DeWalt 6 in. Stainless Steel Clipped Knife with Soft Grip Handle

Why a clipped 6-inch knife earns a permanent spot on my hawk

I reach for a 6-inch clipped drywall knife more often than I expect. It’s the size I use to bed tape, knock down ridges, patch small holes, and get into corners where a square tip just won’t cooperate. After several weeks with the DeWalt 6-inch clipped knife, I’ve found it to be a well-executed take on a deceptively simple tool: balanced, tough where it needs to be, and surprisingly refined in the details that matter day to day.

Build and ergonomics

The first impression is lightness. At about 3.2 ounces, the knife is easy to carry all day and never feels like a brick when you’re reaching high off a ladder or working overhead. Despite that low weight, it doesn’t feel flimsy. A full-tang blade riveted through the handle gives it a solid, one-piece feel when scraping or prying a little more aggressively than you should.

The handle is glass‑reinforced nylon with a soft‑grip profile. It’s not squishy; think of it as a firm, contoured shape with just enough give to prevent hotspots. The taper fits a range of grips—pinch near the ferrule for controlled work or palm the belly for scraping. Even with mud on my gloves, I didn’t get the slippery, soapy feeling I sometimes get with high-gloss plastic handles. The hang hole is large enough for a carabiner or a peg, which is handy on site.

A small but appreciated detail: the label peeled off in one clean pull. No gummy residue, no scraping. It’s a quality-of-life thing, but it sets the tone.

Blade and edge performance

The stainless steel blade is polished, and it shows. That finish reduces drag when you’re feathering, and more importantly, it sheds compound easily during cleanup. I’ve had carbon steel knives that cut beautifully at first but demanded more maintenance to keep rust at bay. Here, after rinsing and a quick wipe, I didn’t see any flash rust or staining, even after leaving it damp longer than I should have.

In hand, the blade has a medium flex—stiffer than some ultra‑springy blue‑steel taping knives, but not rigid. For a 6-inch, that’s ideal. It helps with consistent pressure when bedding tape and makes it easier to scrape high spots without chattering. The factory edge is crisp and true, with no wavy grind lines that would telegraph streaks. That cleanliness along the edge matters when you’re finishing small patches where one pass can either solve the problem or create sanding work later.

The clipped tip advantage

The clipped profile is why I chose this size in the first place. In inside corners—especially on walls that aren’t a perfect 90 degrees—the clipped tip lets me ride one wing right into the corner while keeping the opposite edge clear of the adjacent surface. On cathedral ceilings, stair transitions, and odd-angle soffits, that geometry saves time. It’s also excellent for shaving small drips and snots out of tight corners without scarring the face paper.

One technique note: when pushing into a corner, a little wrist rotation so the clipped point leads gives the best control. Because the blade’s flex is moderate, it won’t chatter or oil-can when you’re working across uneven seams.

Hammer end: useful, within reason

The metal hammer end is not a gimmick. I used it to reset a few nail pops and to tap down the occasional proud screw head. The cap is properly integrated and hasn’t mushroomed or loosened. Obviously, it’s not a framing hammer, but it’s strong enough for the light corrective taps you actually want on finished board. The hammer end also helps with balance; it gives a touch more weight toward the handle, so the blade feels easier to steer.

Day-to-day tasks

• Bedding tape: A 6-inch is my go-to for initial tape bedding, especially on repairs and short seams. The knife lays a clean bed and wipes excess mud without digging into the paper.
• Skim and feather: On patches around outlets and small holes, the polished blade rides smoothly and leaves a consistent feathered edge. I needed less sanding than usual, which I attribute to the edge and the polish.
• Scraping and cleanup: The full-tang construction gives confidence when scraping dried compound. I don’t treat knives as pry bars, but we all push them now and then; this one doesn’t complain.
• Corner work: The clipped tip is a real advantage on acute and obtuse inside corners. It reaches what a square tip can’t without scuffing the opposing face.

Durability and maintenance

Stainless steel pays off in maintenance. I intentionally left compound to dry on the blade overnight. It flaked off with a plastic scraper and a rinse, and the polish looked the same. No pitting, no staining. The rivets remained tight, and I didn’t see any handle seams lifting or gapping after repeated washings.

The handle is solvent‑resistant. While drywall compound is water‑based, jobsite life isn’t always so tidy. A quick wipe with mineral spirits to clean adhesive residue didn’t haze or soften the handle. That’s consistent with glass‑reinforced nylon and adds confidence this will hold up to abuse.

Ergonomics over a full day

Comfort is where a lot of budget knives fall down. After a long ceiling session, I didn’t develop the hot spots I get with square-edged plastic handles. The contour distributes pressure better when you’re pressing hard to feather. The light weight reduces fatigue on repetitive overhead strokes. It sounds minor, but fatigue shows up in your finish—lighter tools with good balance help you keep a consistent touch late in the day.

Comparisons and context

• Versus carbon steel: Carbon typically takes a slightly keener edge and can be a hair springier. But it needs more babying to prevent rust. For general drywall use, the stainless balance of edge, flex, and corrosion resistance is the better tradeoff for most folks.
• Versus square 6-inch knives: The clipped tip is the difference maker in corners and tight spots. If you only buy one 6-inch, I prefer clipped for versatility. You can do everything a square tip does and more.
• Versus wider knives: This isn’t a replacement for 10- or 12-inch knives on big flats. It’s a complement—great for bedding tape, corners, and detail work, then hand off to a wider blade for final coats.

Quibbles

Every tool has quirks. A couple here:

• The blade’s medium flex is excellent for control, but if you prefer ultra-flexible 6-inch blades for delicate feathering, this will feel stiffer.
• The metal cap adds a smidge of length. In a shallow pouch, the hammer end can sit proud and catch now and then.
• Mud can pack around the rivet heads after a messy session. It rinses out, but you’ll want to pay attention during cleanup to keep the handle spotless.

None of these are deal-breakers, and most come down to preference or routine.

Who it’s for

• DIYers tackling patches, taping, and corner work will get a forgiving, easy‑to‑maintain knife that doesn’t rust if it sits in a damp garage.
• Pros who carry multiple knives will appreciate the clipped geometry for odd-angle interiors and a polished edge that stays clean through long runs.
• Anyone who likes an integrated hammer end for quick resets without fishing out another tool.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 6-inch clipped knife as a reliable, low-maintenance workhorse for everyday drywall tasks, especially where corners and odd angles are involved. The polished stainless blade cuts cleanly and cleans up quickly, the full‑tang riveted construction inspires confidence, and the handle is comfortable with or without gloves. Add the practical hammer end and useful small touches like an easy‑peel label and hang hole, and you’ve got a tool that earns its spot on your board.

It’s not a substitute for wider finishing knives, and those who love ultra‑flex blades might want to try it in hand before committing. But for most users—pros and homeowners alike—the combination of corrosion resistance, control, and thoughtful ergonomics makes this 6-inch clipped knife an easy recommendation.