Joint Knife Versus Taping Knife: What is the Difference?
- Joint Knives. Joint knives are smaller than taping knives. ...
- Taping Knives. The size of taping knives varies depending on what manufacturer makes them. ...
- The Better Choice. The main difference between joint and taping knives is that one is specialized for taping use only while the other can also be used for jointing but ...
- Final Verdict. ...
What is the difference between a joint and a tapered knife?
Additionally, joint knives are generally shaped like putty knives (rounded, sloping sides from the edge to the handle), though they aren’t sharpened the way that a putty knife is. Taping knives, on the other hand, are typically more rectangular.
What are the different sizes of taping knives?
There are small taping knifes and large ones. Sizes can vary from 3 inches to 14 inches. Some of the more popular sizes for general drywall work are the 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch taping knives. There are also corner taping knives, also known as drywall corner trowels.
What is a taping knife used for?
These knives are great for smoothing the tracks left by smaller knives, feathering mud, and generally leaving a clean surface at the end stages of the project after detailing has been completed. These larger knives are commonly called taping knives and have a square shape to them.
What is a joint knife used for?
A joint knife goes by a number of different names, including a taping knife. The key identifier is that the joint knife is specific to drywall installation work, is designed to spread drywall mud over the joints and dents made by the drywall nails that sink into the drywall a bit.
What's a taping knife used for?
A taping knife or joint knife is a drywall tool with a wide blade for spreading joint compound, also known as "mud". It can be used to spread mud over nail and screw indents in new drywall applications and is also used when using paper or fiberglass drywall tape to cover seams.
What size knife do you use to tape drywall?
Drywall Knife in 12-, 6-, and 4-Inch Sizes The 6-inch knife and the 4-inch knife are used for slopping the mud into place and for taping. The 12-inch knife is used for feathering and final coats. You will need either the 4- or 6-inch (they are fairly interchangeable) and the 12-inch knife.
What does a taping knife look like?
1:5910:43How to Use a Drywall Taping Knife Right! The Most OFTEN ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo like you want to put some mud. On put your tape. In. And tape it well it's just the right sizeMoreSo like you want to put some mud. On put your tape. In. And tape it well it's just the right size it's great for spreading mud.
How do you use a tape knife?
Starting in the middle of the newly taped joint, hold your taping knife at a 25 degree angle and pull the knife to one end of the joint, smoothing and pressing the tape firmly into the compound. Return to the centre point and repeat in the other direction. (This prevents the tape from pulling off the wall.)
Why are drywall knives curved?
Because the curve helps keep the corners of the blade slightly away from the taping surface, the result is a smooth surface without the tool marks created by a flat knife blade. The knife blades are available in blue steel or stainless steel.
What is joint knife?
Smaller knives, (6” and smaller) are commonly known as joint knives, and are best for the first stages of a project. Their smaller size allows you to get into smaller spaces and crevices, as well as use more pressure to force mud into seams and the holes left by screws. Joint knives are also rounded with sloping sides.
How do you use a joint compound knife?
0:341:36How to tape drywall joints - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm going to try to do is I'm going to put a little bit of joint compound on my knife. AndMoreSo what I'm going to try to do is I'm going to put a little bit of joint compound on my knife. And then I'm going to start somewhere in the middle of the joint to the outside.
How do you keep taping knives from rusting?
0:210:59Protecting Drywall Tools from Rust with WD-40® Multi-Use ProductYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean up the drywall knives and pans very thoroughly I'm gonna dry them and then. I'm gonna spray wdMoreClean up the drywall knives and pans very thoroughly I'm gonna dry them and then. I'm gonna spray wd-40 multi-use product in order to prevent any kind of rusting to come back through.
What is a drywall knockdown knife?
Knockdown Knife with Clear Lexan blade is used to flatten wall and ceiling texture patterns for that "knocked down" look. It erases trowel lines without creating chatter marks like other knives. The blade is both flexible and durable.
Can you plaster with a taping knife?
Taping Knives. They are used to apply joint compound, the premixed plaster-like substance, purchased in tubs, that is used to finish the taped joints between sheets of drywall.
How do you use jointing tape?
4:1212:33Drywall Taping for Beginners Guaranteed Professional ResultsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart in the corner. I'm going to go across. I've got my tape over the joint now I'm going to lay itMoreStart in the corner. I'm going to go across. I've got my tape over the joint now I'm going to lay it down and embed it in the mud. And so what you do is you just take your tool and bring it. Across.
How big of a gap can you fill with drywall mud?
Setting-type compound (the bagged kind you mix vs. the drying-type you buy premixed in a bucket) will easily fill a 1/2" gap without cracking. Make sure you load up the gap well before applying your tape, then finish it as you would any other joint.
How do I choose a putty knife?
Scraping blades are stiffer than spreading blades so they will not be ground steel (promoting flex). These steel blades will be thicker and more rigid. The chiseled blade edge of the knife should also be angled instead of flat to help get under the paint, dried putty, or other residues more easily.
What is a drywall knockdown knife?
Knockdown Knife with Clear Lexan blade is used to flatten wall and ceiling texture patterns for that "knocked down" look. It erases trowel lines without creating chatter marks like other knives. The blade is both flexible and durable.
How many drywall knives do I need?
0:000:38What Size Drywall Knives Do I Need - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTape it's good for your first coat. And also for any small repairs on drywall to that you should addMoreTape it's good for your first coat. And also for any small repairs on drywall to that you should add either a ten or a twelve inch blade. And this is going to be for your second.
Do I need a drywall rasp?
Rasps are an effective, inexpensive precision tool that belong on every drywaller's tool belt, whether you're a pro, a hobbyist, or a first-timer. You might be able to get something put together without one, but if you want your results to look smooth and professional, a rasp is indispensable.
What is a taping knife?
Taping knives are an indispensable part of every drywall professional’s toolkit. They are used for applying mud, finishing, laying tape, and more. A true workhorse, most projects would simply not be possible without a taping knife.
What are the materials used to make taping knives?
There are, generally speaking, three materials used to form the blades of taping knives: stainless steel, carbon steel, and blue steel. Carbon steel knives are relatively uncommon, though you may encounter them occasionally. The differences between the materials may not be apparent at first, so let’s break them down.
Why use stainless steel for taping?
Properly cared for, a stainless steel knife will last for many years. However, stainless steel, because of the hardness that makes it so long-wearing, is also less flexible than other knife styles. The result is that it will have a harder time feathering mud well, getting into corners, and is more prone to permanent bending than other blade types. In addition, stainless steel is harder to sand back to a new edge than softer steel blends.
What is a 5 inch knife called?
These larger knives are commonly called taping knives and have a square shape to them. The five inch or six inch knife deserves special attention, as this middle-sized knife fills a special niche. It is fairly well-suited to both mud application and detail/finishing work, and as such, is typically the most-used size.
Why is stainless steel less flexible than other knives?
However, stainless steel, because of the hardness that makes it so long-wearing, is also less flexible than other knife styles. The result is that it will have a harder time feathering mud well, getting into corners, and is more prone to permanent bending than other blade types.
Why are joint knives rounded?
Joint knives are also rounded with sloping sides. This is designed to allow the knife to fit into corners without damaging the wall.
Why do knives ditch the handle in line with the blade?
These knives ditch the “handle in line with blade” design in favor of a shape puts the handle out of line with the blade. This allows for increased clearance for the fingers and reduces the possibility of accidentally marking the mud with your knuckles. This also allows you to bring the knife flatter to the wall, making it easier to achieve a perfect finish.
Why are putty knives made of stainless steel?
Because these hand tools frequently deal with material that is wet or has moisture content mixed in, the better versions of putty knives are frequently manufactured from stainless steel to avoid problems with corrosion. Carbon steel is possible as well, but it will frequently start to rust after the first “wet” job.
Why do artists use putty knives?
Artists tend to favor flexible, bending putty knives to apply large amounts of paint which they then spread with brushes. Folks will also start off opting for plastic putty knives because they are cheaper and the job is assumed to be the only need.
What is the best knife for scraping?
A putty knife can also be used as a scraper, which becomes fairly easy due to the straight edge nature of the blade. The chiseled putty knife is a better choice for this kind of work since the angled edge can get under material easier, avoiding scratches.
What is putty knife?
Putty Knives in General. Often assumed to be some kind of basic scraper, a putty knife comes in a variety of lightweight flat shapes of metal with an ergonomic handle on one end and a shaped flat blade on the other that sections off with a straight edge. Putty knives also come in an assortment of sizes, with the smallest being just an inch ...
What are putty knives made of?
The very cheapest of putty knives are made of plastic and used as consumable throwaways. Some like to use these versions for wood or delicate material to avoid the scraping risk of metal. However, professionals opt for the higher end steel versions, clean them regularly, and re-use their putty knives all the time.
How much does a putty knife cost?
Basic putty knives that are one-time use can be bought for less than a dollar in price. Middle of the road metal putty knives ranges anywhere from $6 to $15 per tool , with the painter’s putty knife running on the higher end.
Can you use a putty knife on food?
Lots of building materials and art products can be applied with a putty knife. In fact, it can be used on all kinds of compounds that have a paste-like consistency, including food. Most folks will start off with a stiff blade thinking strength provides better performance of spreading, but this can be a common rookie mistake as well.
What is the difference between drywall taping and drywall taping knives?
Putty knives are generally smaller, stiffer, and better suited to heavy scraping while drywall taping knives are generally wider, more flexible and better suited to spreading and feathering and to more delicate scraping work.
What is a drywall taping knife?
While not designed for heavy scraping the way some putty knives are, drywall taping knives can also be used to scrape away small, uneven bits of dried joint compound.
What is a putty knife?
Putty knives are designed (surprise, surprise) for working with putty and more specifically for smoothly spreading putty into indentations and depressions. Taping knives, on the other hand, are designed specifically for scooping and spreading drywall mud onto seams and joints between panels.
What is the best knife for applying compound?
Smaller taping knives are most useful for applying compound at the start of a project while progressively larger sizes are used with each pass to smooth and feather the drywall mud farther and farther from the joint to create a smooth transition from the seam to the board.
Can you use putty and taping knives interchangeably?
Interchangeability. There are a few cases where you may be able to use putty and taping knives interchangeably. Generally, these are the cases where the intended tasks of the knives already overlap. For instance, spreading putty over a large area may be accomplished faster with a wider drywall knife, saving you some time.
Is a putty knife more rigid than a taping knife?
Putty knives tend to be more rigid than taping knives. That said, putty knives also offer a wider variety of rigidity, since some are designed more for spreading and spackling (tasks that are more similar to spreading joint compound and requiring a more flexible blade) while others are designed more for scraping away old paint ...
Can you use a putty knife to scrape wallpaper?
In a pinch, putty knives can also be used to scrape away wallpaper in areas where the taping knife won’t fit , such as a narrow strip of wall between a window frame and the ceiling.
Size
Blade Material
- There are, generally speaking, three materials used to form the blades of taping knives: stainless steel, carbon steel, and blue steel. Carbon steel knives are relatively uncommon, though you may encounter them occasionally. The differences between the materials may not be apparent at first, so let’s break them down. Stainless Steel Stainless steel, a special form of steel that resists rusti…
Handle Material
- There are three common handle materials: wood, plastic, and rubber. Which one you choose depends on a number of factors, such as budget, durability, and comfort. Wood Wood handles are traditional, and popular with those who prioritize comfort and durability. They are beautiful to look at, hold up well to the demands of the job, and are comfortable to hold. On the other hand, wood …
Handle Design
- Beyond the basic handle material, there are a number of design considerations that can affect the use or comfort of a particular taping knife. Offset Handle These knives ditch the “handle in line with blade” design in favor of a shape puts the handle out of line with the blade. This allows for increased clearance for the fingers and reduces the possibility of accidentally marking the mud …
Trowels
- Some drywall professionals use knives, some use trowels. Trowels offer benefits such as a larger surface area blade (resulting in quick smoothing times) underneath an offset handle (no way to leave finger marks or indentations). On the other hand they can take more practice to use well (especially for feathering) and they aren’t as well-suited to small areas, so you may find that a mi…
Other Considerations
- Some manufacturers make a distinction between joint knives and taping knives. Generally, joint knives are smaller (6” and below) while taping knives are larger (6” and above). As you can see (and as noted above), this marks the 6” knife as the most versatile size. Additionally, joint knives are generally shaped like putty knives (rounded, sloping s...