If you are doing up your home, a putty knife can prove to be invaluable. You could be fixing a crack, or filling a hole - or you may even be building a wall. For any of these tasks you will find one tool in particular to be extremely handy. This tool in question is the putty knife.
This is a surprisingly crowded market - and there is an extensive variety of putty knives that you can purchase. However, you need to fully establish what it is that you need your putty knife for.
The best putty knives at a glance:
Best for a budget: URTOYPIA Plastic Putty Knife Set - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for comfort: Stanley Dynagrip Putty Knife - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for removing: Window Bead Deglazing Putty Knife - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for precision: Faithfull professional Putty Knife - View offer on Amazon UK
You will find that different putty knives will serve different purposes, and you need to make sure you select the right one for you. We have compiled a little list of some of the best, most versatile options for you to peruse.
Best for a budget
The cost can soon add up when buying all of the bits and bobs for a DIY project, which is why cheap tools like these are sometimes needed. These plastic putty knives have blade edges that help to scrape and fill putty. Avoids scratch contact, make you to easily complete the repair without wasting filler. The ergonomic design does not make you feel uncomfortable and tired due to prolonged use.
Our Thoughts: You get a lot for your money as there are not one, not two, but three different scrapers, all in varying shapes. They're pretty flexible and can be used on your car, as well as your home.
Pros
- Lightweight and simple to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- A bit flimsy
Best for comfort
A truly ergonomic design with a thick rubber grip handle, ideal for placing putty or filler. The blade of this putty knife is made of fully ground flexible stainless steel.
Our Thoughts: This one is super flexible, meaning you can easily direct any plaster or putty into the most awkward of spaces. It's worth noting that the blade isn't very long, but that's ideal for smaller areas anyway.
Pros
- Diagonal edge is perfect for corners
- Quite compact
Cons
- May take time to cover larger surfaces
Best for deglazing
Removing a window requires the removal of beading; this tool can do this job very efficiently. With a cushion grip non-slip handle and a 32mm width stiff blade - this is the perfect putty knife for the glazing and window industry.
Our Thoughts: This option has no wobble; it's completely sturdy. You'll love the thin edge of the blade as it's great for reaching in a scraping even the most stubborn of beading and putty off of the window without damaging the glass.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Pretty sturdy and solid
Cons
- Handle is quite thick
Best for precision
Now, this may seem like a utensil you may see in your kitchen, but this knife is made for spreading wet substances during DIY. This putty knife is actually great for using in the garden - it's great for weeding the lawn and in between paving stones.
Our Thoughts: Just look at the base of the blade; it's just the perfect shape for getting into corners and manoeuvring around bends. The metal continues into the handle (encased in wood), which keeps it very strong and in tip-top condition.
Pros
- Special 'clipt' point
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
Cons
- Not very comfortable for long periods of time
Best for size
A semi-circular blade is excellent at covering large areas in a short space of time. With a full-length rust resistant stainless steel blade and a rubberised ergonomic grip - this putty knife is the ideal tool for spreading putty, patching holes with filler and also scraping paint or wallpaper.
Our Thoughts: Simply push it under some wallpaper or paint and watch how efficiently it comes off - it's so satisfying to watch. We also recommend this one if you have a lot of holes to fill, as it can easily glide over an ample amount of space.
Pros
- Wide surface area
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- May be annoying to clean
How to clean a putty knife
Any tool that spreads liquids is bound to get a bit messy, which is why they may need cleaning off every now and again to allow you to create a perfect finish every time. Putty knives, in particular, can be wiped down with a wet cloth and a bit of soap to remove excess dirt. If it's pretty caked, you may want to leave it to soak for a little while or apply a special steel cleaner to get it sparkling again.
Are plastic or stainless steel putty knives better?
Plastic blades are often disposable and do not stand up well to continued use. A better-constructed blade is made from ground and polished carbon steel. However, although the carbon steel is more durable, it may rust if not properly maintained. The premium version of a putty knife blade is made of stainless steel.
How do I choose a putty knife?
3-Inch putty knives are perfect for use in tight areas and awkward angles. 4, 5 & 6-Inch putty knives are universal knives that are specifically ideal for picking angles, hand taping angles & covering screws and wall patches.
Should a putty knife be flexible?
Putty knives are generally smaller, stiffer, and better suited to heavy scraping while drywall taping knives are generally wider, more flexible and better suited to spreading and feathering and to more delicate scraping work.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.