Bow Rake vs Leaf Rake: Which Do You Need?
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
DIYPicks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of home-improvement retailers, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations.
Bully Tools 16 in. Bow Rake, Fiberglass Handle (92309)
A heavy-duty American-made bow rake for leveling soil, spreading gravel or mulch and breaking clumps, its rigid 10-gauge steel head and over-welded tines surviving hard prying. Keep in mind it is a soil tool, not a leaf tool: the rigid tines snag turf, it is heavier and pricier than homeowner rakes, and the stiff head tires you on large jobs.
| Type | Bow / ground rake |
|---|---|
| Head width | 16 in |
| Tines | 16 rigid steel tines, 10-gauge head |
| Handle | Fiberglass, 58 in |
| Best for | Leveling soil and spreading gravel or mulch |
Fiskars 24 in. Poly Leaf Rake (29-Tine)
A wide, light 24-inch poly fan rake, the default for clearing dry leaves and grass clippings off open lawns; its 29 flexible resin tines flex over bumps without gouging turf, backed by a lifetime warranty. Where it falls short: poly lacks steel's bite on wet, matted leaves, the broad head won't fit tight beds, and the tines splay under pressure.
| Type | Leaf / fan rake |
|---|---|
| Head width | 24 in |
| Tines | 29 flexible poly (resin) tines |
| Handle | Aluminum, ~60 in |
| Best for | Raking leaves & clippings across open lawns |
Our verdict
These are not competitors; they do opposite jobs. A bow rake like the Bully Tools has rigid steel tines on a stiff head for moving material: leveling soil, spreading gravel or mulch, and breaking clumps. A leaf rake like the Fiskars has a wide fan of flexible tines that glide over turf to gather leaves and clippings without gouging it. Use the bow rake to shape the ground and the leaf rake to clean up what is on top of it. Most yards need one of each rather than a choice between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you rake leaves with a bow rake?
- Badly. Rigid steel tines snag the lawn and do not gather — they are for moving material, not sweeping it. A wide fan of flexible poly tines glides over turf without gouging, which is what leaf work needs.
- What is a bow rake actually for?
- Leveling soil, spreading gravel or mulch and breaking clumps. Its 10-gauge steel head does not flex under that load, and over-welded tine connections plus a fiberglass handle survive prying.
- Do you need both rakes?
- If you both garden and have trees, yes — they do opposite jobs and neither substitutes for the other. Buy the leaf rake first if your yard is mostly lawn and leaves.
- What are the weak points of each?
- The bow rake is heavier and pricier than a homeowner-grade version, and a stiff 16 in head gets tiring over big grading jobs. The leaf rake's poly tines lack bite on matted wet leaves or thatch, its 24 in head is too wide for tight beds, and the tines splay if you lever hard with them.