Good to know. My old Stihl is starting to show its age...

 

On the good you forgot to mention------Blades last longer because it turns less than half the speed of the curved, [but this one of the reasons the cut is not as crisp]

On the bad I feel you forgot to mention---------because the way the edger gearbox is set up it is harder to get in some tight areas and some areas that the curved will get the straight will not.

The gator style edger blades will help the cut and clean out the trench, downside is the cost. I ordered a box of 50 from express mower parts but they were still over double of the regular.

I have the 90 and 95 and use both of them it really depends on what the situation is. I have a apartment complex that I generally always use the 95 on because I do not get the shimmy/shakes in tough areas and I can just use one blade. On the 90 I will have to change blades before I am through but I need about a 1.5 tanks of fuel on both.

I have been real interested in the Redmax straight shaft, but I cannot find out the blade RPM's on these, and yes I have left a E-Mail on their website twice asking about this.

 

I had basically all the same problems thast you described when I used to use a KM-90R with straight shaft edger attachment(same engine your edger has). I love Stihl but the straight shaft edgers are crap IMO. The main problem with me was exactly what you describe, it digs a trench but doesn't trim the grass. I switched to a FC 90 over a year ago and it is much better. Lighter, easier to use, and leaves a razor sharp perfectly straight edge.

 

We've got the FS110R 4mix with an edger attachment.

Took awhile for me to learn how to properly use it. That flap actually helps when I'm edging sidewalks that haven't seen an edger for some time. What I do is go forward about one stride's worth, then pull it back and work it back and forth. You'll probably have to get down and pull the edged sod away too, especially if it's overgrown.

I've got an account that I edge that is combined over 1 mile and it has been working flawlessly for almost two seasons.

 

i agree on all counts-mine only comes out for tough jobs

 

Here's a pic of the unmodified head.

Here's the modded head.

I also unshrouded the choke knob. That was a pain having to reach in there to turn the choke.

Are these new "ergonomically" designed and safety minded offerings from Stihl getting to be a bit much? It reminds me of a mower company that's gone over the top on stuff like this (think red).

 

Here's a pic of the unmodified head.

Here's the modded head.

I also unshrouded the choke knob. That was a pain having to reach in there to turn the choke.

Are these new "ergonomically" designed and safety minded offerings from Stihl getting to be a bit much? It reminds me of a mower company that's gone over the top on stuff like this (think red).

removing the strip's a good idea. old post but gotta do something with mine, had enough of that flap after yesterday. was thinking of cutting a vertical slit through the metal up into the mud flap. something so it will give enough and be able to push out of the way (with the receded sidewalks). while i'm at might as well cut the shroud. richard, good post, thanks for the idea's.

 

So The Fc-90 is better oh no? I hear mixed reviews for the straight and curved. I am looking for one that cuts and you do not have to trim over it after edging (right the first time) and ease of use being my first one. I was a trimmer guy going to give an edger a shot. I am pretty sure I will love it though. Thanks for any help/advice. Plus I hear the 95 is $429 and the 90 is $359+tax. There any reliability issues or dependability issues between the two? Right now swaying towards the Fc-90. Thanks.

 

So The Fc-90 is better oh no? I hear mixed reviews for the straight and curved. I am looking for one that cuts and you do not have to trim over it after edging (right the first time) and ease of use being my first one. I was a trimmer guy going to give an edger a shot. I am pretty sure I will love it though. Thanks for any help/advice. Plus I hear the 95 is $429 and the 90 is $359+tax. There any reliability issues or dependability issues between the two? Right now swaying towards the Fc-90. Thanks.

Neither edger is better than the other. They are the same edger except for the shaft and gear case. They do leave 2 different results. The curved shaft is better for weekly work since it spins the blade so much faster. The straight shaft is good for more over grown work. I prefer the curved shaft and have since this review was done, put the curved shaft on my FC95.

 

I love my FC75....hate to even think about having to replace it....LOL

 

I love my FC75....hate to even think about having to replace it....LOL

And you aren't a home owner correct? Just seeing that it was plenty of power for the commercial user/professional. What is the difference in price?

Th curved is easier to edge with? Also, will the 90 handle overgrown stuff too, but the 95 would do better?
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Th curved is easier to edge with? Also, will the 90 handle overgrown stuff too, but the 95 would do better?

I just answered this question not 2 hours ago.

 

Since I don't use edgers much I took the edger head off and put on a trimmer head so now I have an FC 95 string trimmer, it works a lot like the FS100.

 

Since I don't use edgers much I took the edger head off and put on a trimmer head so now I have an FC 95 string trimmer, it works a lot like the FS100.

Being that it is the exact same engine, it would be the exact same thing and work exactly like the FS90R .:hammerhead:

The FS100RX has the same engine as the FS110. Both are more powerful than the 90/95.

 

I did the same thing as herler just to "demo" Stihl's 4 stroke trimmer. I don't now own one and unless they make some major weight reductions in the power head, I will never own one.

 

I love my km130 with the straight shaft edger but it is very heavy. If it weren't for the strap i would not want to use it.. But it did a great job cutting the overgrown edges that i have done with it so far.. Just got it 2 weeks ago.. I actually prefer the 4 mix over my old stihl, they definitly increased the weight though.

 

I've never owned a stick edger. So why is weight such a big deal if it is riding on a wheel most of the time?

 

I've never owned a stick edger. So why is weight such a big deal if it is riding on a wheel most of the time?

It's actually a good thing....in the cut, but if you have to carry it across a large parking lot from island to island or some such, the weight could come into play.

However, They aren't that heavy. If you're fit enough to do this work, then you're fit enough to carry one around IMO.

 

I've never owned a stick edger. So why is weight such a big deal if it is riding on a wheel most of the time?

That powerhead in an edger is no big deal. I'll use to edge about 950 or so times this year alone. I do it one handed a lot of times.

I do believe that powerhead is too heavy for me to use in a trimmer. I've always liked lighter trimmers.

BTW, I took the wheel off of my edger.

 

And you aren't a home owner correct? Just seeing that it was plenty of power for the commercial user/professional. What is the difference in price?

Th curved is easier to edge with? Also, will the 90 handle overgrown stuff too, but the 95 would do better?
Posted via Mobile Device

Nope, not a homeowner. I have been using that FC75 and running it HARD (for a solo op anyways) since I got it. I bought it used, so I have NO idea how many hours total that thing has on it, but it screams, and creates a good edge. Agreed, it doesn't have as much power to create a new edge on overgrown stuff, but its great to maintain an edge.

 

Nope, not a homeowner. I have been using that FC75 and running it HARD (for a solo op anyways) since I got it. I bought it used, so I have NO idea how many hours total that thing has on it, but it screams, and creates a good edge. Agreed, it doesn't have as much power to create a new edge on overgrown stuff, but its great to maintain an edge.

Thank you sir. Didn't mean to offend you if so. It was just an application factor I was looking at. I actually got tired of overgrown stuff not looking to well and bought the fc 90. I'm sure I will like it. I better because I am stuck with it now.
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Now take it easy one me. I just got the edger and is my very first one at that. I only have 2 days of use alternating in and out with an employee, so I don't exactly know how to use it though it is pretty straight forward. I may just need some practice. Do you guys always use the edger on sidewalks etc. or do you one time and usually use the trimmer after that? I get hit less edging with it that is for sure. Also, how long is the standard life of a blade and how do you know when to change them? The pic with the bermuda and stone house only wanted the basics (notice the hedges/shrubs need trimming), so it doesn't look as good. Plus they had a bag or and tarp on the driveway (black object). Both stone house pics are after only because the before cannot really tell it is creeping over.

 

Looks good bro. I like to use the stick edger more than the trimmer, especially on cement edges. The trimmer is better along pavement edges which are generally not very uniform and/or straight.

 

I use my edger every week. Bermuda and Centipede grow sideways more than they grow up.

 

Looks good bro. I like to use the stick edger more than the trimmer, especially on cement edges. The trimmer is better along pavement edges which are generally not very uniform and/or straight.

Agreed, it looks good. I also agree with the statement on pavement edges. Use the edger whenever possible. I believe they give better (and straighter edges) that look more finished. I can usually tell when the blade needs to be be changed on my FC75 because the RPMs are higher on the engine. You can also tell because you aren't digging in as deep, and doesn't make as clean of an edge.

How long they last depends on a lot of factors, so its hard to answer that one. I have changed mine about once every three weeks, to a month this year.