Stainless Steel vs Carbon & Blue Steel Drywall Knives | MBM Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between stainless steel and blue steel drywall knives? ›

Blue steel is more flexible than stainless and more rust-resistant than carbon steel. In general, blue steel is preferred by more experienced drywall professionals as its flexibility is best made use of by those who have a sure hand and the experience to make very fine adjustments.

Carbon steel (including blue steel) has a greater level of flexibility and offers more precision (in the right hands) but will naturally rust with use. Alternatively, stainless steel offers a higher degree of resistance to rust & corrosion.

Edge retention is the ability of a blade to retain its sharpness over time. Carbon steel has a higher edge retention than stainless steel, meaning it will remain sharp for longer.

Blue steel is not as rust-resistant as stainless steel.

Similar to carbon steel, you will need to take care of your tools made from blue steel.

Cons: Dull slightly faster than high carbon knives since stainless is not quite as hard and edge-holding. Require sharpening a bit more often to maintain the same level of sharpness.

Blemishes and surface rust will typically be the extent of the damage, and you will not get even those with a little care. Some perceive stainless steels as being harder to sharpen.

Both Carbon Steel and Blue Carbon Steel will yield perfect sears and can withstand high heat. However, Carbon Steel is considered “Blue” if it has undergone the annealing process. As a result, Blue Carbon Steel is slightly more corrosion resistant than general Carbon Steel.

If you live somewhere humid, or expose your firearm to the elements whether in tactical training situations, hunting, or military/police applications, the general consensus is to go with stainless steel. You will get less finish wear overall and it is more rust resistant than a blued gun.

Carbon Steel Drywall Taping Knife

If you wish for more flexibility, carbon steel is a better choice than stainless steel. This type of drywall taping knife blade is perfect for feathering and smoothing, among other fine tasks.

So here's the downside: carbon steel is more fragile. It's a more brittle material, which means it's more likely to chip if you drop it or toss it into the dishwasher. It also rusts and stains easily. With prolonged exposure, it can also react with certain foods like onion, darkening them.

Why use carbon steel over stainless steel? ›

Carbon steel, on the other hand, has a matte finish and has a higher tensile strength and is harder than stainless steel. This material is used for knives and other bladed instruments that must maintain their cutting edge longer. However, this steel will oxidize when exposed to moisture, even in small amounts.

Professional chefs often describe carbon steel pans as a hybrid of cast iron and stainless steel, but it still doesn't offer the same perks. Stainless steel is designed to protect itself against oxidization, whereas carbon steel corrodes and rusts quickly when exposed to moisture.

After use with these knives you need to get them thoroughly nice and clean and then you want to put some WD-40 or some other kind of lubricant just to keep the rust down. And then you want to stack them so they dry properly to get the water out of any crevices.

To get started, make sure your drywall knife is clean and sharp. You'll want to apply a protective oil or wax to protect it from rust.

It usually happens when a knife is left to soak in a metal sink or next to metal or cast-iron cookware, but it could also happen if a knife is put away wet on a knife magnet with a metal face. To prevent this, simply wash your knife right away, don't leave it to soak, and don't put it away wet on a metal knife magnet.

Aogami, or Blue Steel #1, has the same carbon content as White Steel #1 — the difference is the addition of tungsten and chromium to the material. These additions add specific qualities to already high-quality steel. Aogami (Blue Steel #1) has about 1.3% carbon and 0.4% chromium added to the basic white paper.

The utility knife or dolphin knife with trapezoid utility blade is designed specifically for working with drywall. It has an ergonomic handle for optimal transfer of force from your hand to the material. Trapezoid blades have good rigidity, and don't bend under pressure.

For example, stainless steel is created from added chromium. Blue steel has tungsten and chromium added to the iron and carbon to create an easier tempering process and also a knife that holds its edge longer than a white steel knife, however while not taking on such a fine cutting edge.