Is Blue steel better than stainless steel?

Is Blue steel better than stainless steel?

Blue steel is more flexible than stainless and more rust-resistant than carbon steel. In general, blue steel is preferred by more experienced drywall professionals as its flexibility is best made use of by those who have a sure hand and the experience to make very fine adjustments.

What knives do you use for 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 is the difference between a taping knife and a joint knife?

Intended Use. 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.

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.

How good is Blue steel?

Blue steel holds its edge longer than a white steel knife. Feature of Blue Steel are excellent cutting performance, retain maximum sharpness and easy to sharpen. Blue steel is fairly reactive and requires care to avoid rust as it has virtually no rust resistance.

Is Blue steel brittle?

The added elements lead to better corrosion resistance and edge retention (as well as deeper hardening). This also comes at the cost of being more difficult to sharpen and not taking quite as keen of an edge. Blue steel also tends to be more brittle (ever so slight).

Which side of drywall knife is best?

I use the convex side of the blade when taping. 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.

How much pressure should be on a drywall knife?

Hold the taping knife at a 45-degree angle and use light pressure—just enough to smooth out the edge, but not enough that you make a ridge in the mud.