Which do you prefer; T-rake or bow rake?

[DWSmith]

I wouldn't have thought it but some people have a strong preference for one over the other. Which do you prefer and why?

[Martin H]

I've only ever used a T-rake so I'll go with that.

[arpoet]

Never heard of a bow rake.

[arpoet]

Ahhh.. Thanks... But it looks a bit expensive for we poor Yorkshire men.

[Jeanied]

I have only ever seen a T rake for raking soil over here - the other kind we get is a leaf rake or a moss rake for lawns.

[teakdesk]

I wouldn't have thought it but some people have a strong preference for one over the other. Which do you prefer and why?

What reason do people give for having a preference over your side of the pond?


Never seen a bow rake; I know (insert: think) the UK Victorians had rakes designed to be used under the top of the soil (not very deep but not on the top of the soil like a UK standard rake!).



EDIT: at least I hope most folk use a rake on the top of the soil... I've never asked! It is my least favourite tool since it gives me immediate back ache.

[Alison]

I do use an old T rake to level the soil in beds I've prepared and have a leaf one too (although don't use that one at the plot, more on the grass in the back garden). Is the bow one meant to be for a different purpose to the T one or just a different design of the same thing?

[BUFFS]

Ahhh.. Thanks... But it looks a bit expensive for we poor Yorkshire men.

I got my bow rake in one of the discount stores, its going great but no different to a T rake...

[Greenleaves]

Again never seen a bow rake....I still have the head of my grandads rake, well one of them. The teeth are wood and I think he used it to tilth the soil. I guess it would be akin to "Triggers Broom" as he was always replacing bits but maintained it was his first rake......God bless Pops

[solway cropper]

Well, they both look like rakes to me and I guess they perform the same function. To me the most important thing is the balance and ease of use. My favourite is an old one with long wood shaft which is so much easier than some of the modern ones with steel shafts. Lawn rakes and hay rakes perform different tasks and are not interchangeable so I guess the difference between a bow rake and a normal rake is simply the design.

[veggiechicken]

Never seen or used a bow rake but it looks as if it may be a bit more "sprung" than a T rake. I like one with a metal shaft as I often use them like mattocks to get under roots to pull the out.
You should see the state of my teeth, bent, broken and twisted - fortunately I have 3 rakes so one has properly alligned teeth!

[Noosner]

My Dad made a bow rake out of a broom handle, then long nails hammered into a head with struts made of plywood. I wish I had a picture of it. The beauty of it is that it's very light and as he varnished the wood with yacht varnish it is still going strong 5 years later.