Below is a list of the palette knives I’ve tested and recommend for artists working in acrylics or oils.
Overview: Best Palette Knives and Palette Knife Set in 2026
Stainless Steel Palette Knives Color Mixing Set for Oil and Acrylic Paint
Sizes No. 1, 25, 7, 15, 39, 23, 17, 21, Durable Stainless Steel Blade & Break-Resistant Wooden Handle, Art Supplies for Oil & Acrylic Painting
Also available sizes No. 8, 14, 15, 32 and 37
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Best Premium Palette Knife Set
Stainless Steel Palette Knives Color Mixing Set for Oil and Acrylic Paint
Best Affordable Palette Knife Set
Sizes No. 1, 25, 7, 15, 39, 23, 17, 21, Durable Stainless Steel Blade & Break-Resistant Wooden Handle, Art Supplies for Oil & Acrylic Painting
The Arteza painting knife set is the most affordable option I’d confidently recommend to serious artists.
Comfortable handles, great spring, solid control, and a premium feel overall, a fantastic budget set and my pick for the best affordable palette knives today.
Best Cheap Palette Knife Set
While not on par with premium options, they’re durable, versatile, and perfect for beginners or students. Easily the best cheap palette knife set I’ve tested.
Best Student Choice Palette Knife Set
Liquitex Freestyle painting knives are ideal for beginners.
Get both the Traditional and Large Scale sets for a perfect starter kit: high-quality, durable, well-balanced, and versatile. Great feel, perfect variety, and the best palette knives for students I’ve used.
Best Premium Palette Knives
Also available sizes No. 8, 14, 15, 32 and 37
Holbein’s 1066 series painting knives are the best I’ve ever used, hand-forged in Japan, perfectly balanced, and made from samurai-grade steel.
They’re expensive, yes, but worth every cent, ideal spring, flawless edges, and made to last a lifetime. A top choice for pros, and an incredible investment for serious students too.
Best Budget Palette Knives
The RGM Soft Grip palette knives are handmade in Italy, feel amazing in the hand, and offer pro-level control and spring, all at a fraction of Holbein’s price.
What Should You Look For in the Best Palette Knives for Painting?
A great knife should mix cleanly, spread paint smoothly, and keep your knuckles off the surface. Start with blade shape and flex, then dial in size and ergonomics.
Knife Type & Shape (What It’s For)
- Diamond/leaf (offset): most versatile; clean mixing + controlled application and edges.
- Trowel/long leaf: broad sweeps, large passages, knife-only painting.
- Spatula/rectangular: scraping, sharp horizontals/verticals, skies/water.
- Teardrop/pointed: fine ridges, sgraffito, detail impasto.
- Wide scraper: fast ground prep, cleaning, and lifting.
Note: Strictly, “palette knives” mix; “painting knives” apply paint. Most artists use the terms interchangeably—choose shapes you’ll actually use.
Offset (“Crank”) & Clearance
- Look for: a pronounced offset between handle and blade so your hand clears wet paint.
- Watch out for: flat chef-style spatulas that smear knuckles across the canvas.
Blade Material, Temper & Finish
- Stainless steel: rust-resistant, easy maintenance, stable edge—best all-round.
- Carbon steel: lively flex but rusts; fine if you’re fastidious.
- Plastic/nylon: lightweight, cheap, solvent-safe; less precise, can warp/snap.
- Finish: polished blades release paint and clean easily; satin grips a bit more for textured pulls.
Flex, Spring & Edge Quality
- Stiff blades: powerful mixing, scraping, crisp planes.
- Medium flex: smooth spreading, subtle blends—great for painting.
- Soft/flexy tips: lyrical, ribbon-like strokes; less control for knife-mixing.
- Edges & corners: should be even and burr-free; slightly rounded corners prevent gouges.
Size & Coverage
Match span to canvas size and stroke.
- Small (2–4 cm): detail, knife calligraphy, tiny planes.
- Medium (5–8 cm): everyday mixing + application—workhorse size.
- Large (9–12 cm+): big passages, grounds, and juicy sweeps.
- Tip: one small diamond + medium leaf + large trowel covers 90% of needs.
Handle, Balance & Build
Comfort matters over long sessions.
- Look for: smooth wood handles (beech/pear), secure ferrule, straight alignment, no wobble.
- Balance: blade shouldn’t nose-dive; a slight rear bias reduces wrist fatigue.
- One-piece metal is bombproof but colder/heavier; wrapped grips help.
Cleaning, Solvent & Paint Compatibility
- Acrylics: wipe immediately; dried acrylic can be razor-scraped from steel.
- Oils: wipe to rag first (then wash)—store oily rags in a sealed metal container.
- Avoid soaking wood handles; it loosens ferrules over time.
Durability & Maintenance
- Look for: tempered steel that springs back, tight rivets, no blade twist.
- Care: if corners feel sharp, kiss them with fine sandpaper; quick oil film on carbon steel prevents rust.
Safety & Studio Practicalities
- Not razor-sharp, but points can puncture—use a roll/sheath.
- Choose non-slip grips if you work with gels or wet hands.
Value & Set Strategy
- Skip giant assortments full of near-duplicates.
- Buy open stock: start with 2–3 shapes, add only what your strokes demand.
2-Minute Store (or At-Home) Tests
- Spring test: press the blade on a flat surface—should bend and snap back true.
- Edge test: pull a butter-smooth smear of thick paint—no chatter lines from nicks.
- Clearance check: loaded blade across a panel—knuckles clear at common angles.
- Flatness: lay the blade down—no visible twist/warp along the edge.
Quick Picks by Use Case
- Mixing workhorse: stiff, medium diamond (5–7 cm) in polished stainless.
- Knife painting & impasto: medium-flex trowel/leaf (7–10 cm) with rounded corners.
- Detail texture & sgraffito: small pointed/teardrop (2–4 cm), medium flex.
- Grounds & scraping: wide rectangular or broad scraper, stiff.
Choose by shape, offset, and flex first; then size and handle comfort. When those are right, the knife disappears and your marks take over.
Other articles in the Artists Kits & Sets series:
- Best Oil Paint Sets for Artists
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Brushes
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Palette
- Choosing the Best Canvas for Oil Painting
- Best Oil Pastels for Artists
- Best Easels for Painting
- Best Professional Artist Kits
- Best Gouache Paint Sets
- Best Artist Inks
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
