Have you ever gone to a hardware store and overwhelmed by the rows of trowels, all in the same way the same price was still at a price of $ 15 to $ 150? The right trowels you see is not easy as grasping the tool. The right putty can mean the difference between a disappointing job and a professional finish, whether you add bricks, plaster, tiling or gardening.
This guide breaks the mandatory: main types of trowels, features to consider, the best options for different projects and maintenance tips for your devices to work for year.
Types of Trowels and Their Uses
Trowels comes in many forms, each serving a unique purpose:
- Pointing Trowels (100–150mm): For precision tasks as reputable brick joints or getting mortar in tight rooms.
- Brick Trowels (250–280mm): Large knives for the spread of mortar when laying bricks or blocks.
- Finishing Trowels (280–450mm): Flat, rectangular knives such as smooth plaster or concrete.
- Garden Trowels: Scoop-shaped for planting, transplantation and digging in clay soil.
- Margin Trowels: Small, rectangular tools that are ideal for edges and narrow areas.
- Notched Trowels: Essential for tiling; notch size determines adhesive thickness.
- Pool and Corner Trowels: Designed for curved surfaces or sharp plaster corners.
In short, pointing trowels excel at precision, finishing trowels at smoothing, and specialty tools save you headaches on specific jobs like tiling or rendering.
Key Features to Look For
Blade Material
- Stainless Steel: Rust resistant, easy to clean and ideal for Australian conditions.
- Carbon Steel: Reasonable and preferred by some professionals because of its “feeling”, but requires more maintenance.
- Tempered Steel: combination of strength with ductility, great for long -term use.
Handle Comfort
A comfortable grip reduces fatigue:
- Wooden handles feel traditional but need upkeep.
- Soft-grip rubber/plastic handles are comfortable and non-slip but may degrade in the sun.
- Check attachment strength: welded tangs are strongest, riveted or threaded handles offer replaceability.
Size and Weight
- Bricklaying: 230-280 mm leaf (smaller for beginners).
- Plastering: 350-450 mm, with 400 mm as the most versatile.
- Garden: Small spoon for seedlings, large leaf for digging.
Always choose a size you can comfortably handle for a long time.
Flexibility
- Rigid blades are best for placing mortar or concrete exactly.
- Flexible blades help achieve smooth plaster or render finishes.
Some modern trowels offer graduated flexibility stiff near the handle, flexible at the tip.
Choosing by Project
Bricklaying and Masonry
Use a London or Philadelphia pattern trowel with a curved leaf for placement of smooth mortar. Forged steel ensures durability.
Gardening
Choose narrow, strong knives for soil or rocky soil. The depth marks and series edges are easy to plant or cut the roots.
Plastering and Rendering
Choose apartments for smooth walls, pre-do finishing (about 400 mm). Plastic or fungal springs are useful for texaded finish and acrylic rendering.
Tiling
Match notch size to tile size:
- 6mm for small wall tiles.
- 10–12mm for large wall/floor tiles.
- 12–15mm for oversized or natural stone tiles.
Margin trowels are essential for corners and back-buttering tiles.
Professional vs DIY Tools
- Professional-grade: Grid steel, ergonomic handle and extraordinary durability. It is worth it if you do regular or large projects.
- DIY/mid-range: Perfect for cheap, decent quality and current use. Avoid the cheapest options- POR balance and weak steel will use you for long periods.
- Lifespan: A Pro bricklayer can wear a putty in a year, while DIY users can hold proper care for decades.
Top Brands in Australia
- Marshalltown: Premium, durable, and widely respected among professionals.
- W.Rose: Traditional, carbon-steel trowels popular for heritage work.
- Ox Tools: Good mid-range with both pro and DIY lines.
- Spear & Jackson: Excellent Garden tools and reliable masonry options.
- Cyclone: Australian-designed tools suited to local conditions.
- Stanley and Trojan: Reasonable, good for light or occasional use.
Where to Buy
- Bunnings: The wide spectrum is good to try the tool before you buy.
- Total Tools / Sydney Tools: Premium brand and expert.
- Independent hardware stores: Personal services and special order.
- Online retailers: Comprehensive selection and competitive prices, but you cannot test hold or balance until you shop.
Maintenance and Care
- Cleaning: Rinse off mortar, plaster, or soil immediately. Use a stiff brush; avoid hammering off hardened material.
- Rust Prevention: Wipe dry and oil carbon steel regularly. Stainless still benefits from drying and storage care.
- Handles: Sand/oil wood; keep soft grips out of harsh sun.
- Storage: Hang trowels in a dry place and use blade guards when transporting.
When to Replace
Replace if you see:
- Cracks in the blade.
- Severe rust or pitting.
- Warped blades that no longer finish smoothly.
- Handles that won’t stay secure.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the cheapest option: bad steel varp and carries faster, and costs more in the long run.
- Ignoring handle comfort: causing blisters, fatigue and even injuries.
- Choosing the wrong tool for the job: Pushed by putty will not lay the bricks well, and the garden does not increase the mortar. Buy what you want to use.
Conclusion
right trowel is more than a piece of metal with a handle, it is a device that makes the work easier, faster and more entertaining. Whether you are building, gardening, applying tiles or polishing, using trowel according to the work ensures better results and less disappointment.
Choose the contents of the blade, the rest of the handle and what kind of project you work based on. Do not fall into the temptation of the cheapest options, invest in quality in the budget, maintain it properly, and you will have a reliable partner for many years of projects.
