I broke my palette knife this morning, the one I’ve used everyday for 10 years. I was doing what I do every day–creating my usual assortment of mixtures to go with my tube colors–when my stalwart palette knife snapped. The worn handle is on the left in the photograph. The blade is next to it and still has the burnt sienna-white mixture I was making. I really loved this knife–we’ve been through a lot!
It’s a Richeson 830. The handle has the CHE SON 830 identifying marking. Richeson makes palette knives and painting knives. My 830 was from its painting knives line, although I’ve rarely used it to actually paint with. I like it because it’s firm yet supple. It’s more supple than my stiffer palette knives, like the one in the photo, but still firm enough that it doesn’t bend–it’s perfect.
I am ordering two more, an everyday knife and a backup. The fact that it snapped doesn’t bother me in the least. I put this knife through its paces for 10 years and it worked as well today as it did the day I bought it. If my replacement lasts 10 years, I’ll be happy.
In this photo you can see the traditional palette I use to prepare mixtures and the homemade palette I use during painting (the rectangular palette). I always prepare grays (cool and warm) and some flesh tones, along with neutrals for the flesh (greener and bluer).