Watching a crew in Phoenix use a 14-inch knife for the whole ceiling changed my mind on tool switching.

Now I'm split between sticking with my 6 and 12-inch knives for control or just grabbing the big one to save time on the second coat, so what's your take on single-knife finishing for flats?

3 comments

3 Comments

marybutler9d ago

That "single-knife finishing" idea sounds like a fast track to a wavy ceiling. A 14-inch knife is great for the first coat to spread mud fast, but trying to finish with it? You'll never get the pressure even. I use a 12 to lay it down, then a 6 for the final tight skim. The big knife just floats over imperfections instead of cutting them out.

smith.elliot9d ago

Couldn't a perfect finish come from mastering just one tool?

julia_carter619d ago

Totally agree about the big knife just floating over problems. I tried finishing with a 14 once and had to go back with a 6 to fix all the ridges.