When it comes to drywall repair, the "best" spackle knife depends on what part of the repair you're doing-but let's talk about the ones that'll make your life easiest.
First, for small drywall fixes (nail holes, tiny dents): A 1-inch to 2-inch plastic spackle knife is perfect. Plastic is lightweight, so your hand won't cramp up, and it's flexible enough to smooth spackle evenly without leaving ridges. I used a 2-inch plastic knife to fix 10+ nail holes in my living room drywall last month-super easy, no mistakes. Just make sure the plastic blade is thick enough (thin ones bend too much!)-look for blades that feel sturdy when you press on them.
For medium drywall patches (holes up to 3 inches wide, small cracks): A 3-inch to 4-inch metal spackle knife is better. Metal is sturdier than plastic, so it can handle a little more pressure-great for spreading spackle over a slightly bigger area without bending. I fixed a 2-inch hole in my bathroom drywall with a 3-inch metal knife, and it was way easier than using plastic-no folding blade, just smooth, even spackle. Look for a metal knife with a comfortable handle, too-you don't wanna have a sore grip halfway through.
For bigger drywall repairs (holes bigger than 3 inches, small seams): A 5-inch to 6-inch metal spackle knife is the way to go. You need the sturdiness of metal here to spread joint compound (the thicker stuff for big repairs) evenly, and the large blade covers more area so you can get a smooth finish. My dad swears by his 6-inch metal knife for drywall seams-he says it cuts down on sanding later (and let's be real, sanding drywall is the worst part!).
Pro tip: Avoid super cheap spackle knives (the ones that cost $1 at the dollar store) for drywall repair-they'll bend, break, or leave uneven lines. Spend a few extra bucks on a mid-range metal or thick plastic one-they'll last longer and make your repair look way better.
