It should be blue steel also to be springy to multiply pressure and reduce hand fatigue. The next knife you will need is a 12 inch knife , it too should be blue steel and should be broken in from use for best results. Ames tools and Wallboard are both professional tool manufacturer suppliers. Any knife you see in home depot with yellow handles and blue steel are your best choice to use . If it is a one time deal or you are a pro .
Whirl Wind, I'm 40 yrs in and you are absolutely correct tho no mention of coving one's knife when purchased.
When i am applying plaster with these knifes, the sharp edges leave streaks on both side of the knife... Would it make sense to round the edges?
Rounding the edges will certainly help but it's how you hold your knife that is the most important factor.
Thanks Leah. Awesome info as always !!
Absolutely true. Love your page!!
THANKS LEAH I need that extra boost, that says I can do this!
I'm 40 years in the trade. The yellow handle blue steel blade is really the best for coating not to mention from an 8" to a 14" when one buys them the first thing they need to do is bend a cove in the knife and only ever use that side of the knife. And the blue steel will become razor sharp and thats a good knife. Stainless just won't bend properly. I've watched many of your other videos and they are always great.... always pleasant watching your videos. Tho, I will also say, you are correct when DIY'ers buy a steel knife they just don't do enough work to break a knife in. And again, nor do they know to cove a knife when it's first bought.
Hi Jim, I always appreciate hearing from other tradesmen and women! And one thing that I have learned from many years working alongside other journeymen in the field is that there are many ways to get the job done, and everyone has their favorite method and uses their favorite tools. I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about!....:)...
I appreciate your comments. Best regards, Leah
Great tips! Thank you.
Thanks Leah! Awesome as always!!
I do not like the plastic Pinas what type of poison ivy do you think I could use
That 6 inch stainless knife the truth. It won't slip out ur hand when u tapeing the blade most become part of ur arm an extension of u. Can you drop part of ur arm?
Great, as usual, no wonder it was hard for me to get s smooth finish
Many thanks Leah.
Thank you Leah 👍
The best drywall knives are the yellow handle Richards and are the best value in a professional tool. She is holding a black richards knife at the end that will also work but is a bit stiffer than the yellow knives. Unless you are doing mudding you are not going to paint you do not need a stainless knife.
Your channel is great. I teach in the trades and you have helped with the how to say get a point across. Thanks
I do have a question; the blue handled knife with the curved handle. Who’s the manufacturer?
I had them stolen and I loved them.
Thanks for your help
Sherwin Williams pro series...someone was saying that they're no longer available.
Thank you for sharing your experienced opinion.
you're very welcome!
Thank you😊
How do you keep those so clean? I have dried compound all over mine.
Joe M. I take an old wash cloth with warm water and clean them off when I’m done. Or you can soak it for a bit with warm water. If it’s really stuck on, use a new plastic knife to scrap it off. Then I do the same as another viewer, a quick wipe of WD-40. I just clean it off before I use it again.
Wipe it with a sponge, I wipe down the interior sides of the 5 gallon bucket as well to kept hard crumbs and flakes from falling in and creating a problem.
Get a couple scotch brite pads. They take mud off super easy with a bit of water
Thanks for the video
Aaarghh tell me about it..I just learned the hard way 😣back to the hardware store I go!!thanks for the tip
Great review thank you
Love most of your videos but this one i don't agree with.
Most blades have a purpose.
The flexible blue blade is without a doubt the best imo.
Easy to re surface and it's forgiving.
Thank you! Great info as always.
Thanks... you make alot of great videos!
Good sound advice. 👍
Thanks for the info !
Good ideas. My drywall tools are rusty because I didn't clean them and left them in the trunk. It didn't take long.
Leah - I am so happy to have found your channel. And this video is just what I needed as I look for a quality tape knife appropriate.
I appreciate your knowledge and communication skill.