Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 09, 1999 02:28am | #1

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   The stainless steel knives leave fewer rust stains in the mud. Some rockers swear that the blue steel knives have better flexibility and control. I think they're preferred because of the relative costs. I've seen the handles make a bigger difference in what's sold -- the soft ones are easy on the hands and don't slip.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 10, 1999 12:05am | #2

   *I'm not a pro so I don't do this all the time. But I'd pay the premium for SS without a thought. Bought an assortment of widths for last year's Kitch. remodel. Got the wider ones in stainless (8" & 12"). The narrower ones were not on the shelf in SS when I bought so I got plain steel. I'm pretty scrupulous about washing them off after use and even if I dry and oil the plain steel they get little rust pits. Not just rust stains but the mud seems to drag on the rusty spots.Scott

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   Guest_ | Jan 10, 1999 08:41am | #3

   *Joe's way sounds pretty much how I do it. I was surprised to hear that you could get stainless steel taping tools. I am a tool junkie and I heavily favor quality for tools I use often and I did not know they even made knives of SS. The rust is not a problem unless you were not going to paint for some reason. Maybe the SS's are for concrete? I may be wrong but I always thought drywall trowels had a slight curve.

2. 
   Larry_Eagy | Jan 10, 1999 11:47pm | #4

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   I've been mudding for many years and have used stainless allways. Steel knives last a month or two then back to the store for another one. My ten inch stainless I'm using know I've had for three years and is still working good. Stainless knives are only a few bucks more and will last many years longer. I think hardware stores carry steel knives for one reason. "sell more knives"

3. 
   Abe_ | Jan 11, 1999 04:54am | #5

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   Is there any performance differences between the standard mild steel drywall trowels and the stainless steel ones?

4. 
   Guest_ | Jan 11, 1999 04:54am | #6

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   I believe there is a difference in knives and trowels here. Trowels as I know them are similar to concrete trowels. The drywall and plaster trowels are used with a hawk to hold the mud. I've seen these used and the guys make it look so simple. I just don't have the touch with these.
   Knives on the other hand have handles like a putty knife. I like the knives and pan for my use but that's how I learned. I like the stainless and they seem to last longer. Some mudders I know swear by the blued steel knives. It's just what you get used to.