Edging Irons

About Edging Irons

An edging iron is an essential garden tool designed to create and maintain crisp, professional-looking borders between your lawn and other garden features such as flower beds, pathways, patios, and driveways. Also known as lawn edgers or edging knives, these simple yet effective tools help transform an overgrown, untidy lawn edge into a sharply defined border that dramatically improves your garden's overall appearance. Whether you're a professional landscape gardener, groundskeeper, or passionate home gardener, a quality edging iron is indispensable for achieving that well-manicured finish.

Our comprehensive range includes traditional manual edging irons from trusted brands such as Spear and Jackson, Faithfull, Draper, and Bulldog. You'll find models crafted from durable carbon steel for everyday use, premium stainless steel versions that resist rust and require minimal maintenance, and specialist designs including serrated blades for tackling tough, compacted ground. Many feature comfortable ash or hardwood handles that provide excellent grip and leverage, whilst some incorporate foot treads for easier penetration into harder soil. We also stock modular systems like the Gardena COMBISYSTEM and Wolf-Garten multi-change tools, which allow you to use a single handle with multiple garden tool heads.

Whether you're creating new borders from scratch, re-cutting existing edges that have become overgrown, or maintaining pristine lawn boundaries as part of regular garden upkeep, selecting the right edging iron will make the task considerably easier and deliver superior results that last throughout the growing season.

Jargon Buster

• Half-Moon Edger: The traditional crescent or half-moon shaped blade design, which is the most common type of edging iron. The curved blade allows for a rocking motion that cuts through turf and roots efficiently.
• Carbon Steel Blade: A robust, affordable blade material that holds a sharp edge well and is ideal for regular garden maintenance. Requires occasional cleaning and oiling to prevent rust, particularly during wet British weather.
• Stainless Steel Blade: A premium blade material that offers excellent corrosion resistance, requiring less maintenance than carbon steel. Particularly suited to damp conditions and professional users who need long-lasting performance.
• Foot Tread: A rolled or stepped edge at the top of the blade where you place your foot to drive the edging iron into the ground. This feature provides better leverage and reduces foot fatigue during extended use.
• Multi-Change System: Modular tool systems (such as Wolf-Garten or Gardena COMBISYSTEM) where interchangeable heads attach to a single handle, reducing storage space and overall cost when building a garden tool collection.
• Serrated Edge: A toothed blade design that cuts through tough, compacted soil and established root systems more effectively than a straight edge, particularly useful for creating new borders or tackling neglected lawn edges.

Who Uses Edging Irons?

• Landscape Gardeners: Professional landscapers use edging irons daily to deliver crisp, clean finishes on commercial and domestic projects
• Groundskeepers and Greenkeepers: Maintenance staff responsible for parks, sports grounds, golf courses, and public spaces rely on quality edging tools for pristine presentation
• Garden Maintenance Contractors: Regular lawn care services use edging irons as part of comprehensive garden maintenance packages
• Local Authority Ground Staff: Council workers maintaining public green spaces, verges, and communal gardens
• Estates and Facilities Management: Those responsible for maintaining corporate grounds, housing estates, and institutional gardens
• Keen Gardeners and DIY Enthusiasts: Homeowners who take pride in their garden's appearance and want professional-looking results
• Allotment Holders: Plot holders creating defined pathways and borders between growing areas

How to Choose the Right Edging Irons

Blade Material: Carbon steel edging irons from brands like Spear and Jackson offer excellent value and performance for regular domestic use, holding a sharp edge that cuts cleanly through turf. For professional users or those seeking minimal maintenance, stainless steel options from Faithfull Prestige or Kew Gardens resist corrosion even in damp conditions and clean up easily after use.

Handle Type and Length: Traditional ash or hardwood handles provide durability, comfortable grip, and good shock absorption when working on hard ground. Standard handle lengths typically range from 950mm to 1000mm, which suits most users, though you should consider your height and the scale of work involved. Some users prefer shorter handles for precise control in smaller gardens, whilst longer handles reduce bending on larger properties.

Blade Design: The classic half-moon shape works well for most applications, providing an effective cutting action with a rocking motion. If you're creating new borders through established turf or working with clay-heavy soil, consider a serrated edging iron like the Roughneck model, which cuts through tough ground more aggressively. For general lawn edge maintenance, a straight-edged blade provides the cleanest cut.

Foot Tread: A rolled or stepped tread at the top of the blade is essential for comfortable, efficient use, allowing you to apply downward force without discomfort. This feature is particularly important for professional users or anyone tackling larger areas where foot fatigue becomes a consideration.

Multi-Change Systems: If you're building a comprehensive garden tool collection, consider investing in a multi-change system from Wolf-Garten or Gardena COMBISYSTEM. These allow you to purchase just the edging iron head and use it with a single handle shared across multiple garden tools, saving both money and storage space in your shed or van.

Professional vs Domestic Use: For occasional domestic use, entry-level models from Draper or Faithfull Essentials deliver perfectly adequate performance. Professional landscapers and groundskeepers should consider premium ranges such as Spear and Jackson Neverbend, Faithfull Prestige, or Bulldog Evergreen, which offer enhanced durability and backed by manufacturers with proven reputations in the professional sector.

Popular Accessories

• Long-Handled Lawn Shears: Perfect for trimming grass edges after cutting with your edging iron, providing a neat, finished appearance
• Border Forks and Spades: Useful for removing cut turf sections and debris after edging, and for preparing new border areas
• Garden Kneelers and Knee Pads: Provide comfort when working at ground level to achieve perfectly straight edges and inspect your work
• Spirit Levels and String Lines: Essential for marking out straight edges and ensuring consistent border lines, particularly when creating new lawn boundaries
• Tool Maintenance Products: Sharpening stones, wire brushes, and protective oils to keep carbon steel blades in optimal condition
• Garden Tool Storage Solutions: Wall-mounted racks or tool organisers to protect your edging iron and keep it readily accessible
• Wheelbarrows or Garden Trugs: For collecting and removing cut turf and debris from freshly edged borders

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an edging iron and a half-moon edger?

These terms refer to the same tool. "Edging iron" is the general name, whilst "half-moon edger" specifically describes the traditional crescent-shaped blade design that most edging irons feature. Some people also call them lawn edgers or edging knives.

Should I choose carbon steel or stainless steel?

Carbon steel edging irons are more affordable and hold a sharp edge excellently, making them ideal for regular domestic use. However, they require cleaning and occasional oiling to prevent rust. Stainless steel models cost more initially but resist corrosion naturally, require less maintenance, and are preferred by professionals who use them frequently in all weather conditions.

How often should I edge my lawn?

For maintaining existing edges, most gardeners edge their lawns every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (April to September in the UK). Professional landscapers working on high-maintenance properties may edge fortnightly. Well-maintained edges require less effort than neglected ones, so regular light maintenance is more efficient than infrequent heavy work.

Can I use an edging iron on all soil types?

Standard edging irons work well on most soil types, though technique varies. Sandy or loamy soils are easiest to cut through. Clay soils and compacted ground require more force and benefit from a serrated blade design. Very dry, hard ground is best edged after rainfall or watering, when soil is slightly moist and more workable.

Do I need different tools for creating new edges versus maintaining existing ones?

The same edging iron can perform both tasks, though creating new edges through established turf requires more effort. A serrated blade design helps when cutting through virgin ground, whilst a standard blade maintains existing edges perfectly. Many professionals keep both types available, selecting the most appropriate tool for each specific job.