Drywall knife

Abstract

Provided is a hand tool for applying drywall joint compound. The hand tool can include a handle having first end and a second end. The hand tool can also include a blade having a first portion defining a front plane, a second portion defining a second plane, a proximal end adjacent to a first portion of the blade, and a distal end adjacent to a second portion of the blade. A bend line can be disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The proximal end of the blade can be coupled to the second end of the handle such that the handle is aligned with the front plane. The bend line can be defined by the second portion of the blade being bent at an angle with respect to the front portion. The bend in the blade increases the distance between the handle and the wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hand tool for applying or removing drywall joint compound comprising:
 a handle having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and   a blade comprising a proximal end coupled to the first end of the handle, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a first portion adjacent the proximal end and defining a front plane, a second portion adjacent to the distal end and defining a second plane, and a bend line joining the first portion and the second portion,   wherein a handle plane that bisects a height of handle is coplanar with the front plane, and the second plane is oriented at an angle with respect to the front plane, the bend line is defined by the second portion of the blade being bent with respect to the first portion.   
     
     
         2 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the angle ranges from 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the front plane. 
     
     
         3 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , the handle further comprising an attachment slot in the first end of the handle configured to accept the proximal end and the first portion of the blade. 
     
     
         4 . The hand tool of  claim 1  further comprising a backplate disposed on the proximal end of the blade. 
     
     
         5 . The hand tool of  claim 4 , the handle further comprising an attachment slot in the first end of the handle configured to accept the backplate, the proximal end, and the first portion of the blade. 
     
     
         6 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the first portion of the blade is less than a length of the second portion of the blade. 
     
     
         7 . The hand tool of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the first portion of the blade is one third or less than a length of the second portion of the blade. 
     
     
         8 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the second portion of the blade gradually increases from the bend line to the distal end of the blade. 
     
     
         9 . The hand tool of  claim 1  further comprising a hang hole through the second end of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The hand tool of  claim 1  further comprising a striking cap at the second end of the handle. 
     
     
         11 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a thickness in a range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the blade and the first end of the handle are secured together with at least one threaded fastener or at least one rivet. 
     
     
         13 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the blade and the first end of the handle are welded together. 
     
     
         14 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , further comprising an offset mounting bracket having a first wall and a second wall extending out perpendicularly from a bottom of the first wall, wherein the first wall is configured to couple to the first end of the handle and the second wall is configured to couple to the proximal end and first portion of the blade, such that the front plane of the hand tool and the handle plane are parallel to each other and offset by a distance. 
     
     
         15 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the blade has either pointed or rounded corners. 
     
     
         16 . A hand tool for applying or removing drywall joint compound comprising:
 a handle having a grip that extends along a width of the handle and a mounting section that extends along a width of the handle; and   a blade having a first portion defining a front plane of the hand tool, a second portion opposite the first portion defining a second plane, a bend that joins the first portion and the second portion, a proximal end at an end of the first portion opposite the bend, and a distal end at an end of the a second portion opposite the bend,   wherein the width of the handle is substantially the same as a width of the blade, and   wherein the proximal end of the blade is coupled to the mounting section of the handle such that the mounting section is in contact with the first portion of the blade, the second plane is oriented at an angle with respect to the front plane, and the bend is defined by the second portion of the blade being bent toward the handle with respect to the first portion.   
     
     
         17 . The hand tool of  claim 16 , further comprising a slot in the mounting section configured to slidably receive the proximal end of the blade, the proximal end of the blade further comprising at least one projection extending out from a surface of the blade, wherein the blade is prevented from being pulled out of the slot by the at least one projection and the blade is prevented from sliding out of the slot with one of a screw, a retaining pin, a housing side cover, friction, or a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         18 . The hand tool of  claim 16 , wherein the angle ranges from 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the front plane. 
     
     
         19 . The hand tool of  claim 16 , wherein the blade has a thickness in a range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         20 . A hand tool for applying or removing drywall joint compound comprising:
 a blade having a first portion defining a front plane of the hand tool, a second portion opposite the first portion defining a second plane, a bend that joins the first portion and the second portion, a proximal end at an end of the first portion of the blade opposite the bend, and a distal end at an end of the a second portion of the blade opposite the bend;   a backplate disposed on the proximal end of the blade; and   a handle having first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end having an attachment slot configured to accept the backplate, the proximal end, and the first portion of the blade and the second end having a striking cap,   wherein the proximal end of the blade and backplate is coupled to the first end of the handle such that a handle plane that bisects a height of the handle is coplanar with the front plane, the second plane is oriented at an angle with respect to the front plane, and the bend is defined by the second portion of the blade being bent with respect to the first portion, wherein the angle ranges from 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the front plane.