Plastering trowel vs bricklaying trowel: types, sizes and site extras
A plastering trowel has a flat blade for spreading plaster or render across a wall and smoothing it, while a bricklaying trowel has a pointed blade for scooping mortar, laying it on blocks or bricks and trimming the joints. At AHIHQ Traders in Nairobi, in October 2026, Knicker plastering trowels cost from KSh 8,700 to KSh 25,375 a carton and Knicker bricklaying trowels from KSh 9,570 to KSh 12,180 for a carton of 120. Both are sold wholesale by the carton.
Plastering trowel vs bricklaying trowel at a glance
| Plastering trowel | Bricklaying trowel | |
|---|---|---|
| Blade shape | Flat | Pointed |
| Main job | Spreading and smoothing plaster and render | Laying mortar on blocks and bricks |
| Our sizes | 10" to 18" | 6", 7", 8" and 9" |
| Pack | Carton of 50, 60 or 80 | Carton of 120 |
| Carton price (October 2026) | KSh 8,700 to KSh 25,375 | KSh 9,570 to KSh 12,180 |
| Product | Knicker plastering trowels | Knicker bricklaying trowel |
What is the difference between a plastering trowel and a bricklaying trowel?
The blade tells you the job. A plastering trowel is a flat plate with the handle mounted on top, so you can press the full face of the blade against the wall and draw it across to spread and flatten the plaster. A bricklaying trowel has a pointed blade with the handle at one end. You use it to scoop mortar from the board, spread a bed along the course, butter the end of a block and tap it level, and strike off the mortar that squeezes out of the joint.
Masons on a typical site carry both: the bricklaying trowel for the walling, the plastering trowel and a float for the finish.
Types of plastering trowel
| Type | Pack | Carton price | Works out at about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11" Banana Wooden | Carton of 60 | KSh 12,615 | KSh 210 a piece |
| 11" Banana Plastic | Carton of 60 | KSh 12,615 | KSh 210 a piece |
| 11" Wooden Handle Riveted H/D | Carton of 60 | KSh 10,875 | KSh 181 a piece |
| 10" Wooden Handle Riveted H/D | Carton of 60 | KSh 8,700 | KSh 145 a piece |
| 11" Rubber Handle | Carton of 60 | KSh 14,355 | KSh 239 a piece |
| 14" Float Trowel (Yellow) | Carton of 80 | KSh 16,240 | KSh 203 a piece |
| 11" Float Trowel (Blue) | Carton of 60 | KSh 12,180 | KSh 203 a piece |
| 18" Double Handle | Carton of 50 | KSh 25,375 | KSh 508 a piece |
| 11" Rubber Handle with Teeth | Carton of 60 | KSh 15,225 | KSh 254 a piece |
Banana trowels
The 11" banana pattern comes with a wooden or a plastic handle, at the same price: KSh 12,615 for a carton of 60, which works out at about KSh 210 a piece. Choose the handle your masons prefer.
Riveted heavy-duty trowels
The riveted H/D trowels have a wooden handle and a blade riveted to its mount, which suits hard daily use on site. They are the lowest-priced plastering trowels in the range: KSh 8,700 for a carton of 60 in 10" (about KSh 145 a piece) and KSh 10,875 for a carton of 60 in 11" (about KSh 181 a piece).
Rubber-handle and notched trowels
The 11" rubber-handle trowel gives a softer grip over a long day, at KSh 14,355 for a carton of 60 (about KSh 239 a piece). The 11" rubber-handle trowel with teeth has a notched edge for combing an even bed of tile adhesive onto a wall or floor; it is KSh 15,225 for a carton of 60 (about KSh 254 a piece).
Float trowels
A float is used after the plaster goes on, to level it, close the surface and give an even finish before or instead of a smooth steel finish. The 11" blue float is KSh 12,180 for a carton of 60 and the 14" yellow float is KSh 16,240 for a carton of 80; both work out at about KSh 203 a piece. The larger 14" float covers more wall per pass.
18" double-handle trowel
The longest tool in the range, with two handles so it can be worked with both hands across wide areas of wall or floor screed. It is KSh 25,375 for a carton of 50, about KSh 508 a piece.
Which size of bricklaying trowel?
| Size | Pack | Carton price | Works out at about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" | Carton of 120 | KSh 9,570 | KSh 80 a piece |
| 7" | Carton of 120 | KSh 10,440 | KSh 87 a piece |
| 8" | Carton of 120 | KSh 11,310 | KSh 94 a piece |
| 9" | Carton of 120 | KSh 12,180 | KSh 102 a piece |
All four have a wooden handle. A longer blade holds and spreads more mortar per scoop, which suits block walling. A shorter blade is easier to control in tight spots, for pointing, repairs and small brickwork. Many masons keep a large trowel for laying and a small one for finishing joints. If you stock a hardware shop, the 7" and 8" sizes sit in the middle of the range.
Scaffolding nets and site items a mason buys with them
Scaffolding net. Hung on the outside of scaffolding to catch falling mortar and debris and to screen the work. The Knicker scaffolding net comes as a 3 m × 50 m roll at KSh 9,425, or as 2 m × 6 m rolls in a bag of 20 at KSh 18,850, which works out at about KSh 943 a roll.
Scaffolding couplers. Knicker scaffolding couplers come in bags of 25: Red + at KSh 7,615 (about KSh 305 a piece), and Red - or Red Tube at KSh 7,975 (about KSh 319 a piece).
Levelling and measuring. A Knicker spirit level checks courses and plaster for level and plumb; the 100cm / 40" level is KSh 37,845 for a carton of 60, about KSh 631 a piece. A Knicker yellow measuring tape in 5m is KSh 10,440 for a carton of 120, about KSh 87 a piece.
Cutting and safety. A Knicker mason hammer, plastic handle trims blocks; the 2 lb is KSh 9,400 for a carton of 24, about KSh 392 a piece. Add Knicker safety helmets (Light, KSh 7,975 for a carton of 50, about KSh 160 a piece) and work gloves, because wet cement is hard on bare hands.
Chicken wire. Strips of chicken wire are fixed over joints between blockwork and concrete before plastering; a 3 ft × 30 m roll in 1" mesh is KSh 990.
Which one should you buy?
- Plastering walls: an 11" riveted H/D or banana trowel, plus a float trowel.
- Lowest cost per trowel for a crew: the 10" riveted H/D, about KSh 145 a piece.
- Tiling: the 11" rubber-handle trowel with teeth.
- Block walling: an 8" or 9" bricklaying trowel.
- Pointing and repairs: a 6" or 7" bricklaying trowel.
- Working at height: scaffolding net and couplers.
Trowels are sold by the carton, never as single pieces. If you need only one or two, share a carton with other masons or a nearby shop, or buy for stock.
Where to buy
The trowels, scaffolding nets and couplers are listed in our wire mesh, netting and site items collection, and the levels, hammers and safety gear in the full tools and hardware range. Our trade counter is at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi, open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30. We deliver countrywide for a flat KSh 350, and delivery is free on orders over KSh 15,000. You can pay by M-Pesa or card. Contractors and shops can ask for our trade lists at our trade page, or send a list on WhatsApp on +254 724 505 919 and we will price it for you.
Related guides
- Construction site PPE checklist: what each crew member needs
- Types of hammers and uses: claw, mason, sledge, mini and tack hammers
- Wall plugs and raw bolts: how to fix into a concrete wall
Common questions
Can I plaster with a bricklaying trowel?
You can apply small patches with it, but its pointed blade cannot spread and flatten a wall evenly. Use a flat plastering trowel and a float for plaster.
What size bricklaying trowel suits block walling?
Most masons use a larger blade, 8" or 9", for block walling because it carries more mortar per scoop.
What is a trowel with teeth for?
Spreading tile adhesive in even ridges. Ours is the 11" rubber-handle trowel with teeth, KSh 15,225 for a carton of 60.
Can I buy one trowel?
No. These trowels are sold wholesale by the carton of 50, 60, 80 or 120. Share a carton or buy for stock.