The blades of our Painting Knifes extend from strong hand-forged cylindrical shafts, and are available in stainless steel for acrylics, oil and alkyds; and carbon steel for painting with oils and alkyds only. (Carbon steel rusts in water.) Brushes and painting knives can be damaged by mixing paint on a palette. Our fine quality Italian Mixing Knives have a stiff, nickel-plated blade for quick, effective paint mixing.