Pan and Knife or Halk and Trowel?

mudhen

i have used both,pan and knife for my first 5 years then i switched to hawk and trowel, it really is a matter or preference,i hear this argument non stop and laugh.it boils down to the man running the tool

Diesel Drywall Inc.

Here in Pittsburgh, PA if a taper came on a job with a hawk and trowel he would be out the door in a second. I personally never saw a good taper that used a hawk and trowel, in my area anyways. We learn with a pan and knife like a taper should learn. Just my opinion!

Muddauber

I'm a pan & knife man.
I don't think I've ever seen a finisher in this area use hawk & trowel.
My mud is so soupy for some tasks, like taping, pulling corners,& running 3rd coat that I don't think I could keep the mud from sliding off the hawk.

ThatDrywallGuy

i dont recall saying anything derogatory.

Whitey97

well you can't use a hawk for pulling tape. However 3rd coat I use mine for. You just take less mud, and learn how to control it.

Bevelation

My third coat is a pole sander.

Bevelation

You didn't need to....

haha you took me seriously.

Whitey97

I've cut mine short a few times, and only went with 2, however I've found just to make sure there is enough there I stick the 3rd on for insurance. plus, I don't like tape to show through, it doesn't look professional

joepro0000

Funny talking about Myron, when I applied for the drywall license, one of the recommended books to read and study was his.

Whitey97

you guys have to have lisenses? I love Mn!

Bevelation

Did it turn out fine the times you did 2 coats?

Bevelation

What did you see as far as issues with hawk/trowel work?

joepro0000

Licensed - Workers Comp - Liability Insurance

Whitey97

I just don't like the way it turns out, yeah it's fine, however it's too close to showing tape for my liking.


Joe- how do you go about aqcuiring a license? anything special?

Mudshark

I was taught by a couple of older "stucco guys", been at drywall trade for 35 years and yes they are hawk and trowel. Seems this neck of the woods there is a mix with many of the better drywall finishers using hawk and trowel. I would guess more hawk and trowel than pan and knife. Chris, if you have never seen them in action you should, it is an artform and the mud goes on really fast. Still need the pan and knife for those tight spots though.

JoeMudder

Hawk and trowel was originally intended for plaster because the trowel is best for that.

Knife and pan is designed for drywall work because the knife is best for that.

You need the right tools for the right job. One point is that you cannot get as much mud on a hawk as you can in a pan. Using a pan saves trips back to the bucket.

In plaster work you are not moving around the house like you are with drywall finishing.

Think about it, it just makes good sense.

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Apple24

Smart guy

tapingfool

how can I use a hawk when I am applying mud with a 16 inch knife?? doesnt work..I say whatever you use if the end result is excellent then use it..does anyone use the mud tubes to apply compound? I started using them and they are quicker for putting mud on by hand..

brdn_drywall

i still love using my tubes, tape flats and butts with the taper up and down angles with the taper but top angles by hand with tube applying the mud, role and glaze with angle heads.
I like the accuracy up there instead of too long or too short, rip or fill the ends with short tapes also use it for coating the inside angles when there are multiple jobs on the go and apla tec/graco cfs system is being used elsewhere, also always have one on every job site (with flat and corner adaptors) just in case taper has problems, for a backup taping alternative instead of having downtime on the job and guys standing around waiting for taper to get up and running

Bevelation

No.








FYI: My hawk comfortably holds as much mud as a 3/4 full 14" pan. Anything more, and it just tires your arm.

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