Choosing the Best Trowel for Every Step of Your Masonry Project

Trowels are some of the most essential hand tools on a masonry jobsite. From laying brick and block to repairing mortar joints, each style is designed to handle specific tasks.

Having the right trowel for the job can make working with mortar easier, improve control, and help you work more efficiently. Whether you're laying a new course of brick or touching up existing masonry, here's a look at the best trowels for each step of the project.

1. Laying Brick, Block, and Stone: Brick Trowels

The brick trowel is the go-to tool for laying brick, block, and stone. Its primary purpose is to scoop, carry, and apply mortar as you work. Brick trowels can be used to spread mortar along a course, butter individual bricks or blocks, and remove excess material. Some styles also feature a bumper on the end for lightly tapping masonry units into position.

MARSHALLTOWN Brick trowels are available in several patterns and sizes to accommodate different preferences and techniques. For example, a London pattern has a narrower profile, while a Philadelphia pattern features a wider blade that can carry more mortar. When selecting a brick trowel, consider the blade size and shape that best fits your application and feels comfortable in your hand. MARSHALLTOWN offers brick trowels with several handle materials: wooden, DuraSoft®, leather, cork, and plastic. For those who are accustomed to a lower lift, we offer Low Rise Brick Trowels. 

2. Repairing Mortar Joints: Pointing Trowel

When it's time to repair damaged mortar joints or fill small gaps, a MARSHALLTOWN Pointing Trowel provides the control needed for detailed work.

Its narrow blade is designed to fit into smaller spaces, making it especially useful for repointing, restoration, and other masonry repairs. Pointing trowels can also help apply small amounts of mortar where a standard brick trowel may be too large. MARSHALLTOWN offers pointing trowels in various sizes, patterns, and with different handle materials. 

3. Working in Tight Spaces: Margin Trowel

Not every masonry task calls for a full-size trowel. When you're working in confined areas or need to handle smaller amounts of material, a margin trowel is a useful addition to your toolbox.

With its slim, flat-nosed blade, the MARSHALLTOWN Margin Trowel is designed for spreading and leveling mortar or other materials in hard-to-reach areas. Its compact shape also makes it handy for scraping material from mixing pans and tubs. 

While it isn't a replacement for a brick trowel, a margin trowel complements larger tools by providing added access and control when space is limited. MARSHALLTOWN offers margin trowels in several blade sizes with three handle materials, so you can customize your trowel to your liking. 

4. Mixing Small Batches and Patching: Gauging Trowels

For smaller mixing and repair tasks, reach for a MARSHALLTOWN Gauging Trowel. It provides the precision and maneuverability needed to work with limited amounts of material.

Its compact, rounded blade is commonly used to mix small batches of mortar, plaster, and other materials. Gauging trowels are also useful for patching and applying material in areas where a larger blade may be difficult to maneuver.

When you don't need a full batch of mortar or need to make a small repair, a gauging trowel provides a convenient way to mix and apply material.

How to Keep Your Trowel in Good Shape

A quality trowel can provide years of service with proper care. A few simple habits can help extend the life of your tools:

• Clean mortar and other materials from the blade before they harden
• Store trowels in a dry location to help prevent rust
• Avoid using the blade as a pry bar
• Use each trowel for its intended application

From laying brick and block to repairing mortar joints and mixing small batches, different trowels serve different purposes on the masonry jobsite. Understanding what each style is designed to do makes it easier to select the right tool for the task. With the right trowel in hand, you can work with greater control and efficiency through every step of your masonry project.