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251 of 256 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine Product, April 23, 2001
By A Customer
The B&D Edge Hog is a fine product. My results with it have been excellent.Overall, the price, was attractive. The other option I considered was a gas edger. They are more priceyfrom Sears. Even more options are using a shovel or a hand edger wheel, or not doing any edging at all. The shovel is not such a bad option for someone who has plenty of time and muscle, but either does not want to buy an edger, or does not like technology. The included instructions were sub-standard. They do not give any useful information, and include no photographs. I would call them "Don't jump into a pool with the edger running" instructions. Despite the poor instructions, I found the device itself powerful, and easy to use. The drop-down guide was very helpful in following the sidewalk and curb of my suberban home. I found that the suggested setting of one inch was not good, as the turf itself was thicker than that, above the sidewalk, where it had overgrown for many years. Using one of the deeper settings was better, in that the guide was able to contact the edge of the sidewalk at this setting. One of the few suggestions in the instructions was to start the motor, then set it into the work. This made no sense, as was not practical. The best way to get started is to use a shovel to find the true edge of the sidewalk, and edge about six inches by hand. Then, using this area to get the guide started, follow along the edge of the sidewalk. After you have gone about one hundred feet, you get the hang of it. You want to keep pressure against the guide so that the unit sparks just a little on the first pass. Otherwise, it may wander off the line. Once you have made the first cut of the season, it is then much easier to edge. After you have cut your line, you will need the shovel to clean up, as there will be effectively sod which you have cut. It may be three or six inches wide, and you could consider transplanting it to a bare spot. After you remove the "sod," you would normally use a blower or pushbroom to clean up what's left. Then, you could consider a pressure washing of the sidewalk, as there will be dirt under the sod on the concrete. Myself, I used a $5 sweeper nozzle, which was highly effective. After finishing the job, I checked my work against my neighbor's, who had purchased a Sears gas edger the same day. I thought the B&D cut a closer line. I don't think the Sears has a guide at all. He said there wasn't one, and I didn't see one. He doesn't like dealing with a cord, and has gas blower and string trimmer, too. Myself, I find the B&D much less expensive, easier to start, smaller and lighter to store, and with less risk from the toxic, highly flammable fuel at my home. This experience was somewhat colored by the burn I got on my hand when I borrowed my neighbors gas roto-tiller and leaned my palm on the hot muffler. The whole yard has a much better look. The place looked so neat after I edged it, that my neighbor came over and used his yard blower to clean up some grass I'd left on the sidewalk using my string trimmer, to help retain the look. That's how neat the finish is on the lawn. Yes, I've discovered that it is entirely possible to spend the entire weekend mowing the lawn.
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