{"id":2361,"date":"2025-06-13T11:43:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T10:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2361"},"modified":"2025-06-13T11:43:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T10:43:42","slug":"should-you-break-in-a-new-plastering-trowel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/06\/13\/should-you-break-in-a-new-plastering-trowel\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Break In A New Plastering Trowel?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2361\" class=\"elementor elementor-2361\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0da326e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0da326e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f464d59\" data-id=\"f464d59\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cbe414 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cbe414\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you invest in a new <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/plastering-trowels\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plastering trowel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially a professional-grade tool from a trusted name like REFINA, it\u2019s natural to want peak performance from the first sweep. Yet, many seasoned plasterers swear by a little-known ritual: breaking in the trowel. This practice is the subject of much discussion in the trade, with opinions divided on whether it\u2019s necessary, how best to do it, and what difference it actually makes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this content piece, we explore what it means to break in a new plastering trowel, why so many professionals take the time to do it, and how to properly prepare your tool for smooth, effortless finishes.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40bed54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40bed54\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-087d470\" data-id=\"087d470\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-323508d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"323508d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Does It Mean to \u201cBreak In\u201d a Trowel?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16b88dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16b88dc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4c6fe6\" data-id=\"e4c6fe6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a792dc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a792dc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking in a trowel is the process of slightly wearing down and smoothing the edges and surface of a new plastering trowel before using it on critical finishing work. A brand-new trowel straight out of the box typically has sharp edges, flat corners, and a clean surface that hasn\u2019t yet been worn into a user\u2019s natural plastering technique.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal of breaking it in is to make the trowel easier to handle, reduce the risk of edge lines or \u2018tramlines\u2019 in fresh plaster, and create a tool that glides more naturally over the surface.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b84e3db elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b84e3db\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c59026\" data-id=\"4c59026\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-263868d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"263868d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Do Plasterers Break In Their Trowels?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-53946be elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"53946be\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7492f94\" data-id=\"7492f94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22f8c54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22f8c54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few key reasons why many plasterers break their trowels:<\/span><\/p><p><b>1. Avoiding Edge Marks (Tramlines)<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New trowels often have very crisp, sharp corners and edges. When used straight away, especially during the final stages of a skim coat, these sharp edges can easily catch or dig into the plaster, leaving fine lines or marks. Breaking in the trowel rounds off the corners ever so slightly, reducing this risk.<\/span><\/p><p><b>2. Better Glide and Control<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A broken-in trowel usually feels more \u2018worn in\u2019 and easier to manoeuvre across plaster or render. The light sanding or polishing that\u2019s part of the breaking-in process reduces surface friction, which can make a huge difference in finish quality, particularly during the final trowel up.<\/span><\/p><p><b>3. Custom Fit to the Plasterer\u2019s Technique<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you use a trowel more and more, it naturally adjusts to the angle, pressure, and technique of the plasterer. Breaking it in intentionally helps fast-track that process so the trowel becomes an extension of your hand sooner.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be34a97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"be34a97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1846\" alt=\"refina trowel range\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min-290x162.png 290w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/trowel-size-guide-min.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb9f7ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb9f7ae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d1fc45\" data-id=\"7d1fc45\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff784ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff784ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is Breaking In Essential?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f031db9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f031db9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-428490e\" data-id=\"428490e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd07138 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd07138\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern manufacturing, particularly with high-quality brands like REFINA, has eliminated the need to break in a trowel. Our premium trowels are machine-finished and polished to be usable from day one, with rounded edges and ergonomic design to minimise handling issues.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What really sets REFINA apart is the use of specially formulated metal alloys during manufacturing. These advanced alloys aren\u2019t found in most mass-produced trowels. They\u2019re engineered to wear more evenly over time, adapting subtly to your unique technique and plastering style.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This results in a trowel that becomes more comfortable to use and offers exceptional durability, outperforming many like-for-like alternatives in terms of lifespan and consistency.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, many professionals still prefer to break in their tools manually. It\u2019s often seen as a rite of passage, a way to personalise a tool, and an opportunity to shape it to your preferences before it ever touches a wall.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, should you break in a new trowel? If you&#8217;re working on high-stakes finishes and want full confidence in your tool, then yes, it could be worth the time. For roughing in or general-use trowels, you may not notice a major difference.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-004ea82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"004ea82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Superflex-3.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1563\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Superflex-3.png 500w, https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Superflex-3-300x210.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a89e15 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a89e15\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-457775d\" data-id=\"457775d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89d9fff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"89d9fff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Break In A Plastering Trowel\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de58982 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de58982\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-619c4df\" data-id=\"619c4df\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84fe866 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84fe866\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve decided to go ahead and break in your trowel, here\u2019s a simple guide on how to do it. The aim is to smooth down the sharper elements without damaging the integrity of the blade.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Tools &amp; Materials You\u2019ll Need:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine-grade abrasive paper (e.g., 400\u2013800 grit wet\/dry sandpaper)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sanding block or flat file<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft cloth<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metal polish (optional)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protective gloves<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Step 1: Check the Edges and Corners<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Run your fingers gently along the edges and corners of the trowel. If you feel sharp points or jagged areas, these are prime spots to round off slightly.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Step 2: Sand the Edges<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using your sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block, gently work along the long edges of the trowel in smooth, even motions. Focus particularly on the corners; you&#8217;re not trying to make them blunt, just slightly softened to avoid dragging through the plaster.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: Keep the sanding consistent and light. Too much pressure or uneven filing could distort the shape.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Step 3: Polish the Face (Optional)<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some plasterers like to polish the surface of the blade using metal polish or a fine abrasive pad. This can reduce surface drag when laying on or finishing, especially when the trowel is new.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Step 4: Wipe Clean<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a soft cloth to wipe down the trowel thoroughly, removing any dust, grit, or residue. You want to avoid any debris from transferring onto your plaster during your first use.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Step 5: Use on a Less Critical Job<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before using the trowel on a high-visibility surface, try it out on a backing coat or internal surface where imperfections aren\u2019t an issue. This allows you to test the feel and make any final adjustments.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, some plasterers prefer to use a new trowel exclusively for rendering work for the first 3 to 6 months. This approach allows the blade to wear in naturally while still being productive on site. Once the trowel has seen consistent use, it\u2019s then promoted to the finishing trowel tool kit. This method keeps the trowel in excellent working condition while gradually enhancing its performance for fine finish work.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-92d0019 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"92d0019\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cbe25b0\" data-id=\"cbe25b0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f80d5e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f80d5e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Should I Break In a REFINA Trowel?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dd4c94b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dd4c94b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e705288\" data-id=\"e705288\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43e3295 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"43e3295\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At REFINA, our trowels are made with professional use in mind from the outset. Whether you\u2019re using a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/jolisearch?s=Plaziflex\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PLAZIFLEX<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/jolisearch?s=superflex\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SUPERFLEX<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or one of the other premium stainless steel finishing trowels, we ensure they\u2019re precision-engineered to deliver high-quality performance from the first job.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, every tradesperson is different. Some prefer that \u201cused\u201d feel and want to mould the trowel into their working style. If that sounds like you, a light breaking-in routine won\u2019t hurt your REFINA trowel; in fact, it may give you that little extra edge of comfort and confidence.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>Key Takeaways<\/b><\/h4><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking in a trowel means softening edges and smoothing the blade to improve comfort and finish quality.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process can help avoid edge marks, enhance control, and customise the tool to your plastering style.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While not strictly essential, breaking in a trowel is still a popular step for many professionals, particularly when precision finishes matter.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">REFINA trowels are designed for high-quality results from day one, but a light break-in can still help align your tool with your preferences.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-93ea99e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"93ea99e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-453b51e\" data-id=\"453b51e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6417fb3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6417fb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Word: Smooth From Day One, Better Over Time\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4476577 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4476577\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-94a8569\" data-id=\"94a8569\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5037fe2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5037fe2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking in your plastering trowel comes down to personal preference. If you like to tune your tools to suit your hand and technique, it\u2019s worth the small investment of time. If you prefer to get stuck in straight away, a REFINA trowel is ready to deliver.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you choose to break in or not, what matters most is using the right tool for the job. And with REFINA, you know you\u2019re starting with the best.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Need help choosing your next trowel?<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore REFINA\u2019s full <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/plastering-trowels\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">range of trowels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find the perfect match for your next project.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover whether breaking in a new plastering trowel is essential. Learn how to break in a trowel and the benefits of smoother, cleaner finishes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basics","category-tipsandtricks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2361"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2374,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2361\/revisions\/2374"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.refina.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}