LEVEL516-Inch Skimming Blade | Precision 0.3mm German Stainless Steel Blade Insert (Replaceable), Ergonomic Aluminum Blade Profile | 4-916

I read a few reviews which mentioned end caps arrived broken. I think the manufacturer read those reviews as well because it came with spares! Mine were fine by the way and the tool was nicely packed. I bought the 24" version. It's very easy to use even for a person like me who only does drywall on occasions. The grip position and motion felt very natural. I added compound with another knife and used this to level /smooth everything. It also works well once everything dries as a means of seeing how level a surface is.I was working on a wall which had been wall papered and was not painted so taking the wall paper made a mess of some of the drywall paper (used Zinsser Gardz also excellent). Not only was I dealing with a lot of repaired areas but the people who did the job originally knew they were using wall paper and did a less than stellar job of finishing the wall. There was an obvious seam running across the entire width of the wall at the 4 foot point. Using this tool and with a focus on that part of the wall it looks great! I was shocked that I could make it look as good as it does.One other general tip I figured out and hadn't tried before was I inspected, circled areas with a pencil, marked with "S" for sand, and "F" for fill. A wall with compound on a large area makes it difficult to find imperfections so as you inspect circle them and mark them. I didn't skim coat the entire wall and I primarily used this on the long seam and near the corners or larger areas. I think had I used it even more I would have used less pencil!Great tool!

I like it, could use the 24” as well

Quality product with nice fit and finish.

It perfect and really u will see the difference from first use but it’s expensive so its should come with protecting box to keep it when u doneI expect the manufacturer to send me a box to storage mine when in not in use

This product is not a gimmick. It is surprisingly easy to use and does not leave lap marks like a taping knife can. It also seems to remove bubbles better than other methods.It's not great value for money, and neither is the cheaper model from the same brand. However, the results are excellent.

I'm not a professional. Was fixing a large hole I put in the wall to run new lines to new recessed lights. I wish I had this when finishing part of my basement. Quality blade that made for easy putty work.

I know, I know you’ve seen the reels and the shorts on the internets and ask yourself is the level 5 stuff really worth it. Well this thing definitely is. I’ve done plenty of skim coating with a 12”blade and this thing just makes it so much faster and easier. And well time is money for this kind of work. Just role the mud on and smooth it out. Now I don’t know if all the cheaper alternatives work just as well but I do know this one works. So dont be a cheap ass and just buy it already.

These are absolutely the best skimming tools you can buy ... if you are looking to flatten and smoothen this is the way to go to achieve a great finish .. I can't speak highly enough ... if you are a remodeling company and looking to up your game , you won't be disappointed...!

Because I hate butt joints in ceiling dry wall I have for years created a 1/8" recess between the joists where I can bend/pull the ends of the boards up and then skim flat with the rest of the ceiling. Since I have only ever had a trowel/knife with a 12" blade I resorted years ago to taking the handle off a 30" hand saw and clamping the blade between two pieces of wood. This I used as a wide flattening trowel. Then I came across this tool, and have just finished three ceilings each with a butt join in the centre. it is PERFECT! Easy to grip, light and produced a smooth coat that needed hardly any sanding. And, as the stainless blade slides out for cleaning, easy to clean. So good I just bought the 12" version too for small patching and repairs!Recommended.

Yeah its just an alloy extrusion with a mud blade like all the others so what ! but I think the secret ingredient is in the spring steel blade ! laser strait, flat and tough ! This tool is big bucks so I would not be leaving it on the floor to be tripped on or leaning it on walls! the grip bar is huge and very smooth, I find it to feel slippery in my hands when pulling mud. Thin rubber coated gloves, felt more secure in my hands. Cheers.

Requires some skill to use but results are better than without using it. I only had make sure to keep it at bigger angle ~45DEG to avoid bubbles forming in a mud otherwise it works fine even with 0 of prior experience.

Product seems good. As an rookie drywaller doing some home reno's it helps however it still leaves minor marks when Im skimming the ceiling.

Recently, I purchased the full set of Level 5's taping knives, and I was really impressed with them. Some of the suggested items that poped up for me after I bought that set were the 32 and 24 inch skimming blades, so I bought them both. This has made the job of skimming ceilings so much easier and faster. I roll on the mud with a paint roller on an extension pole, then I skim it flat with the 32 inch skimming blade with the extension pole and handle. It's so much faster and easier to do ceiling work from the ground now. The tool is solidly built and has an interchangeable blade in case you want to replace it ever. Also, the customer service from Level 5 is spectacular - I recieved my blade with a broken end cap (due to rough handling during shipping), and they immediately sent me a new one free of charge. Level 5 Is my go-to brand for taping and skimming supplies now. I'm really impressed :)