"Have you experimented with flexible knives instead?"
Funny you mention that—I just picked up a flexible knife last weekend after nearly losing my sanity with corner trowels. Definitely easier, but still getting the hang of it. Did you find a certain size or brand worked best for you?
Flexible knives are definitely the way to go—I ditched corner trowels after my first room and never looked back. Personally, I've found that a 6-inch knife is perfect for initial mudding, then switching to a 10- or 12-inch for feathering out the edges. Brand-wise, I've had good luck with Hyde—they're affordable, hold an edge nicely, and clean up easy. Just make sure you don't apply too much pressure; let the knife do the work or you'll end up pulling off more mud than you leave behind... learned that one the hard way.
Totally agree about flexible knives being a lifesaver. I was skeptical at first, mostly because I'd already bought corner trowels and didn't want to feel like I'd wasted money. But after struggling through my first room, I gave in and picked up a flexible 6-inch knife—night and day difference. Hyde has been solid for me too, especially considering the price point. I did experiment with a pricier brand once, but honestly, couldn't justify the extra cost for what felt like minimal improvement.
Your tip about pressure is spot-on. I remember getting frustrated early on because every time I tried to smooth things out, I'd scrape off half the mud I'd just applied. Took me a while to realize that less is more when it comes to pressure—just gently glide it across and trust the knife to do its job.
Anyway, sounds like you've got a good system down now. Drywall finishing can be tedious, but it's satisfying once you see those smooth joints come together nicely.
"Took me a while to realize that less is more when it comes to pressure—just gently glide it across and trust the knife to do its job."
This right here was my biggest drywall epiphany too. I used to muscle through every joint, thinking more pressure meant smoother finish... nope. Once I eased up and let the knife float, things got way easier. Also, totally agree on Hyde knives—solid tools without breaking the bank. Tried pricier ones myself, but honestly couldn't see enough difference to justify it.
Same here, I spent way too long trying to brute force my way to smoothness. Funny how drywalling is one of those things that rewards patience over strength... Anyone found a specific mud consistency that's helped them glide easier? I'm still tweaking mine.
