The Best Putty Knives for 2023
Spice up your toolbox by purchasing the perfect putty knife!
Calling out for DIY-ers all across the world! Whether you’re an amateur or professional home fixer, a putty knife is your must-have item in your toolbox! Applying your putty can be challenging if you don’t use the right tools, so you have to find your best putty knives to solve that problem.
There are so many functions of putty knives we’ve already known. We often use putty knives not only for applying glaze putty before painting our walls but also for sealing holes, chiseling with a hammer, scraping material off the wall, and scraping paint excess from the roller. This list will guarantee you find the best putty knives ever!
Our Top Picks
Our Picks For You
Best Pick - Dewalt
Best Pick
Dewalt
This decent looking knife yellow knife will offer everything at a very supportive price
This utility and sharp knife from Dewalt is a perfect alternative for any sort of sharp and cutting thing that you need for slicing various things. It features a sharp and unique blade that can cut even hard materials and cardboard boxes easily. Plus its rugged design will ensure a proper grip for more precise work. Moreover, its foldable design is useful to keep this knife inside your pocket or purse.
Who it is for
The Dewalt Stainless Steel Putty Knife is marketed for putty knife users who expect a soft grip handle with a stainless steel blade.
Why it is great
The hollow ground blade gives the blade excellent flex and makes it corrosion-resistant. The alloy metal hammer at the handle's end can be used to reset nails and is also well-protected in case the putty knife falls.
Potential flaws
According to user reviews, the alloy metal hammer appears to be less durable than solid stainless steel. However, some users disagree.
Other features
The Dewalt putty knife boasts a corrosion-resistant blade made of superior stainless steel that flexes perfectly and precisely. It has a core made of glass-reinforced nylon and a full, plush handle for comfort. The stainless steel blade's proper flex point is provided by a precision hollow ground around halfway up. Faster application rates, ideal blade control, and smoother finishes are all benefits of hollow ground. The handle is doubly attached to the blade plate with stainless steel rivets, and the blade has been polished for simple cleanup. Additionally, it features an easy-peel label.
Runner Up - Warner
Runner Up
Warner
This option has an ergonomic soft grip handle to reduce fatigue.
The Warner Putty Knife is ideal for every moment of home scraping. The stiff blade gives better strength during scraping, especially on hardened surfaces.
Who it is for
The Warner Stiff Putty Knife is great for those who need a knife for scraping and shaving. It can be used to apply spackle and putty for detail work in small areas.
Why it is great
This knife features an ergonomic soft flat wide-grip handle to reduce fatigue and fit the hand comfortably. It is made from high-quality carbon steel blades and has a large size hang-hole for easy tool organizing.
Potential flaws
There are two stickers on the front and back sides that are difficult to remove. According to user reviews, it takes a long time just to scrape the stickers off the new putty knife; they had to use goof off, soap, water, and alcohol to do so. This problem appears simple, but it can irritate some people. Also, because the blade is made of carbon steel, it will rust if you wash it and forget to wipe it down before air drying.
Other features
This is a professional-grade premium stiff chisel putty knife. It includes a sturdy chiseled edge for scraping and finger grips with ribs for enhanced control while scraping. It also has a full tang blade to avoid blade breakage and a pleasant soft-grip ergonomic handle for prolonged use. Thanks to the tapered handle design, the tool is simpler to clean after use. It is made in the U.S. and is safe to use with chemical solvents.
Most cost-effective - Bates
Most cost-effective
Bates
Looking for something more affordable? These plastic putty knives are perfect for you.
The Bates plastic set is an easy and affordable solution for a putty knife. It’s an excellent alternative to metal putty knives and comes in six sizes to suit your needs.
Who it is for
The Bates Six-Pack Plastic Knives are designed for people who want affordable and easy-to-use putty knives.
Why it is great
The package includes six knives with varying designs to suit a variety of project needs. They’re also easy to clean, affordable, and work exceptionally well.
Potential flaws
Because the material is plastic, it works well to remove paint from the wall but is not strong enough to scrape paint remover off. After some time, the edge loses its luster and using it for demanding tasks like scraping is not advised.
Other features
This versatile putty knife set by Bates Choice is an excellent alternative to a metal knife and offers comparable durability that won’t disappoint. These spackle tools are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 1.5 inches up to 6 inches. Additionally, these knives have a solvent-resistant feature and are highly flexible, making them a superb choice for painting, patching, and shackling.
Almost made the cut - Hyde
Almost made the cut
Hyde
A rust-resistant stainless steel blade that is double hollow-ground for the perfect flex point.
Made of durable stainless steel, the Hyde putty knife truly does the job. It is very sturdy yet flexible, and it works well. It’s perfect for use in the harshest and most abrasive environments.
Who it is for
The Hyde Stainless Steel putty knife is for those who want a good flexible putty knife blade. It has a nice flex because of its double hollow-ground blade.
Why it is great
The Hyde putty knife has a rust-resistant stainless steel blade and durable nylon handle. It also has an alloy hammer head end for setting nails and screws easily. Additionally, it is lightweight and very durable.
Potential flaws
Due to the flexible blade, it’s possible that the blade might bend over or even be broken when scraping on too hard surfaces.
Other features
The stainless steel blade on the Hyde premium quality tools is double hollow-ground for the ideal flex point and is rust-resistant. It features an excellent grip and padding for tedious patching tasks. It has a flexible nylon handle and a complete, robust hammer head end for driving screws and nails. The blades are 1-1/2 inches wide and run straight from the working edge through the handle.
Who This Is For
The knives reviewed are for the homeowner, the casual user, a professional, or a DIY worker who wants to repair or renovate their home, mostly related to applying the compound including spreading and scraping the putty, filling the holes with putty, and also often used for chiseling. The putty knife is one of the most versatile hand tools you will have in your toolbox.
Putty knife vs. joint knife
A putty knife’s blade is stiffer than a joint knife, which is the fundamental distinction between the two. Although the two knives perform comparable tasks, the joint knife is larger. A joint knife often measures between five and 12 inches, whereas a putty knife typically measures one to six inches. The joint knife works well for removing drywall compounds, but a putty knife with a chiseled edge works better for difficult removal and scraping harder materials.
Should I get a metal putty knife or a plastic one?
This is determined by the intended use. Plastic blades do not rust and are an excellent choice for water-based work. On the other hand, polished carbon steel is thought to be a well-constructed blade for the same purpose. The material is more durable, but it rusts easily. Stainless steel is not only long-lasting, but it is also popular for drywall taping compounds, scraping residues, and a variety of other applications. Stiffer blades can also be used as paint scrapers.
Why You Should Trust Us
We have spent countless hours conducting in-depth research and reading numerous reviews and user feedback because we are aware of the wide variety of putty knives available from various brands. As a result, we have made sure that our list only includes the highest-quality putty knives that will meet your needs.
How We Picked
It’s difficult to select and pick a putty knife of superior quality. To simplify the process, we combed through previous customer experiences with various putty knives and gathered their feedback on the usefulness of the putty knives provided. You can thus trust our method to help you discover the ideal putty knife for your task. The following factors were considered in coming to our decision.
Blade material
Choose the blade material that best meets your demands from the three main types.
Carbon steel
This is commonly used to add more flexibility to your spackle knife. Carbon steel is suitable for smoothing and feathering tasks. Keep in mind that this material is susceptible to rust and needs proper maintenance and storage.
Stainless steel
This is a more premium choice for putty knife blades, mainly for its durability and resistance to rust. These knives make the best taping knives for the same reason. The blade can last for several years and make various construction tasks a breeze. It may not offer you the same level of flexibility as carbon steel.
Plastic
This is another common choice when you need a blade material that’s safer to use and less harsh on your surface. Plastic knives may not be the most durable, but they’ll make certain tasks easier, such as resurfacing and feathering.
Blades
There are two kinds of putty knife blades: stiff and flexible. You can use the stiff blade for scraping and the flex blade for spreading putty. The blade also comes in a straight edge or angle edge that will be beneficial for chiseling.
Blade length
You should also think about the length. Most professionals would agree that the shorter the blade, the more control you will have over it, but with wider blade widths, you may need some extra length to avoid getting your hands caught in the putty mess.
Size
It’s crucial to know the precise size you require before purchasing a single putty knife. These knives come in sizes ranging from one to 14 inches. The smaller ones are more frequently used for DIY projects, creative endeavors, or dry-walling stages of projects. When smoothing down various surfaces, these knives can exert more pressure and are perfect for getting into smaller nooks and corners. To accommodate diverse needs, it is recommended to choose a set of knives in a range of sizes. This way, you have a variety of tools to perform numerous jobs.
Handle design
An easy-grip handle is vital for supporting your hand when applying your putty. The two most common options are ergonomic handles made of rubber or plastic. These materials improve grip without adding too much weight or becoming too bulky. Rubber handles, in particular, are ideal for tasks that require extreme precision. Look for knives with ergonomic handles for the best grip and comfort.
Handle material
Most handles will be made of a tough plastic that will still provide a stiff putty knife. When shopping for putty knives, you should always consider the weight of the handle. If your knife is heavy, the dull blade may not matter because you will tire out quickly, anyway. Fortunately, most manufacturers keep their products within a reasonable weight range. However, a plastic putty knife will not be as durable as a steel or wood putty knife.
How We Picked
Blade
For comfort in use, the blade is important because it comes in different sizes and flexibility. The type of blade depends on what you use the putty knives for.
Handle
An easy-grip handle is vital for supporting your hand. It should be made from high-quality material and durable for longer use.
Material
Metal steel strips are the best for putty knives because of their outstanding properties, corrosion resistance, flexibility, surface finish, and durability.
Price
Price is the most important thing to consider when choosing a putty knife. We want an affordable yet high-quality putty knife that is long-lasting.
Care and maintenance
How to clean
No matter what material your putty knife’s blade is made of, you should always cleanse it after using it. If you don’t take good care of your putty knife, compound glazed putty can harden over time and destroy it. Blades made of plastic or stainless steel should be washed in warm water after being freed of all excess putty or paint. Because carbon steel is prone to rust, it should not be washed under running water. You can clean it by removing any residue with a wet cloth, followed by a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. The blade should then be completely air-dried, preferably in the sun.
How to store
Store the putty knife only after it has been cleaned and dried. You can keep it in your toolbox, out of the reach of kids and animals. If you don’t use the knives often, check on them often to clean off the dust or make sure the storage isn’t wet.
Further Reading and Similar Topics
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