john_sullivan2•16d agoProlific Poster

Been using a 6 inch knife for 8 years, finally tried a 10 inch

I always figured bigger knives were for guys who couldn't handle detail work. Stuck with my 6 inch for taping and never questioned it. Last week I grabbed a 10 inch on a whim from the supply house. First coat on a long hallway took half the time. The mud laid down way flatter too, less sanding later. I still use the 6 inch for tight corners around windows and doors. But for big open walls, I'm converted. Anyone else fight switching to a bigger knife for years?

2 comments

2 Comments

anna_craig16d ago

Man, I was the same way for like 6 years on a 6 incher. Thought anyone using a 10 inch was just compensating for shaky hands or something. Then I helped a buddy on a garage drywall job and he handed me his 10 inch after watching me struggle on a long wall. First pass with it felt like cheating, all that mud just laid down so smooth. Now I feel like a fool for all those years of extra sanding and taping time, honestly.

andrewh9516d ago

Hold up, @anna_craig. SIX YEARS on a 6 inch? That's wild. My back hurts just thinking about all those extra passes you must have been doing. I switched to a 10 inch after about two years and even then I felt like I wasted a good chunk of time. You must have arms of steel from all that extra work. But hey, better late than never, right? That first smooth coat with a bigger knife really does feel like someone showed you the cheat codes.