Half my crew swears by this one trowel shape, I think it's overrated

Overheard a guy at the supply house last Tuesday saying the Philadelphia pattern trowel is the only way to lay a straight wall. I've been using a regular London pattern for 12 years on commercial jobs in Cleveland and never had a complaint. Anyone else find that it's more about how you hold it than the shape?

2 comments

2 Comments

rileyb611mo ago

Hate when people act like one tool is the magic fix for everything. Been doing this long enough to know it's mostly the person holding it that makes the difference. The Philadelphia pattern works fine for some guys, but I've seen old timers lay perfect walls with a beat up margin trowel they've had since the 80s. Keep using what feels right in your hand and don't let anyone tell you different.

jessica_robinson231mo ago

My buddy Mike still uses the same trowel he found in a trash can back in 1993. Refuses to buy anything new. Says it has the "good rust" on it. I keep telling him the thing looks like a murder weapon but his corners are tighter than anything I can do with my fancy 300 dollar set. So yeah I agree completely. Tools are just an extension of your hand and your experience is what really does the work.