Best hedge trimmer 2022 how to#

It takes time to get it right and the blade needs regular sharpening and peening (which may be a dealbreaker for some), but for the more adventurous and those dedicated to learning an ancient craft, scything is a rewarding experience. Using a scythe is a unique and meditative experience that offers both physical and mental benefits. This may sound too unconventional, but a scythe is an excellent grass cutter that can be used to trim back larger areas that are hard to access with a mower-like a grassy hillside or an overgrown area at the edge of a yard. If you’re someone who is constantly looking for “a different way” and don’t mind being seen as a little odd, we recommend the Lee Valley Traditional Austrian Scythe Set. At around $200, it’s on the mid to high side of pricing, but there are others that are closer to $300. This Ego completes the package with great balance, comfortable grips, and a simple bump-feed line advance. Though none of the trimmers we tested were quiet, the Ego ST1511T had the nicest sound, emitting a low-pitched hum, rather than the high, squealing whine of some of the others. All of this cutting ability is harnessed with a smooth, variable-speed trigger, which makes delicate work just as easy as brute-force clear-cutting. The ST1511T has the power to slice through dense grass, gnarly weeds, and even 1-inch-thick Japanese knotweed without slowing down.

All of the Ego trimmers we’ve tested have marathon-like run times, often outlasting the others by nearly 40% (and in most cases by more than 50%). It also has the easiest line-load system we’ve tested, as well as a telescoping shaft and quick handle adjustment, to accommodate people of all heights. Of all the trimmers we’ve tested, the Ego ST1511T Power+ String Trimmer with Powerload combines raw cutting power, finesse, handling, convenience, cost, and run time in a way none of the others do. If the Lee Valley Set is sold out, the individual pieces ( blade, handle, sharpening stone, and holster) can be purchased separately for roughly the same cost. The Lee Valley Scythe Set delivers everything you need to get started on your scything journey. But those same neighbors should also appreciate the fact that you’re using a silent tool and not a squealing string trimmer. There’s no question you’ll look out of place and people might whisper when you’re not looking, but that’s okay because your eye-rolling neighbors probably don’t understand what an enjoyable, peaceful time you’re having.

Best hedge trimmer 2022 how to#

Cutting grass with a scythe has a learning curve, and knowing how to sharpen the blade is essential, but these are both learnable skills and not as physically demanding as you may think. In a lot of ways, it’s the anti-string trimmer. In addition to its cutting abilities, it offers a tranquil mental and physical experience, accompanied only by the whooshing swish of the blade against the grass. The scythe is an ancient tool, discarded by our modern culture, yet wildly effective at cutting grass. If your trimming needs include taking down a large grassy area, like an LA hillside or maybe a spot that’s not quite lawn, but also not quite woods, consider bringing a scythe into your life, specifically, the Lee Valley Traditional Austrian Scythe Set. This model replaces our previous top pick, the Ego ST1521S, which is almost identical except that it lacks the telescoping shaft and the easy handle adjustment.

It wasn’t the lightest trimmer we tried, but its excellent balance and handle adjustments made it one of the simplest to swing around and maneuver in tight spots. There are a variety of systems that do this, but the Ego’s is the easiest we’ve tested. The Ego comes with a push-button line-load system, which eliminates the typically tedious process of putting a new line on the spool head. It was also among the most capable cordless trimmers we found, with enough run time to cut a 1-foot-wide strip of grass almost two-thirds of a mile long on a single battery charge. The Ego ST1511T is just as powerful and affordable as a gas tool-but without the messy fuel, smelly exhaust, or time-consuming maintenance. This allows it to work for a wide variety of heights and body types. This model, the latest in a long line of successful Ego trimmers, distinguishes itself with an easily adjustable telescoping shaft and a quick adjustment for the secondary handle. But it was the quietest tool we tested, with a hair-dryer-like hum that sounded more pleasant than the whine of its competitors. Considering all that power, you’d expect this trimmer to be noisy. This trimmer cut through 1-inch-thick Japanese knotweed as if it were grass, while most of the others pathetically slapped their strings against the thick stalks. Compared with other cordless trimmers, the Ego ST1511T Power+ String Trimmer with Powerload is on a different level.