Marshalltown 11″ Brick Trowel DuraSoft Handle

The Marshalltown 11″ Brick Trowel with DuraSoft Handle is a one-piece forged high-carbon steel masonry tool designed for professional bricklaying, block setting, and stonework. Professional contractors regard it as a high-quality, durable tool suitable for precision masonry work, with an integral finger guard that provides a soft grip to reduce fatigue during extended use.

Skip it if you’re doing occasional patch work or light repairs. The trowel earns its 4.8-4.9 star rating from contractors who value it for confined spaces and professional masonry projects. The premium price reflects its professional-grade construction — this isn’t a homeowner tool pretending to be pro-grade.

Blade Construction That Actually Lasts

The blade and tang are forged from a single piece of high-carbon steel, creating a stronger impact area than cast blades. Heat-treated blade provides wear resistance and longevity in masonry applications. That matters when you’re hammering brick into place day after day — cast trowels crack at the heel, forged ones don’t.

The pattern options serve different work styles:

Pattern	Width	Application
Philadelphia (Part #19 11FG)	5 inches	Classic ‘L’ shape, suitable for standard bricklaying
London (Part #33 11FG, 34 11FG)	4.5 to 5.75 inches	Flat-top profile, often used for wider joints or specialized spreading

Users specifically mention it’s an “excellent smaller trowel for laying on in confined spaces.” The 11-inch length hits the sweet spot between control and coverage — long enough to carry a decent mortar load, short enough for tight work between joists or in corners.

DuraSoft Handle Changes the Game

The DuraSoft handle uses soft rubber polymer construction that reduces hand fatigue and vibration, with an integral finger guard for extra safety. The pre-set handle rise provides the correct ‘hang’ and balance for optimal control. You feel the difference after four hours of laying brick — your hand isn’t screaming like it would with a wood handle.

Handle materials are user-selectable (DuraSoft, DuraCork, Leather, Wood) to fit specific ergonomics. But DuraSoft dominates for good reason. The rubber absorbs shock better than any traditional material. The replaceable bumper protects the handle and increases the lifespan of the tool — smart design for a tool that gets dropped and banged around constantly.

The forged steel impact area is designed to withstand daily use on hard surfaces like brick and block. That’s the heel where you tap bricks into place. Cheaper trowels mushroom out or crack there. This one holds its shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the actual difference between Philadelphia and London patterns?

The Philadelphia pattern features a classic ‘L’ shape with a 5-inch width suitable for standard bricklaying. The London pattern has a flat-top profile with variable widths (4.5” - 5.75”) often used for wider joints or specialized spreading. Philadelphia works better for running bond patterns where you need that heel shape. London excels at bed joints and buttering blocks.

Q: How does the DuraSoft handle hold up to Montana’s temperature swings?

The soft rubber polymer construction of the DuraSoft handle reduces vibration and includes an integral finger guard. Rubber handles generally maintain flexibility better than wood in cold weather. The material won’t crack like dried wood handles do after freeze-thaw cycles.

Q: Is this made overseas like most tools now?

The Marshalltown 11″ Brick Trowel is Made in USA according to retail listings and verified manufacturer information. Marshalltown manufactures in the USA with global materials. That’s increasingly rare in the hand tool market.

Q: What comes with the trowel?

The package includes one Marshalltown 11” Brick Trowel, with some models featuring a replaceable bumper for handle protection. No case, no extras — just the trowel ready to work.