Understanding Different Types of Trowels Originating Through Government Specifications

Words: Paul Bender

Trowels are essential tools in masonry, each one designed with specific functions and specifications to aid in various tasks. Knowing the right type of trowel to use can greatly impact the quality and efficiency of your work. This article dives into the four main types of trowels used in masonry: BRICK TROWELS, MARGIN TROWELS, POINTING TROWELS, and SPECIALTY TROWELS. Understanding their unique features and specifications may help you select the appropriate tool for your project

Trowel blades dating back to the 1960s have been specified to be manufactured from high carbon steel. Many trowel blades are still manufactured as such today. So why is this? A few reasons include that carbon is durable, flexible, lightweight, and provides strong edge retention over time. All of these characteristics are crucial to a mason’s preference when selecting a new trowel.

Rest assured, BRICK TROWELS manufactured with high carbon steel are the most used trowels in masonry. Characterized by their broad, triangular blades, they are designed to handle and apply mortar efficiently between bricks. The shape of the blade allows masons to spread mortar evenly and smooth out varying surfaces, ensuring that the bricks join well and the structure remains stable. The large surface area of the brick trowel helps in scooping and laying mortar over large areas, making it ideal for foundational work. Most commonly, there are three types of brick trowels: Philadelphia Brick Trowels, Wide London Brick Trowels, and Narrow London Brick Trowels, pictured below in Bon’s educational poster (Fig 1.0). The poster highlights the varying parts of the trowel and the three most common types: Narrow London, Wide London, and Philadelphia.


Fig. 1.0


In Fig 1.1, there are some federal government specifications from 1968. Interestingly, the blade length was capped at 11 inches and initiated at 10 inches in the 1960s. This is unique in that many manufacturers now offer sizes ranging from 9 inches to 13 inches in the various types of BRICK TROWELS.


Fig. 1.1


One tool that complements the BRICK TROWEL is the MARGIN TROWEL. With its narrower, rectangular blade, the MARGIN TROWEL excels in working within tight spaces and for tasks requiring more precision. It is particularly useful for cleaning out mortar joints and filling in gaps that are too small for a larger trowel. The design allows for better control and maneuverability, making it a valuable tool for detailed and intricate masonry work. Other uses include scooping, placing, and even scraping buckets clean. Some manufacturers classify it as a bucket trowel that can hang from the bucket. Mark McCullough does a nice job explaining various trowels and their usages on Ask This Old House. The following link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7yb-ETPvyM&t=62s contains a clip from their segment, pictured in Fig 1.2, which highlights some various trowels. An excerpt from that government classification document in Fig 1.3 highlights requirements for MARGIN TROWELS at that time. The difference in size compared to its larger counterparts in BRICK TROWELS enables the MARGIN TROWEL to be much better suited for detailed and intricate masonry work.


Fig. 1.2



Fig. 1.3


When it comes to finishing and detailing, the POINTING TROWEL is indispensable. Featuring a pointed blade, this trowel is specifically designed for working in narrow joints and small crevices. It allows masons to apply mortar with accuracy and touch, ensuring that every joint is properly filled and sealed. POINTING TROWELS are ideal for making precise adjustments and completing the fine details of masonry work, contributing to the overall appearance of the structure. The POINTING TROWEL is also great for shaping and repairing mortar as well as leveling and spreading it. While the size is very similar to that of a MARGIN TROWEL, the POINTING TROWEL is considered more of a miniature brick trowel than the MARGIN TROWEL, which is flat-nosed. An excerpt from a Bon Tool Catalog in 1984, pictured in Fig 1.4, showcases some of the trowels discussed in this article. Specifically, the first two listings of the POINTING TROWEL and MARGIN TROWEL visually showcase what was explained above.


Fig. 1.4


Expanding beyond the basic types, SPECIALTY TROWELS are designed for specific applications that require unique features. These can include trowels with curved blades for creating rounded edges or trowels with angled handles for better leverage in certain positions. SPECIALTY TROWELS cater to more specialized tasks and finishes, providing versatility and enhanced functionality for masonry challenges. Fig 1.5 shows the federal government specifications on GAUGING TROWELS and PIPE COVERING TROWELS, or COKE TROWELS, which have identifiable rounded tips used for mortar applications around pipes, posts, curved borders, or even coke ovens. GAUGING TROWELS can be used for mortar repair, patching and leveling concrete, or mixing small amounts of material, whether it is grout or plaster. Noteworthy here are the differences in shape and size compared to the more traditional trowels like BRICKLAYING, MARGIN, AND POINTING TROWELS.


Fig. 1.5

Learning about the various types of trowels and their applications helps in choosing the right tool for each job. By understanding the functions, specifications, and advantages/limitations of BRICK TROWELS, MARGIN TROWELS, POINTING TROWELS, and SPECIALTY TROWELS, you can improve the efficiency and quality of your masonry work. Selecting the appropriate trowel for your specific needs ensures that you achieve the best possible results in your masonry-related projects. Utilizing historical yet relevant information, which provides product specifications and dimensions, provides a framework for further understanding how these trowels were classified then and now.


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