Trowels Manufacturers online

Trowels are versatile hand tools that are used in various trades for processing mortar, plaster, paint or other materials.

These tools are used in the construction industry as well as in painting and tiling. The different types of trowels fulfill different purposes - from applying and smoothing to precise work in tight spaces.

Below you will find the structure and function of trowels, important trowel types and their use, as well as further tips on selecting trowels and caring for them:

Structure and function of trowels:

A trowel typically consists of three main parts:

Blade: The flat, metallic area that picks up and spreads the working material (e.g. mortar or paint).
Tang: The connection between the blade and the handle, often slightly curved to improve ergonomics and control.
Handle: The holder, usually made of wood, plastic or rubber, ensures comfort and safe working.

Trowels are designed so that the working material can be picked up, transported and precisely applied or shaped. Their function is to extend the hand movement and to apply, spread and smooth the material directly onto the desired surfaces.

Important trowel types and their application:

1. Brick trowel (standard trowel):
Trapezoidal or rounded blade, medium to large in size.
Use: This trowel is mainly used for applying, spreading and shaping mortar in masonry work.
Special features: It is versatile and suitable for general masonry and plastering work, e.g. when setting bricks or building walls.

2. Smoothing trowel (surface smoother):
Large, rectangular blade, ideal for creating flat surfaces.
Use: For smoothing and removing plaster or filler on large surfaces.
Special features: Particularly useful for spreading plaster evenly and achieving a smooth, even surface, as is often desired for plastering work.

3. Jointing trowel:
Narrow, long blade, usually available in different widths.
Use: For filling and finishing joints in brickwork or tiles.
Special features: Perfectly suited for precise work in joints to create a clean joint pattern and distribute the mortar evenly.

4. Pointed trowel:
Triangular shape with a sharp point for precise work.
Use: For precise application and modeling of mortar, especially in hard-to-reach areas or for detailed work.
Special features: The pointed shape makes it well suited for fine work in corners or on small surfaces, e.g. for modeling mortar.

5. Tile trowel:
Flat, rectangular blade with serrated edges to spread the adhesive evenly.
Use: For applying and spreading tile adhesive on floors and walls before laying tiles.
Special features: The serrated edges create grooves in the adhesive that ensure better adhesion of the tiles.

6. Painter's spatula:
Small, rectangular or slightly rounded blade with a short handle.
Use: For scraping and smoothing paint, filler or grout during painting work.
Special features: Ideal for precise work such as removing paint or smoothing filler on small surfaces.

The right trowel choice depending on the application:

• For bricklaying work: A bricklaying trowel for general brickwork and a jointing trowel for filling joints are a good combination.
• For plastering work: A smoothing trowel for spreading and smoothing plaster evenly is essential.
• For tiling work: A trowel with serrated edges ensures optimum adhesion of tiles.
• For painting work: A painter's trowel or small surface trowel is ideal for scraping and smoothing.

Care and maintenance:

Well-maintained trowels are an essential prerequisite for clean work. Here are some tips on care:

• After each use, trowels should be cleaned thoroughly to remove material residue. Thorough cleaning can significantly extend the service life of mortar and plaster in particular.
• Stainless steel trowels can be stored in any environment, but carbon steel trowels should be stored in a dry place to prevent corrosion.
• Some trowels, such as the smoothing trowel, benefit from sharp edges. An occasional re-sharpening can improve precision.

The right trowel and handling facilitates precise, clean work and increases the quality of the end result. A well-chosen and well-maintained tool is a key success factor.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when buying trowels:

When buying trowels, it is important to pay attention to specific features to ensure that the tool is durable, ergonomic and suitable for the intended use. Choosing the right trowel can improve work results and increase efficiency.

• Special trowel shapes for different applications:
• Standard trowels: Universally applicable, ideal for general bricklaying work.
• Smoothing trowels: For smoothing and stripping large areas of plaster. A high-quality smoothing trowel should provide a large, even surface.
• Jointing trowels: Specifically for the precise filling and finishing of joints. It is important to choose a suitable width for the desired joint.
• Pointed trowels: For working in tight spaces and precise modeling. The shape should fit comfortably in the hand and the blade should be finely tapered so that corners can be easily reached.
• Special trowels: If special work is required, such as filling joints or smoothing large areas, special trowel types are useful.
• The shape varies depending on the type of work. Standard trowels have trapezoidal or rounded blades for general use. Joint trowels and pointed trowels have narrower, more precise blades for detailed work and narrow areas.
• Small trowels are suitable for precise work and hard-to-reach areas, large trowels for applying mortar or plaster over large areas.
• The material of the trowel blade is decisive for the durability of the trowel:
• Stainless steel: rust-free, durable and resistant to corrosion. Ideal for frequent use, especially in damp conditions. However, often more expensive.
• Carbon steel: Robust and cheaper than stainless steel. However, must be cleaned after use and stored in a dry place to prevent rust.
• Galvanized steel: A compromise between price and durability. The galvanizing protects against rust, but can wear off over time.
• Handles made of wood, plastic or rubberized plastic are common. Wooden handles offer a classic and comfortable feel, while rubberized handles are often more ergonomic and non-slip.
• The handle should fit comfortably in the hand to make work more comfortable and less tiring. An ergonomically shaped handle is advantageous for long periods of work.
• The handle should be stable and firmly connected to the blade, as loose connections can shorten the service life of the trowel.
• More flexible trowels are well suited for smoothing, as they can adapt better to the surface. Stiff trowels are better for the precise application of thicker layers of mortar.
• A thicker blade is more stable and suitable for rough work, while a thinner blade is suitable for fine, flexible applications.
• Heavy trowels often offer more stability and can be helpful with thicker materials, but they tire the hand more quickly with prolonged use.
• Light trowels are more suitable for detailed work and offer more control, but are often less stable when working on large areas.
• The connection between the blade and handle should be stable and well made. This prevents wobbling and increases the service life.
• The blade should be cleanly finished, especially for trowels intended for smooth surfaces.
• Branded products often offer better quality and a longer service life, which pays off especially with regular use. High-quality trowels may be more expensive, but they are more durable and resilient.
• Inexpensive models may be sufficient for occasional use. Here too, it is important to look for sturdy workmanship and good materials in order to achieve an acceptable work result.
• Many manufacturers of high-quality trowels offer a guarantee or spare parts, which can be advantageous for intensive use. For DIY enthusiasts who only use trowels occasionally, cheaper models without a guarantee are usually sufficient.

Careful selection of the trowel according to requirements can improve the quality of work and make the work itself more efficient.

Trowels can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Trowels from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.