Trowel Or Knife??

theworx

Because there has been so little activity here I thought I would put a question out to you guys that still hand tape. Do you use trowels or knives to finish???

MinConst

Knives

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wolffhomerepair

knives also

Spencer

Why knives?

Mike Finley

I use sand paper to finish.

Knives of course. The only time I use a trowel is for a textured trowel finish.

ProWallGuy

Ditto.

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Spencer

Why are knives better than trowels?

Mike Finley

Because when I use a trowel and when I use multiple sized knives the knives give me faster, better, and more consistent results.

If you know something I don't please spill it. If you are just asking then I recommend using each and seeing what works best for you.

Spencer

I have hardly any experience but recently I did a 50x20 room and I used a 12 inch trowel on the finish coat. I thought that is seemed to fill the voids and feather my joints out better.

I am a really big amatuer when it comes to mudding. The only reason I used a trowel in the fist place was because I though that was what all you pros used.

bassmaster

Use what works for you. I use both. sometimes knives & sometimes I'll use trowel 14".

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andrewtlocke

To finish:

6" knife for finishing corners and angles.

12" pan knife for bead

12" flat trowel for flats and butts (my butts are 24" wide finished)

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ron schenker

There's a funny here, but I won't say anything this time.

IHI

If your not using your 36" knock down knife for finishing, your all a bunch of sissies!!! This thing is friggin great for those hard to hide butt joints LMAO!! Just kinda hard to load that baby up with mud to spread is all...oh and it gets kinda heavy when it's full of mud too. For the record I did'nt know they made anything smaller than a 12" knife

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theworx

GOOD TO SEE SOME POSTS !! When I started I used just knives. Had a knack for it right away (self taught). Then, many years ago, worked with a guy who had 20 yrs experience and all he used was trowels (and was very fast). So of course I tried trowels. Got the knack for that too (and man you can apply alot of mud fast). But found there was a lot more sanding (tends to be a heavier coat). Since then I now work with a guy who also has years of experience and has only used knives. From his teaching and just watching him I have mastered the knife (when before I was good, now I am great at it). I can't believe how minimal the sanding is and you can look down a wall that I've taped that has been painted (with a light) and you can't see a thing. Well maybe some flashing where the joints are. My vote is for the proper use of knives!!!

IHI

"You guys" and plumbers are how/why I became the master at lighting fast patching



Never tried a trowel, I keep having flash backs of everytime I do tile and glops of thinset slinkey down the wall of plop on my foot, shirt, pants, face, etc...aint no way i'm try'n da trowel since it took this long to get my knife degree

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IHI

Apply mud to joint, apply tape, take your knife and go across joint to remove excess mud.

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ProWallGuy

Yeah, it's really hard to explain a whole procedure. This one is easier shown than told. IHI has it right, just remember, wax on, wax off.

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travus

I was trained with knives and trained to tape and finish by hand. I then learned to use automatic tools by myself. Then an old plaster drywall guy taught me to use the hawk and trowel. It is faster and flatter. I use a 6" knife constantly for many things but if I am spreading mud without my fancy auto tools then it is hawk and trowel. Faster and flatter everytime.

jcaneer

i have used a hawk and trowels for 10 years.I use a 12" curved trowel for the first coat and a 16" flat trowel for the last coat,so i would have to say i'm a hawk and trowel man

kodiak_island

knives