absolutly the best stick edger ever ?

[onboard2]

I'm looking for a stick edger for the sharpest looking edges on the block. Weight , ease of use , finished results , reliabilty all come into play. Which one would you guys buy ?
I've used string trimmers for edges before and they work great, but I am after the deep pristine edges. Anybody got pictures ?

Thanks :D

[captdevo]

i use RedMax, they are the nicest i've ever used.

[gogetter]

I use a Husky, but it's kind of on the weak side. Have to check which engine it has, but it bogs down if trying to cut an edge that hasn't been cut before.
So I got a walk behind to do initial edges, then usually use string trimmer to touch up as needed.
Rarely use the stick edger now.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

The best is a weed eater with the string at 90 degrees to the ground.

I had a stick edger but it's too slow.

I have a push edger but it is even slower.

Now those vibrating edgers are great but not in a stick form like you want.

[Chuck Sinclair]

I use the biggest one ECHO makes 32cc i think and i love it!!

[WLC]

Shindaiwa........ching......chang......chong.........LE-260........Daniel-son.

At least when your dealer assembles the dang thing right, What a bucket-lip!

[65hoss]

I guess I can offer the other suggestion. The new Stihl FC85 is awesome. I used it all last season with real good results. And in my area, bermuda grows over the sidewalks weekly. Stick edger made edging for me go much much faster.

[naturescape]

In my opinion, an Echo trimmer with an Edgit attachment is the only way to go for small properties. Be sure to edge with it following Edgit's instructions. To do a lot of edging at one time, a Tanaka wheeled edger is the least tiring.

[Martino]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
The best is a weed eater with the string at 90 degrees to the ground.

Edging with a string trimmer looks awful; makes it look like all you are concerned about is getting it done quickly. I agree with Chuck Sinclair; the Echo PE 3100 is the one to use. It is a bit heavy, but when used with the double thick blade, well worth it.

[lamblawnscaping]

I like the shidiawa LE-260. We have 2 of them. Our first year we edged with a trimmer at 90 degrees and there are certian spots where we still do. These spots are usually the real scraggely spots that even after edging with a stick edger they look bad. On nice turf that stands upright the stick edger is the only way to go. Shindiawa makes very good products. They are a little expensive though.

[slplow]

I just use my string trimmer and all the edges come out great. The trick is to walk backwords on the grass.

[walker-talker]

I use a John Deere, but would not recommend it. Although, it still edges as fast as I can walk.

MATT

[lamblawnscaping]

Actually slplow the trick is to walk forwards on the sidewalk with the trimmer upside down and dragging behind you on your left side, but it is much easier to train someone to use a stick edger.

I walked backward for my whole first season, but it was slow compared to going forward. One day I watched another crew doing a yard next to one of mine and the foreman did a perfect job edging with a trimmer (the way I mentioned above) much faster than I could have walking backwards.

From that day on I walked forward. It took me a little while to get used to it but now I can practically run while doing it. If it is a long walk back to the truck I might use a trimmer to edge, but now I usually try to use a stick edger. I don't want my guys to try to edge with a trimmer, so I feel that I shouldn't do it in front of them.

[PRECISION LC]

I purchased a Stihl FC85 last season, it is great, it has a straight shaft, and a open deflector so you can't get cloged. It made my edging easier adn move much quicker, not to mention looking sharper.

[cutting edge]

I have the Stihl FC85. It's strong enough that I don't have to use the push edger anymore to reshape or cut in new beds.

[Martino]

Originally posted by slplow
I just use my string trimmer and all the edges come out great. The trick is to walk backwords on the grass.

And that is quicker than using a stick edger walking forward??? Sorry, don't buy it. I can pick out a lawn that has been "edged" with a trimmer at 100 paces. Brown, uneven edges, etc.

[bad_chad48]

I agree with the some of the others on this... the Stihl works great... mine is detachable so one minute it is a weed eater and then the next it is a edger... so I have two in one.

[trimmer]

I don't even own an edger, it got stolen and I never replaced it. I work solo so it dosen't matter if someone else can do it. Although, I helped a guy out and he didn't own an edger and had 3 other guys helping him and they didn't have no problem picking it up. All my customers love the string trimmer look it is much sharper than an edger, plus some of the beds are to deep for an edger. If I were going to buy one I would buy the Stihl FS85 edger, it looks like one bad machine.

[agriffn]

Will a weed eater edge a lawn? what is a stick edger

[JEFF ZALMANOFF]

I USE ECHO STICK EDGERS . THEY WORK GREAT . I HAVE PICKED UP FIVE YARDS ON ONE STREET JUST BECAUSE I USE A REAL EDGER . THESE PEOPLE SAW MY WORK AND HIRED ME AND ARE PAYING ME MORE THEN THE LAST GUYS AND WE ARE ALL HAPPY.

[Double D]

I love my Kawasaki stick edger. Would someone tell me how a trimmer can give a better look than a stick edger. You cut the grass next to the sidewalk or curb. The grass can't tell whether a blade or a string cut it. Plus with a stick edger, you get a nice uniform trench.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Martino


Edging with a string trimmer looks awful; makes it look like all you are concerned about is getting it done quickly. I agree with Chuck Sinclair; the Echo PE 3100 is the one to use. It is a bit heavy, but when used with the double thick blade, well worth it.

And that is quicker than using a stick edger walking forward??? Sorry, don't buy it. I can pick out a lawn that has been "edged" with a trimmer at 100 paces. Brown, uneven edges, etc.



I'm glad you have an opinion, maby you should learn how to edge with weed eater.

There is an art to it which what you have seen they have not learned how to do it.

Do you want a challenge?

Stick edger vrs ME with a weed eater on a never been edged lawn.

I bee done 3 times as fast and will not be able to tell the difference!!!

[JEFF ZALMANOFF]

hi LAWN GODFATHER i know we all have our own thoughts but you say you can edge or ( trim ) drives walks 3 times faster and it will look good . i know and you can mow with your exmark at 6 acres per hour too . you could go to the OLYMPICS AND WIN US A GOLD MEDAL IN B.S. DIVISON .

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Never mind, I also don't cut little itty bitty lawns like you.

I had a stick edger, I gave it away because it was TOO SLOW.

And don't tell me there is an art to it too, because I also have a Tanka push edger and it is faster than the hand held.

I'm from the show me state so come here once the season is on it's way and I'll PROVE it to you.

I'll prove anything I have said also.

BTW don't read into this more than you did because I said I will egde a walk That has never been egded with a weed eater 3x faster than a stick edger.

[OBRYANMAINT]

i have the older fs-80 stihl and wil,be eager to purchase the newer fs-85 because of the opened up guard .....mine clogs often if edging a new walkway

[Martino]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER



I'm glad you have an opinion, maby you should learn how to edge with weed eater.

There is an art to it which what you have seen they have not learned how to do it.

Do you want a challenge?

Stick edger vrs ME with a weed eater on a never been edged lawn.

I bee done 3 times as fast and will not be able to tell the difference!!!

You already lose. LP3 from your web site shows a driveway with edges that have quite obviously been done by an upside down grass trimmer in the hands of an artist walking backward.

[Grass_Slayer]

and a jeff zalmanoff if i were u i wouldnt want to make LGF mad, he tends to come back at u very hard. i know from experience.

[PaulJ]

I agree with naturescape. One word "Edgit" Go to their web site, watch the video, then try one. I used to just use the string trimmer at 90 deg. After a few weeks practice I got really good with either hand (we're talking edging here). Last year I got an Edgit . Now I can edge a walk or curb or landscape edge as fast as I can walk -faster if I walt to jog. And the best thing about edging with a string trimmer is you can trim with it too.:D Lawngodfather Edging with just the trimmer is just as good the edgit just lets me go faster.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Martino


You already lose. LP3 from your web site shows a driveway with edges that have quite obviously been done by an upside down grass trimmer in the hands of an artist walking backward.

Who's site did you look at?

I don't recall not one pic "I" put on my web site that has an edged anything on it.

[JEFF ZALMANOFF]

HEY GF i had to rag you a little because you raged the other guy pretty good . gald you love your trimmer i like my stick edger .i used to use a mclane walk edger for new super over grown areas but after that i maintain them with a stick edger . i mow yards from a-quater of a acre to ten acre sites . if your cutting a lot of stuff bigger then that , get off than exmark and a get 100 hp tractor with batwing mower .have a great day . jeff

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by JEFF ZALMANOFF
get off than exmark and a get 100 hp tractor with batwing mower .have a great day . jeff


John Deere 8100 w/20' wing deck tow mower.

Does that count?

Just remember we all have different expeirences with different stuff, but he never said he even tried to do it with a weed eater.

I have not tried the edgit yet, but am thinking maybe for any begginers.

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by Martino


You already lose. LP3 from your web site shows a driveway with edges that have quite obviously been done by an upside down grass trimmer in the hands of an artist walking backward.

Hummm...I looked at his site and didn't see any edged lawn photos. There are only two photos that show any edge and they show grass growing onto blacktop pavement.:confused: Are we talking about edging, because it's not obvious to me at all that the lawns on his page were edged.

Here is a photo of an edged lawn with a string trimmer, please show me the brown edges you speak of. Maybe the brown edges are causes by operator error and low engine speed? The photo below was edged by an artist walking backward....

[walker-talker]

LGF and anyone else using a string timmer for edging,

I am not going to debate the speed at which one can move, but I have this question. Would you agree that it is more comfortable use a stick edger than a line trimmer? With a stick edger you place most of the weight on the wheel, where as a string trimmer you are carrying ALL the weight. I would think your forearms would be sore as hell at the end of the day???

MATT

[65hoss]

I'm pretty good with a trimmer edging. I like the looks of it better than the stick edger. If you've done it for a while you can get really good edges and I agree its an art. Its just I'm not as fast with trimmer as with stick edger. Thus the reason I use the stick edger about 90% of the time.

A guy that worked for me 2 yrs ago was awesome with the trimmer. He could lay down a perfect edge with the trimmer as fast as I could with the stick edger. (on regular edged lawns)

It really comes down to the person.

[awm]

kirby ,looks like somebody will be ready to cut hay next wk.
how high u cutting in that picture. later now:)

[lamblawnscaping]

Edging with a trimmer can be done, and the results can be very good. However, to get a nice sharp cut you need to walk against the spin of the trimmer. This means that any little pebbles that are down in that groove between the grass and the sidewalk can get shot out of there at an extremely high rate of speed. If you think windows can get expensive, wait until someone gets hit in the eye. With a stick edger you walk with the spin of the blade and the deflector is designed for this, therefore shooting rocks are not very likely.

[landman]

We use Shindaiwa sticks, every crew has one on their trailer. The problem with wackers is especially in the hot months the edges sometimes burn up faster. If you weigh the options and you do alot of edging you will see that you would reduce the amount of wacker string you use. Usually a blade on a stick edger will last about 3 days for us, sometimes less depending on the application. we do alot of commercial buildings and apartment/condo complexs. (our biggest complex has about 20 miles of walks it usually take 2 blades per stick, each blade cost us .80 cents) now how much would wacker string cost not to mention how many times you would have to stop to reload the wacker. We also use the sticks to re edge bed areas and they alos come in handy in the places where those pesky juipers grow over curb and walks, try and cut them back with a wacker. And they save space on the trailer too.

[lamblawnscaping]

Landman,

Good point about the string. We too use shindiawa sticks, good power for the weight (LE260), the only thing I don't like is how much they clog when it is slightly wet, other than that they are great.

Walker,

Yes I would definately agree that it is more comfortable to use a stick edger.

Do all of you walk forward with your stick edgers? I find that when the edge is coming out over the sidewalk (new customers) it works better to go backwards.

[_GUNNER_8]

Originally posted by 65hoss
I guess I can offer the other suggestion. The new Stihl FC85 is awesome. I used it all last season with real good results. And in my area, bermuda grows over the sidewalks weekly. Stick edger made edging for me go much much faster.

Yeah Stihl only way to go in my book Hoss.:D

[_GUNNER_8]

Originally posted by walker-talker
LGF and anyone else using a string timmer for edging,

I am not going to debate the speed at which one can move, but I have this question. Would you agree that it is more comfortable use a stick edger than a line trimmer? With a stick edger you place most of the weight on the wheel, where as a string trimmer you are carrying ALL the weight. I would think your forearms would be sore as hell at the end of the day???

MATT

Maybe for 1st couple weeks Matt into season, but lol after that soreness should not be a problem, unless you don't trim much

[_GUNNER_8]

Originally posted by JEFF ZALMANOFF
HEY GF i had to rag you a little because you raged the other guy pretty good . gald you love your trimmer i like my stick edger .i used to use a mclane walk edger for new super over grown areas but after that i maintain them with a stick edger . i mow yards from a-quater of a acre to ten acre sites . if your cutting a lot of stuff bigger then that , get off than exmark and a get 100 hp tractor with batwing mower .have a great day . jeff

LOL anything over 10 acres you would use batwing? I'll put 3 ztr 60's and smoke it with a lot better cut, and ON TOP OF THAT NOT HAVE A FOURTH INTO EQUIPMENT!!!!!!!:D

[onboard2]

Ok,

I got the question. What stick edger is the lightest and the easiest to use and delivers a crisp edge comparable to an expertly
used string trimmer?


Thanks for all the replies.

[kenneth parsons]

Most of these guys are right! The Stihl FC85 is the baddest edger on the market. I could cut asphalt with it if I had to.

[naturescape]

Would you agree that it is more comfortable use a stick edger than a line trimmer? With a stick edger you place most of the weight on the wheel, where as a string trimmer you are carrying ALL the weight. I would think your forearms would be sore as hell at the end of the day???

If you use the trimmer with an Edgit, the weight is also supported by the ground. Also, the overall weight of the trimmer with Edgit is much less than a stick trimmer.

[Runner]

I guess what it mainly comes down to is how we define an "edge". I am able to keep walks clean with a string trimmer, but it is too time consuming and too much work to put a nice groove next to it, and still do a neat job. If there is a half inch of sod sticking out, and it's a quarter to a half inch deep, I'd like to know what kind of string some of you guys are using to cut through all that, especially if it's hard pack, and still do a nice job. Let's face it, steel is harder than nylon. I'll take my McClanes and my Stihl anyday.

[onboard2]

Well I thought I get back to you guys withe the results of my research in to stick edgers. Most people seem to prefer the Stihl FC85. MY dealer says the machine is the easiest to use and has the power neccesary to get the job done. He also claims it leaves the sharpest edge of any that he sells (shindiawa, echo,redmax. What do you think ?

[65hoss]

I agree. Its a bad az$ edger. I think you will love it.

[Tim Canavan]

Originally posted by Martino


And that is quicker than using a stick edger walking forward??? Sorry, don't buy it. I can pick out a lawn that has been "edged" with a trimmer at 100 paces. Brown, uneven edges, etc.

Hey Martino. Just because you think you are better walking foward, doesn't mean you are. Don't buy it if you don't want to. We all do things differently. Your way is not always the right way for someone else. I use an echo 2400 or 260 trimmer and there is not a thing wrong with my edges. Thanks for your imput, though. It's still nice to hear how other people do things, even when they are over-critical.:cool: