Choosing the right trowel makes a real difference on site. The wrong size or pattern slows you down; the right one becomes an extension of your hand. This guide covers the main trowel types, what to look for, and the best options available from our Building & Construction range.
Brick Trowels — Laying and Spreading Mortar
A brick trowel is the workhorse of any bricklaying job. Used for picking up, spreading and cutting mortar, the right brick trowel balances mortar capacity with control.
What to look for
- Blade length — 10" to 12" suits most tradespeople; 11" is the most common site size
- Pattern — London pattern (narrower, tapered) or Philadelphia pattern (wider heel, higher mortar capacity); choose based on your style and the work
- Blade material — carbon steel is standard; hardened for longevity
- Handle — soft-feel plastic or hardwood; soft-feel reduces fatigue on long runs
Our picks
- RST 11" London Pattern Brick Trowel — a reliable all-rounder with a soft-feel handle and 11" × 5" carbon steel blade. Suits most bricklaying applications.
- RST 11" Brick Trowel Philadelphia Pattern — broader heel for higher mortar capacity; preferred by many professional bricklayers.
- Spear & Jackson Tyzack Brick Trowel 11" Broad Heel — a premium option from a trusted name; well-balanced with a high-quality blade.
- Spear & Jackson Tyzack Brick Trowel 12" Philadelphia Pattern — for those who prefer a longer blade and maximum mortar capacity.
Pointing Trowels — Repointing and Joint Finishing
Pointing trowels are smaller and more precise than brick trowels, designed for working mortar into joints, repointing brickwork and detail masonry work.
What to look for
- Blade length — 5" to 6" covers most pointing work
- Pattern — London pattern is the standard for pointing; narrow and manoeuvrable in tight joints
- Handle — soft-feel or hardwood; personal preference
Our picks
- RST Pointing Trowel 5" London Pattern — compact and precise, ideal for repointing and detail work on brick and stone.
- RST London Pattern Pointing Trowel 6" — a touch more blade for those who prefer a slightly larger tool; soft-feel handle.
- Spear & Jackson 6" Pointing Trowel — Hardwood Handle — traditional hardwood handle for those who prefer the feel of a classic tool.
Gauging Trowels — Mixing and Applying Small Batches
A gauging trowel sits between a pointing trowel and a brick trowel in size. It's used for mixing small amounts of plaster or mortar, applying adhesive and detail plastering work.
Our pick
- RST 7" Gauging Trowel — a versatile tool with a soft-feel handle; useful for plastering, patching and mixing on the spot.
Plastering Trowels and Floats — Finishing Surfaces
For rendering and plastering, you need a larger, flatter blade to spread and finish material evenly across a surface.
What to look for
- Plastering trowel — stainless steel blade for a smooth, non-reactive finish on plaster
- Float — plastic or wood; used to texture or flatten a rendered surface after the trowel pass
Our picks
- Spear & Jackson Plastering Trowel 280mm × 114mm — stainless steel blade for a clean finish on plaster and mortar; well-balanced for extended use.
- Spear & Jackson Tyzack 11" Trowel — Finishing Float — stainless steel finishing float for achieving a smooth surface on render and plaster.
- Spear & Jackson Tyzack 11" Plastic Float — lightweight plastic float for texturing and finishing concrete floors and rendering.
- RST 11" Finishing Trowel — Soft Handle — rubber/plastic soft-grip handle for comfort during extended plastering sessions.
Specialist Pointing Tools
For decorative or detailed joint work, a standard pointing trowel isn't always the right tool.
- RST Leaf and Square Pointing Tool ½" — for fine mortar joints, decorative plasterwork and detail craft applications.
- RST Leaf and Square Pointing Tool ¾" — slightly wider; suits decorative pointing and arts and crafts work.
- Faithfull 12mm × 16mm Brick Jointer — for finishing and profiling mortar joints in brickwork and masonry.
Shop the Full Range
Browse all trowels, floats and pointing tools in our Building & Construction collection — with free UK delivery on every order.