HAWK AND TROWEL VS PAN AND KNIFE

Which works best and for what jobs? Watch to find out!
• Basement drywall tapin...
Tools I use often:
DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I make a small commission from purchases through these links. Thank you for the support!!!!
Drywall knives:
2" amzn.to/2LwX8ty
4" amzn.to/32OHlw3
6" amzn.to/2LwP1x5
10" amzn.to/2QbLbOp (This one will rust if you leave it wet but feels nice to use)
10" amzn.to/3056fcU (This one is stainless. Stiffer, more expensive but won't rust)
Mud Pan with Grip!! (This is the BOMB! You will thank me!)
amzn.to/31tQauH
Tin Snips GOOD QUALITY!! amzn.to/2LzlOBv
Drywall Tape Holder!! amzn.to/32Udhzd
Paint Mixer for mud!! amzn.to/303fX0q
Full size mixer!! amzn.to/2LYrMLe
Mixing Drill (just in case)!! amzn.to/2O2oQ2P
Hawk and Trowels
13 inch hawk:
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13 inch trowels:
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amzn.to/2ZWH39d
amzn.to/2ZSY5Fj
12 inch trowels:
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amzn.to/2ZYKXxu
14 inch trowels:
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amzn.to/34CdmsJ
Auto tools
If you don't want to think, here is the whole kit (Columbia is great quality too!) amzn.to/2UwPUae
Mud tubes and applicator:
amzn.to/2Xt65XR (different but works great, I have this one too)
amzn.to/2DBs1sz
amzn.to/2Vdy8x7
Flushers
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Handle adjustable
amzn.to/2XuGP3x
amzn.to/2Xy5ILU
or fixed handle amzn.to/2DrNt2O
Corner roller (head only, you may need another handle)
amzn.to/2XpuJZo (cheaper)
amzn.to/2XpuNZ8 (better quality)

[@KenCharlesTheGreat]

As a painter in the US I've mixed and spread tons of hot mud. I've never used a hawk & trowel but after watching your videos I'm going to start. One thing I never realized is how precise you can load a trowel or knife, avoiding "squirt out". Not to mention cleaning a hawk is so much easier to clean than a pan with all it's corners !

[@1stFlyingeagle]

That is called mud control. Practice is key. 🙂

[@yooo46]

The pan does suck to clean. I was just thinking that

[@wll1500]

The secret is to always have a bucket of water nearby with a brush in it. And when using setting mud, get any excess out of your pan and into the trash IMMEDIATELY as soon as it starts kicking off so that it will still come out with water.

[@lyonanddebanderson4418]

As a 4th generation carpenter I was always taught with a hawk & trowel, recently I started to turn to 12" knife & hawk for better control. After watching this I understand why (front wheel drive v. rear wheel drive clicked). I got it, thank you-love your channel. I was the family black sheep & went into public safety for 25 years, I'm now back on & playing catch up, those skills are parishable.

[@jasondashney]

I worked with a french guy who used a hawk and amazingly runny mud and he was a goddamn wizard. He worked fast like one of those Japanese restaurants where the cook is at a grill right at your table and does fancy tricks with the knives. Never seen someone have to sand less. He'd go really fast and leave almost no extra mud.

[@johnkutsch7411]

As a plasterer, we have a couple of sayings. A good plasterer can lay on water. Also. A good plasterer knows not too.

[@michaelbasic6947]

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that most people watching your video (in order to learn) aren’t professionals. We are homeowners trying to beautify our homes. That may not be your intended audience but I’d bet most of us are just that. I love the videos and the sense of humor you bring and thank you for the hard work and time you and your cameraman spend on these videos. If I may speak on behalf of homeowners watching this video we come here to learn how to patch door knob holes, repair settlement cracks, cover old phone line outlet box holes, and the like. I’ve done lots of drywall work but have never picked up a full sheet of drywall. I have used both conventional and light weight setting type and drying type compounds and both paper and mesh tape. I also understand trowels to be a plasterer’s tool and a knife to be painter’s tool. In my opinion, learning to move mud around is much easier using a knife. That’s likely because I’m never really moving much mud around by comparison. If I ever do large stucco work I would certainly buy a trowel. Thanks again.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Actually, homeowners and DIY is my intended audience but I don't mind the pro's hanging out either.

[@nickcandiano9638]

Haha! I love the “mysterious third taper” - that’s me. I never knew a trowel or a pan existed until I met other tapers who showed me those tools. Hawk and knife baby, hawk and knife.

[@josephcote8634]

my father taught me to tape with a knife and coat with a trowel but always use a hawk. He would just stick it to the wall with all the mud on it while he reached for his tape and just scrape it off after. Got a lot of jobs done fast.

[@whatyouwontseeontv8266]

That's me as well.

[@chriscolameco6850]

I’m a hawk and skimming blade guy. Like I use a 4” knife to tape. And then a 7” and 12” skim blade the way most people would use a knife or hawk

[@HStiz420]

I have been working on a job the homeowner tried to fix and have been having to reskim entire tape lines. I was lucky enough to stumble across your page. I have probably watched a dozen or so of your vids in the last couple weeks. doing so has actually taught me enough tips I didn't know to make the experience tolerable. tomorrow I will be purchasing myself a Hawk and Trowel for future jobs like this. (I am a painter by trade, but often, demolish, construct, drywall and repair things before Painting occurs). thanks for taking the time to make these videos, they have saved $ on potential mistakes I avoided because of your content.

[@waynemiller6070]

When I had some drywall and taping etc. to do I watched a number of videos from Laurier Desormeaux. After watching him work with a hawk and a trowel I went and bought them. Never looked back. I'll never use a pan again. Ha. I paused the video while I typed the comment above. Nice credit given to Laurier.

[@timcaldwelljr6088]

I got started with pan and knife 17 years ago when i was 17. My boss made it look so damn simple lol. I went to coat a seam in a closet thinking shit, this is gonna be a piece of cake. I went to coat that tape and all my mud just fell all down the wall like a typical fuckin rookie lol. Tried to use a hawk and trowel about 15 years later, thinking shit, its gotta be pretty fuckin symilar to the pan and knife, this is gonna be a piece of cake lol. This time, as soon as I loaded up my hawk, I had my trowel and I was standing there trying to figure out how I was gonna attack it lol. It was so dam awkward I dropped the hawk and trowel and told the guys give me my fuckin pan and knife lol. Cant teach an old dog new tricks i guess haha

[@neilwolfe3324]

You have really helped up my game thank you. I am doing a 120 year old restoration and your videos have helped me overcome a lot of obstacles in getting the perfect walls on lathe and plaster.

[@bradharper5397]

I found the description here very helpful for me as a novice drywall DIY person. This video made my small job much more effective and less stressful. Thank you for posting it.

[@hettick304]

Just want to say thank you for the videos! I'm just a handy man, but I take more and more drywall repairs because of your vids. It's helped me take out a lot of unessiary steps, thanks to your great prep tips! I feel like I'm working smarter, not harder. I'm still a knife guy, but I really like the controll and spread you get with that trowel.

[@samkheniser4286]

Even as a DIY rookie and new homeowner, I find it easier to get a nicer level finish with a trowel. Love your videos! Thanks for all the content!

[@samn8309]

I've been staring at my trowel, dreading the day I would need to learn to use it. I think now is the time. Thanks.

[@AM-os4ty]

Thanks for all these videos. Very informative. I have a bunch of small patching jobs and now I know the right tools. If we tackle a slightly bigger job we will break out the trowel. The knife pull/trowel push issue also explained why our drywallers were such a mess getting the ceilings done.

[@tyronespencer1635]

yo man! I have been doing remodels for a long time and run into a lot of drywall patch work. I recently landed some taping jobs based on availability and have been constantly working on upping my game. I have watched a lot of your videos about all of this. I was super pumped when I learned how to properly use a Banjo. I watched some of your videos yesterday about the bucket with mudded tape vs a banjo and totally understand what you mean with having to reload the banjo all the time. Your content is top notch based on simple logic!

[@justinmiller7422]

Videos are always great. You never waste anyone’s time and it’s packed full of tips. Nice work man.

[@davekintz]

Thank-you for answering my question with a video. Been thinking of trying a hawk and trowel. One note on blobs falling off the edge of your knife; I trim the mud off the edges of the blade with the pan before applying. Fewer blobs, and makes it easier to feather-out.

[@mickeymacaco236]

The man has tricks. Nice throw! 👍🏼 Once again, an excellent tutorial + editorial that leaves no one feeling left out or short-changed. The historical anecdote was just right. I enjoyed it.

[@idmhead0160]

Ben really is a class act at teaching this stuff. He really pays attention to what he is doing and is very observant and has great attention to detail and is able to pass that along to others. This is true in his drywall videos as well as his skate videos. Thank you for all you do Ben.

[@shoeknowme]

You are definitely one of the best to show how to plaster and explain in great detail why certain tools are better for certain things and of course sometimes it's preference. You are awesome may you have a great safe day

[@aerball]

Found you a few weeks ago and I cant stop watching. I am in the middle of redoing my coronavirus home office and your videos have been invaluable.

[@badmofo350]

As a former tile installer I'm tempted to try a trowel for mudding drywall. Although a flat trowel takes more skill than a notch trowel. I'm a cable contactor now and somehow I was chosen as the guy who they send out to do all the repairs when our guys put a hole in a wall or step through a ceiling. I'm working on a ceiling repair now. I've got it replaced and taped but now I have to blend a circular brush pattern in the mud. It's a 3 sq ft area I'll have to do a new texture on and try to blend to the surrounding pattern. I hope the pattern and the color matches well enough to satisfy the homeowner. Keep up the good work man and thanks for sharing all the valuable knowledge👍

[@deerslayerCO]

That's why you cut both edges of the knife on the pan so you don't get mud spilling off the edges of your knife its quick and easy, but all the same its preference on what you like to use and what works best for you

[@j.scottcaudill7543]

I am from Florida and I've never used a hawk an trowel but I can appreciate them after watching this video. Thank you!

[@gregoryvschmidt]

I've done a lot of mud work with both knives and trowels, pans and hawks and never really thought about the push pull aspect. But you are absolutely right about the "problems" related to each technique. But now I'm retired so it doesn't even get to go in my tool trick bag, shoot

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Whoa! That knife throw at the end was absolutely sick! 🤣🤣👍

[@jamesamurdock93]

Really looked forward to using my new hawk and trowel but it takes some time getting use to. I already developed the knife & pan and got really use to it. I find feathering edges are where I’m having a tough time with the hawk and trowel, but I do notice I’m moving more material faster. It just takes some getting use to. Your one of my favorite carpenters on here, been doing a lot of drywall and you’ve helped a lot

[@johnrudzinski3217]

Great timing. I needed this info for tomorrow. I’m an amateur and learnt heaps here

[@edover50]

Enjoyed the explanation, thanks Ben! Next videos ending expectation is to see you split the 6” blade with a trowel from the same distance

[@jeffthewhiff]

Vancouver Carpenter, I was really interested in watching this video because I am currently working on a dining room painting project and would like to use the hawk and trowel method for repairs. Since I don't normally have to make big drywall or plaster repairs on my projects, I haven't had a need to use a hawk and trowel until now. After removing wallpaper from the walls, I discovered a pretty big area on a wall that had been patched before, but it will have to be repaired before painting. I like the idea of being able to "push" the mud instead of pulling it on the surface as well and it should be much easier on the body. Always enjoy your videos and keep up the good work!

[@Rob-rs5rn]

Your videos are extremely well done. When I see them come up I'm sometimes reluctant to click because, after all, there are dogs doing funny things elsewhere. That said, I click anyway and I'm happy every time. You've got legit knowledge and your communication skills bring that knowledge forward in a slick way. Thanks.

[@The_Macaroon]

Having just diy done my bathroom ceiling with a knife, I can only agree with this video, wish I knew then what I know now!

[@JoshSullivan1]

Best outro ever!

[@Badazz08]

Dont make him mad lol!

[@briancnc]

Great video, well explained and you did great comparisons. As with every job there is a right tool with pros/cons. I personally like the hawk and knife but really like experimenting with different drywall tools to see what works best for each taping task. I think the hawk is better because it puts all your material on a large surface area in one plane and you can manage it easier.

[@la-forrestb8128]

You are the absolute best! Thanks for the videos.

[@KFRogers263]

Interesting! I've been watching you trying to up my game for my latest bath remodel. I just bought a 12" knife after only using a 10" for tons of other jobs. (knew I was going to need to float out longer than 10" in a couple spots). Watching you and another Canadian contractor, I decided to try a hawk. I've not been thrilled with the 12"; harder to use than my 10" but I just figured lack of experience etc. Interesting on your comment about going to a trowel at 12" on up...Anyway. Always appreciate the videos! Thanks!

[@ScottDeSalvo]

Thanks to your channel and a few others similar, I was able to repair settlement cracks in my ceiling myself and it came out perfect. Sure, it took me probably 3x as along as a pro and working on and off over a weekend...but no more ceiling cracks on my 6 month old ceiling! They were all over the place and driving me nuts. Next time I have mud work, I will try my trowel and hawk!

[@natejm]

I’ve been cutting my teeth on both practical and visual learning as far as drywall install, mudding, taping and finishing goes. The job I’m on has been hard to paint because the drywall guys broke every rule in the drywall book of things to do... it’s making my life hell. Fortunately though I’ve been watching these videos and videos like this to hone my skills and try my best to make up for a bad hire when it comes to drywall finishing. In my painful travels, I have used both pan and knife, and hawk and trowel. I must say that while I’m no expert in either method, and I have to agree that there is a time and place for both, so like myself, I would say to other beginners, learn both ways. It can’t hurt to have a new skill set in your back pocket... Thanks for taking the time to make it these videos, they’re proving to be very useful to me.

[@longlee1839]

great instructor, clear to understand I am appreciate to learn alot from you bless

[@gtrob1]

I cannot believe how much I have learned from your videos. Astounding man.

[@stroys7061]

Always good information and I love the fact you don’t edit out all the bloopers - “tastes like chalk!” I can confirm that.

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

Over the years the best finishers I've witnessed have used hawks and trowels,watching this one crew in particular was like watching a ballet,and when they were done you couldn't tell there was a joint in anything ,and we are talking about 3500 square foot houses,with tall walls and cathedral ceilings.They actually used knife and hawk up until the final coat.They always took seems out to about 16 inches and butt seams out to about 4 foot.

[@ivanrodriguez346]

Sound effects are funny!! Great content!!! For the novice like myself I'm sold. Thanks Thanks. And your funny too!

[@ericchambers2667]

I'm a Union drywall finisher when using your 12 inch blade if you don't want the mud to fall off the blade after you dug out of your pan a blade full of mud swipe both edges of your blade before applying to the wall

[@palewriter1856]

One swipe's enough - the bottom one - if you're talking horizontal seams - but between you and me, I notice you left the "hurts my wrist" alone. Kind of you, chuckle chuckle....

[@ELT-canada]

can you check my Instagram. I'm very professional, only check and follow me if you want ELT Taping

[@azmaz73]

This is the best comparison video of the two methods I’ve seen! Kudos!

[@Martin-Young]

Awesome video! Very cut and dry! Straight to the point! Easy to follow! I would sign up for your evening ROP class! 👍 I nominate this, "Video DIY of the Year!" Keep up the great work Ben! 👍 😀

[@teh60]

Nice video Ben, really good info.

[@clevername4781]

Thanks Im gonna start using a hawk and trowel for ceiling work and fast pace jobs. I've wondered this myself. I also do a lot of dryvet so I'm just as experienced with a hawk and trowel

[@colinglidden5702]

I'm a rare hawk and knifer...been using the trowel more often though...great tips, as usual.

[@ToolsWithAdrius]

I use a trowel and a pan.

[@Nimbleatthat]

I use a hawk and pan

[@joncrosby8988]

My hawk uses a knife.

[@dotChrollo]

I used to work with an old school Seabee (Naval Construction Battalion), he retired early this year at the ripe age of 75, and he was a die hard hawk and knife guy. I'm not convinced he even cares about the pros in cons, because every time I've asked why he uses that combo, he just told me it was better. But that's it.

[@asinger261]

Same

[@strikingtiger-filipinomart5043]

Since I love weapons, I enjoyed watching your knife throw! Deadly!

[@handymangrandpa316]

Nice shot with the knife!! You are the best👌🏼

[@ondrejsamek6856]

Thank you for all of these great informations... I've started doing a plastering and I like it. Thank you for great content ! You're great mentor ! Love that outro haha

[@johnsmith2.092]

Also check out Kirk Giordano

[@stargateproductions]

In my hawk hand I also carry a 4 or 5 inch tapping knife for feathering and other work. I simply place it between my pinkie and ring finger. Best of both worlds. I think the hawk and trowel is more ergonomic than a pan and knife. We call 8-12 inch taping knives paddles here, good for select situations but I wouldn't want to do a whole job with one. Great video!

[@markhutchison5157]

In one of his other videos he actually says he normally carries his 6" knife in his hawk hand 😊

[@aaronbrown2966]

same here.. couldnt of said it better myself

[@user-cf1se1kk5x]

@ stargate...I do the same thing except with a 6 inch, it supports the weight of the mud on the hawk, plus I can access the knife really quick to cut my edges. I was taught this way 17 years ago, and still do it. I don’t see many guys that do this,.. glad to see I’m not alone haha .

[@puppet022]

Ben, this is your best video yet!

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Absolutely agree with you. Both and knowing when and how to use them is part of being a professional.

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

Could’ve close with a simple “Happy New Years”! But a knife throw works just as well. Another excellent video!

[@politic17]

Very nice showdown video, I was like: Hey, I never did compare the two before, so this is actually a great video, and it certainly was and still a great, fun, and educative video.

[@calebrillamas5349]

You’re the man Ben!!! Love the smooth knife throw at the end! 🤙🏽💪🏽 Your “used to be” awkward endings are classic 😁

[@justinstevenson2061]

Man, you are the best. I’ve done some drywall patches many years ago before I started taking more care into my work (in my own house I mean). I’m the crazy roofer 😜. Always have done my work well and never had a leak or serious issue. But over the years I’ve become such a perfectionist about things on my jobs, and take the time to really detail some things o might not have before. Also just making more suggestions to homeowners on what should be done, and learning not to stray away from suggestions on how to do things better. Fast forward, I’m doing my own bathroom. Which has been a bit of a nightmare and learning experience. I understand tools and concepts, but some of the applications are foreign to me. Just understanding there are certain tools for each job, and processes for these specific jobs. Watching your videos have really helped me up my mudding game, and my wife will love you for that help, as my mudding has always been sub par for sure. If I were trying to achieve perfection I would hire someone like yourself, or if it were large scale like a full house. But doing these small patches and skim coats on things that I do myself I enjoy the learning process, and being able to see my nicely finished end product. Again only nicely done thanks to yourself. The time you take to explain and do demonstrations is just incredible, and I’m sure your customers appreciate your thoroughness

[@gravelcreekfarms3850]

Love using my hawk and trowel also carry a 4” & 6” knife in my back pocket. The h&t are way easier on the joints. Good videos

[@terrywong7879]

Thank you for the pointers, nicely done.

[@jzsjr66]

Hawk definitely easier to clean.

[@ELT-canada]

can you check my Instagram. I'm very professional, only check and follow me if you want ELT Taping

[@glorygloryhallelujah]

By far the best home improvement channel

[@patriotkennethburlingham7059]

Dude, you are rocking the drywall finishing! I'm so glad I found your channel. Nice knife throw btw! :)

[@guydesnoyers8417]

This is really easy to understand - well done!

[@Summersovergrowup]

That was a beautiful throw at the end there 😂

[@juanoldhandspainting8986]

I agree with you!! I can see that, i like both ways

[@Diallo268]

Your videos are great. Thanks for sharing all you have!

[@MG-bu4bz]

You’re a brilliant teacher. Thx

[@LeonDeLaGhetto]

You sir get a 10 from me on that throw at the end. Superb👏🏾

[@pakosilva373]

This is the best drywall carpenter I have seen!!!! 😳

[@mwj5150]

Killer good explanations! I learned a lot, thanks!

[@xochj]

Gotta love the Kirk G. pool trowel method. Seems like the best of both!

[@TheForce_Productions]

10:49 That is a great Tactic to avoid customers that refuses to pay you! ✌😎

[@drywaller420]

I've been running a knife and pan for 20 years and no carpal tunnel for me. When you pull the mud out of the pan you should wipe 1 inch of each end of the knife off with the pan, which will prevent the mud from running off the ends of the knife. I've only known 3 finishers that use a hawk and trowel and I assure you that I can finish a room about twice as fast as they can. Everybody will have their own preference with what tools to use and the fact that you prefer the hawk means you will lean towards making it look better/easier than a pan. Make it fair and bring in a someone with no experience and no preferences and hand him/her the tools. Let them decide what they prefer and post that video. I think this would be more suiting as these vids are more for the diy homeowners that are in that situation themselves. Just a thought.

[@robertfarquhar2780]

Exactly I use a knife and a pan and it's really all I know although we do our hand texture with a hawk and trowel but I still prefer a knife, I'm way faster with a knife because It's what I'm use to and I also wipe the mud corners off of my knife too, It doesn't matter if the pan is 12 or 14 inches and full of mud because neither bother me because I'm so used to it. I also love tape and bedding so nothing really gets in my way and I do feel like a knife is alot faster than a trowel.

[@symposes]

Awesome video. Thank you!

[@TRAVERZULU3]

Enjoy the pearls of knowledge, thanks again.

[@philippebleau4809]

Yes, your videos are extremely useful. Thanks.

[@swnorcraft7971]

Jeff on Home Reno Vision DIY does a great job with a 4" Putty knife and a 10 or 12" trowel. He uses the trowel and keeps the knife in the same hand as the Hawk. He does taping with the knife and hawk. I have been using his technique on a job (35 4'x8'x1/2" sheets) and as a beginner, I find his system makes sense. The trowel is definitely work to use but it is fast and I am getting better.

[@chriskartson1254]

Wow what an informative video, Thanks.

[@petefrisch5183]

One thing I noticed that helps for ceiling drips, is either smaller amounts on your knife at a time, or less pressure, which both slows you down a lot. After watching your videos, I just bought a hawk and trowel. I’m sold, but I haven’t tried it yet and I’m sure it’ll take some practice

[@PyroXideInc]

Man I wish I would have watched this video before I skim coated about half my house covering up a mish-mash of popcorn texture, silicone, and outdoor plaster from the previous owners. My knife/pan issues are the same as yours. I admit I'm an amateur to it all, but it seems even if I had just applied it all with the trowel and then came back through with the knife I would have been better off, instead I ended up with a lot of drops, a lot of clean up, and the great taste of mud in my mouth. Keep pumping out the great content and stay safe, cheers!

[@farmerjim-fat-man-do]

Switched to a hawk and knife for taping about 10 years ago...Life changer. Trowel and hawk for everything else. Only use for pans now is mixing small batches of quick setting mud.

[@joeebanks646]

awesome! i will get both

[@bradprince8933]

you are awesome thank you. you are appreciated. you have helped so many people. you're an excellent teacher. excellent

[@SB_DIY]

I am definitely sold on the hawk, but having a hard time buying off on the trowel. Would love to see a video with you working with someone that is more familiar with a knife as in someone that uses a knife for a living vs the trowel. I think both can be efficient if one is well practiced in the art.

[@derekestump6435]

Good stuff Sir!

[@christianramirez3498]

bro you are the best thanks for you time teaching us

[@migo-migo9503]

Great video, very helpful. Thank you!

[@Jeff-ik3hn]

Very informative video. Some really great tips!

[@3MInteresantisimo]

Great tips. Thanks

[@craigtate5930]

Cool vid. I just literally started trying the hawk/trowel for some jobs. By no means do I qualify as a drywaller but I do like it for some things..still figuring out what I can do better with it myself

[@michaelbarrera4405]

Nice ! knife through ! Keep up with the videos very helpful . thanks.

[@biglar155]

Great info as always.

[@attilaszamoskozi769]

Haha! I'm sorry, I lost it when the mud fell on your tongue!! But seriously. Great videos. Just discovered you recently and I have definitely subscribed. Who knows, I might be giving you call for some more difficult repairs I might encounter at home. Cheers!

[@HBSuccess]

V.C. - I learned with pan and knives (from crazy French-Canadians no less) - the trick to not having the mud blob off the edges of your knife - you have to "back" the corners of the knife, and then also scrape the back of the knife before hitting the wall/ceiling. Basically load your knife just like you do out of the pan - but then you turn the PAN upside down and scrape off the corners of your knife with the pan edge, then back over to scrape the back of the blade. That essentially loads the knife in the middle and eliminates the blob-overs. Then I spin the pan around. It's a lot of pan-spinning and it is tough on the wrists when it's full of mud- but to me it's second nature and pretty fast. I've tried using a trowel/hawk and while I see the advantage in certain instances- but I need a lot more practice - I'm wanting to drag instead of push. And at this point I'm an old dog/no new tricks LOL. Good video as always - keep 'em coming.

[@richardshort4587]

Tioga Fretworks I’ve found with the hawk when I’m watching my other hand spreading the mud my other hand drupes and the mud slides of the hawk where as with the pan I don’t lose it.

[@americafirstmaga5073]

The best hangers I've ever worked behind are Canadians and Hungarian, fast too. That was years ago in Florida. Good ol' days.

[@impendingdoom385]

You killed it with that knife toss! 👍

[@johnbolongo9978]

Great advice.......love his guy.

[@ronnienaidoo3249]

Thanks !!! Very well explained.

[@kevinblacksheep8809]

Great video and great sound effects lol

[@phymadori545]

Thanks for a good explanation. helps a lot.