Your yard should be a place where you can kick back and relax. However, for you to be able to do so, there should be a spot that can be maintained easily with a tool heavy-duty in nature. One such tool is a bow rake, as it can be used for a variety of tasks, so you don’t need to have a whole closet of gardening tools taking up necessary space. Raking can be a hectic task, especially during the autumn season. Nevertheless, with the best bow rakes, it doesn’t always have to be so.
To make your life easy, we have examined 43 bow rakes available on the market and picked 8 for this article – with the best one being Bully Tools 92309 Bow Rake. Based on popular opinion, the durability of the steel used to make the head of the rake makes it incredibly reliable. At the same time, its handle is made of fiberglass, which makes it resistant to breakage. Apart from this, seven other products have also been reviewed, which you’ll see when you scroll down. Each of these rakes has been carefully listed based on popular pick in order to help you find the perfect tool for your gardening needs.
After putting in many hours, our team has listed the 8 best bow rakes that are designed to make your life easier. The criteria taken for our selection were the materials used for the head and body to ensure that wet conditions can’t spoil it, the length for optimal handling, as well as the number of teeth and head width for effortless raking. With the help of our team of experts, we’ve compiled detailed reviews of these products that are listed below, along with our comprehensive buying guide to make your life easier!
More features: limited lifetime warranty, commercial-grade, made in the USA
The first bow rake on our list is the Bully Tools 92379. Manufactured in the USA, this lightweight yet strong tool is the perfect option for raking in any season. The product has a 16 tine head made of commercial-grade 10-gauge steel, which means you won’t have to worry about it getting rusty in wet conditions. Moreover, this bow rake has a fiberglass handle, which does not only make it easy to handle but also ensures excellent durability as well. Made to last a lifetime, this is the bow rake you could easily use year after year, and it won’t lose its touch!
Unfortunately, a few customers reported that they received a damaged rake because of faulty manufacturing. Still, you will be glad to hear that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which means that you can count on replacement in such cases.
Lastly, the length of the rake is 66 inches, which is ideal for everyday use.
More features: steel ferrule, perfect for loosening or breaking up compacted soil, leveling areas and spreading mulch
If you have a passion for gardening, then look no further because the LavoHome Garden Bow Rake is the perfect choice for you. With a 48-inch handle made of wood and a 14 teeth steel head, this heavy-duty bow rake comes in handy for many gardening purposes. You can use it for collecting garden debris, grass, hay, and leaves, spreading out mulch, leveling the garden area before planting, and more.
The head and handle are connected by a steel ferrule, which makes the rake durable and long-lasting. With this all-in-one bow rake in hand, you will not need any other gardening tool!
However, the wood handle makes the rake a bit heavier, which means it might be difficult to use on a daily basis for longer time periods. Still, it is hard to complain, considering the low price tag for it. Next, the length of the rake is 48 inches, excluding the head.
More features: steel ferrule, anti-slip vinyl sleeve grip
Bully Tools 92309 12-Gauge Bow Rake is the most suitable choice if you are a beginner looking to try your hands on gardening. It has many different features that set it apart from other rakes.
Firstly, it is a heavy-duty tool that can be used for many purposes, such as leveling soil and removing debris. Moreover, the fiberglass handle is lightweight, and it’s easier to maneuver compared to rakes with wooden handles. The red color of the handle also makes the rake noticeable in a garden. But what really makes this rake set apart from others is the anti-slip vinyl sleeve on the handle, which ensures a smooth raking experience.
The only issue that you might face with this rake is that the large gap between its teeth can make it unsuitable for removing small particles or debris.
The handle is 58 inches long and has a welded 16-tine steel head. The head and teeth are forged to prevent breakage.
More features: 9-inch anti-slip grip, welded head construction
Tuppers 32404 Tru Tough Welded Bow Rake is one of Tupper’s best-selling tools – mainly due to its amazing features. With a fiberglass handle and a 9-inch anti-slip grip on it, this tool will make your gardening a lot easier! The rake is specially designed to provide maximum comfort and make it suitable for heavy use. The 16-teeth steel head is welded with the handle to prevent breakage. Moreover, the silicone spray coating on the head makes it resistant to weather influences, which means the rake will not get wear and tear easily! The product also comes with a 10-year free replacement warranty.
Although the length of this rake’s handle is 60 inches, not every customer found it long enough for all tasks. Still, it is a reliable tool that should last you for years to come.
More features: large D-shaped handle, perfect for rougher debris
Make your yard work easier with the Ergieshovel ERG-BWRK16 Bow Rake. The 16-tine steel rake, with a handle made of fiberglass, is one of the most efficient rakes available in the market. The large teeth are perfect for removing all kinds of debris, especially the rougher ones. The best part? The Ergieshovel rake comes with an extra D-shaped handle, which does not only give extra control but also helps reduce the strain on your body so you can work for longer hours. Additionally, the rake comes with an easy 3-piece Smart Lock assembly feature, which means it can easily fit in limited storage space.
However, this rake is slightly heavier than others due to the added features and more durable construction, so if you do not plan on using the extra handle, it’s best that you go for some other option.
The product comes with a 2-year warranty and its handle is 54 inches long, which is pretty standard.
More features: rubberized cap, doesn’t warp, rust, chip or splinter
The high quality is what defines the Emsco Group Workforce 14-Tine Bow Rake. It features a heavy-duty head made of powder-coated 16-gauge steel for incredible strength and durability along with a fiberglass handle that won’t splinter or crack easily.
The rake is constructed with long-lasting, top-quality, and durable parts so that it can be used for years. Additionally, the long 54-inch fiberglass handle has a tightly fixed rubber cap that prevents slipping and ensures a solid grip during gardening. This product weighs approximately 2.5lbs, which makes it ideal for everyday use. The Emsco Group Workforce is an optimal tool for garden raking in flower beds or clearing out leafy debris
However, some users have complained that the part connecting the head and the handle bends if you put too much pressure on it, which means the tool is useful only for lighter gardening tasks and not for digging, etc.
More features: mid-grip and cushion grip, great for multiple tasks
The Razor-Back 15 Tine Forged Bow Rake is the first choice of many customers due to its impeccable qualities.
It can be used for collecting garden debris, on compacted soil to break it up or loosen it, spread out mulch, level the garden area before planting, and much more. Simply put, it can perform multiple gardening tasks.
In addition to this, the Razor-back also comes with mid-grip and cushion grip, which makes it easy to handle. The head and handle are connected with a steel ferrule to ensure durability.
However, some users have complained that the tines of this rake are comparatively shorter than others, which makes work a bit difficult.
The length of this rake is 60 inches, excluding the head so you can complete almost any kind of work with it easily.
More features: steel ferrule, professional-grade tool, long handle reduces back strain
The Ames Jackson Pony Bow Rake is a tool built for professionals. With a head made of tempered steel and a hardwood handle, this rake can perform even the toughest jobs. You can use it for spreading out mulch, compacting, breaking and loosening soil or removing garden debris, such as grass, hay or leaves.
The rake’s high-quality features include a 16-tine forged head made of steel, a steel ferrule to hold the head and handle together, and an extra-long handle to reduce back strain, which is a bit longer than you can see with regular rakes.
However, this model seems to be overpriced, and the company does not offer any warranty on the product. Still, it is going to be quite comfortable to use on an everyday basis.
With such a huge variety of products available on the market, it can be harder to make the right decision. After extensive research, we were able to compile a list of the most important features that you need to consider before you buy a bow rake that we have included in this section of the article. This buying guide consists of five parts, and each of these will not only help you in making a more informed decision but will also add to your general knowledge. Read on to find out more!
Having a proper bow rake helps you get your work done more quickly and efficiently. As the name suggests, a bow rake has a bow-shaped head that offers great spring action and durability. If you are involved in garden work or are a homeowner with a large backyard, a bow rake is a must-have for you.
The tines of a good quality bow rake, are made of strong material. They are thicker and shorter and have more spaces between them as compared to those of a leaf rake. This allows them to perform various tasks, unlike other typical rakes (for example, rakes for pine needles) that are designed for performing specific, light garden tasks, such as collecting hay, leaves, and other garden debris. In short, a bow rake is an all-in-one tool that will help you get your work done in no time.
When buying a product, there are many factors that you need to consider (after all, you’re spending your hard-earned money!). This includes bow rakes as well. These tools are meant to last for years, which is why when you’re buying one, you need to make sure you’re investing in the right one. Each bow rake mentioned in the list above has many different features that you should keep in mind, such as materials it is made of, handle length, head, and weight. All these factors can help you make your final decisions.
Bow rakes consist of two parts: a head and a handle. The head and the tines of most quality bow rakes, such as seen with the Bully Tools 92309 12-Gauge Bow Rake, are made of metal. Moreover, in certain cases, they are also powder-coated to make them more weather-resistant and durable. As for the handle, it is either made of fiberglass or wood.
It is generally believed that wood handles are more sturdy and long-lasting, but that’s not always true. The fiberglass ones are equally good quality-wise and can last for years to come.
With many bow rakes, like the Ames Jackson Pony Bow Rake, the head and handle are connected by a steel ferrule, which ensures durability and does not let the rake bend or break.
The handle length is one of the most important factors that you need to consider before buying a bow rake. Using a bow rake with a handle that is quite short for you will require you to bend more, and this can put a strain on your back. On the other hand, a longer handle can also be a nuisance as it can be really difficult to manage.
Therefore, before you buy a bow rake, do check the handle length. Bow rakes with a 54 inches long handle, such as the Emsco Group Workforce 14-Tine Bow Rake, are ideal for people who fall in the 5’1 – 5’4 category. For taller people, 60 inches or more handle length works best.
Like the handle length, a comfortable grip is also essential. This is because it gives you better control, which prevents any unfortunate accidents and increases efficiency.
During hotter days, it gets more difficult to handle a bow rake due to sweaty palms, and a grip helps a lot at that time.
Different bow rakes come with different types of grips. The fiberglass handle of the Emsco Group Workforce 14-Tine Bow Rake has a rubber cap that prevents slipping and increases your accuracy during gardening. Similarly, the Truper Tru Tough Welded Bow Rake also comes with a 9-inch anti-slip grip that ensures ease of work.
As mentioned above, the heads of most quality bow rakes, such as the Bully Tools 16″ Bow Rake with Fiberglass Handle are made of steel. The heads of certain models, like the Truper Tru Tough Welded Bow Rake, are also powder-coated, which increases the metal’s resistance so it won’t rust or wear and tear easily.
On average, a bow rake has either 14 or 16 tines. A 16-tine bow rake is better in a way that it can cover more area. However, it doesn’t really make much of a difference if the tines are thick. The head is usually connected to the handles with steel ferrules making this connection both strong and durable.
The weight of the bow rake can also be a key factor for some people. This is because those who use a bow rake regularly need something lightweight, or else it can put a strain on their arms and back. Similarly, elderly people cannot lift a heavy bow rake easily.
Bow rakes with a fiberglass handle tend to be lighter in weight and can be lifted easily. In contrast, bow rakes with handles made of wood are heavier in weight and can be a little hard to lift.
The weight of fiberglass ones typically ranges from 2.5 lbs to 3.5 lbs, whereas, for wooden ones, it’s usually higher than this. Therefore, elderly people or anyone else who cannot lift that much weight should opt for a fiberglass handle bow rake.
The price is one of the most important factors to take into account for most buyers. The smart move is to set a budget and then make a purchase in accordance with it.
Moreover, it is wise to compare prices of the products that fall within your budget.
Although the average price range of bow rakes is between $30 and $40, all the options mentioned in the list above have different features, and thus, their prices vary too. However, some of the bow rakes have the same features but differ in prices. Thus, it is not necessary for you to buy a higher-priced one. One of the best products in our list, the Bully Tools 16″ Bow Rake with Fiberglass Handle, costs somewhere around $35 and is the first choice of many customers. Moreover, the Ergieshovel ERG-BWRK16 Bow Rake costs a tad more and comes with multiple useful features, such as an extra D-shaped handle.
Yes, you can rake leaves if it’s wet outside, but make sure you check the bow rake’s durability and the ability to resist rust. Rakes with wooden handles and steel heads are at risk of getting ruined. Therefore, it’s best to use the rake with fiberglass handle in the rainy season. Although raking can be a bit of a hassle during the rainy day, leaving a layer of wet leaves in your backyard can prevent sunlight, water, and important nutrients from entering the soil. Just dry your rake thoroughly before you put it in storage after use, and you’re good to go!
Although, on average, a bow rake can last for more than 15 years, there are many factors that can affect its life. These include the quality of the rake, how often it is used, and for what purpose, whether it is maintained properly or not, and the weather conditions of the area you live in. Poor quality, rough use, and wet weather are some of the factors that can shorten the lifespan of your bow rake. Otherwise, it will last for years if kept and used properly. Good quality tools, such as the Bully Tools 16” Bow Rake can be passed on from generation to generation!
After extensive research and thorough comparison, we have shortlisted the top 3 bow rakes from the products given above. These models come with certain distinct features that make them stand apart.
The first one is also our Editor’s Choice, the Bully Tools 16″ Bow Rake with Fiberglass Handle. This product is lightweight, easy to handle, and durable. Moreover, it is the tool that can withstand heavy usage, and it will last you for years to come!
The second nominee here is the LavoHome Garden Bow Rake, which also appears to be one of the most affordable options available on the market today. With this rake, you will be able to get your work done in no time.
The last one is the Bully Tools 92309 12-Gauge Bow Rake. What really makes this bow rake stand apart is the anti-slip grip that ensures a smooth raking experience. Also, it is a multipurpose gardening tool that can perform many tasks.
We hope that this review has made it easier for you to find the best bow rake. If you are still looking for something else, remember that the remaining 5 models on this list are not inferior in any way and can be great for your gardening needs too!
