Manual paint scrapers are essential tools for preparing surfaces for fresh paint applications. They come in various shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one depends on the job or situation. Stripping knives and paint scrapers are ideal for tackling stubborn paint and varnish, and can be combined with a steamer or wire brush for easy removal.
A wire brush with metal wire tines can be used to remove raised, peeling paint from exterior walls. Paint scrapers are reliable and low-cost, making them ideal for removing loose and peeling paint from surfaces. The triangular scraper is useful for removing paint from flat surfaces due to its three flat edges.
In laboratory studies, scrapers are used to prepare standardized coating samples and remove old paint, varnish, and other coatings. They are also used to plan excess paint and wood off doors and windows.
These tools are designed to remove old paint, varnish, and other coatings, creating a smooth base for new applications. They come in heavy-duty materials and widths designed to scrape rather than spread. Razor-sharp tools, such as shave hooks, wallpaper scrapers, and multi-purpose removal tools, are also available.
📹 IS THIS THE MOST USEFUL TOOL IN THE WORLD? Watch And Decide!! (5-In-1, 6-In-1,Painter’s Tool)
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What is scraping in painting?
Grattage is a technique in surrealist painting where fresh paint is scratched with a sharp blade. This technique involves scratching and removing chromatic pigment on a canvas or other material to create a dynamic surface. The goal is to create a strong sense of texture or pattern on the surface of the picture plane. This technique was used by artists like Max Ernst, Joan Miró, and later by informal artists. The technique has been used to create a dynamic and unique visual experience in surrealist art.
What were scrapers used for?
Scrapers are beveled tools used in animal hide processing, vegetable processing, and other plant, wood, and bone work. They have a sharpened one side of the edge, sometimes with thicker and steeper edges. They have been found at pre-contact sites like Fort McCoy and are often attributed to temporary hunting campsites and village sites, which can be temporary or permanent. Scrapers are often found at dozens of pre-contact sites and can be used for various purposes.
Does a house painter need scraper?
In the event that the existing paint is firmly attached and not coming away in chunks, the surface can be prepared by sanding it down to a rough finish. Utilize a paint remover or scraper to eliminate any loose paint and then sand the surface until it is perfectly smooth. For further information on the repainting of wooden surfaces, please refer to my profile on Quora.
What is a scraper used for in art?
A scraper is a tool used in engraving plates, where burrs appear on both sides of grooves. These burrs are removed using a gently curved blade with a pointed tip. The scraper is held with the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and the little finger is placed against the plate while the burrs are removed. The edges of the plate are filed diagonally with a metal file, and the shavings are carefully removed with the scraper. In mezzotint, scrapers are used as a drawing tool, with a rocker texture the plate surface and the burrs scraped off with a scraper to draw the image.
Various gradations can be produced by adjusting the burr height. A burnisher is used for the finish. There are various types of scrapers, some with wooden handles and others with metal handles. To prevent rusting, store scrapers in a cloth soaked with machine oil. Edges can be sharpened using an Arkansas oil stone or wet and dry sandpaper.
What is a scraper tool used for?
A scraper is a precision tool used in machinery manufacturing to remove material or residue from surfaces. It is essential for ensuring the accuracy of mating surfaces of components and enhancing the performance and longevity of mechanical systems. In metalworking, scraping is crucial for achieving flatness and straightness of metal parts, which are essential for proper assembly and operation. Industries like aerospace and toolmaking rely on scraping to meet stringent tolerances for high-performance components. There are various types of scraper tools used, each with its specific uses.
What is the function of the scraper?
Wheel tractor scrapers are heavy-duty earthmoving machines used for scraping and leveling surfaces, hauling earth and materials from one job site to another. They offer extreme efficiency in transporting materials, with cycle times indicating their productivity. A single scraper operator can move up to 72 cubic yards of material per cycle, reducing labor by half. These machines can be self-propelled or towed, using a scraping blade to cut into the earth and push the material into a bowl or hopper.
What is the purpose of scrape?
Data scraping is a process of importing data from websites into files or spreadsheets for personal use or reuse on other websites. It can be used for various purposes, such as collecting business intelligence, determining travel booking prices, finding sales leads, and sending product data to online shopping platforms. However, data scraping can also be abused by bad actors, such as harvesting email addresses for spamming or scamming, or retrieving copyrighted content from one website and automatically publishing it on another. Numerous software applications automate data scraping, making it a complex and potentially harmful process.
What do you do with a scraper?
A cabinet scraper is a simple tool that removes small amounts of material, particularly in hardwood areas where traditional hand planes would cause tear-out. It is a better choice than sandpaper in many applications as it often leaves a cleaner surface and doesn’t create wood pore dust or torn fiber fuzz. There are different types of scrapers, with card scrapers being shaped like cards and traditional cabinet scrapers having grips. Standard scrapers come in various shapes and sizes, with the most common being a rectangular 3″ x 6″ size. You can also fabricate your own scraper to fit your needs.
How to paint with a scraper?
The speaker’s objective is to create a rainbow shape by holding a piece of cardboard at a 45-degree angle and pressing down on the paint edge, moving in a manner that approximates a rainbow arc.
What is the use of paint scraper?
Paint scrapers are essential tools for painters in various situations, including removing paint-runs from newly painted surfaces, planning excess paint and wood off doors and window openings, and reshaping details in existing wood trim. They are often used on every job site, even when replacing older building materials with new ones. Scrapers can also remove large amounts of built-up paint from wood, metal, or masonry sidings and noticeable lines where old paint has been removed from substrates after pressure washing or chemical stripping.
When used appropriately, scrapers can help uncover problem areas and transform blistered coatings and damaged surfaces into new ones. They come in various styles and shapes, with blade widths ranging from one to six inches, and handles ranging from larger to smaller, allowing for more pressure and easier access to tight spots like window trim or moldings. Despite their limited use, scrapers can help transform blistered coatings and damaged surfaces into new, functional pieces.
When should a scraper be used?
A scraper is a versatile machine used in construction, mining, agriculture, and other earthmoving applications. Its heavy-duty blade and ability to remove waste material make it essential for large operations. It is particularly efficient in moving wet soil or earth, saving contractors time waiting for dryer conditions. There are various types of scrapers, including single-engine wheeled scrapers, dual-engine wheeled scrapers, elevating scrapers, and pull-type scrapers.
The single-engine wheeled scraper is versatile, as it uses hydraulics to function separately. Dual-engine wheeled scrapers are ideal for cut-and-fill tasks on narrow construction sites. Elevating scrapers can use electric or hydraulic power to drive the elevator, while pull-type scrapers are ideal for moving sandy or soft terrain. All of these machines are essential for efficient earthmoving and are suitable for various applications, including grading areas.
📹 5 in 1 Tool: How to Use This Must Have Painter’s Tool
Have a home painting project on the horizon? While it may seem intimidating at first glance, a painter’s 5-in-1 tool is an amazing …
Dude as a painter, Ive known for 20+ years the 5way (thats what painters in GA call em) is the end-all be all for: opening beers, spliting blunts, throwing at targets, self defense, cutting sandwiches, applying condiments, negotiating payments, and works pretty decent on all that other stuff you mentioned. Great vid bud!
I am a handyman and I use this tool for removing glued down tack strips under carpet, removing underlay glue, removing caulking and most recently installing new grout. I bought one about 8 years ago and have used it contantly. Recently it broke so I went looking for a new one but had no idea what is was called or where I got it from. This article helped me find a new one. Its an every day carry for me.
Been painting for 20 yrs and the 5in1 is in my side pocket all day. I whip that thing out like a gun now! Another paint tip is if your cruising along on baseboard on a hard floor and you put a little streak right in front of the board don’t risk touching what you just painted. Just wrap your rag tight around the scraper end and run it over swipe mark. Gives you control of rag and it’s flat. Oh and watch that curved blade when they’re new. Lol Nice article! Thanks!
I like tools. I love my painters tool. Additional use: If you’re painting, you can usually undo the screws on wall and outlet plates with it. If the plate is stuck to the wall with paint, place your blade edge along the long side of the plate and give the handle a whack. Pops the plate off without prying.
After perusal this article, I received this tool within 4 days and LOVE it . Hard to sharpen, but the edge retention is excellent for linoleum, vinyl, carpet, siding, shingle repair and even using for heavy duty wire stripping . It cuts heavy rope and cordage and is perfect for removing the scales from steel head fish and cleaning catfish . Thanks for the advice .
I worked as a union tile finisher for 25 years and used this tool all the time. I called it the “Ninja Tool” because it could do everything, although I primarily used it as a chisel. Squaring off corners when you’re grouting to doing patches. This and a marking towel are two of the best, most versatile hand tools that you can carry.
My dad worked in construction for 40+ years. Over some of my summer breaks (probably when my mom had had enough of me lol), he’d take me with him to work. He fitted me with bags, gloves, etc., but the first tool he bought me was a 5-in-1. He always said it was the only tool he used every day, from the start of a project to the bitter end. lol
I have one of those but don’t do any painting or related activities. I found it’s great for cleaning my pellet smoker bbq, especially the creosote from the chimney and grease drain hole, along with any spilled and baked on food inside the barrel. I’ve never had any occasion to scrape paint but I have a door that needs to be repainted and I’ve been putting it off. I think I’ll use this to scrape the paint from it and see how it works. Thanks for a great article.
As a career handyman/tradesman I have worn many hats and carried many tools. Flooring, drywall, carpentry, surface refinishing, etc and a 5way is hands down the most essential tool out of an extremely limited list of tools that are invaluable no matter the job and it can even replace others on that list in a pinch- looking at you, razor knife i just had and now can’t find. I’ve seen guys shrug their shoulders over losing an expensive drill, but i’ve also seen roofers drop their $10 5way and make a special trip down the ladder just to fetch it and if you know anything about roofing or a roofer’s mindset you’d know going down that ladder without a damn good excuse is a cardinal sin. This tool has so many uses beyond what’s displayed here and half of them you don’t realize until you improvise. One of my favorite uses is to simply use it to pry back flashing on a metal roof so I can get my brush behind it onto the fascia- gives a much better finished look when you don’t have paint on your metal and can’t find a cut line because it’s behind/under the flashing.
This is my ‘Go To’ tool. Another great use when painting, is using it to cut drain holes around the top of the paint can. That is, where the lid seals onto the can, you use the pointy end to punch through the bottom of the “U” shape in three or four places to allow the paint to drain out of this website after pouring…
I love this tool too! Thank you so much for sharing how you use it, great tips. I have use it with a hammer to break the dried thin set off the back of tiles, after soaking them in water for a few minutes. My pops hired a neighbor dude that didn’t know what he was doing and I had to redo the job but didn’t want to toss the tile I lifted.
Im So grateful for this article someone left this tool in my basement when I moved in 7 yrs ago and never knew what it was used for. Ive been painting my master bdrm this weekend and I decided to give it a try so I opened paint cans, scraped old cruddy old paint off the floor now I know what else to use it for TFS👍
Definitely one in my tool bag and used it for everything you mentioned! Maybe somebody mentioned it but I’ll also use the teardrop on small screws that only turn but you can’t grip well enough or pull out. Or extra help on a stripped screw that won’t bite on anything enough to back it out. It’s demolition basically but I use one to remove things held on by 3M VHB tape. It’s so many tools for one job. Pry things apart the tape is holding using the full blade or shorter blade. Often tapping it in too get between things like signs and get leverage and a demolition screwdriver is too aggressive. Sometimes I need everything to come off 100% clean from melamine and this is some sticky stuff. The point often helps dig at sections where the built up areas. Scraper of course. Light taps when it’s too thick or stubborn to scrape. It’s an amazing little tool that people often don’t see as more than a scraper.
Amateur DIY here, got one a few years ago when I bought my first house. I intended to use it as a putty knife at first. Boy I can tell you, I have found it invaluable in so many aspects of remodeling and repairing stuff in the home. Especially cleaning up my own messes, lol. Just used it to remove door trim for the first time the other day too. It really is an awesome tool! Great vid my friend.
I’ve said the same thing for years. There are several tools that lose their spot in the belt to the 5-1. Also, the longer the flat edge, the crappier the 5 in 1. I prefer the stubier 5 in 1 like the one you are holding in your garage for the interview portion of this article. NOT the wider HUSKY 5 in 1. There are different classes of 5 in 1. There has to be a point to stop adding on the this tool. I personally don’t even like the teardrop nail puller. Glad to see someone else that values the 5 in 1.
I am A siding installer, have been for thirty years. this is the best tool in my tool bags, I use it at least 30 times a day. I could not live with out it. esp useful for getting the steel fascia under the drip edge, no other tool works as good period. its a life saver. and very useful for stretching up a low siding panel to match your siding line when a panel or two gets low. for vinyl or steel siding. just put it under the nailing flange and give it a shove up, and staple it into place. I would pay 50 bucks for this tool if i had to. it saves me that much in time on a day to day basis. love it.
“The Painters Tool” These, and variations of them are sold as a “Hive Tool” to beekeepers as THE standard multipurpose tool. Some places are selling the exact tool you have, all the way to an ‘evolved’ variation which is more or less standard now. Bees use a pine resin secretion (called propolis in the bee world) to attach things, repair holes, and as a general purpose glue to maintain their hive. A “Beekeepers Tool” or “Hive Tool” is used for breaking loose lids, hive box sections, and comb frames from the hive box, scraping away wax and undesirable comb (called “Burr comb”), opening honeycomb for a taste test, pulling nails and staples, as an aid in lighting and maintaining the smoker, and many other regular tasks. It is truly a tool worth having in your pocket alongside a good knife for just about any profession or job.
You missed one important use of the tool for a painter, when removing screws from drywall you can be left with a wall plug that sits slightly proud of the wall, use the sharp blade in a swift motion to slice the lipped top from the plug, now reverse the tool and use the heel of the handle to slightly push in any raised edges of drywall leaving a recessed hole ready to be filled.
I’m tuck pointing my basement walls and spotted the tool at the hardware store, I didn’t look at the uses or the names of the tool, but it is a great tool to dig out the old crumbling mortar and scrape off the new hydraulic cement after the crack is filled. Nice to know the uses, especially the roller cleaning
Great article! As a drywall finisher, painter, and for carpentry uses, (I’ve used it for ALL these) Tip: First thing to do with the tool is to sharpen the leading edge to knife sharpness, including the back side of the pointed part. Sharpen ONLY the beveled side, and, if necessary create a matched bevel on the inside of the point. Use a well-stabilized or bench grinder. and finish as you would any precision blade. You will find just how handy this is should you neglect to sharpen it in this way. You will most like do it as soon as you discover its insufficient sharpness. It is also useful as the go-to tool for house and even engine cleaning and prying. Whether in those window corners (and some windows have lattice or even odd-stained glass shapes, so that sharpened point will be useful in perfectly finishing painting. House cleaners, working on floor and any surface edge will vastly improve the speed of their complete cleaning with this tool. In a pinch it will unscrew and screw your razor knife to change blade, or even remove switch plates. You will need to carry less tools around in noncarpentry jobs. Ive used it for so many things that they cannot be itemized here. I always keep two, one in car for emergencies.
Omg this is hilarious. I renovate swimming pools and i have this exact same tool. I love the thing and swesr by it! It is great for doing liner tucks, removing old skimmer and main drain gaskets, lifting up stubborn rail rings, and various other problems that present themselves. Some of the best 5 bucks i’ve ever spent. I thought i was the only person who felt this way.
Yep when I moved from painting to carpentry I brought all my 5-ways with me. It’s a flat-head screwdriver, the point is a Phillips head too, and the point works awesome for removing staples. One other awesome use is to pry on material to level it, like adjusting a sheet of plywood or even a window to level it.
I was cleaning out a roller one day and I thought Gee I wish there was a way to squeeze out some of this paint before I wash it all out. Then it hit me, that’s what that half circle in the painter’s tool is for! And that Hammerhead may not be good for driving nails but it is good for sinking nails that are sticking up.
I have always considered a 5 in 1 to be an essential hand tool to have . I am not a painter, I am a cabinet installer and finish carpenter but this tool is always in regular use. one thing I use it for a lot is when I am caulking, I use it to clean out excess caulk in tight little spots, I like to to be realy clean, none of that smearing a heavy bead of caulk with your finger and calling it done crap on my jobs, also makes a good pry bar, putty knife in a pinch, paint can opener, knife to cut old caulk joints when removing old trim or base and many more things!
Recently purchased an ‘Entry Level’ Painters Tool…. Works Well, sharpened the cutting end, adding a slight bur to it on the backside. This allows for the use as a scraper, to remove paint, by application of force, which using the scraper as normally designed, would cause it to cut into the wood… Mostly used for paint that is in cracks and which is residual.. As long as the wood is dry, it acts like metal, it will sacrifice electrons or surface cells, for sake of the material…
Hands down the truth! As one who formally prepared brand new homes for customer move-in, there was an abundance of tasks that were necessary to make perfect. From tilt of linoleum repairs to drywall, painting, roof work, you name it. Anything that needed to be repaired prior to a homeowner move-in was repaired. The 5- in 1 tool was the most handy tool I carried. It’s a prybar, scraper, screwdriver, putty, knife, paint roller removal tool, light hammer, and a bunch more things. For the price they are great.
I’m in the Restaurant Biz, I have been using this tool for years. I scrape the burnt stuck on oil on my flat griddle (plancha ) One pass holding it firm and the oil comes off in a big ribbon. Very difficult to find one with a wooden handle, as it sometimes gets left on the hot griddle by mistake, guesss what happens to the plastic handle? lol .
I don’t think I’ve ever used it for painting – though that’s what I bought the first one for! I use it all the time to remove trim – i cannot believe how strong it is as a short pry bar. In remodeling work (as distinct from demolition and reconstruction) it really comes into its own. With a hammer, my favorite thin, short flat pry-bar and a Stanley knife – I’m off. I have abused these too. They can be hammered through the occasional nail when nothing else reaches and a sawzall is a ‘nuclear option’. Yeah, a machete might be the first desert island choice -but this thing is right behind – together with a roll of baling twine.
Thank you for making such an amazing article. I love great content. Honest to God I’ve seen them and I’ve never used a single one of them for anything other than scraping paint. The first thank you is also for showing me another tool I need to add back to my tool collection. I haven’t seen my last one in years. When it comes to paint rollers, they’re a dime a dozen for the most part and I hate wasting paint. That is freaking annoying.
I recently went to the hardware store for a tool to remove weeds and grass in the paving, they didn’t have stock, but I noticed this tool, and I have only used for cleaning between the paving, scraping of the bird poop, and scraping off the green moss in the areas that get lots of moisture and less son.
I apologize for being wordy. I am a YouTube fan of yours. I am writing this to several presenters. About 60 years ago, I took high school woodshop. Thereafter, I learned a few basic things from my grandfather and father. Over the following 20+ years, I had neither the money nor the space to do any woodworking. About 25 years ago, some tools were passed on to my by parents, so I took over my garage, but my skill was rudimentary; the things I created were crude and imprecise, but I enjoyed the process. About 5 years ago, I got very sick. During my recovery, I discovered you and your colleagues on YouTube. Since then, I have been a junky perusal mostly woodworking articles. I must THANK YOU and your colleagues for teaching me so very much. I moved to a new home and created a shop on casters (I have to move cars) and have tried many of the things YOU have taught me—and bought way too many new tools!. I now spend as much time as possible in my shop and have actually created some pretty good project products and shop furniture. Without you to help me through my convalescence and your clearly understandable articles, I don’t think I would be enjoying this hobby as I do. Thank you and the whole YouTube woodworking community.
Have multiple 5-in-1’s, but my all time favorite is my old wood handle one. It’s got about 15 years of work under its belt, and about forty colors of paint ingrained. But you missed maybe the most useful aspect, mixing drywall mud in the pan. Always, always mix your consistancy right, then grab your 6″ knife to cream it up perfect… then tape away. Best tool in my kit, by far.
Your articles are great, I’ve watched several of them and learned a lot. Have a very minor suggestion for filming — try lowering the camera on your tripod a few inches so that it’s directly at the level of your eyes. When a subject looks at the camera lens from the same level, it lends a steady, authoritative character to the person. When a person has to look up at the camera, it reduces the speaker’s authority. Lowering the camera would also reduce the amount of open space above your head, which tends to be dead space. If you watch some youtube articles about the rule of thirds in composing articles, a lot of times having your eyes 1/3 of the way down from the top of the screen creates a pleasing composition. Thanks for the great articles, look forward to perusal more.
Is he deluded. If he was stranded on a desert island that is the tool he would chose if he could only have one tool. So on this desert island he can clean rollers, open and close tins of paint, use it for putty, pull out nails, etc etc. What a muppet. No use at all on a desert island. Give me a leatherman wave or similar anytime.
It’s absolutely my favorite tool! I feel like Gollum talking about The Ring when I tell fellow DIYers why it’s soooo amazing! #geek Additional use: This may be wrong but I create a drain slot in the rim of my paint cans. The pointy edge & a good whack with a hammer & BAM! It doesn’t effect how the lid seals either. Whoever said they use it to reglaze windows—thanks! I’m currently restoring my old windows & will use ‘my pretty’ on the next sash I glaze. Lolol
I use mine daily, it’s stupidly useful… I work at a subway, 3rd shift…. So I get saddled with a lot of the cleaning duties… This thing can scrape stickers off the floor, dried sauce off glass, sticker residue off counters… Breaks up ice buildup under the veggie line, clear seams in counters…. I’ve got the one pictured in the thumbnail… So prying nails, driving screws, even some cutting work here and there…. These tools are amazing…
Gotta put linemans up there too. I use my linemans for reaming pipe, cutting wire, hammering crimps out of duct, folding over jagged cuts, crimping wire, hitting nails down in places my hammer can’t fit, cutting zip ties for flex, as a panduit gun for flex duct or just to cut a zip tie down when I forget my belt for my pants. You can also mess with anyone on a ladder by grabbing their tool belt or pinching them with it.
What is this thing called in french? EDIT: “outil de paintre”! Got it. EDIT no 2: Just got one this week – perfect as a chisel and also for scraping bark off small/medium branches. Wondering why i needed that? I have a garden with trees, and they are participating in the creation of a walk-in closet…
Don’t forget opening Heinekens, back scratching, blunt splitting, chopping bud and scrapping make up off the wife’s face. 😀 Seriously though, I did a complete renovation in one of my bedrooms and this was easily the most useful tool. All the hard to get to stuff was easily handled by the 5 in 1. Great article. Right to the point, simple and quick. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
If I was stranded on a deserted island and I would take only one tool with me, I probably wouldn’t worry about one that is useful when it comes to painting and decorating. I’d probably pick a machete or some sort of large multi-use knife. I do however have a lot of painting and decorating to do now, so I’ve just ordered one of these.
As a painter for over 40 years this tool was indispensable. But you must differentiate between a simple 5 in 1 from the larger ones that boast even more in 1. You show two there with one larger one with a nail remover hole. I will only say that I much much prefer the simple smaller 5 in 1. You may not have a nail puller, but for the amount of time you need that its not worth the extra size. The simple 5 in 1 fits so easily into your pocket. Anything larger you are stabbing yourself with the larger pointy protrusion. The simple one is perfect size and function.
I’ve had one of these in my belt for years. And good god I discovered they are extra incredible! I buy the husky ones. And I have an older one that gets the brunt abuse. Recently I used it to chisel 20 year old tile mortar off of cement board in a shower so I could retile. And holy hell, I was so frustrated with what I was doing and I was like to hell with it, I don’t care if I break this painters tool. And I beat the hell out it for hours with a hammer as a concrete chisel. And it held up every step of the way! Husky specifically. I trust husky hand tools, very strong. But yeah it proved to be far more durable than expected.
In my 20 years of contracting, I buy these once in a while and end up throwing them away. My tools of choice are; Speed square, Titanium hammer, 1″ chisel, nipper (nail pulling or cutting), 16ft tape, nail set, space pen, lenox utility knife, Felo smaller flat screwdriver that can remove outlet plates and turn in drywall screws! I use a trim prybar/scraper when removing trim.
I can’t believe it…. I just came back from Walmart a few hours ago after seeing one of these tools for the first time. I picked it up then put it back, then picked it up again. I just wasn’t sure how to use it. Their version is either an 8 or 9 in one I think. Now that I’ve seen you use it I’m knocking myself in the head. Back to WallyMart soon I go. Hope there are some left!
This was a cool article! I am new to your website. Yes I agree, this tool is incredible. A must for Painters. One tool you must add to your tool box is the new unique Richard/Hyde gooseneck flexible paint brush extension. Painters and DIY will benefit from this awesome paint brush! It would be nice if you can do a article demonstrating this paint brush! Reach the unreachable. Thank you! I will watch more of your educational articles. Cheers!
I’m not at all handy – in fact I may be the least handy person in the world, but I use it as an ‘edger’. If the string on the edging tool isn’t getting it good, I dig out the edge with this, push the dirt back a little too. Even though not handy, I have used this thing a lot and it is and amazing little tool.
I came upon this article and since I have been using one as a carpenter for over 30 years I had to watch. HC pretty much nailed it. Introduced my son to one 20 years ago and he told me that pretty much every guy in his VW bus club now has one in their toolbox. Good job HC. What is a 5 in 1 now like a 15 in one.
I also use that tool very often for all these tasks you noted, but often use it in combination with what I know as a hive tool, it’s longer 9″ and thinner, it gets thicker in a gradual way, to a little under an 1/8″, it’s got a 1/2″ bend at the top which is shaped like a chisel, I often use it as a scraper at the top end, it’s also got a respectable nail puller spot about 1″ from the top bend, I’ve got 3 of them & 2 paint scrapers. They must be made of spring steel, because I never broke one, and I realize now, that #1 was 45 yrs ago, and I still use it weekly at home & at the lake, but you need a good file to keep it keen!