Trowel and Masonry Tool Collector Resource

Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

W. Rose 1929 Catalog Available Here

The 1929 W. Rose catalog is no longer available from the site where it has been for years. Fortunately I had saved it to my computer, so have now uploaded it to my site with permission.

W. Rose Book of Tools - 1929 catalog
W. Rose in 1959 Star Sales catalog

W. Rose building, 2011

Photo used with permission from Flickr

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Plastering Trowels

This fine example is a Joseph Tyzack & Son 3-Leg Centenary Plastering Trowel, still wrapped in the original oiled paper.

Bowdon & Co. Sheffield Trowels

Bowden & Co. stamp on brick trowel

Bowdon & Co. was a secondary brand of Joseph Tyzack & Son, Sheffield, and registered as a trademark by Tyzack in December, 1888. Joseph Tyzack's first business was at 160 Fitzwilliam St., then he moved a block over to Bowdon Street, the source of the name Bowdon & Co. The Bowdon & Co. stamp appears on brick and pointing trowels, hand saws, back saws, hatchets, and other tools. Tyzack relocated to Meersbrook Works on Valley Road in Heeley in 1876.

Bowdon & Co. 10 inch brick trowel

Bowdon & Co. pointing trowel

Monday, March 24, 2014

Right Handed and Left Handed Brick Trowels

Historically, some manufacturers offered brick trowels in right and left handed versions. A right handed trowel is for a right handed user. As the trowel is held, the right edge is curved more than the left edge. The left handed trowel is the reverse.

Disston right handed wide London brick trowel

Friday, March 14, 2014

Scan of Marshalltown Trowel's 1945 Catalog

Marshalltown Trowel Co. numbers their catalogs, and at least some early ones do not have a date issued or copyrighted. The 2009 catalog is No. 115, so I subtracted 45 from 115 and concluded that No. 45 is 70 years old, 1939. According to a company employee, this id the 1945 issue. It is a small book, 5-7/16" x 8-5/16" (142 x 210 mm), printed on high quality coated paper. There is a good illustration on page 17 called "Comparative Patterns" showing outlines of 9 trowel patterns. Note that the brick trowels have an etching and not a stamp. I have not yet found a Marshalltown trowel with an etching.

Marshalltown Trowel Co. Catalog No. 45

Marshalltown Catalog No. 45 (1939)