Feather edge v darby

Lastlaff

Lastlaff

Well-Known Member
When I started labouring, some of the blokes I worked with used feather edges and some used Darby's, for ruling off S&C/renders or lightweight plaster (I was and still am a feather edge user). The Darby too me always seems to be a 'rule' mainly to push material around a wall and scrape off high points - can it really be used too properly rule/plumb a wall?
 
I use a darby all the time for floating to get tough coat and render flat. 4ft are excellent.was tempted to buy a 6ft one a few weeks ago.it won't get a wall plumber though
 
Tricky question that one. I find a feather edge will cut through sand and cement for floating better but if using hardwall or bonding digs in a bit. My refina h section "feather edge" (that's what was on the label) has an edge a bit like a Darby. Realistically it's whatever I have in reach and fits the gap that gets used
 
Natwasere said:
Tricky question that one. I find a feather edge will cut through sand and cement for floating better but if using hardwall or bonding digs in a bit. My refina h section "feather edge" (that's what was on the label) has an edge a bit like a Darby. Realistically it's whatever I have in reach and fits the gap that gets used
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Those "h" section straight edges are great. I often use my spirit level to check the walls between ruling. It's great as I drew the bubble on so perfectly plumb everything :bailando::inocente::inocente::tanguero:
 
I've got two h sections a 1.2 and a 1.8. I've got a 2mtr Refina eagle grip and a 2.4 Refina feather edge (which is crap because it's not rigid enough) I've tried Darby's, feather edges and that eagle grip thing by Refina. Personally the h sections are the best for sand cement render and backing coats.
 
I find the refina h section edges too bendy i got a couple of old ones that are more rigid and narrower
 
Gibbo said:
I find the refina h section edges too bendy i got a couple of old ones that are more rigid and narrower
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Buy the German ones mate not a brand with a German name on it. Wether you like him or not? My H bar for mono plus my "h" rule sections from @Plasterers1StopShop are fantastic still going strong too. A fellow renderer on a job I was on was jealous as @Gibbo rightly pointed out his refina was "bendy" ??
 
an old plasterer once told me that a darby was for price work and a straight edge was for day work...........he was a rough coont though.:nocausagracia:
 
Cornelius said:
I think the longer they get, the more floppy they become??;)
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A Darby used correct is the best tool to own .like I said it's a northerners think which I was shown as a nipper. Southerners don't use them as much as us
 
:) They just flex more. I've got a 2.4 Refina feather edge and that isn't much good, and the larger putz h sections aren't as rigid either.
 
I use a Darby like a knife to cut and slice behind pipes and awkward areas. Keep it flat against the ruled browning and the excess falls to the floor. Ideal in tight spaces like toilets to rule the window wall.
Use it also to make sure your skirting line is flat and not curved at the bottom by keeping it flat against the wall then walk it like you would cross trowel your finish skim.
 
Worked for a boys and seen few other ones with them, L shapes edges, bit more solid, didn't bend in the middle as much as a feature edge can, and the l shape catches the mortar as rules it off, think they got them made somewhere though haven't seen any since.
 
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