DeWalt 14 in. x 4 in. Stainless Steel Pool Trowel

Overview

I put the DeWalt pool trowel (model DXTT-3-722) through a few weeks of mixed work: a driveway patch and blend, a decorative cementitious skim coat on a patio step, an interior plaster accent wall done hawk-and-trowel, and a scratch coat on a block foundation. Across those jobs the 14 x 4 blade size felt like a sweet spot—easy to steer in tight areas and still wide enough to cover ground efficiently. The stainless blade and rounded edges are the headliners here, and the balance out of the box made the trowel predictably neutral in the hand. It’s a straightforward tool that doesn’t fight you, which is exactly what I want in a finishing trowel.

Build and Design

The blade is stainless steel, secured with six stainless rivets. The shank-to-blade interface is tight, and the handle uses a no-turn lock, so it never loosens or spins under pressure. That matters more than it sounds; on slick, wet material, a handle that rotates even slightly can throw off your angle and leave chatter. This one stays put.

The soft-grip handle is contoured without being bulky. In medium gloves it sits right in the palm and allows you to choke forward for push passes or slide back for longer pull strokes. Knuckle clearance is generous enough that I never clipped a form or the surface when running low.

Most notably, the blade edges and ends are rounded. On fresh concrete or thin overlays, that radius reduces the chance of making a gouge when you close the surface or accidentally catch a high spot. If you’ve ever left a razor-edged line late in the set, you’ll appreciate this detail.

In the Field

• Concrete patch and blend: On a driveway crack repair and blend-out, the trowel ran flat without the sticky, suction-prone feel some lighter blades develop. I could close the surface to prep for a broom finish, then ease the broom across without snagging trowel lines.

• Decorative overlay: I used a polymer-modified overlay at about 1/16 to 1/8 inch and worked it until nearly burnished. The DeWalt carried material smoothly, with enough stiffness to push across feathered edges without oil-canning but a touch of spring to keep from dragging. The rounded edges spared me from leaving knife marks when the material started to tighten up.

• Interior plaster (hawk-and-trowel): For a textured finish over primed drywall, the blade moved quickly and didn’t leave unintentional score lines. I could vary pressure—comfortably heavy when loading, lighter to float—without the tool feeling twitchy. The handle stayed comfortable through a longer session with minimal hot spots.

• Scratch coat on block: For scratch coats you don’t need a mirror finish; you need a fast, even spread that keys well. The 14 x 4 format let me cover vertical runs efficiently and maintain a consistent thickness. Cleanup afterward was rinse-and-go; the stainless sheds material easily.

Ergonomics and Balance

This trowel’s balance is what makes it pleasant. It doesn’t feel tip-heavy or handle-heavy. That neutrality helped on long, flat pull strokes where you want the blade to sit at a consistent angle. The soft-grip handle is grippy when wet but not gummy; it wipes clean quickly. I experienced little hand fatigue even during a couple of long finishing passes on a warm day.

Weight is in the middle: substantial enough to let the blade do some work, light enough to carry on a belt or hang off a bucket without noticing it. If you’re used to ultra-light flex trowels for specialty plasters, this will feel firmer and more stable. For cementitious work, that’s a plus.

Finish Quality

The stainless blade leaves a clean surface with minimal drag once the material has bled off. Late in the set, I could close the surface to a tight sheen without telegraphing rivet points or leaving edges. I didn’t see ribbing or ripple, and the tool stayed flat under reasonable pressure. To get an ultra-smooth, near-burnished finish on overlays, a quick spritz of water or a light mist on the surface helped the blade glide; the trowel responded predictably to these finishing techniques.

If you like ultra-crisp corners and knife-edge transitions, remember this is a pool-style trowel with rounded edges. It excels at smooth, continuous finishes and avoids accidental damage, but it won’t substitute for a square-corner finishing trowel when you need dead-sharp lines.

Durability and Maintenance

Stainless steel matters. After several wet days and less-than-perfect cleanup once, the blade showed no rusting or tea-staining. The six rivets stayed tight, and the shank didn’t develop play. The edge held up without rolling or dinging. As with any finishing trowel, I recommend knocking down any micro-burrs that develop with a fine diamond stone or 220–400 grit sandpaper. Keeping the working edges slightly dull ensures the trowel glides rather than cuts, especially on overlays and plaster.

The handle’s no-turn lock did its job throughout—no creaks, no wiggle. The soft-grip material didn’t absorb slurry or stain, and it didn’t get slick once rinsed. After multiple uses, the blade remained flat and true.

Where It Fits in a Kit

• Best for: Concrete finishing before a broom or trowel finish, microtoppings and decorative overlays, plaster work where rounded edges help avoid scars, scratch coats, and small flatwork where maneuverability matters.

• Complementary tools: Pair it with a margin trowel for corners and tight returns, and a longer 16–18 inch finishing trowel or a fresno for big slabs. For extremely flexible fine-finish plasters, keep a dedicated, thinner flex trowel in your bag.

Limitations

• Rounded edges: Great for avoiding gouges, not for crisp corners or defined edges. You’ll still want a square trowel for those tasks.

• Size: At 14 x 4 inches, it’s a nimble all-rounder, but on wide slabs a longer blade is more efficient. Conversely, 4 inches is versatile, but 5-inch-wide blades can cover a touch more area per pass.

• Handle material: The soft plastic grip is comfortable, but some pros prefer cork or wood for a different tactile feel. This comes down to preference, not a functional defect.

Value

At about $31.35, it’s priced competitively for a stainless pool trowel, especially considering the rust resistance, solid rivet pattern, and consistent factory balance. The 90‑day return window and 1‑year warranty provide a basic safety net, which is welcome for a tool that’ll see wet, alkaline materials regularly.

Tips for Best Results

• Keep the edges broken in: Even with rounded edges, a quick touch with a fine stone keeps the blade gliding, not cutting.

• Work the set, not the clock: Wait for bleed water to leave before closing concrete; this trowel performs best once the surface is ready.

• Use light misting sparingly: A small amount can help you achieve a tight finish on overlays; too much can soften or streak the surface.

• Angle control: Because the tool is well balanced, small wrist changes show up in the finish. Let the weight work and avoid steep angles that can streak.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt pool trowel to both working pros and serious DIYers who need a reliable, rust-resistant finishing trowel for concrete, overlays, and plaster. It’s comfortable, balanced, and thoughtfully rounded to reduce accidental gouging. The stainless construction cleans up easily and has held its shape through real use. It won’t replace a square-corner trowel for crisp edges or a longer blade for big slabs, but as a primary hand trowel for general finishing and decorative work, it’s an easy tool to trust. At this price, with its build quality and predictable behavior on material, it earns a spot in the kit.