Lipstick,Carbon and Coke

Vincey

Private Member
Thought a marshalltown carbon trowel thread would be a good idea, got my first one about 4 weeks ago had a 20 inch one years ago and hated it as looking back I didn't treat it right and ended up like a rusty skip but been drying and oiling this one then saw @Olican get the advice off the dude with hot vinegar and coke soaking overnight (can someone tag whoever it was into thread for advice please) well I soaked it twice over weekend first time it didn't look nothing like the dudes photo but this morning it's kind of a bit better, anymore tips or advice appreciated with carbon as I can honestly said wish I had used one long before now as have been fed up with the permashapes for a while.
Lipstick,Carbon and Coke

Above is the dudes I was on about below is my attempt that ain't looking as good
Lipstick,Carbon and Coke

Lipstick,Carbon and Coke
 
That's it. Not far from the perfect trowel ! You will never look back to any of the nonsense steel/non steel thingy with handle on it.
 
Thought a marshalltown carbon trowel thread would be a good idea, got my first one about 4 weeks ago had a 20 inch one years ago and hated it as looking back I didn't treat it right and ended up like a rusty skip but been drying and oiling this one then saw @Olican get the advice off the dude with hot vinegar and coke soaking overnight (can someone tag whoever it was into thread for advice please) well I soaked it twice over weekend first time it didn't look nothing like the dudes photo but this morning it's kind of a bit better, anymore tips or advice appreciated with carbon as I can honestly said wish I had used one long before now as have been fed up with the permashapes for a while.
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Above is the dudes I was on about below is my attempt that ain't looking as good
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View attachment 15028

Sorry to hijack Vincey...was wondering if one of these trowels would be better for me than a permashape as I'm about to buy a new trowel? I dont plaster every day so thought it might break in a bit quicker. Cheers
 
Is the carbon not second best to a s*p*r*lex or the like ? I havent taken my carbon out of the jeep since I got the nela s*p*r*lex
 
had a flick with it today....nice trowel and the black makes it look the bollox
 
Sorry to hijack Vincey...was wondering if one of these trowels would be better for me than a permashape as I'm about to buy a new trowel? I dont plaster every day so thought it might break in a bit quicker. Cheers
Tbh I always seen the other dudes posting about their carbon marshalltown trowels and used to think wtf they on about but my merchants got a load in and a dude I know said try one, like I said before always just thought they were s**t because of the rust factor but been looking for a flatter firm trowel especially for putting on with as I always seem to bend up the perma shape ones within about 6 month, first few weeks use and it feeling nice now, dropped to a 13 inch size and changed back to wood handle imo feels lighter easier to trowel and firmer , i flatten and finish Speedskim as much as I can but also flatten and finish with carbon.I not a fan of over polish/ trowelling plaster.
 
Tbh I always seen the other dudes posting about their carbon marshalltown trowels and used to think wtf they on about but my merchants got a load in and a dude I know said try one, like I said before always just thought they were s**t because of the rust factor but been looking for a flatter firm trowel especially for putting on with as I always seem to bend up the perma shape ones within about 6 month, first few weeks use and it feeling nice now, dropped to a 13 inch size and changed back to wood handle imo feels lighter easier to trowel and firmer , i flatten and finish Speedskim as much as I can but also flatten and finish with carbon.I not a fan of over polish/ trowelling plaster.

Cheers for that Vincey...appreciate the lengthy reply. As I've only really got experience of my 11" tyzack trowel, just wanted to work up to a new trowel as a comparison as I think the blade on the tyzack is warping. Was thinking of geting a 13" trowel so think this might be the one to go for. Nothing to loose anyway. Cheers mate...
 
Plot twist. Vincey spends a year breaking it in only to find out it's chinese carbon steel - puts it in the bin.
Hey been looking into British steel and making bespoke British made steel trowel if I get them made I'll send you one to try if you want one ?
 
Have you just gone with the standard Mt carbon ? Your reviews have been pretty good with most things you've wrote about vince are these better than the standard stainless
 
I brought a 14 x 4 3/4 xtralite from penlaws thinking it was stainless. A bit Rusty now but decided I quite like it. May have to try this method. My old boss used to always have the 13 carbon and maybe there is a reason for that lol, deformation sharper then my stainless 13. After making it black how do you guys maintain them?
 
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