Which tool is best suited for placing and spreading mortar?

The best tool for placing and spreading mortar is the brick trowel. A brick trowel is specifically designed for working with masonry materials, including bricks and mortar. Its broad, flat blade and pointed tip are ideal for lifting, spreading, and smoothing mortar between bricks during construction. The sloped edge of the blade allows for easy manipulation of the mortar, ensuring even coverage and proper bonding between bricks.

In contrast, while a mason's trowel is also used in masonry work, it is designed for different tasks, such as shaping and smoothing plaster. An addition trowel is not typically used in masonry work at all, as it is more suited for mixing and applying adhesives or compounds, rather than spreading mortar. A palette knife, commonly used in painting and other art applications, lacks the structural design required to handle masonry materials efficiently. Therefore, the brick trowel is the most suitable tool for the task of placing and spreading mortar.