Searching for the best plastering trowel can be like looking for the holy grail, especially if you’re a beginner.
Keep reading if you’re ready to try plastering and looking for an excellent finishing or basic rendering trowel. My favourite trowel is the Marshalltown Trowel, but I will share the best plastering trowel for beginners currently on the market.
As an ex-tradie, plastering has always been a hobby of mine. There are a lot of different trowels out there, but when starting out, you can get bogged down in the best trowel size, material, weight, and grip. The vital thing to consider is your personal preference.
I’ve detailed my 4 best plastering trowels for beginners below to help aid your decision and get you the best possible start in your plastering journey.
Distinguishing Between a Plastering Trowel and a Finishing Trowel
A plastering trowel has a robust blade for correctly applying and smoothing plaster or render onto walls. The trowel’s breaking in takes time since it rounds out the edges, resulting in a perfectly uniform surface.
You can buy some pre-worn trowels, which help remove any line or ripple traces from the start and make them ready for instant usage.
A flexible or medium-flex trowel has a thinner blade, making it easier to finish or smooth your plaster. These usually have a lightweight construction, making them easier to man-require and require less effort. Using a flexible trowel can dramatically simplify the work.
To attain the best results for your plastering projects, you should use a regular plastering trowel and a flexible or medium-flexible finishing trowel, which gives you the best of both worlds.
The Best Plastering Trowels For Beginners
Take a look at the trowels below to give yourself the best chance when having a dabble at plastering. I have included my top two plastering trowels and top two finishing trowels.
- Size - 16 Inch
- Weight - 560 Grams
- Comfort - 10/10
- Material - Gold Stainless Steel
- Dad Satisfaction - 10/10
The Marshalltown Gold Stainless Steel Plastering Trowel is a tool that has quickly become a standout in my toolbox.
Out of the box, I was impressed by how lightweight and well-balanced this trowel is. It is comfortable to use for longer plastering periods without causing strain.
The gold stainless steel blade offers an ideal blend of firmness and flexibility, which is important for achieving a smooth, professional finish.
I immediately noticed the sharpness of the edges, which is typical for a new trowel. While it caught on the scrim tape a few times, this can be easily changed with some use or light sanding.
In terms of performance, this trowel excels in what it’s supposed to do. The blade’s responsiveness is on par with other top-tier tools, offering just the right amount of bend for skimming. It handled the wet trowel stages well, maintaining its shape and delivering a consistently high-quality finish.
The handle is another highlight, providing a comfortable grip that feels natural and secure in the hand. It’s a small detail but significantly improves the overall user experience.
I’m impressed with the Marshalltown Gold Stainless Steel Trowel, which I’ll rely on regularly. I recommend it for any beginner to enhance their plastering toolkit. This trowel delivers quality and performance, making it a worthy plastering trowel for beginners.
- Size - 14-16 Inch
- Weight - 630 Grams
- Comfort - 9/10
- Material - Stainless Steel
- Dad Satisfaction - 9/10
First off, I can’t praise the quality of DeWalt Flex Stainless Steel Trowel enough. The comfortable leather handle mounted on an aluminum bracket is a game-changer, offering unparalleled ease of use and comfort, even during long work hours.
The trowel is lightweight and rust-resistant, making it stand out from traditional steel alternatives.
I appreciate the trowel’s flexibility and ability to spread mud smoothly, resulting in a smooth finish every time. The rounded corners add to the trowel’s functionality, making it a pleasure to work with.
Another standout feature is the trowel’s minimalist design with minimal rivets, making it incredibly easy to clean.
I’m using this DeWalt Flex Trowel to plaster my garage, and it has quickly become my preferred tool. It feels comfortable in my hand, and I’d highly recommend it to any beginner.
- Size - 14 Inch
- Weight - 560 Grams
- Comfort - 10/10
- Material - Stainless Steel
- Dad Satisfaction - 10/10
I was recently kindly gifted the 16-inch OX Pro Finishing Trowel, specifically the 16-inch Ultraflex model. I’m quite impressed with how it performed.
First off, the trowel comes with a protective sleeve, which is a solid addition. This sleeve helps safeguard the trowel’s edge from nicks and damage. At the same time, it’s stored, keeping it in excellent condition for longer.
In terms of application, the Ox Ultra Trowel excels with its rounded corners, which prevent any lines from appearing on the wall as the plaster begins to set. This design feature is particularly useful for achieving a smooth and even finish without visible lines in subsequent coats.
The handle is another highlight. It’s comfortable, offering a soft, comfortable grip that fits well in the hand. Compared to other brands I’ve used, this handle stands out for its comfort, making it ideal for a longer plastering session. It effectively reduces strain on the arms and elbows, which is great.
The blade itself strikes a perfect balance between flexibility and rigidity. It’s neither soft nor stiff, allowing for smooth and controlled application. This flexibility helps to minimise the effort required and reduces strain, making the trowel a pleasure to use.
After testing the Ox Ultra Flex Trowel, I can confidently recommend it. Its combination of a well-designed handle and a flexible blade makes it a top choice for professionals.
The Ox Ultra Trowel is worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable and comfortable trowel.
- Size - 16 Inch
- Weight - 730 Grams
- Comfort - 9/10
- Material - Alloy Steel
- Dad Satisfaction - 9/10
As someone who’s been using plastering tools for years, I can tell you the Nela Plastering Trowel is a game-changer.
The first thing that caught my eye was the design – the black cork handle with the gold stainless steel blade just looks sleek and premium. But looks aren’t everything, so I was eager to put it to the test.
When I first picked it up, I noticed the weight and balance were spot on. It feels solid but not too heavy. The extra thickness in the frame and blade gives it a nice rigidity, but there’s still a good amount of flex, which is important for getting a smooth, even finish.
The real standout feature, though, is the grip. That cork handle with the textured ridges inside provides unbelievable control and stability, especially when doing those final dry troweling passes.
I never felt like the trowel would twist or slip, even when I was really putting some muscle into it. That’s a game-changer for me, as hand fatigue has always been an issue with troweling.
I started with a wet trowel test, and the Nela Black Edition handled it well. It glided smoothly across the surface, leaving a lovely, flat finish. I was concerned it might be too stiff, but it found that perfect middle ground between a standard trowel and a super-flexi one.
After that, I tested it with a dry trowel pass. Sometimes, that can be a struggle, but this trowel just powered through it. The increased rigidity meant I could apply good pressure without flexing or twisting.
Overall, I’m seriously impressed with the Nela Plastering Trowel. The design, the balance, the grip, the flex – it’s just got that perfect combination of features that makes plastering an absolute pleasure.
How Do I Choose a New Trowel?
Weight & Comfort
An effective plastering trowel should be lightweight and super comfortable in your hand. You will hold this for a while, and heavy trowels can cause joint stress and reduce plaster quality.
I would always choose a trowel with a comfortable grip and plenty of knuckle clearance between the handle and the blade. All the best plastering trowels offer this.
Some trowel handles also have a finger guard, which provides a cushioned finish where your index finger presses against it, increasing comfort during extended use.
The Size
Plastering trowels come in various sizes, and choosing the ideal one depends on what you’re plastering and your personal preference.
Larger trowels allow faster application over a larger surface area but require more skill.
As we are beginners, smaller trowels provide more control and a better chance of maintaining consistent contact between the plaster and trowel surface.
A 14-16-inch size usually achieves a balance and should suit most of your plastering projects.
Robust Construction
Make sure your trowel is made of long-lasting materials. Stainless steel trowels often balance durability and flexibility, as they are rust-resistant, ensuring longevity.
Plastic trowels require less maintenance and are easier to handle but are more susceptible to breakage than their more durable metal counterparts.
What Trowel Size Should I Look For?
When you decide to buy your first trowel, consider its size. The size of your plastering trowel impacts plastering control, speed, and pressure.
A 16-inch trowel will allow you to apply much more plaster to your walls than a 13-inch trowel. Conversely, an 18-inch plastering trowel may handle much more plaster, but a 12-inch trowel offers more control.
Which is, therefore, the best? Which is preferable, a smaller trowel that gives you more control but less plaster or a longer trowel that holds more plaster? It’s obvious. Get both.
I’ve used several different trowels of various sizes, but I like to return to my reliable 14′′. This is the ideal trowel size for plaster of all kinds. It is simple to work with, works well for render and finish plaster, and is convenient for use with more complex plaster forms.
How Do I Look After My Trowel?
Maintaining your trowel is quite easy. After using it, simply wipe it down to prevent the plaster from setting on it and store it in a dry place.
If it has a crust of dried plaster on it because you’ve left it there, don’t worry. To restore the blade to its original appearance, submerge it in water for the entire night.
If the plaster is tough, combine bicarbonate of soda and cold water in a bucket or sink and let the trowel soak for about one hour. Scrape off any loose plaster fragments, and if extra time is needed, simply let it soak for a little longer.
FAQ's
I recommend that beginners use a smaller trowel, usually between 14 and 16 inches long. This size allows for greater control and agility, making it easier for beginners to wield and achieve smoother wall finishes.
First-time plasterers need a plastering trowel, hawk, mixing bucket, joint knife, sanding sponge, and corner trowel. These tools allow beginners to efficiently apply and smooth plaster onto surfaces, resulting in expert results.
Professional plasterers often use trowels ranging in size from 14 to 16 inches. This size strikes a compromise between coverage and control, allowing experts to paint larger areas with more precision and quality.
Absolutely! Plastering is a skill that may be acquired through practice and patience. Beginners can begin by familiarising themselves with basic techniques and tools, working in tiny areas, and progressively increasing their confidence and expertise.
For more information on learning how to plaster, go check out this video.
While plastering may initially appear scary, it is easy to learn with proper instruction and practice. Mastering plastering, like any other skill, involves perseverance, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn from failures. With time and practice, beginners can become skilled plasterers capable of producing professional-quality results.
The Finest 4 Plastering Trowels For Beginners
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