Painters' Cutlery

Painters' Cutlery

Covers putty, stripping, filling, palette and other knives, many of which do not actually cut. While there are many cheap quality models on the market, there is no alternative for the properly forged, hardened and ground painters' cutlery, produced from high quality carbon steel, forged with solid bolster and round or flat tang.

The correct hardening should ensure that the blade maintains the right degree of spring and will return to its original shape after being bent.

Also of great importance is the standard of the grinding, because too little results in a blade which is too stiff but too much can draw the temper of the blade and cause a hollow to be formed in the centre, causing it to "click" when flexed. Grinding should be such that the blade tapers to a small extent from bolster to edge.

Stainless Steel versions are also available. These are correctly tempered for maximum strength and flexibility.

Chisel Knives

Generally 1in wide. These knives have firm blades and are used for stripping wallpaper, paint, or applying putty.

Clipt Point Blade

Shaped so that one side is curved the other cut straight at an oblique angle.

Filling Knives

For inserting filler into cracks or holes in wood or plaster. The blade on this tool should be extremely flexible. The test of a good filling knife is that the end ought to be able to be bent at 90° to the handle and still return to its original shape.

Hacking Knives

Otherwise known as chipping knives, used to hack out old putty from wooden frames. They have heavy blades with thick backs to withstand repeated blows from a hammer.

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Palette knives have long flexible blades with rounded ends and are used to mix pigment either for pointing or painting.

Putty Knives

Used to shape and smooth putty in glazing. Also known as glazing or stopping knives.

Round Tang

A round steel shank which is inserted into the handle.

Scale Tang

A flat steel shank with two scales of shaped wood, riveted, one on each side, to form the handle.

Shavehooks

Shavehooks are used for removing old paint from mouldings. There are three shapes available, triangular, heart-shaped and combination (one side straight and the other pear-shaped).

Solid Bolster

This refers to the production of a tool with a blade and bolster manufactured on one piece.

Skew Point

Straight sided but with one side longer than the other so that the end is at an angle of approximately 25°.

Stripping Knives

For removing old paint and wallpaper after application of paint stripper, water, heat or steam. Also known as paint and wallpaper strippers.