When it comes to garden rakes, we’re biased. That might require a larger up-front investment, but it pays off in performance (and, we think, in the long term cost).
Leaf Rakes
Leaf Rakes require strong tensile tines that gather rather than stab leaves.
This could be the Rolls Royce of garden rakes. The Sneeboer Leaf Rake has an ash handle that’s just the right diameter to grip comfortably, laid on a stainless steel core and secured with two brass rivets.
Inspired by the design of a traditional hay rake, a large Wooden Rake has tines that work equally as well on leaves and gravel; £16 from Garden Trading.
The Burgon & Ball Leaf Rake with close set round tines has a long FSC Ash handle and a stainless steel head is £29.95.
The Wolf-Garten Tine Leaf Rake has 22 hardened-steel tines fashioned in a barrel shape to capture all leaves in its path; $28.49 from BlueStone Gardens.
A good alternative choice for tight budgets is a Flexrake Classic 24-in Leaf Rake with a 48-inch oak handle; $15.98 from Amazon.
Garden Rakes
Garden rakes feature fixed rather than flexible tines and are made for heavy duty use to remove debris and rocks from soil, to level garden beds, and to prepare soil for plants.
Sneeboer’s 10-Tine Garden Rake is hand-forged of stainless steel with sharp but tough tines and fitted with an ash hardwood handle.
The head of the DeWit Tools Bow Rake is forged of burnished carbon steel and bolted through the 63.5-inch long Ash hardwood handle.
Not only is the copper head of the Perseus Long Handled Rake stunning, it is also naturally rust-proof and stays sharp over time.
The stainless steel head of the Burgon & Ball Ground Rake has bow shaped supports that add spring and give a flexible action; £29.95 at Burgon & Ball.
The Fiskars Aluminum Garden Rake features 14 hardened steel tines and a lightweight aluminum shaft with a soft grip handle.
Our budget choice is the Corona Bow Head Rake with a tempered head and an ash wood handle; $28.56 at Corona Tools.