Is The Hawk BETTER Than The Pan?

Today I'm comparing the drywall hawk VS the drywall pan. Which one do you prefer when you're mudding? Check out my other favorite drywall tools here 👉🏼geni.us/lZ2WE (Amazon) Be sure to leave your questions and comments below. For important links CLICK SHOW MORE ⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇
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[@lucus4485]

You got me using the hawk and trowel from one of your older videos on my room remodel a couple years ago. Worked fantastic. I will never use the pan and taping knife again. No way. Thanks a million Jeff.

[@ronblades1568]

U are the Rodney Dangerfield of taping to professional drywall finishers

[@ronblades1568]

I would admit u don't have to hire a professional taper your skills are good enough for your own home but it took u all g time to get as good as u are and u still are not as good as a real professional finisher and if a home owner with no skills just used your taping methods he would shoot himself after he thought he was done and painted his work

[@chriscolameco6850]

Same, I’m a landlord who used to hire out ALL air his mud/taping because I hated working with that dumbass pan. Now I refuse to hire it out because I’m picky about how it looks and I’m good at it.

[@randomrazr]

wht about.....knife and hawk?

[@jaitun_tt]

As a DIY’er who is not doing this work everyday, the hawk was not difficult to learn to use and honestly I will never go back to the pan. Thanks Jeff for your amazing videos and inspiration!

[@perrysnds]

So someone who hasn’t used a tool for about 30 years prefers another tool that they use every day. Mind blowing 🤯

[@jay1k2]

Should definitely watch someone who is good with a pan and knife do it before randomly trying it and doing it the most inefficient way

[@ProRobocopTV]

Honestly who puts the 45 in first in before the water

[@MajorTonkins]

@@ProRobocopTVLess dust that way.

[@riotact10jf]

I use both in commercial construction. The hawk and trowel is great but you need a lot of space to use it. Some commercial jobs you're confined in a small space with plastic walls or 3 other trades working next to you. I can tuck the pan right next to my body and work. Just like anything it takes practice to get good.

[@NortheastWa]

My new Premium Nelaflix 12x4.3 Trowel just arrived. Thank you for the recommendation. Even though I've been drywalling for over 40 years, I sure enjoy watching somebody else do it.

[@ripvansparky]

Also, cleaning the pan is super fast and easy with a bucket of water and a long handle brush (the ones everybody uses for cleaning concrete tools). And you wipe off contaminated mud on the outside edge of the pan to keep it seperated from clean mud.

[@rossb5593]

One huge benefit to using the pan is you can put it down anywhere. Great when taping. Otherwise hawk all the way.

[@schnitzel_city]

You could put the hawk on a stick if you need to switch, but for short transitions you could put it on its side as well.

[@andrewcarr2431]

@@schnitzel_city I used a bucket and drop it inside, there are other tricks of the trades when using them tools and need to put them down.

[@blakescoggins8830]

My hawk fits in the ladder hole or if your mud isn’t too runny you can lay it on it’s side for a minute or two

[@colintorrey1442]

Steop ladder hole, bucket or clean it up before you set down

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

That's novel. Judging a tool by it's _not use_

[@morokeiboethia6749]

A hawk also makes it possible to use in tandem with every kind of mud spreading tool there is. You can actually apply mud with a corner trowel and its much faster than doing it with a knife b/c you can apply mud to both sides of the corner at once. Most people apply the mud with a knife, clean excess off the edges with a knife, then switch to the corner trowel to smooth and feather the mud in the corner but you can actually do all of that with the corner trowel alone but only if you use it with a hawk b/c you can coat your corner trowel with mud on a hawk because its flat. But trying to do that with a mud pan is pretty much impossible b/c of the walls of the mud pan keep you from being able to dip it in the mud. Another nice thing about a hawk is if you only want to coat half of your knife b/c coating the entire width of your knife would be too much, the hawk makes it possible to do that also. When you lay out all the pros/cons, to me the hawk is a clear winner but if you're brand new to drywall mud/taping, you might want to start off with a pan just to keep from making a mess.

[@capnhook33_]

I think it is definitely a kind of personal use that makes certain tools better. I haven't really done a lot of big patchwork or new hangs. Just small repairs, and like someone else said it helped me get better with different knife sizes. But you recently got me to try the hawk because it looked so much better for taping and I had a larger repair coming up. I can honestly say I used to feel like I really sucked at taping and filling with a 9" knife. Trowel was 10x better for that.

[@AjushiPhotography]

You got me to switch to a hawk and trawl over a year ago with your prior videos - just so much easier when applying mud - I just wish I would have switched sooner! Cheers!

[@stephenalexander3057]

One thing that is a major advantage for the pan is if I'm doing small drywall repairs and need a small batch. I use a paint stirring paddle in a drill and mix it in the pan, occasionally scraping the sides with my 4" knife to get all the dry mixed in until I get it SILKYYYYYY SMOOOOOOTH. Way faster than hand mixing. The other thing is being in an already-finished space where you absolutely, positively, do not want to drop mud anywhere in any way whether it be working with your tools or while heading to the sink to clean up. They both have their place in my opinion and that's why I own and use both 🤷

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Now do "brushing my teeth" but in jive like the movie "Airplane"

[@TruSciencePro]

Agreed. Hawk and trowel blows away the pan and knife, but the pan and knife is better for a few certain things.

[@chriscolameco6850]

Google "Mud n More Mix Ball" or use quart containers

[@Ikantspell4]

Both tools are good. When drywall came out some painters became drywallers and some plasterers became drywallers. The hawk and towel were in use by plasterer people so they just kept using what they knew. Painters adapted the pan and knife because it was similar to the paintbrushes they were already use to. Different geographic areas see use of predominantly one system but either can work great.

[@danobrien3760]

I have a hawk on order for a project I am doing, really excited. It just looks more efficient

[@thesandman775]

My preferred method is knife with hawk. Works really well and feels more natural than a trowel for me

[@terencemerritt]

2:18 let’s do a couple lines and see how it works 😂

[@jemiller4x4v8]

I use a pan and 4" knife to do all my taping and use the hawk and trowel to coat everything. I also go around with a pan and knife for touchups. I agree the trowel coats your tape/joints better than the larger knives. I grew up using pan/knife and starting using the hawk and trowel a few years back. So now I am a hybrid!

[@morokeiboethia6749]

Another thing that can save you from 1 or possibly 2 coats of mud is using the USG Plus 3 (blue lid) instead of green lid all purpose when your applying the layers of mud above the tape. USG +3 has 35% less shrinkage than AP mud. When you see it wet on the wall, it will be look like that when you come in the next morning b/c theres hardly any shrinkage. When you apply AP mud, it may look like thats gonna be your last coat of mud (while its wet) but you come in the next morning and you notice you can still see a little bit of outline of your tape that you couldn't see the day before. Thats how bad that stuff shrinks and had you used blue lid, it really would have been your last coat. Its a huge time saver in 2 ways - 1) very low shrinkage/few coats of mud 2) sands literally twice as fast as AP so thats another huge area you're gonna save time.

[@DougCube]

Coincidently, I was having this exact debate with someone today, the day this video came out. I bought both tools to try out and see which I like better. So far, I'm leaning towards using a hawk for small fills of hot mud, and using the pan for large fills of all purpose and taping.

[@jasonbay13]

wish i wouldve seen this before trying my bathroom. oh well, i have 3 more bathrooms to do. and a house to do. thanks for these videos. 4:16

[@meekrab124]

I think you should bring in someone who is efficient and comfortable with the pan, then show the differences. The pan isn't nearly as horrid as this video makes it seem. That being said, I do avoid using the pan because using all the mud, and cleanup with the pan IS (in my experience) as bad as you show. The shape of the thing really doesn't make much sense.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Mrkrablegs, I'm with you. I've tried the Hawk couple times, couldn't get comfortable. Been using the Pan over 30 years. He's just partial to the Hawk. What ever tool, it's what your comfortable with.

[@ipick4fun27]

I've used all of the tools you showed except the pan. I love the hawk. It make things so easy. I can see problem with pan that you don't get to use all the mud in the pan. If you work all day and some gets harden and mixed into fresh mud and you will have serious problem. It may be OK for occasional patch up that you don't use more than 1 pan worth of mud.

[@rolfbjorn9937]

You need a 3 inch knife in the pan, I had to grind one to be just under 3 inch and then you can mix and clean well. The 8 inch taping knife works well on the hawk, the trowel gets uncomfortable in some angles.

[@michaelmaimone13]

I’ve been tapping since I’m 15 I’m now 39 I’ve tapped with hawks and trowels and pans and knives personally I’m faster and more comfortable with a pan and a knife you just have to know how to manage your tools it’s all about how you keep your fingers and pressure again more comfortable in my opinion with a pan and knives from the biggest of jobs to the smallest of patches just my thoughts

[@andrewcarr2431]

the takeaway is to use whatever tools gets the job done to the required level of satisfaction. As Vancouver Drywaller says "its not how you get it on the wall but how you take it off that counts"

[@BumbuClaw]

With the knife I put my index and middle finger on the opposite dude for pressures and for flex on opposite sides.. never used a hawk but also not opposed to it 9:46 realized he does it the same way with the knife😅

[@shanehamilton6708]

This is without a doubt the best channel for DIY and professionals. I just got a hawk and I love it. I wish I could spend a month being his helper i would work for free!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Thanks 👍and Cheers!

[@almartin1768]

Maybe you should redo this video but bring in a guy that has 20 years of experience in using a pan and go head to head.

[@apple-guy9394]

Yup I’m getting myself a hawk! 👍🏻

[@Rprecision]

Interesting, used a knife a pan my whole life. Never knew it was done differently.

[@planesandbikes7353]

I've used Hawk for 35 years doing occasional diy. Everyone I knew used a hawk too. Never even knew about the tray until this year watching pro mudders on youtube like Vancouver Carpenter. Bought one and used it a bit, I can see it has a place but hawk definitely easier for me. I haven't trying using trowel yet. Guess I have more to learn.

[@kobe360]

Would love to see a review on those skimming blades

[@solis1211]

watching you handle the pan and trying to empty it... getting major informercial vibes 😂

[@fearlessfreep]

My only negative with the hawk is that it's so hard to put down. I find that I have to stop every once in a while and putting the pan down is easy.

[@robre6840]

trowel vs knive debate is no contest trowel does a better job if you know how to use it and use the proper size and type but i was taught with hawk and trowel and believe its the best way I do use knives not broad knive but the half moon type for beads and nails and feathering but there is a use for the pan in certain situations small repairs in finished house nail pops filling holes etc. is about the only time ill use it . finishing over 20 yrs

[@ronblades1568]

OMG Jeff never ever put powder or hot mud in pan first makes it hard to mix always water first Jeff u have now been schooled by a professional

[@daze023]

So, whatever you are accustomed to is the best method?

[@joelgordon1840]

and now i know why my mudding doesn't fill the valleys so well.....thank you

[@aangellotti508]

You can't compare 2 methods when you only know one of them. I'm a commercial taper in Toronto and I use both. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Btw you can fill a bead with a knife. Coincidentally I challenged another taper on my site just yesterday who thinks like you with respect to filling bead. I won. Otherwise...I like your channel.

[@WanderlustinMI]

I need advice on how to water resist my Michigan basement built in the 1890s. The laundry is down there, I have installed exterior downspouts system, but would like to reasonably know I won't get big amount of drippy walls. Every contractor has given me a different "solution" with no reasoning behind each option.

[@pacmonkruz9846]

Lol if you really wanted to compared , maybe get someone else to compare tools , since you’re not used to the knives , definitely bias sorry but this one is the worse comparison. Not that I disagree with the trowel but definitely not a unbiased review. GL

[@andrewcarr2431]

the knives and "drywall trowels" can be curved too, just to add confusion. If found the curved trowel hard to get used to after using a masons one, but getting there. easier to fill as before I used a taping knife and switched to the trowel due to general lack of good maintenance of my own body. 2 fingers on the back side of the blade for pressure control, don't like them above an 8" and can do a proppa' job with a trowel once you get to them larger sizes of knife blades. In fact I could possibly butter my bread better with a trowel than a could a knife.

[@ericsmith5919]

"This tool I just picked up for the first (maybe second) time today doesn't work as well for me as this other tool that I've been using for 30 years!" What a shocking result, I must clutch my pearls. The simple fact of the matter is that if you weren't Canadian you'd have spent the last 30 years using a knife and pan and this video would be about how stupid the hawk and trowel are.

[@chubbycheeks2731]

30 days or 30 years doesnt matter , hawk is more efficient than the pan but pan is good for beginners , same as the trowel and knife

[@weekendwarrior3420]

The hawk is 1 surface and no corners, the box 5 and 4 (or 8?).

[@billm.8220]

This is why I bought a hawk with a 4” knife & a 14” trowel. Easy to mix, clean & carry. I’ve seen pros using the pan & various knives which I believe has 5 different size knives. Definitely wouldn’t work at my elder age. Plus the hawk catches the mess if it drips. Three tool for less cost than the pan & knives which is at least 6 tools.

[@waynesligar5948]

For running mud i prefer the pan and for running dryvit i prefer the hawk. I worked in drywall for 18 years out of the 34 years in construction

[@rodgerwilliams1961]

Do you sand between coats of mud?

[@tonysample1738]

I always wondered why someone would use that flat hawk over the pan. I'm still team pan though

[@josephhayden9595]

Can put grip tape on the pan helps alot

[@Xzavieur]

Seeing you using the other knife and pan should give you an insight how a lot of us DIY people feel. A bit clumsy, know how it's supposed to work in theory but havnt used it in years. Good video

[@ErikScott128]

I've recently been doing a lot of drywall repair on my house. I was a complete novice at first. I mean plastic-knife, scooping-it-out-of-the-bucket-and-right-onto-the-wall kind of novice. After watching a ton of KZbin instructional videos, I'm now doing things more-or-less right. I'm certainly still a novice, but I've come a long way in about 3 months or so. So, speaking as a novice who has no intention of making this my day job, I will say I find the knife and pan MUCH easier to learn and get good results with. I did buy the hawk and trowel first and gave it a shot based on videos like this suggesting it's vastly superior. Unfortunately, I found the trowel very awkward. I just couldn't stop getting ridges and I couldn't smooth thing out sufficiently. Eventually, when needing to skim coat walls I that had removed wallpaper from, I decided give Vancouver Carpenter's paint roller mud-application technique a shot, which is best complemented with a knife and pan. So I decided to break down and buy them. Turns out I hate rolling on mud (just doesn't work for me, and it's very messy), but I quickly came to prefer the knife and pan, not just for skim coats, but everything. While I agree the hawk is more comfortable to hold, I find its actually messier than the pan. I have to work harder to keep it from falling off, and unless I am super careful when wiping the trowel or small knife clean, there's always something on the edge, waiting to drip off. Additionally, mixing quickset in the pan is much easier and cleaner, in my experience. Overall, I've just been much happier and less frustrated with the knife and pan. And if there's anything I've learned about drywall, its that you have to be patient, and getting frustrated always leads to a bad result. I don't want to say that anything in this video is wrong. I actually agree the hawk and trowel is probably superior in the hands of an experienced professional. But that's the thing; I'm not an experienced professional, and neither are the majority of the people watching these videos. I'm just a new homeowner trying to repair a house so I can move in. And from this perspective, the large knife and pan has been a much better option. I will continue to give the hawk and trowel a go. I'm replacing drywall in a closet this weekend that was damaged by a (now fixed) leak around the chimney. This will be a good opportunity to give it a try taping fresh drywall rather than just taping patches, repairing dings, and skim-coating walls.

[@OmarGarcia1]

Thank you for your honest feedback. I too am new too drywall and this helped a lot. I actually bought a pan and trowel first day shopping for tools haha.

[@ErikScott128]

@@OmarGarcia1 glad you found it helpful! Definitely give both techniques a shot and figure out what works best for you. I can say that, having done a fair bit more drywall since I made the previous comment, that I still much prefer pan-and-knife. I've also gotten a lot more confident in my skills, to the point where, towards the end of the remodel when I was running some coax and ethernet cables, I had no qualms about opening up a bit of the wall to drill some holes in the studs. Had that thing patched and painted in 24 hours. Used quickset for prefill, taping, and second coat; lightweight plus3 for final coat. Came out perfect.

[@fixitfixitfixit]

I'm team Hawk all the way. Think about it like this .Treat drywall mud like its non sandable plaster of paris on lath. You want stuff on the wall fast so you can smooth it out cleanly before it starts to harden. If you do that you end up requiring less time sanding later. Who would you say is more skilled a drywall taper or a professional plasterer. If you said a plasterer, well they use a hawk and trowel. Also look at the stucco guys, same thing... Hawk and Trowel.

[@Gambitt1970]

I use the pan for just home stuff when I want to add water to my mix. It is just an easier way for me to mix things up. I can see the Hawk being better for the pro.

[@dustinclark8946]

Jeff, can you post a link for that particular hawkmate?

[@olson.pamela]

I have a pancake spatula the exact width of the pan that I use for mixing. Works great! That said I agree with the shortcomings.

[@productionp.r7759]

Funny how he really doesn’t know how to use a pan😂

[@bellemieux]

The hawk didn't work for me. I prefer the pan. I can make a small batch in the pan too. I put the powder on then add a small amount of water and let it sit for a minute to absorb. Comes out nice and smooth. Seejanedrill has a great video on it. But to each their own! Thanks for the videos. You always have great tips.

[@bellybutthole69]

As someone who doesn't do this often, and has not done any big drywall work ( only repairs ), the pan works pretty well . easy and fast to mix the stuff in the pan. If doing a lot of it , especially on a pro level I imagine it would be a different story hehe.

[@delta7087]

What is that underneath your hawk that you use to store your tools?

[@stephen-boddy]

He called it a "hawkmate". Just do a google.

[@johnnichols2710]

Hawk and trowel. Way faster and better results. For a patch I might dust off the knife

[@billvalen-ob1wr]

Mudflextools mud pan is the best

[@johndena2882]

Isn't it a hock?

[@ripvansparky]

Hocks are on animals lol

[@johndena2882]

​@@ripvansparkyhock, because after you use it, you want to take it down and hock It...

[@craigrussell3516]

Pan for taping hawk for finishing.

[@Cybertruck1000]

Was just looking on Amazon for a pan. I'm no longer looking for a pan.....Thanks.

[@wdl8416]

You remind me of one of those AS SEEN ON TV commercials. Can't figure out how to use something, then complain about how it doesn't work so you can sell me a product. Plenty of professional drywallers use a pan and a knife. You don't have to fell up on mud every joint

[@Werdna12345]

What’s the hawk with the trowel holder called? Can’t search for it on amazon and not in his drywall tools buylist link. Edit: went throw previous videos, I think it’s called hawkmate $20 on amazon

[@JeremySpidle]

Can you tell us how you *really* feel about the pan?

[@andrewcarr2431]

I purchased a cheap hand mixer for less than $15, put it on slow speed and it whips up a pan of quickset in no time and easier to clean the removable blades in my slop bucket. When I say purchased, I mean I ended up getting the wife a new mixer for the kitchen....😀

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

Taping & patching. Pan all day. Floating joints. Hawk & trowel

[@salatino]

What brand do you recommend for hawks and trowels?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

nella trowels from germany. Marshalltown for the hawk and hawk buddy

[@salatino]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY thanks

[@HAWK1506]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY who sells those in Canada?

[@slimdude2011]

Why not just buy the ready-mix joint compound? Wouldn't it make the job much easier, cleaner and faster? It seems like mixing dry compound with water is a pain in the butt, especially if you're installing drywall for an entire room, or for the whole house. You're spending more time wet mixing the compound by hand, than to do the job. That will take forever! For me, I would rather do a job the easy way.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

😃😃😃😃 I'm opposite of you, I tried the Hawk a couple times and I could Never feel comfortable with it. Been using the pan for over 30 years. The pan u can get a belt tool where u can rest your pan and tape, its a good idea used it alot. I basically rested the end of the pan on my hip and could go all day. 😃😃😃😃, u just favor the Hawk. Like any tool, it's what your comfortable with. Hold the Pan over your shoulder, u can relax that way. 😃😃😃😃 sorry, your over exaggerating the Pan. I can admit, the Pan is not worth a SH*T to mix mud in, I'll give u that 1 👍✌️😃

[@Murk_You]

I used the Hawk because it's cooler

[@HerbieBancock]

If you're going up a ladder into a corner with vaulted ceilings then the hawk is just going to dig chunks out of the wall while you try flipping and spinning it around like you work at Casa de Fruta. Pretending anything is better than any other thing at everything is idiotic.

[@sparky1044]

I'm not even going to finish the video, I only do drywall occasionally but since I bought a hawk...wow does the job get done quick and easy.

[@Abel69black]

Tried the pan for 20 mins and my hand was cramping. Never looked back

[@harrynasmith165]

The home hardware sticker on the pan is everything.

[@agustinvera29]

La gente va usar lo que más le convenga y tampoco hay que dejar que alguien te imponga lo que no te parece,cada quien trabaja con lo que aprendió .

[@xavytex]

I don’t like cleaning the pan. I use hawk and knives. I’m not doing enough drywall to be good with a trowel. Knives are great to fix the mud jobs of trowel guys ;)

[@gregwright2059]

The hawk clearly looks much better especially accounting for the hand tool. That tool with the hawk is much higher quality but he used a crappy tool with the pan. Pans are fine with practice but he really shows how the german trowels are superior to the other ones. Much sturdier but he used a cheap trowel with the pan.

[@RolandsDad]

It's silly, but I want to call you a bit stuck in your ways, even though I'd always be prone to trying something new. I'm no professional taper or drywaller, but the ole bucket and knife is what I know. It's also silly we don't show anyone new the ability to flex or just get good at one thing, or the tools available to do so. They instead get stuck with what they're taught. I honestly want to try the hawk method because it LOOKS better than what I'm used to and the first thing was "I can brush off the guff on a side" and you demonstrated it quick. With a bucket you make a mess and use every sharp edge around you to clean up chunks or dirt in the mud. Also the constant trimming the edge of the knife was so paramount to my irritation with it. It's misery. Per knife flex, I want to say that's user dependent. I've gotten somewhat comfortable with it, but always somewhat unhappy with results due to inevitable sanding. But with inevitable sanding comes techniques to work with it. Blued blades are the worst to work with, especially if your company gives you limited tool budget because they rust with a passing glance, and that rust creates channels. I've never worked with anyone save one who maintained the tools post work. Clean tools = clean work. Maintained tools means good working tools. Blued blades mean a lot of personal upkeep. I like seeing the difference, and the sale is sold. I think what I'd like to see for those of us in the screwed, I mean, working environment, is how to best work those tools.

[@russguppy8761]

The only person that is more over dramatic then my son is you, but I agree with you. I do not like pans. Excellent video.

[@morokeiboethia6749]

Drywall knife just cant apply the amount of mud in one dip that a trowel can. Not only does it apply more mud, a hawk applies it a little faster and with less fatigue/strain on your joints. When you run all the mud you can off of a drywall knife there's always gonna be about a 1/3 of mud still stuck to the knife but you cant lean your knife any farther to get it off. Hawk and trowel also clean up so much faster which is really nice. I started out with pan/knife but after owning a hawk/trowel for about a year now its hard to want to pick up a knife/pan again. If you're running mud all day your joints will thank you if you get a hawk/trowel.

[@ripvansparky]

I've been in the trades 30 years and have never seen a hawk and trowel used for drywall. KZbin recommended a video and the guy was using them. Whaaaat??? Just stopped at the hardware and picked up a set to try out. I must say this guy def does not know how to use a pan and knives, and his mind was already made up before starting.

[@ll37viking]

After watching his videos several years ago, I got a hawk. I threw away my bucket and never looked back. I had a plastic one too so I didn't cut myself to hell. The Hawk is 100% x2 better.

[@اسحاقشمعبلوطی]

my trowel is Belgian and I love it and the hawk is the same manufacturer (made in Taiwan) . they have lasted me 15 years of continuous use. Bless!

[@jasonrasmussen8265]

I’ve never had an issue with a pan, and when I need to do a small repair job or just set one corner, I do enjoy mixing the mud in my pan as it doesn’t require anymore tools or equipment than what I’m already using. He went out of his way to make it seem harder than it is, I don’t know anyone that uses their thumb and he knows damn well people don’t use it like that all day. Obviously this guy is gonna continue to put out content because he’s making money on it and likes the attention, and by all means he does good work, but he acts as if his way is the only way. Plus I just can’t stand hearing him breathe through every video.

[@justinpopp2549]

I use both, I don't think one is better than the other. A good taper can do it with either one. I like a 10 inch knife, any bigger and it gets cumbersome. I love my 14 inch trowel, great for skimming.

[@TheOfficialDjProduct]

The pan shines when you're wiping out tape (embedding) or mixing small batches of quickset. It's good for people newer to trade (homeowners), but they should still learn and become proficient with hawk and trowel. The pan is also a lot harder on your wrist, the knives as well can be hard on your wrist if used solely and for prolonged periods.

[@TheOfficialDjProduct]

I applaud your attempt. All production guys I know use a hawk and trowel for everything except taping (Yes, even if you're using a bazooka, no idiot just leaves the tape sitting in the corners as is. You have to embed it/wipe it out.) and they'll use a pan/knife for pre-fill because if you know what you're doing, it's much faster. Also you are using the knife wrong, you don't create pressure with your thumb. Regardless the size of the knife you use your index and sometimes middle finger to apply pressure to the back of the blade - while applying your compound. I would of hoped you'd known that considering I've seen you using 4"s. Edit - on the subject of the fancy machines. They do just as good job finishing as if by hand. I do agree that they are definitely not for the home owner simply due to price and learning curve. The boxes you coat with, have blades on them (they work just as good a trowel and put mud on better than you can with a hawk/trowel). The bazooka, banjo, any other machine for slinging tape on, you have to embed them, wipe them out by hand, every time no matter what. Idk what kind of lazy doofuses you have around there, but that's not how we do it here. Learning to initially commute by horse and buggy may seem easier/better if that all you've done your whole life, but learning to drive an actual car is far more superior, and I'm sure you drive some sort of automotive vehicle of some sort. With all that said, I do enjoy your videos, you have a plethora of knowledge. Just wish there was a bit more understanding on your part.

[@TheOfficialDjProduct]

Everyone, there was a scam artist on this comment, if you still see it, report it for unwanted commercial spam content.

[@iamburl2667]

Sounds like your wrist is weak and the knifes to hard for you, I've been using pan for forty years and my wrist still don't hurt, I suggest you go to the gym more often and do curls, then the pan will be easy for you

[@ronblades1568]

Hey Jeff u really love the hawk and trowel I think that is great according to u that's the best only way u shouldn't be knocking pan and knife just because no one taught u how to use them properly u should be totally be honest with your dedicated viewers they your not good with pan and knife and not lie to them and say pan and knife are not as good as hawk and trowel

[@alidasatalic4927]

Used the hawk for the first time...could barely open my hand today. Arthritis?

[@SketchybrainD]

Ok I was using a plastic mud pan and was gonna get a metal one but I’m gonna get me a hawk and trowel and just use the plastic pan as a backup. I was worried about not being able to set it down, lol. I’m going to go buy one now, apparently I’m gonna be doing a bit a more drywall again, might as well try it.

[@dylans2669]

The pan is a pain. Only good if you have a small job and a drill with a small paddle (e.g., like from a hand mixer for cakes and such.

[@اسحاقشمعبلوطی]

right out the bakery😀😁Thank you, Man! I'm convinced now. Hawk, it is!

[@myrahouse2368]

I always say they need to make child size tools I’m a petite female stuff is always to big & heavy for me to use.

[@randyzeroth4098]

I wish I had seen this earlier. Sooooooooo much better. I never want to see that mud bucket ever again.

[@adamedwards1179]

To be honest I think you already have negative thoughts about the pan so your gonna find the flaws in it I do agree there are flaws like cleaning it compared to the hawk but it’s not that bad

[@philricotta]

Great video..... Where did you find the Hawk with the plate under it to store your tools. Did you just add that yourself?

[@jeffsim8664]

Think i will invest in a hawk and trowel. Have some arthritis and the knife gives me greif. Trowel looks easier and more controled