Plastering Trowel (280x120)

Where a brick trowel carries and places mortar, a plastering trowel spreads and finishes it. The large flat face rides on the surface, so it bridges the hollows and takes down the high spots — exactly like a plane on timber. That is why the size matters: a small trowel follows the undulations in a wall and reproduces them, while a large one cuts them out.

Using it well is largely about timing rather than tools, and it is worth saying because it is the thing that makes plastering look difficult. Plaster and render need to be laid on, allowed to firm up, and then trowelled — and trowelled again as it goes off. Trowelling too early moves the material about and brings water to the surface; too late and nothing happens except drag marks. The finish comes from the last passes on plaster that has nearly set.

The blade is high carbon steel, which takes a temper and therefore has spring. A trowel with spring flexes very slightly under hand pressure, which lets you feather the edges of a pass and avoid leaving a hard line where one stroke meets the next. A dead, unsprung blade leaves ridges.

As with any carbon steel trowel, it rusts if put away wet and it is ruined by hardened material left on the face — a plastering trowel's whole value is a perfectly flat, polished face, and dried plaster on it will score every wall you use it on afterwards. Clean it every time.

The TPR handle grips with wet hands, which is the normal condition of a plasterer's hands.

A new trowel is stiff and slightly rough; it improves considerably after a few days as the face polishes.

The buyers are plasterers and renderers, tilers finishing beds, building and refurbishment contractors, and skilled maintenance staff.

We stock the notched version for tile adhesive and bricklaying trowels. Message us on WhatsApp and we will price them, delivered island-wide.