Who Makes the Best Putty Knives?

[winlinmac]

I used to have a set of Made in USA Craftsman from back in the day. Stainless Steel, had anti-rust properties, always appeared new (as long as I took good care). But things got pretty messy after I left them out in the sun and the concrete residue wouldn't budge.

A lot has changed over the years, especially with the COO on many hand tools. I used to believe Hyde Tools were good, but lately I see them making their putty knives overseas and I don't want to be wasting my time warrantying a tool like this; at the same time, I like keeping my tools as clean as possible (Heck, I wipe them down after every use, ha).

 

[DBendr]

You're going to have to search vintage or maybe wait on the European guys to chime in I'm afraid.Like everything else, that type of tool mostly jumped on the boat out.
If it's something you use every day get a knife maker to make some from 440C and put kydex or Micarta handles on them. You might get away with a set of 3 for $100-$150 or so but you'll have the ultimate ever owned.
Some of these guys make kitchen stuff too...same difference.All certainly have the ability to do it. Dough cutters, grill scrapers, burger flippers. Flexible stainless with good handles.It's a similar tool
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

 

[winlinmac]

Looks like we can't undo the past, otherwise I would have picked up the old Craftsman ones in bulk.

You're going to have to search vintage or maybe wait on the European guys to chime in I'm afraid.Like everything else, that type of tool mostly jumped on the boat out.
If it's something you use every day get a knife maker to make some from 440C and put kydex or Micarta handles on them. You might get away with a set of 3 for $100-$150 or so but you'll have the ultimate ever owned.
Some of these guys make kitchen stuff too...same difference.All certainly have the ability to do it. Dough cutters, grill scrapers, burger flippers. Flexible stainless with good handles.It's a similar tool
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

 

[Pinaud]

I've been using putty knives from R.Murphy for years, not stainless but never any issues as long as maintained.

https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/scrapers.html

 

[CTyankee]

I've used Hyde for years, just 'cuz that seems to be what's readily available. My pet peeve finding ones that have enough flex to them.

 

[jhnlngn]

Have you checked Marshalltown? I've never used their putty knives but have been happy with their trowels. They have quite a selection.

https://marshalltown.com/2-ss-flex-putty-knife-empact-end-durasoft

 

[Rileysan]

I used to have a set of Made in USA Craftsman from back in the day. Stainless Steel, had anti-rust properties, always appeared new (as long as I took good care). But things got pretty messy after I left them out in the sun and the concrete residue wouldn't budge.

A lot has changed over the years, especially with the COO on many hand tools. I used to believe Hyde Tools were good, but lately I see them making their putty knives overseas and I don't want to be wasting my time warrantying a tool like this; at the same time, I like keeping my tools as clean as possible (Heck, I wipe them down after every use, ha).

I have no idea who makes good putty knives these days, either. The only reason I piped-in is because I still have a few of ~25 year old Craftsman wood handle putty knives that have served me very well over the years and are irreplaceable! Keeping an eye on this thread so I can learn what options exist now!

Brian

 

[chevelle67]

Damn you Pinaud. I just spent the last hour on R Murphy's website which also lightened my paypal account to the tune of $80. Full set of new putty knifes on the way.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Hyde. Years ago, the local hardware store had them on sale. I bought 6 or 8, including a couple pf extra stiff ones.

Not sure if they are still made in the US.

 

[LB-1911]

I used to have a set of Made in USA Craftsman from back in the day. Stainless Steel, had anti-rust properties, always appeared new (as long as I took good care). But things got pretty messy after I left them out in the sun and the concrete residue wouldn't budge.

A lot has changed over the years, especially with the COO on many hand tools. I used to believe Hyde Tools were good, but lately I see them making their putty knives overseas and I don't want to be wasting my time warrantying a tool like this; at the same time, I like keeping my tools as clean as possible (Heck, I wipe them down after every use, ha).

There are various Hyde products @ HJE with either Canada or USA as COO, priced from $3.05 - $5.80

SEARCH RESULTS FOR 'HYDE KNIFE'
http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=Hyde+Knife

3" CHISEL SCRAPER
http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-chisel-scraper.html

 

[Jim C.]

........I still have a few of ~25 year old Craftsman wood handle putty knives that have served me very well over the years....

Me too. I have three of those old Craftsman models with the riveted wooden handles, and they've been well used over the years. No complaints here. I wish I had a few more in different sizes. Sears/Craftsman used to offer some pretty good hand tools. I have no clue where I'd get another good quality putty knife if I needed one.

Jim C.

 

[LB-1911]

I have no clue where I'd get another good quality putty knife if I needed one.
Jim C.

Pinaud has you covered, just ask chevelle67.....

I've been using putty knives from R.Murphy for years, not stainless but never any issues as long as maintained.

https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/scrapers.html

Damn you Pinaud. I just spent the last hour on R Murphy's website which also lightened my paypal account to the tune of $80. Full set of new putty knifes on the way.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I've been using putty knives from R.Murphy for years, not stainless but never any issues as long as maintained.

https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/scrapers.html

Those are nice. Company takes pride in their products it looks like.

 

[Dozerhand]

My local John Deere dealer has a display of putty knives on the counter. Branded John Deere but I don't know who makes them. Very nice. Reminds me of the old chisel bladed craftsman. I like um so much I bought extras for Christmas presents. I see one person on eBay has them.

 

[txvwnut]

I bought a set off the Matco truck a few years ago and have been pleased with them. Used them for all types of jobs and the wood handles are holding up well and the blades haven't stained.

 

[winlinmac]

Based on the responses here, I'd probably go with RMurphy as well. Most of Hyde tools are made in China nowadays. We do lots of plastering here, and the flexible putty knives would help tremendously. A cheap set of Harbor Freight putty knives may do as well, but then again, I can't comment as I only used them for one job, whereas the Craftsman lasted ages, until they were mishandled of course.

 

[Fender1325]

Yeah I have some lowes bought ones. Hyde i think. Will surface rust if ANY moisture is left on them when youre done. Stupid

 

[winlinmac]

I bought the Bluehawk $0.59 3 Pack Plastic Putty Knives for the heck of it a month or two ago. I doubt I'll ever use them. Might just use them for gardening when Summer arrives, even though that's not what putty knives are intended to be used for. Gotta' be creative somewhere, right?

 

[winlinmac]

Doesn't R. Murphy make larger putty knives as well? I only see them going up to 2" inches. I don't think scrapers and putty knives can be interchangeable here due to the thickness of the blade.

 

[pepi]

Snap On

 

[PureLeaf]

Marshalltown is USA made.

Hyde has some USA made, but not all of them.

 

[spike99250]

Doesn't R. Murphy make larger putty knives as well? I only see them going up to 2" inches. I don't think scrapers and putty knives can be interchangeable here due to the thickness of the blade.

You have to click on the knife and then it lists the other sizes and options.

 

[winlinmac]

Thanks, I was checking here, https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/shamrock-brand-putty-knife-pn-s-pn-details.html

Not seeing anything larger than 2"

You have to click on the knife and then it lists the other sizes and options.

 

[LB-1911]

Doesn't R. Murphy make larger putty knives as well? I only see them going up to 2" inches. I don't think scrapers and putty knives can be interchangeable here due to the thickness of the blade.

You have to click on the knife and then it lists the other sizes and options.

Thanks, I was checking here, https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/shamrock-brand-putty-knife-pn-s-pn-details.html

Not seeing anything larger than 2"

If you were to look a little further -

They offer stiff or flexible

4" @
https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/shamrock-brand-scraper-pn-sbs3-5-details.html


4" Yello-Gold Brand - Scraper @
https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/yello-gold-brand-scraper-pn-ygbs-details.html

SCRAPERS + PUTTY KNIVES
https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/scrapers.html

 

[winlinmac]

Ha, I see it now. Thank you very much! I kept interpreting scrapper in literal terms.

If you were to look a little further -

They offer stiff or flexible

4" @
https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/shamrock-brand-scraper-pn-sbs3-5-details.html


4" Yello-Gold Brand - Scraper @
https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/yello-gold-brand-scraper-pn-ygbs-details.html

 

[rodm1]

Marshalltown makes grate products but impossible to find in town.

 

[winlinmac]

I do see they have an online ordering portal though, pretty decent shipping prices too.

Marshalltown makes grate products but impossible to find in town.

 

[jhnlngn]

I do see they have an online ordering portal though, pretty decent shipping prices too.

I think I ordered all my Marshalltown trowels through Amazon. You might want to check there if you plan on buying a few things to get their free shipping.

 

[nutsnbolts]

In my opinion, it all depends on what you plan to use it for. Are you actually looking for a small knife to do drywall finishing with, or are you just wanting it for a scraper? We have little 1 1/4" Hyde knives in our Grainger vending machine at work, and TBH, I don't see any difference between them and the ones I used to get at Ames when I started doing drywall 20 years ago. Probably the most important thing to me (and the only thing I really care about) with a small knife is how well it is riveted. There is nothing more annoying than a knife with a loose blade. Bigger knives I take a close look at how straight the blade is, but I don't really care on a knife smaller than 4"..

 

[Monte]

www.arichard.com

 

[Farmall450]

Always used Hyde ones here.

 

[winlinmac]

I'd just pick up whatever is locally available. In this case, it's either Allway or Hyde Tools for me.