Trimmer blades vs. string

If your backyard is filled with weeds and overgrown bushes then you understand how it can become an eyesore – especially when hosting guests. Weeds not only overrun your backyard so that you do not have space for hosting your favorite barbecues, but they are breeding grounds for a host of pests and insects.

Gardening is not one of the best tasks to engage in – especially when you do not have the right tools. For most people it is quite a challenge getting the difference between a trimmer blades and string.

What is the key difference between trimmer blades and string?

One key difference between these two is that a string cutter uses a nylon string/line to cut through weeds while a brush cutter uses a metal blade. Due to the nature of the cutting materials, these two machines are used for varying purposes. For the trimmer you can use it for weed and grass cutting while the brush cutter extends to more heavy duty cutting like those of shrubs, small trees, and thick bushes.

String trimmers

The string trimmers can be powered through batteries/electric cords or gas. The electric corded ones means you need a socket to plug in the trimmer, which means you have to trim a surface area that is very close to the power source. The battery powered one allows you to move more as you are not limited by the electrical cords but come with the drawback of needing battery recharge. The electric powered trimmers are affordable and require less maintenance. They are ideal for small backyard lawns.

You can also purchase a string trimmer that is gas powered. These are either 2-cycle or 4-cycle. These allow you to cover a larger surface area but they tend to be costlier than the electric ones. The gas powered trimmers are more powerful than the electric ones.

The main purpose of a trimmer is to get rid of weeds where the lawn mower can’t reach. This makes them perfect for trimming along decks, fences or the edges of the house.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to operate
• Available as gas or electric
• Can be used to trim weeds in had to reach places
• Requires little maintenance

Cons

The line easily snaps and at times sends small rocks flying like projectiles

Brush cutter

The brush cutter is a sort of upgrade to the trimmer as it uses a metal blade instead of a nylon string like that in a trimmer. This enables it to work on more stubborn weeds and bigger shrubs that one could not cut with the string trimmer. The brush cutter can either be gas powered (2 or 4-stroke engine) or electric powered (with cord or battery operated). The benefits of the brush cutter besides being used for more heavy duty work is that you can interchange the blades depending on the type of work you are engaged in. The drawback is that having a blade means you need to be more cautious with safety.

The brush cutters can also be one or two handed. The one handed cutter comes with a loop handle while the two handed brush cutter resembles a bull horn. The two handed cutter is ideal for heavy duty cutting.

Brush cutters tend to be more expensive than the string trimmers but they do last longer and perform better.

Pros

• Allows you to cut through thick weed stems and bushes
• Interchangeable heads allows cutter to be adjusted depending on task
• The metal blade is durable and does not need frequent changing
• Usable in areas where the lawnmower will not access

Cons

A bit cumbersome to use in large areas

Which is best for you?

The brush cutter will cut through dense and thick bushes. It is highly a highly versatile machine due to its interchangeable blades but if the area is very large it is cumbersome to use. Such areas are where you use your lawnmower. The brush cutter is also very exhausting to use as your body weight supports the machine. This means you will need to constantly check your posture for back pains after extensive use. The metal cutter also pose serious safety concerns should you accidently find yourself on its path.

If you just need to clear areas around your fence or house then go with the string trimmer. A gas powered string trimmer is sufficient to cover an area of half an acre. It is also quite budget friendly and does not require extensive maintenance.

The types of undergrowth on your yard will largely determine the kind of machine to go for. Budget should also be a consideration as we have trimmers running from as low as $50 to over $200. Whether you get an electric cord trimmer or the gas powered ones will be determined by how close you are to a socket.

So, if budget is a factor in your choice then go with a low cost string trimmer for just $30. If you have more undergrowth then consider brush cutter.