Brick & Pointing Trowels

About Brick & Pointing Trowels

Professional brick trowels and pointing trowels for bricklayers, stonemasons and masonry tradespeople. Our range covers the full variety of masonry trowels — from standard London-pattern brick trowels and Philadelphia pointing trowels to gauging trowels, margin trowels and specialist concrete finishing trowels.

Brands include Marshalltown, Bon Tool, Ragni and other professional masonry tool manufacturers trusted by UK trade.

Browse related collections: [Brick Jointing Tools](/collections/brick-jointing-tools) | [Masonry Floats](/collections/masonry-floats) | [Brick Hammers](/collections/brick-hammers) | [All Bricklaying & Masonry Tools](/collections/bricklaying-masonry-tools)

Fast UK delivery. Trade pricing on all stocked lines.

How to choose

**Choosing the right trowel for bricklaying:**

1. **London pattern vs. Philadelphia** — London pattern trowels are the UK standard for laying mortar and bricks; Philadelphia (pointing) trowels have a narrower blade for repointing and detail work.
2. **Blade length** — 10"–12" for standard bricklaying; shorter (5"–8") for pointing and detail work.
3. **Steel vs. stainless** — carbon steel holds an edge better; stainless is more resistant to mortar staining and easier to clean.
4. **Handle material** — wood handles are traditional and comfortable; DuraSoft and similar polymer handles reduce vibration on prolonged use.
5. **Break-in period** — new trowels improve with use as the blade flexes to the user's technique. Don't judge a trowel in the first week.
Trade Tip

**Trade tip:** Store bricklaying trowels handle-up in a tool roll or bucket — never blade-down loose in a tool bag. Contact with other steel tools dulls the blade edge and creates nicks that transfer into the mortar bed, causing uneven joints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a gauging trowel and a pointing trowel?

A gauging trowel has a diamond-shaped or triangular blade, ideal for mixing small amounts of mortar and for detailed work in tight spaces. A pointing trowel has a narrow rectangular blade used for filling and finishing mortar joints.

How do I clean mortar off my bricklaying trowel?

Clean immediately after use with water before mortar sets. For hardened mortar, soak in diluted muriatic acid briefly, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh scraping on carbon steel blades as this damages the surface.

What is the best trowel brand for professional bricklayers in the UK?

Marshalltown (US-made, UK stocked) and Ragni are highly regarded by UK bricklayers. Bon Tool offers a wide range for specialist applications. Preference is largely personal — many professionals own multiple brands for different tasks.