Hand tool for tall weeds?

[eigoya]

Tired of fixing weed eater. Want a scyth-like tool to bring down what are now 1-2 foot grasses/weeds. Bought one years ago with wavy edges, not sickle-shaped, but it wasn't so great. Are these tools sharp enough out of the shop? Any recommendations?

[1voyager1]

I picked up from HD a Ryobi 4 cycle power head with the string trimmer, brush cutter, and tiller attachments.
I was skeptical as to how durable it would be when I bought it.
As it came with a 3 year warranty, I figured it was worth trying.
In the year that I've been using it now, I've come to respect it.
I agree, the string trimmer is almost useless except to trim lawn from around the house slab and walkway edges.
The brush cutter attachment works nicely on the larger weeds and ferns.
It just is not big enough to work quickly through large areas of weeds and ferns.
The ground is too uneven for a larger wheeled brush cutter.

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When I tire of the brush cutter I grab a long handled spade and swing it through the weeds and ferns.
Surprisingly enough, it is actually a bit faster than the power brush cutter in knocking down the ferns.
Then, I go back through with the brush cutter trimming and smoothing it down to ground level.
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Plus, the tiller attachment is good for mixing and making soil in a prepared area.
But, it jambs up if there are larger stones mixed into what your tilling.

[eigoya]

Thanks. Will look. Sears didn't have anything

[kalakoa]

Sears is a showroom for crappy merchandise that's never in stock.

In any case, I've found that it takes two trimmers:

- 25cc with string, for maintenance
- 40cc with blade, for clearing

The latter will cut canegrass and waiwi saplings, no problem.

[rainyjim]

I have been wanting to try some sort of chain / wire cable in place of the string on my wacker

Anyone have any experience with this?

[rbrgs]

Garden Exchange has scythes. Once you learn how to use one (swing, don't hack), it's an awesome tool.

[Seeb]

I have a scythe I'll sell, curved aluminum handle Bush and weed blade $50

[eigoya]

Not that coordinated I'm selling mine, too. Offers?

[Tink]

Yeah, they say "swing it like a golf club". OK, fine. That's if you have bowling ball flat ground. Otherwise every other hump in elevation becomes a solid golf ball that stops your swing dead and another divot in the blade from my humbling experience. Changed over to a Husqvarna 225L ( .9HP) 12 years or so ago and it's been my dependable garden pal since.

Community begins with Aloha

[1voyager1]

quote:

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Originally posted by rainyjim

I have been wanting to try some sort of chain / wire cable in place of the string on my wacker

Anyone have any experience with this?

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I see a great potential for shrapnel injuries with those.

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

Sears is a showroom for crappy merchandise that's never in stock.

In any case, I've found that it takes two trimmers:

- 25cc with string, for maintenance
- 40cc with blade, for clearing

The latter will cut canegrass and waiwi saplings, no problem.

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Agreed on the Sears assessment.

What's nice about the Ryobi is:
1.
It is 4 cycle, no mixing gas and oil and should be more durable than a 2 cycle.
2.
The string trimmer, steel bladed brush cutter, and tiller are all attachments for 1 power head. You do not have to buy and maintain 2 or more power tools and their engines.