An adjustable row or transfer tool is disclosed herein compensating for row bow or distortion during a lapping process on a surface so as to establish uniform and substantially precise throat heights for a plurality of thin film transducers carried on a row of magnetic head sliders. To provide for adjustment, the body of the row tool is a double series of relief slots provided in an edge marginal region immediately adjacent to the surface intended to be lapped. The first series includes elongated relief slots disposed between square shaped slots extending across the length of the tool while the second series includes several relief slit openings across the tool length above the first series to terminate in cavities at each end. Bend holes in the tool body are located between the first and second series of relief slots and slits. Adjustment may be achieved by mounting the row tool to a closed loop lapping system.
