Dethatching Rake vs Bow Rake: What's the Difference?
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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Gardena combisystem Cutter/Dethatching Rake Head (3392-20)
A proper hand dethatching rake head that cuts moss and thatch a fan rake skims over, then flips to its rounded side to rake out the debris, with rust-resistant galvanized steel. Catches: it is a head only, so you must add a combisystem handle first; the 14-inch width makes whole-lawn work slow; and aggressive tines can tear turf if you dig too deep.
| Type | Dethatching / cutting rake head |
|---|---|
| Head width | 14 in (35 cm) |
| Tines | Galvanized steel; pointed cutting side + rounded raking side |
| Handle | Sold separately (combisystem handle) |
| Best for | Cutting moss and thatch out of lawns by hand |
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 |
Our verdict
Both have stiff steel heads, but they work at different depths and for different reasons. A dethatching rake like the Gardena cutter has thin, sharp tines designed to slice down into the lawn and rip out moss and dead thatch, then flip to a rounded side to rake the debris up. A bow rake like the Bully Tools rides on top of bare soil to level, grade, and spread gravel or mulch, and its blunt rigid tines would tear turf if you dragged them through a lawn. Choose the dethatcher to rejuvenate an existing lawn, and the bow rake to prepare or shape open ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a dethatching rake do that a bow rake cannot?
- It cuts. Thin, sharp tines slice down into the lawn and rip out moss and dead thatch, then the head flips to a rounded side to rake the loosened debris up. A bow rake's rigid tines ride on top and only move material.
- Can dethatching damage a lawn?
- Yes, if you scratch in too deep — the aggressive tines tear healthy turf as readily as thatch. Work at a depth that pulls debris without lifting live grass.
- How long does dethatching a whole lawn take by hand?
- Longer than most people expect. A 14 in head makes whole-lawn work slow, sweaty going, which is why powered dethatchers exist for bigger yards.
- Is the Gardena head ready to use out of the box?
- No — it is a head only and needs a combisystem handle bought separately. Its galvanized, duroplast-coated steel does resist rust season to season once you have it assembled.