Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.