Favorite plaster everything

I thought I would find out what everyone's favorite fibers are for finish plastering. I've used finely chopped straw and cattail fluff, but am interested if anyone has used hemp fibers. I saw online people were chopping hemp fibers to great success, also goat hair but neither of these I have immediate access to.

What about trowels? I have a few finishing trowels that are stainless and are very flexible, but I just ordered some new yamasugi jigane trowels for application. Favorites? hand forged? machined? plastic spoon? What is the best and why?