Knives & Scrapers

The Right Tool for the Right Job
On the surface, a putty knife is a putty knife.  However, when faced with an assortment of flat bladed knives in different sizes and widths the category of knives and scrapers can become somewhat confusing . . . Do I use a Putty Knife - Broad Knife - Taping Knife - 8-in-1?  Stiff or Flexible?  Good - Better - Best?  What's ideal? . . . It all depends on the job.

Putty knives and scrapers are most frequently used when working with wood, plaster and drywall.
1" to 2" wide bladed knives are named putty knives.  They are typically used for applying and removing glazing compound around windows and for patching small holes and cracks in walls, ceilings and floors.
What is a broad blade knife?
These are knives that range in blade width from 3" up to 24".  Knives that are 3" to 4" in blade width are referred to as paint scrapers.  The largest use of this product is in the removal of paint in conjunction with liquid paint remover or a hot air gun.  The true paint scraper has a slanted blade while the 3" to 4" broad knife blade has a flat cut.





Where would a larger broad knife be used?
4" to 6" broad knives are typically used on drywall for applying joint compound to fill nail holes and for the first coat of compound to the seams and joint.  8" to 14" knives are called taping knives.  The 10" to 12" sizes are the most common sizes used.  The 10" knife would be used for the second coat of joint compound.  The 12" size is used for the third application.

What is an 8-in-1 tool?
It is a versatile, combination tool.  They are sometimes referred to as Glazier Knives.  The eight features are:

  • A half round cut-out of the blade for removing excess paint from roller covers before cleaning.  This conserves paint consumption as well as speeds the cleaning process.
  • The blade has a ground, keen edge for scraping and planing.
  • The reverse edge of the blade can be used to apply patching, glazing and joint compounds.
  • The rounded end of the blade is a great can opener.
  • The pointed end of the blade is used for gouging old, loose paint from cracks & crevices prior to patching.
  • A steel head or hammer end to tap loose nails back into drywall panels.
  • A hole in the end for pulling nails.
  • The back edge of the blade can also be used as a cutting tool.


8 in 1 Tool Uses


 What's the difference between stiff and flexible knives?
Simply stated, apply with a flexible knife, remove with a stiff knife.

Super Flex, Full Flex or Full Elastic are interchangeable names for knives that are best for applying light weight spackling.  The Full Flex blade bends so that it squeezes the light weight compound into the surface that is being filled.

Flex or Half Elastic is used for spreading joint compound and glazing compounds.  The blade is more rigid than the Super Flex to maintain control of the glazing compounds and the joint compounds.  Six inches of joint compound would be too heavy for a Full Flex broad knife and would cause the blade to bend.

Stiff bladed knives are used for the removal of paint, glazing compounds, etc.  The 3" stiff ALLPRO professional scrapers has a chisel ground edge and the blade is slanted for ease in removal of paint when used with a paint or paint and varnish remover.
What is the difference between the ALLPRO consumer & professional knives?
How do knives differ in quality?  Our ALLPRO consumer knives are made with stainless steel blades and molded, solvent-resistant plastic handles.  Our best professional knives & scrapers utilize precision ground, mirror finished blades which are coated to prevent rust.  The solvent-proof, full-form handles are made from durable polypropylene. 

The drywall taping knives are made with cold-rolled blue carbon steel blades, coated with enamel to prevent rust and have molded, solvent-resistant plastic handles. Composition and quality differences may vary by supplier.