7 Best Drywall Taping Knives Reviews in 2023

It has been years since you’ve worked on your home. Plasters have started to fall on the floor; ceilings look more like wreckage. It's high time you started repairing your home and yes, you to use drywalls for that.

Using drywalls in a place you need to reconstruct can give you a hard time. But, it's not a tough row to hoe only if you use the best taping knife. Yes, that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

We’ll make sure you can get your hands on the perfect taping knife to finish your project. Just stay with us till the end. And we believe that you’ll smile with joy at the end.

Just follow this table for take a quick decision

Benefits of Using Taping Knife

Whether you’re a DIY or drywall professional, you probably should know that how significant a taping knife is. They provide plenty of benefits that’ll help you to complete your work more easily. Some of the benefits are –

Mud Application

Applying mud to a wall is the most tedious task. However, if you have a taping knife, you can do that pretty easily, thanks to its wide blade

Finishing Coats

Before completing a drywall project, you’ll have to apply finishing coats to get a smooth surface. A taping knife can help you to do that without trouble.

Filling Holes

Typically, there are screw and nail indents that remain on the walls, and you've to fill them up before new drywall applications. You can do that by using it too.

Applying Drywall Tape

Not only that, but you can also use it to apply fiberglass or paper drywall tape for covering seams.

Our Top 7 Best Drywall Taping Knife Reviews

We spent months repairing cracked plaster, applying compound on drywall, and even talked with contractors. Eventually, we end up with the top 7 taping knives that have the capabilities of completing most of the drywall works efficiently.

1. Red Devil 4218

Are you pressed for money but still want to get the best taping knife? No worries, we have the 4218 taping knife from Red Devil for you. Though it's cheap, it offers great versatility to help you doing several projects.

Regardless of the work you have, it’ll back you up. Whether it's scraping paint, stripping caulk, feathering, or small mud work, this knife is going to be more than enough for you.

Plus, the blade of this 6-inch taping knife is made of high carbon steel that extends through the handle. Thus, it's going to resist rust as much as possible so that you can use it for years.
Besides, the blade has a sharp edge that provides a proper level of flex, yet it's not that thin. It’s flexible enough to allow you to do feathering, but it won't flex when you apply pressure. Quite amazing!

Most importantly, the 4218 from Red Devil comes with a black nylon handle built from propylene. You’ll be delighted to know that it's solvent resistant and shatterproof. You, therefore, will get maximum comfort as well as safety while using it.

Carrying extra tools like a hammer is quite cumbersome, isn’t it? With this single knife, you can place the drywall nails and do the hammering jobs with ease, thanks to its nail setting head. The head is not only made of solid steel but also plated with brass to make it strong.

Nonetheless, its big curve is going to help you while stripping paint. Meanwhile, you can use the sharp inner curve of its hook to rip old caulk from the nooks.

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2. WORKPRO Putty Knife Set (4-Piece)

It’s not certain that all the nail holes in your walls are going to be the same. Some can be big; some can be small. That’s why you’re going to need several putty knives. Try out the putty knife set from WORKPRO to get your work done with ease.

You’ll get 4 pieces of putty knives, and each one is made of high-quality stainless steel. Not only that, but they are also mirror-polished to resist rust along with ensuring durability.

Another important aspect that you’re going to notice is its ergonomic handle that offers a soft and comfortable grip, thanks to the PP and TPR material. Besides, each knife has a guide rail both in the front and back so that you apply more force with less effort.

Want to hear the best part of this putty knife set from WORKPRO? You can hold it in three different ways. Power grip to hold it strongly while scraping, finger guide rail for optimum control during pulling or pushing, and precision grip for spreading muds accurately.

Filling small holes can be tricky. No worries, with this set, you’ll get a 1.5-inch knife for filling the gaps effortlessly. You’ll also get 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch putty knives to fulfil your other needs during working.

The blades are sufficiently strong and flexible, allowing you to put high pressure. Thus, you'll be able to do an array of works such as feathering, drywall taping, applying mud, and so on.

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3. Edward Tools Taping Knife

You probably know that working against corners is a tough row to hoe. You need something big like this taping knife from Edward Tools for that kind of work. Try it to make your work easier and convenient.

To start with, it’s a 12-inch taping knife that comes with a blue steel blade. It can flex as well as resist rust better than other materials. You, therefore, can rest assured that it's going to last for years.

The most common issue when working closely against corners is you may unintentionally scrap the wall. No worries, with this knife, you're getting a tapered blade – allowing you to work peacefully without scratching up the wall. You’re going to end up with a smooth finish indeed.

Obviously, it's pesky to apply compound on drywall for hours after hours. Yet its ergonomic handle makes sure that you can hold it comfortably. Besides, you can spot this taping knife easily amidst other home tools because of the highly visible handle.

On top of that, have you ever lost your head while searching for your finishing knife in your storage? Guess what? This taping knife from Edward Tools integrates hanging holes. Thus, you can store it on a wall and get it at the time of your work without trouble.

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4. Red Devil 4834

Do you struggle while slopping mud on the walls? Now, that can be very annoying if it continues for too long. Well, you can wave away the struggle forever by considering the 4834-taping knife from Red Devil.

First of all, it’s a 4-inch knife that is most preferable to use for spreading and sloping mud with ease. So, you can use it with peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to do your work effortlessly.

The crux of the matter of using a taping knife is that it gets rust if not cared for properly. However, its blade is made of top carbon steel to ensure that it can resist rust properly to stay in proper shape.

Besides, the handle of a taping knife is very important. Because it's going to come in contact with different materials that can damage it. But you don’t need to worry, as the 4384 from Red Devil comes with a sturdy as well as solvent-resistant handle. As a result, you can work by grabbing its handle with ease.

Moreover, you know that it's quite easier to find a knife that is hung rather than from a crowd of tools. That’s the reason it comes with a unique breakaway tab so that you can hang it on your pegboard.

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5. Warner 10873 ProGrip Drywall Taping Knife

As an amateur, you may find it hard to work on drywall with a typical knife. That being said, whether you’re a noob or a pro, you’re going to love the 10873 ProGrip from Warner. It’s a quality knife that you can rely upon without any doubt.

Does it take hours for you to smooth out your walls? And the worst is you don’t even get the desired evenness. But not anymore, as this 12-inch drywall taping knife is going to help you apply finishing coats, texture walls with ease. Not only that, but you can also scrape old paint from the walls by using it.

Another important aspect to mention about this knife is its blue steel blade. It's much more enduring and has a greater capacity of fighting against rust than any other materials. Therefore, you can use it for your projects as long as you want.

Besides, it boasts an ergonomic handle so that your palm and fingers stay stable on the knife when in use. As well, its soft grip is going to add up extra ease while you're working.

Above all that, the blade of this 10873 ProGrip from Warner gets plenty of support from the aluminum backing. Not only that, but its blade also outstretches at the edges so that you can work in the corners. You must admit that this unique feature makes it one of the best drywall taping knives.

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6. LEVEL5 Taping Knife 5-138

Do you need something wider as well as thicker to carry out your drywall work? Rather than looking anywhere else, try out this 5-138 taping knife from LEVEL5.

Speaking of wideness, this knife has a length of 14-inch, which is uncommon than others. Plus, the blade is made of high-grade stainless steel so that it can flex to give you an accurate finish just like that.

Besides, this knife is undoubtedly durable and can prevail against rust effectively, all thanks go to the stainless steel. As a consequence, it's going to back you up to accomplish your projects for years.

As it stands, it integrates an ergonomically designed handle that is pretty lightweight. Thus, you won’t feel any fatigue while working for prolonged hours.

Moreover, the 5-138 from LEVEL5 boasts a soft-grip handle that is both impact and solvent resistant. So, you can use it rigorously with ease, and even if it falls on the ground, it’s going to stay intact.

Want to know the best part? This handle is riveted with stainless steel so that it doesn’t get apart from the knife. Another amazing feature that’ll blow you away is its hammer end made of alloy metal. Thus, you’ll be able to reset drywall nails effortlessly.

With this knife, you’re going to stay pretty organized. Want to know how? Well, it incorporates a large hang hole so that you can keep it at a place from where you can get it within a snap.

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7. Warner 10918 ProGrip

We’re going to end our list with the 10918 ProGrip taping knife from Warner. It has got an 8-inch blade that is specifically suited for setting tape. Get into more details down below.

As it stands, the blade of this knife is built from blue steel that can superbly resist rust. Not only that, but it's rugged enough to serve you for many years. It’ll help you to reach for the moon and complete every project delightfully.

In addition to the setting tape, you can use it for texturing walls, applying finishing coats, and even scraping old paint. This bad boy is going to support you whenever and however you need it.

Typically, you need to put force when working with a taping knife, which results in moving your palm as well as your fingers. However, with the 10918 ProGrip from Warner, you’re getting an ergonomic handle that’ll give you a firm grip preventing unnecessary movements.

Besides, you’ll feel very comfortable working with this knife no matter how long you keep doing it, thanks to its soft grip. As such, its blade spreads out at the edges – allowing you to work effortlessly in the corners and joints.

On top of that, its blade has been fortified to work under tremendous pressure by the aluminum backing. You, therefore, can use it with peace of mind regardless of the tasks you have in your hands.

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Comparison Chart of Best Taping Knife

Things to Consider Before Buying Taping Knife

Taping knives, or you can say drywall finishing knives are very important to finish off your project. That’s why you have to get the perfect one.

Well, there are things that you need to consider when you think of purchasing a taping knife. We’re going to discuss them underneath so that you can easily pick out a preferrable one for completing your project.

Size

This is the most important consideration while selecting a taping knife as the size matters. Yes, it does, even when you're plastering your drywall.

Smaller Knives

6-inch or smaller taping knives are mostly known as joint knives. You can use them at the first stage of your project as their smaller size will allow you to work in crevices and smaller spaces.

Not only that, but they'll also allow you to apply more pressure when forcing mud into holes and seams. They’re designed to work snugly into the corners.

Larger Knives

Knives with 6-inch or greater length and with a square shape are called taping knives. These work best at the time of finishing.

Because of their large size, you’ll be able to cover more space with lighter pressure. You can smooth down the tracks that are left by joint knives by using these large knives to get a clean surface.

Middle-Sized Knives

The 6-inch or 5-inch knives are the special ones, as they are suited for doing both mud application and finishing work. And these types of knives are mostly used by professionals for doing their projects.

Blade Material

Generally, three materials are used for making the blades of taping knives — carbon steel, stainless steel, and blue steel.

Carbon Steel

It is considered more flexible than others, which makes it suitable for smoothing and feathering. But the drawback with carbon steel is that it is prone to rust. So, maintaining it is going to be pretty tough.

Stainless Steel

The best part of stainless steel taping knives is that they can resist rust very effectively. Not only that, but this type of material is also very durable and long-lasting.

If you can maintain it properly, it'll last for years. But, its strongness makes it less flexible than other knives. As a result, you'll find it harder to feather mud or work in corners by using a knife blade made of stainless steel.

Blue Steel

Carbon steel that has been treated for resisting rust is called blue steel. This type of steel can resist rust more than carbon steel and is more flexible than stainless steel.

Experience drywall professionals use this type of steel to make accurate adjustments. However, it needs little maintenance than stainless steel. You can apply a thin coat of oil between uses to keep it in good shape.

Handle Material

This is another important consideration as comfort level depends on the type of material used for making the handle of a taping knife. There are three main materials that are used for making the handle.

Wood

These types of handles are popular for delivering comfort and durability. They also boast a beautiful look and are quite comfortable to hold. However, they are heavy and expensive.

Plastic

Now, these types of handles are inexpensive yet durable. But taping knives with hard plastic handles are not so comfortable to hold while working.

Rubber

This material offers both durability and comfort. The rubber handle offers an improved grip so that you can apply the mud with minimal pressure. You can use a knife with a rubber handle for feathering and finishing precisely with ease.

How to Use a Taping Knife?

The sole purpose of using a taping knife is to obtain a smooth finish of your wall. For that reason, you must know the absolute techniques of using it so that you can do the taping and mudding perfectly. Yet, it’s not all about techniques, you need to have patience as well as skill. These are the steps –

Taking Precautions

Since you’re going to work for a prolonged time with a mud knife, you have to wear gloves. Otherwise, your skin might get damaged.

Plus, keep a bottle of water while working, as you're going to work pretty hard, which will often make you dehydrate. Again, don’t forget to wear old clothes because you’re going to use taping knives for mudding and layering.

Selecting Knife

You’ll find taping knives in different sizes from 6-inches to 12-inches and even more. Now, the size is going to play a significant role in delivering you smooth mud coats. That's why if you need to apply multiple coats, you should get three different sizes of a knife.

Usually, the first coat requires large amounts of mud. That’s why choose a smaller knife as it’ll give you control over the quantity of mud you’re going to apply. And for applying other coats, use a taping knife larger than the prior one.

Holding a Knife

Hold your knife by placing your thumb below the handle and two fingers on the top of the blade. This way, you'll be able to apply pressure at places where you need it. It's important for you to remember that you can hold an offset handle with a full grip, yet you can place the blade flat against your drywall surface.

Spreading the Mud

Start spreading the mud following a horizontal direction on plane surfaces. But when it comes to corners, you have to tilt the blade to a 45-degree angle before application.
That way, you'll be able to create a smooth joint within perpendicular drywalls. This time apply the mud in a vertical direction to do the work more easily and faster.

Finishing

Finally, a taping knife can very likely poke through the wet coat, which will ruin all the hard work that you’ve done so far. So, check whether the first coat has dried or not before applying a new coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What size of a taping knife do I really need?

You can use both 6-inch and 4-inch knife for taping as well as slopping mud into places. And for feathering and applying final coats, you’re going to need a 12-inch knife. So, you’ll need each of them at least once for completing your project.

2. What is the difference between a taping knife and a putty knife?

A taping knife is used to spread and scoop drywall mud on joints and seams between panels. On the other hand, a putty knife is made to work for spreading putty smoothly into indentations in walls.

3. How many drywall muds coats do I need to apply?

Apply one layer of drywall mud on a bare wall for holding the tape. You can immediately apply another coat after laying the tape and scraping it. When the coat dries, you can use a wider knife to give a topcoat by applying the third layer.

4. What is the difference between joint compound and drywall mud?

A joint compound is also called drywall mud, which is a gypsum-based paste. It is used during drywall installation to finish corners and joints. It's also very useful for repairing holes and cracks in existing plaster and drywall surfaces.

5. Why my drywall mud is cracking?

Either the drywall mud on your wall has dried out too quickly, or the application was overly thick. Don't need to start over again; rather, you can repair the cracked area after the mud dries out completely.

Final Words

A taping knife is undoubtedly an essential tool for both professional and DIY enthusiast. It helps to apply the drywall mud and finish. Though there’re overwhelming options out there, we’ve discussed all the factors that’ll help you to get the best taping knife effortlessly. So, get the one that suits your project.