BRICKLAYING TROWELS
Bricklaying trowels are the bit of kit that make mortar handling, spreading and buttering cleaner, quicker and easier on brick, block and pointing jobs.
If you're laying all day, a poor trowel soon tells on your wrist and your finish. Good brick trowels, bricklayers trowels and builders trowels hold the right amount of muck, strike off cleanly, and keep their shape after plenty of abuse. Whether you need a London pattern trowel, Philadelphia pattern trowel, pointing trowel, gauging trowel or bucket trowel, buy for the work you're actually doing and get the right blade, balance and handle for the job. You can also browse the wider Trowels range if you need other site finishing tools.
What Are Bricklaying Trowels Used For?
- Spreading mortar on brick and block courses lets you lay a consistent bed without constantly going back to the board for more muck.
- Buttering brick ends on cavity walls and garden walls gives you proper joint coverage and saves voids that come back to bite later.
- Pointing up joints on patch repairs, garden walls and refurb work is where smaller pointing trowels earn their keep and stop you making a mess of the facework.
- Loading mortar from a bucket or spot board with bucket trowels and gauging trowels is quicker on small jobs, snagging and tight access work where a full bricklaying trowel feels clumsy.
- Laying blocks on extensions, boundary walls and site partitions is easier with block laying trowels that shift more mortar and cover a wider bed in one pass.
Choosing the Right Bricklaying Trowel
Sorting the right bricklaying trowel is simple: match it to the size of the unit, the mortar you are moving, and how many hours it will be in your hand.
1. Match the Pattern to the Way You Lay
If you want a more rounded heel and a blade many brickies find quicker for picking up and rolling mortar, look at a Philadelphia pattern trowel. If you prefer a narrower blade that feels a bit neater and more controlled for facework, a London pattern trowel is usually the safer bet.
2. Pick the Blade Size for Brick or Block
If you are mainly on standard brickwork, a mid-size brick trowel is the usual all-rounder. If you are laying bigger blocks or moving more mortar per pass, go larger. Too small and you are forever reloading. Too big and you will feel it in your wrist by dinner time.
3. Choose Steel for the Job Conditions
If the trowel lives in the van, gets cleaned properly and you want that familiar broken-in feel, carbon steel still has its fans. If you are working in wet conditions, leaving kit on site, or just want less worry about rust, stainless steel is easier to live with.
4. Do Not Ignore Handle Shape and Balance
If it twists in your hand or rubs hot spots after half a day, it is the wrong trowel no matter how good the blade looks. For full-day laying, balance matters as much as size, especially if you are buying your first proper bricklayers trowel.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Brickies use bricklaying trowels day in, day out for setting beds, buttering perps and keeping courses moving without wasting mortar.
- Groundworkers and general builders reach for masonry trowels and block laying trowels when they are building manholes, dwarf walls, steps and small retaining work.
- Landscapers use builders trowels and pointing trowels for garden walls, edging details and tidy jointing on face brick and block features.
- Maintenance teams and snaggers keep a pointing trowel or gauging trowel handy for patch repairs, loose bricks and small repointing jobs where a full-size blade is overkill.
- Apprentices usually start with a sensible all-round pattern, then add specialist shapes as they figure out what sits best in the hand and suits their pace of work.
Bricklaying Trowel Accessories and Site Extras
A trowel is only part of the setup. These extras save time, keep work moving and stop small jobs turning into a faff.
1. Brick Hammers
Keep a proper Brick Hammers close by for trimming bricks, knocking off rough edges and making small adjustments without hunting round site for another tool.
2. Brick Carriers
A decent set of Brick Carriers saves your hands and cuts wasted trips when you are moving stock from the stack to the wall line.
3. Pointing and Gauging Trowels
Smaller trowels for pointing and gauging stop you trying to force a full-size blade into tight joints, patch repairs and awkward corners where accuracy matters more than load size.
Choose the Right Bricklaying Trowel for the Job
Use this quick guide to narrow down the right trowel before you buy.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General bricklaying on house builds and garden walls | London pattern bricklaying trowel | Narrower blade, good control, clean buttering and comfortable all-round use. |
| Fast laying where you want to carry and roll more mortar | Philadelphia pattern trowel | Broader shape, rounded heel, easy mortar pickup and steady bed spreading. |
| Blockwork on extensions, partitions and boundary runs | Block laying trowel | Larger blade, moves more mortar, better coverage on wider beds. |
| Patch repairs, repointing and tight joint work | Pointing trowel | Smaller blade, better access, neater finish in confined areas. |
| Small mixes, bucket work and detail mortar loading | Gauging or bucket trowel | Compact shape, easy scooping, less mess when working from buckets or tubs. |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying the biggest blade you can find sounds sensible, but if it is too large for your hand or your usual work, it just slows you down and puts extra strain through your wrist and forearm.
- Using a pointing trowel as your main mortar trowel will have you constantly reloading, which is fine for repairs but a waste of time on proper runs of brick or block.
- Leaving carbon steel covered in wet mortar in the van is asking for rust, pitting and a rough blade, so clean it off and dry it before you pack up.
- Picking pattern on guesswork instead of feel catches plenty of apprentices out, because London and Philadelphia shapes carry and release mortar differently in the hand.
- Trying to use one trowel for every single task usually ends up in a poorer finish, so keep specialist pointing or gauging trowels for the fiddly bits.
London Pattern vs Philadelphia Pattern vs Pointing Trowels
London Pattern
A London pattern brick trowel is the usual all-round pick for day-to-day brickwork. It is a bit narrower, feels tidy in the hand and suits brickies who want control on facework and regular site laying.
Philadelphia Pattern
A Philadelphia pattern trowel has a broader shape and rounded heel, which many lads prefer for picking up and rolling more mortar. It is a strong choice if speed and load capacity matter more than a slimmer blade profile.
Pointing Trowels
Pointing trowels are not for full-course laying. They are for patching joints, repointing and working neatly in corners or tight details where a standard bricklaying trowel is too big and clumsy.
Maintenance and Care
Clean Mortar Off Straight Away
Do not leave mortar to set on the blade overnight. Once it hardens, you end up scraping at the edge and can damage the finish that helps mortar release cleanly.
Dry Carbon Steel Before Storage
Carbon steel brick trowels need drying off before they go back in the van or box. A quick wipe now saves rust spots and keeps the blade smoother in use.
Check the Handle for Play
If the handle starts moving or loosening, sort it before it gets worse. A trowel that shifts in the hand is harder to control and will wear you out faster on long runs.
Store the Blade Properly
Do not just chuck it in with lumps of rubble and sharp fixings. Keeping the blade edge and face free from knocks helps it stay true and work cleaner on the next lift.
Replace When the Blade Loses Shape
Once the blade is badly worn, bent or no longer feels right picking up mortar, stop fighting it. A tired trowel costs more in lost time and poor finish than a replacement does.
Why Shop for Bricklaying Trowels at ITS?
Whether you need brick trowels for everyday site work, pointing trowels for repairs, or a fresh set of builders trowels for the gang, we stock the full spread. That includes trade-trusted options across the wider Plasterers & Brickies Tools range, all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Bricklaying Trowel FAQs
What size bricklaying trowel is best?
For most general brickwork, a mid-size bricklaying trowel is the safe all-rounder. If you mainly lay standard bricks, you want enough blade to carry a workable amount of mortar without making the trowel feel nose-heavy. For bigger blockwork, step up in size so you are not constantly reloading. The honest answer is this: buy the biggest one you can comfortably use all day, not just for ten minutes in the yard.
What is the difference between London and Philadelphia pattern brick trowels?
A London pattern is usually a bit narrower and feels more precise for neat brickwork and controlled buttering. A Philadelphia pattern has a broader blade and rounded heel, so it tends to pick up and roll more mortar. Neither is wrong. It comes down to what feels right in your hand and whether you value cleaner control or a bit more load on the blade.
What is a pointing trowel used for?
A pointing trowel is for smaller, neater mortar work like repointing joints, patching damaged beds, and getting into corners where a full brick trowel is too wide. It is the one you grab for repairs, snagging and tidy-up work, not for running full brick courses all day.
Should I choose a stainless steel or carbon steel brick trowel?
Choose stainless steel if you want less maintenance and better resistance to rust, especially if your kit sees wet weather or gets left in the van. Choose carbon steel if you like the more traditional feel and do not mind cleaning and drying it properly. Carbon steel is still widely used on site, but it needs more looking after.
Can a brick trowel be used for both brickwork and blockwork?
Yes, up to a point. A standard brick trowel will handle both if you are only doing occasional blockwork. But if block laying is a regular part of the job, a larger block laying trowel is quicker and better suited to moving more mortar across a wider bed.
Are bricklaying trowel sets worth it?
They can be, especially if you are starting out or replacing tired kit in one go. A good bricklaying trowel set gives you the main laying trowel plus smaller masonry trowels for pointing or gauging, which saves you mixing and matching later. Just make sure the main trowel is the right pattern and size for your actual work.
Do more expensive bricklayers trowels actually last longer?
Usually, yes, but only if the shape and balance suit you. Better-made bricklayers trowels tend to hold their shape, keep the handle secure and feel more consistent on the blade. If you are laying every day, that matters. If it is just occasional repair work, you may not need to spend top money.
Is Marshalltown worth looking at for brick trowels?
Yes, if you want a proven trade option with patterns that plenty of brickies already know and trust. The Marshalltown Trowels range is well worth a look if you are replacing a favourite and do not want to gamble on an unknown shape or feel.
Bricklaying Trowels
Bricklaying trowels are the bit of kit that make mortar handling, spreading and buttering cleaner, quicker and easier on brick, block and pointing jobs.
If you're laying all day, a poor trowel soon tells on your wrist and your finish. Good brick trowels, bricklayers trowels and builders trowels hold the right amount of muck, strike off cleanly, and keep their shape after plenty of abuse. Whether you need a London pattern trowel, Philadelphia pattern trowel, pointing trowel, gauging trowel or bucket trowel, buy for the work you're actually doing and get the right blade, balance and handle for the job. You can also browse the wider Trowels range if you need other site finishing tools.
What Are Bricklaying Trowels Used For?
- Spreading mortar on brick and block courses lets you lay a consistent bed without constantly going back to the board for more muck.
- Buttering brick ends on cavity walls and garden walls gives you proper joint coverage and saves voids that come back to bite later.
- Pointing up joints on patch repairs, garden walls and refurb work is where smaller pointing trowels earn their keep and stop you making a mess of the facework.
- Loading mortar from a bucket or spot board with bucket trowels and gauging trowels is quicker on small jobs, snagging and tight access work where a full bricklaying trowel feels clumsy.
- Laying blocks on extensions, boundary walls and site partitions is easier with block laying trowels that shift more mortar and cover a wider bed in one pass.
Choosing the Right Bricklaying Trowel
Sorting the right bricklaying trowel is simple: match it to the size of the unit, the mortar you are moving, and how many hours it will be in your hand.
1. Match the Pattern to the Way You Lay
If you want a more rounded heel and a blade many brickies find quicker for picking up and rolling mortar, look at a Philadelphia pattern trowel. If you prefer a narrower blade that feels a bit neater and more controlled for facework, a London pattern trowel is usually the safer bet.
2. Pick the Blade Size for Brick or Block
If you are mainly on standard brickwork, a mid-size brick trowel is the usual all-rounder. If you are laying bigger blocks or moving more mortar per pass, go larger. Too small and you are forever reloading. Too big and you will feel it in your wrist by dinner time.
3. Choose Steel for the Job Conditions
If the trowel lives in the van, gets cleaned properly and you want that familiar broken-in feel, carbon steel still has its fans. If you are working in wet conditions, leaving kit on site, or just want less worry about rust, stainless steel is easier to live with.
4. Do Not Ignore Handle Shape and Balance
If it twists in your hand or rubs hot spots after half a day, it is the wrong trowel no matter how good the blade looks. For full-day laying, balance matters as much as size, especially if you are buying your first proper bricklayers trowel.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Brickies use bricklaying trowels day in, day out for setting beds, buttering perps and keeping courses moving without wasting mortar.
- Groundworkers and general builders reach for masonry trowels and block laying trowels when they are building manholes, dwarf walls, steps and small retaining work.
- Landscapers use builders trowels and pointing trowels for garden walls, edging details and tidy jointing on face brick and block features.
- Maintenance teams and snaggers keep a pointing trowel or gauging trowel handy for patch repairs, loose bricks and small repointing jobs where a full-size blade is overkill.
- Apprentices usually start with a sensible all-round pattern, then add specialist shapes as they figure out what sits best in the hand and suits their pace of work.
Bricklaying Trowel Accessories and Site Extras
A trowel is only part of the setup. These extras save time, keep work moving and stop small jobs turning into a faff.
1. Brick Hammers
Keep a proper Brick Hammers close by for trimming bricks, knocking off rough edges and making small adjustments without hunting round site for another tool.
2. Brick Carriers
A decent set of Brick Carriers saves your hands and cuts wasted trips when you are moving stock from the stack to the wall line.
3. Pointing and Gauging Trowels
Smaller trowels for pointing and gauging stop you trying to force a full-size blade into tight joints, patch repairs and awkward corners where accuracy matters more than load size.
Choose the Right Bricklaying Trowel for the Job
Use this quick guide to narrow down the right trowel before you buy.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General bricklaying on house builds and garden walls | London pattern bricklaying trowel | Narrower blade, good control, clean buttering and comfortable all-round use. |
| Fast laying where you want to carry and roll more mortar | Philadelphia pattern trowel | Broader shape, rounded heel, easy mortar pickup and steady bed spreading. |
| Blockwork on extensions, partitions and boundary runs | Block laying trowel | Larger blade, moves more mortar, better coverage on wider beds. |
| Patch repairs, repointing and tight joint work | Pointing trowel | Smaller blade, better access, neater finish in confined areas. |
| Small mixes, bucket work and detail mortar loading | Gauging or bucket trowel | Compact shape, easy scooping, less mess when working from buckets or tubs. |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying the biggest blade you can find sounds sensible, but if it is too large for your hand or your usual work, it just slows you down and puts extra strain through your wrist and forearm.
- Using a pointing trowel as your main mortar trowel will have you constantly reloading, which is fine for repairs but a waste of time on proper runs of brick or block.
- Leaving carbon steel covered in wet mortar in the van is asking for rust, pitting and a rough blade, so clean it off and dry it before you pack up.
- Picking pattern on guesswork instead of feel catches plenty of apprentices out, because London and Philadelphia shapes carry and release mortar differently in the hand.
- Trying to use one trowel for every single task usually ends up in a poorer finish, so keep specialist pointing or gauging trowels for the fiddly bits.
London Pattern vs Philadelphia Pattern vs Pointing Trowels
London Pattern
A London pattern brick trowel is the usual all-round pick for day-to-day brickwork. It is a bit narrower, feels tidy in the hand and suits brickies who want control on facework and regular site laying.
Philadelphia Pattern
A Philadelphia pattern trowel has a broader shape and rounded heel, which many lads prefer for picking up and rolling more mortar. It is a strong choice if speed and load capacity matter more than a slimmer blade profile.
Pointing Trowels
Pointing trowels are not for full-course laying. They are for patching joints, repointing and working neatly in corners or tight details where a standard bricklaying trowel is too big and clumsy.
Maintenance and Care
Clean Mortar Off Straight Away
Do not leave mortar to set on the blade overnight. Once it hardens, you end up scraping at the edge and can damage the finish that helps mortar release cleanly.
Dry Carbon Steel Before Storage
Carbon steel brick trowels need drying off before they go back in the van or box. A quick wipe now saves rust spots and keeps the blade smoother in use.
Check the Handle for Play
If the handle starts moving or loosening, sort it before it gets worse. A trowel that shifts in the hand is harder to control and will wear you out faster on long runs.
Store the Blade Properly
Do not just chuck it in with lumps of rubble and sharp fixings. Keeping the blade edge and face free from knocks helps it stay true and work cleaner on the next lift.
Replace When the Blade Loses Shape
Once the blade is badly worn, bent or no longer feels right picking up mortar, stop fighting it. A tired trowel costs more in lost time and poor finish than a replacement does.
Why Shop for Bricklaying Trowels at ITS?
Whether you need brick trowels for everyday site work, pointing trowels for repairs, or a fresh set of builders trowels for the gang, we stock the full spread. That includes trade-trusted options across the wider Plasterers & Brickies Tools range, all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Bricklaying Trowel FAQs
What size bricklaying trowel is best?
For most general brickwork, a mid-size bricklaying trowel is the safe all-rounder. If you mainly lay standard bricks, you want enough blade to carry a workable amount of mortar without making the trowel feel nose-heavy. For bigger blockwork, step up in size so you are not constantly reloading. The honest answer is this: buy the biggest one you can comfortably use all day, not just for ten minutes in the yard.
What is the difference between London and Philadelphia pattern brick trowels?
A London pattern is usually a bit narrower and feels more precise for neat brickwork and controlled buttering. A Philadelphia pattern has a broader blade and rounded heel, so it tends to pick up and roll more mortar. Neither is wrong. It comes down to what feels right in your hand and whether you value cleaner control or a bit more load on the blade.
What is a pointing trowel used for?
A pointing trowel is for smaller, neater mortar work like repointing joints, patching damaged beds, and getting into corners where a full brick trowel is too wide. It is the one you grab for repairs, snagging and tidy-up work, not for running full brick courses all day.
Should I choose a stainless steel or carbon steel brick trowel?
Choose stainless steel if you want less maintenance and better resistance to rust, especially if your kit sees wet weather or gets left in the van. Choose carbon steel if you like the more traditional feel and do not mind cleaning and drying it properly. Carbon steel is still widely used on site, but it needs more looking after.
Can a brick trowel be used for both brickwork and blockwork?
Yes, up to a point. A standard brick trowel will handle both if you are only doing occasional blockwork. But if block laying is a regular part of the job, a larger block laying trowel is quicker and better suited to moving more mortar across a wider bed.
Are bricklaying trowel sets worth it?
They can be, especially if you are starting out or replacing tired kit in one go. A good bricklaying trowel set gives you the main laying trowel plus smaller masonry trowels for pointing or gauging, which saves you mixing and matching later. Just make sure the main trowel is the right pattern and size for your actual work.
Do more expensive bricklayers trowels actually last longer?
Usually, yes, but only if the shape and balance suit you. Better-made bricklayers trowels tend to hold their shape, keep the handle secure and feel more consistent on the blade. If you are laying every day, that matters. If it is just occasional repair work, you may not need to spend top money.
Is Marshalltown worth looking at for brick trowels?
Yes, if you want a proven trade option with patterns that plenty of brickies already know and trust. The Marshalltown Trowels range is well worth a look if you are replacing a favourite and do not want to gamble on an unknown shape or feel.
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