Drywall knives: a choice of tools

Drywall is a popular building material, it is practical and comfortable to work with. It is possible to create structures of even the most complex shape from gypsum board sheets. This does not require complex special devices, just a special knife is enough. Drywall knives are handy tools for construction work. They are of several types, while all are aimed at making it easier to work with gypsum boards, saving time and creating even details and lines.

Cutting drywall is actually a simple and fairly easy process, but to create a smooth, beautiful edge, it is worth taking a tool designed specifically for gypsum board.

In total, there are 2 main types of tools:

• manual;
• operating from power grids.

Handicraft devices are divided into several varieties.

• Drywall knife Is the simplest tool. It cuts smoothly, quickly and safely. The blade of such a knife is easily extended and securely fixed. Unfortunately, it quickly dulls and can break, although it can be easily changed if necessary.
• Hacksaw, specialized in drywall is applicable when it is necessary to cut holes and difficult corners. This product is made of high quality hardened steel. This blade is thin, narrow, distinguished by small sharp teeth, which allows sawing holes and grooves in the gypsum board sheet.
• Disc cutter used for cutting drywall sheets into equal even parts when it is necessary to cut a large number of parts.

But at the same time, a thin blade loses its properties faster. It breaks off, becomes dull, so you should carefully monitor its condition and replace it if necessary. If desired, you can use any sharpened straight knife for work, but professionals prefer specialized tools.

It can be a specialized knife, a common and demanded tool when working with gypsum board. If you need to make a small cut, you can use a regular office knife. But it is possible that the resulting edge will be rough or torn, which may further require additional processing of drywall.

In cases when they carry out thorough work with drywall, preference is given to the following types:

• special knife;
• utility knife;
• disc blade knife;
• Blade runner.

The appearance of this knife is similar to the stationery counterpart. The design assumes the presence of a handle that can be disassembled into parts, as well as a double-sided blade, a locking mechanism (most often a spring is used) and a bolt connecting all the elements into one structure. The blades used are usually thin and durable and can be changed in whole or in sections. The minimum width is 18 mm, the thickness ranges from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. For the convenience of work, the grip cover is rubberized (so that your hands do not slip). But there are just plastic options.

A utility knife or an assembly knife, due to its design, allows you to work with gypsum board at any stage.Its handle is ergonomic, it fits easily and comfortably in the hand, the rubberized plastic of the body makes the use of the knife comfortable. Manufacturers provide two options for fixing the blade: screw and spring. The blade is made of high quality steel and has no sectional cuts. This increases the reliability and durability of the knife.

The assembly knife package may include additional elements:

• spare blades;
• a clip for attaching to a trouser belt or a trouser belt;
• built-in compartment with spare parts.

All these factors make the use of the utility knife convenient, comfortable and suitable for daily work.

A knife with a disc blade is often used by specialists when it is necessary to quickly and correctly cut parts from gypsum plasterboard. It allows you to perform work on cutting various lines (straight, curved, geometric shapes of varying complexity). Due to the fact that the disc is constantly in motion during use, the applied forces can be minimized. Such a knife can withstand heavy loads and guarantee a long service life.

A distinctive feature of this knife is the fact that the design is complemented by a built-in measuring tape. This knife is a multifunctional device, it consists of a comfortable handle covered with a rubberized compound, as well as a cutter blade and a measuring tape. The blades can be changed, the parameters of the tape measure are measured in two dimensions - centimeters and inches. It glides smoothly along the base of the gypsum board, always keeps a straight line parallel to the cut. The required length of the tape is fixed by pressing a special button. The body has a recess for a writing instrument.

Blade runner a few years ago appeared in the ranks of building materials, it is still little known, but in the circle of specialists it is preferred. Translated from English, it means "running blade". You can confirm this by looking at the design. This professional knife consists of two main parts, which are located on both sides of the sheet during operation and are securely fixed by strong magnets. Each block has its own blade, which is quite simple to replace, you just have to open the case and remove the old one.

With the Blade runner, it is convenient to cut vertical sheets, cut elements of any complexity. To turn the blade, just press the button and turn the knife in the desired direction. It is not traumatic - the blades are hidden inside the case. The Blade runner handles thick sheets well, saves time and guarantees durability.

Drywall knives allow you to quickly and easily cut the required part along the marked line.

Let's look at the step-by-step instructions.

• At the first stage, the parameters of the intended fragment are measured using a measuring tape.
• Then you need to transfer the dimensions to the surface of the material and mark the lines on the base using a pencil or any other writing instrument.
• We attach an iron ruler (building level or metal profile) to the marked line.
• We hold it firmly on the base of the drywall and carefully draw it along it with a construction knife, without interrupting or lifting our hands.

• Having made a cut line, carefully remove the knife from the material.
• We lay drywall on a table or any other surface so that one side is suspended.
• Now we lightly press on the free part with our hand and break the gypsum board exactly along the cut.
• Turn the sheet over and cut the back layer.

If you want to cut an angled curved shape, you must use a drywall hacksaw and drill. Having outlined the contours of the future element, in any convenient place with the help of a construction drill we drill a small hole, then insert a hacksaw and start sawing the contour of the part, making sure not to go beyond the marking contour. Working with drywall does not require special skills, it is available for beginners. A knife for working with drywall can be used when work is underway to prepare sheets for finishing the joint seams with putty. It is used at the stage of joining (processing the edges of the material to a perfectly flat surface). In the places where the gypsum board sheets adjoin, chamfering is done at an angle of 45 degrees.

It is worth choosing a knife based on the type and volume of the proposed work.

There are several factors worth paying attention to.

• Blade thickness: the thinner it is, the smoother the line, the more ideal the edge cut.
• Handle body: rubberized or not.
• Material quality: the blades are strong and tough (preferably steel), the plastic of the case should not break when squeezed;
• Availability of spare blades.

If you need a knife for a one-time job, it is better to choose a simple and inexpensive option: a utility knife or a special assembly knife. Such products are durable, sharp and unpretentious. When the task is for a large amount of work, cutting out complex structures, it is better to take a Blade runner or a knife with a circular blade. They do not require much effort and cut perfectly flat elements with a smooth edge.

For a video review of a knife with a tape measure for cutting drywall, see the video below.