Best Putty Knives of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Putty knives are versatile tools used in a variety of applications, from spreading putty and other adhesives to scraping paint and removing debris. These tools come in a range of sizes and shapes, with flexible or rigid blades, and are made from materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, or plastic. Putty knives are essential for any DIY enthusiast or professional tradesperson who needs to smooth or shape surfaces, fill cracks and holes, or apply sealants and caulks. With the right putty knife, you can achieve a professional finish on any project, big or small.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Putty Knives
KZXXZH 4 Pack Wallpaper Scrapers Set
The KZXXZH Wallpaper Scrapers offer high-quality stainless steel construction, ensuring durability and flexibility during use. The thickened 0.8mm blade provides you with the strength needed to tackle tough tasks without breaking. Ergonomically designed, the comfortable rubber handle allows you to work with minimal effort, making your projects easier and more enjoyable. Additionally, the scrapers come in four different sizes, catering to various applications from drywall to wallpaper, giving you the versatility needed for any job.
Draper 100mm Soft Grip Putty Knife
The Draper Putty Knife is an effective tool featuring fully polished, flexible steel blades that ensure smooth and precise application. The precision ground blades are hardened and tempered, providing reliability for your painting and plastering tasks. With a soft grip handle, you will enjoy comfort during use, making it easier to work for extended periods. The blade’s consistent beading and sharp edge allow you to effortlessly get into corners, making it ideal for filling cracks or holes in wood or plaster.
ProDec Rosewood Putty Knife for Fillers
The ProDec Putty Knife is a trade quality tool designed for mixing, applying, and smoothing fillers, sealants, and putty. Its 1.5-inch (38mm) blade is perfect for working in cracks, holes, and around window frames, ensuring a neat finish. The knife features a clipt profile with both straight and rounded edges, allowing you to shape and smooth materials with ease. Made from stainless steel, the semi-rigid blade has a full tang through the handle, preventing breakage and providing durability. The beautiful rosewood handle adds a premium feel and includes a hanging hole for convenient storage.
Harris Seriously Good Filling Knives 4 Pack
The Harris Filling Knives set includes four flexible stainless steel blades, perfect for filling small holes, cracks, and detailed areas. With a variety of sizes, you can easily tackle different repairs around your home. These knives work well with general purpose filler, fine surface filler, and wood filler, ensuring you have the right tools for the job. Using this set will help you achieve a smooth finish and make your repair tasks much more manageable.
Multipurpose Plastic Filling and Scraping Knife Set
The D.A.Y. Republic Scraping Knife Set includes four flexible plastic knives in various sizes, perfect for precision tasks. Their durable material ensures they last, while the flexibility makes your jobs easier and more effective. You will appreciate the convenience of re-usable and wipeable tools, allowing you to clean and use them repeatedly. Additionally, the textured handles provide a comfortable grip, helping you maintain accuracy during use, whether you are decorating or baking.
Faithfull FAIST110 Professional Filling Knife 25MM
The Faithfull Filling Knife is crafted with a rosewood handle, ensuring a comfortable grip while you work. It excels at inserting filler into cracks or holes in wood or plaster, making your repair tasks easier. The extremely flexible blade allows you to achieve a smooth finish on all fillers before sanding, which saves you time and effort. This tool is an essential addition to your kit, providing convenience and efficiency for all your filling needs.
Faithfull Soft-Grip Putty Knife with Metal End Cap
The Faithfull Putty Knife features a durable stainless steel blade, ensuring long-lasting performance and resistance to rust. You'll appreciate the soft-grip handle, designed for maximum comfort during use, allowing you to work for longer periods without discomfort. Additionally, it includes a metal end cap that serves a practical purpose, enabling you to easily knock back any protruding nails. This tool is specially designed for applying putty and filler in cracks and corners, making your DIY tasks much more efficient.
Dekton Putty Knife with Stainless Steel Blade
The Dekton Putty Knife features a high-quality stainless steel blade that ensures long-lasting sharpness, making it perfect for filling cracks and repairing holes. Its hollow ground design allows for precise and smooth application, which is particularly useful for detailed work. The ergonomic hardwood handle provides a comfortable grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Additionally, the full tang construction improves strength and balance, giving you confidence and control while tackling demanding tasks.
Amazon Basics 15.24 cm Flexible Putty Knife
The Amazon Basics Putty Knife features a durable, mirror-polished stainless steel blade that resists corrosion and rust, ensuring long-lasting use. Its flexible blade is ideal for applying putty or spreading adhesive, giving you the control you need for a smooth finish. The long, ergonomic handle is weighted for balance, allowing for a comfortable grip as you work. Additionally, the built-in hammer at the end of the handle makes it easy to set nails in plasterboard, adding convenience to your DIY tasks.
Axus Decor Pro-Fill Stainless Steel Filling Knife
The Axus Decor Filling Knife features a high-grade stainless steel blade that resists rust, ensuring durability and longevity for all your filling projects. Its ultra-flexible blade allows you to achieve flawless repairs on various surfaces, including walls and ceilings. You will also appreciate the rubberized handle, which provides a comfortable grip for extended use, making your DIY tasks more enjoyable. Additionally, the versatile design includes a hanging hole for easy storage, keeping your workspace organised and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a putty knife used for?
Putty knives are used to apply putty or surfacing compound into cracks and nail holes, patch divots with wood filler, and spread drywall mud into drywall joints and seams. Putty knives come in a variety of sizes.
2. What can I use instead of a putty knife?
If you don't have a putty knife, just about anything with a flat edge and at least one smooth side will work—a butter knife, a paint stirrer, or even a ruler. You're also going to create a fair amount of dust while patching holes, so it's worth considering how you'll handle it.
3. What makes a good putty knife?
We found that the best general purpose putty knife is the Craftsman 1½-inch Flex Stainless Putty Knife. It's the best size for filling small holes and cracks, it has an easy-to-clean stainless steel blade, and it has a long, ergonomic handle that makes the tool comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time.
4. What is the difference between a scraper and a filling knife?
A filling knife may look a bit like a scraper, but the main difference is its flexible blade. That makes it ideal for forcing filler into cracks and crevices in walls.
During our putty knives research, we found 162 putty knives products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 36,379 customer reviews through our big data system to write the putty knives list. We found that most customers choose putty knives with an average price of £6.15.
The putty knives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of putty knives, including KZXXZH, Draper, ProDec, Harris, D.A.Y. Republic.
Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.