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My uncle told me to always use a 12 inch knife for taping, and I finally get why.

He's been doing drywall in Phoenix for thirty years and swore by it, but I used a 6 inch for my first few jobs because it felt easier to control. On a big ceiling job last month, I tried his way and it cut my taping time in half on the long seams. The longer blade just glides straighter with fewer stops to reload mud. I still use the smaller knife for inside corners, but now I grab the 12 inch for everything else. Anyone have a favorite brand for those bigger knives that holds up?
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4 Comments
aaron854
aaron85429d ago
Ever feel like you're fighting the mud instead of spreading it? I totally get what @jana_sanchez96 is saying about tight spots, but once you go big on those long runs, it's a total game changer. The right tool just makes the job feel smooth.
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jana_sanchez96
What's the biggest job you'd still use the 6 inch knife for? I'm guessing tight spots or repairs, but maybe there's a size limit where you just have to switch.
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the_susan
the_susan29d ago
Right, @jana_sanchez96? A six-inch is only for tiny patches or the tightest corners now. The big knife just makes the work flow so much better. You can't go back once you get the hang of it.
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the_rowan
the_rowan1d ago
Yeah, "you can't go back once you get the hang of it" is so true. I fought using a bigger knife for way too long. Now anything over a few feet gets the big blade, it just lays it down flat.
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