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10 Best Garden Scythes UK 2024

While everyone with a garden probably owns a trusty fork or shovel, not many people consider picking up a garden scythe, but they're actually one of the most useful tools for everyday gardening. Whether you want to trim a hedge, cut back some unruly bushes, or need to get into those hard to reach places around a patio, a scythe could really help you out.


Scythes nowadays aren't just those large items you imagine people used before lawnmowers or trimmers were invented. Now, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes under various names. While not technically scythes in the strictest sense, we've also included patio knives, brushing hooks and Irish slashers in our countdown of the best garden scythes available online from Amazon UK.

Last updated 27/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Garden Scythe in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick a Blade Type for the Job You Have In Mind
  2. Choose the Right Length and Weight to Avoid Hurting Yourself
1

Choose Between a Scythe, Patio Knife and Hook Depending on the Job You Have In Mind

Choose Between a Scythe, Patio Knife and Hook Depending on the Job You Have In Mind

There will be some purists who will notice that our recommendations below aren't all technically scythes. We've expanded our definition to include various types of blades that are curved and used for clearing away overgrown and unwieldy plants in a variety of environments.


  • Scythes are curved blades used to cut grass, wildflowers, and other crops. Traditionally, they are two-handed, but one-handed scythes, or sickles, have become much more common.

  • Patio Knives are, unsurprisingly, designed to clear away weeds and other plants that grow in between patio tiles and pavement slabs. These aren't often as sharp as other blades but are set at a right angle to give as much assistance as possible.

  • Hooks or slashers are the most commonly found scythe-like tool that is still regularly used today. Noticeable by their thick, sharp blade in a hook-like shape, these heavy-duty tools are used to cut through overgrown thickets, brambles, and branches.

Clear up your cut branches and grass with a handy garden fork!

2

Make Sure You Choose the Right Length and Weight to Avoid Hurting Yourself While Working

Make Sure You Choose the Right Length and Weight to Avoid Hurting Yourself While Working

When it comes to any hand tools, especially those that are sharp like scythes, it is important to consider the size and weight of the item to avoid any accidents while you're working. The average person shouldn't have much trouble with tools up to 1 kg when used with one hand or 2 kg with two.


In terms of length, you'll need to use two hands if the tool is over a meter, so if you prefer to only use one, make sure to opt for a scythe under one meter. It's important to note that you should only use tools you're confident in holding securely, especially when working with overhead branches and the tops of hedgerows.


Take a look at some garden hand tool sets if you spend lots of time in your garden or allotment.

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10 Best Garden Scythes in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Spear & Jackson

Razorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe 1

£23.98

Mid

A Lightweight, High-Quality Hand Scythe Suited for Wild Grass and Flowers

2

Spear & Jackson

Telescopic Patio Knife

Spear & Jackson Telescopic Patio Knife 1

£22.94

Mid

An Extendable Patio Knife With a Non-Slip Handle That’s Great for Paved Gardens

3

Gardena

Patio Weeder

Gardena Patio Weeder 1

£12.99

Low Mid

An Ergonomically-Friendly Patio Weeder With the Option of an Extended Handle

4

Spear & Jackson

Agricultural Staff Brushing Hook

Spear & Jackson Agricultural Staff Brushing Hook 1

£38.70

High Mid

A Durable and Hard Wearing Agricultural Tool for the Tougher Garden Tasks

5

Spear & Jackson

Patio Knife

Spear & Jackson Patio Knife 1

£10.99

Low

A Cheap and Affordable One-Handled Option to Prevent Future Patio Problems

6

PDL

Long Handle Brushing Tool

PDL Long Handle Brushing Tool 1

£36.99

High Mid

This Heavy-Duty Tool Weighing 2 kg Makes Quick Work of Stubborn Hedgerows

7

Ribiland

Bramble Cutter

Ribiland Bramble Cutter 1

£52.50

High Mid

A Strong and Weighty Bramble Cutter Perfect for Trimming Overgrown Bushes

8

Spear & Jackson

Agricultural Irish Hook

Spear & Jackson Agricultural Irish Hook 1

£18.31

Low Mid

A Powerful One-Handed Option Designed for Professionals and Farmers

9

Spear & Jackson

Irish Slasher

Spear & Jackson Irish Slasher 1

£43.49

High Mid

An Epoxy Coated Blade and Agricultural Grade From a Reliable Brand

10

Spear & Jackson

Agricultural Heavy Duty Single Brush Hook

Spear & Jackson Agricultural Heavy Duty Single Brush Hook 1

£43.49

High Mid

A Hard to Use but Effective Tool at Dealing With Thick Branches

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Spear & JacksonRazorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe

Razorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Razorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Razorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£23.98
Mid
Reference price
£23.98
Mid

A Lightweight, High-Quality Hand Scythe Suited for Wild Grass and Flowers

Spear & Jackson is the UK's premier garden tool manufacturer, selling high-quality equipment since 1760. This hand scythe is part of the Razorsharp range, featuring an ergonomic design and durable blade, and is one of the lighter and easily held scythes available.


It is perfect for trimming wild grass and flowers, making it a great purchase if you've dedicated space to rewilding or are working with pieces of land that become overgrown in spring. For safety reasons, the blade isn't sold sharp, so make sure to purchase a sharpening stone separately.

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No.2

Spear & JacksonTelescopic Patio Knife

Telescopic Patio Knife 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£22.94
Mid
Reference price
£22.94
Mid

An Extendable Patio Knife With a Non-Slip Handle That’s Great for Paved Gardens

Those of you with less green outdoor space may want to consider this Telescopic Patio Knife. If you're fed up with getting down on your hands and knees to try and pull out those pesky weeds, this tool is a great way to scrape away unwanted foliage from between the paving stones.


Featuring a non-slip grip and telescopic handle, this lightweight tool is easy to wield, making it a great option for those who find using more weightier tools difficult. This is a great choice for children doing chores or for the elderly who like to keep on top of their garden.

No.3

GardenaPatio Weeder

Patio Weeder 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Patio Weeder 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Patio Weeder 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Patio Weeder 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£12.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£12.99
Low Mid

An Ergonomically-Friendly Patio Weeder With the Option of an Extended Handle

This Patio Weeder from Gardena is part of its combisystem range, meaning you can attach the head to a longer handle (sold separately) if you desire. The ergonomically shaped handle will serve you well, though, if you choose to use it as it comes.


If you own any other Gardena combi system tools, then this is a no-brainer, and even if you don't, this is a quality tool for the price. Whether you're taking your first steps into the combi system world or just need something to clear your paving areas, this one is well worth picking up.

No.4

Spear & JacksonAgricultural Staff Brushing Hook

Agricultural Staff Brushing Hook 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Agricultural Staff Brushing Hook 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£38.70
High Mid
Reference price
£38.70
High Mid

A Durable and Hard Wearing Agricultural Tool for the Tougher Garden Tasks

Spear & Jackson's agricultural range is designed to be tough and hard-wearing for everyday use in a farming or agricultural environment. The long brushing hook is perfect for dense hedges and thick branches that a more garden-focussed tool might struggle with.


As an industrial-grade tool, it's worth noting its length and weight may make it difficult for the average person to wield if they haven't had much practise using a similar tool. But, if you're able to use it, you'll find it an effective and long-lasting piece of equipment.

No.5

Spear & JacksonPatio Knife

Patio Knife 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Patio Knife 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.99
Low
Reference price
£10.99
Low

A Cheap and Affordable One-Handled Option to Prevent Future Patio Problems

This small, one-handed patio knife from Spear & Jackson is an affordable and reliable option if you don't mind getting down and dirty to scrape away the weeds and soil between the patio slabs! The ergonomic handle also has a soft grip and is tanged to avoid grazed knuckles.


If you don't keep on top of the plants growing between the cracks, you can quickly find your patio is uneven and disjointed as roots spread and soil is displaced. A quick session with the patio knife once a week in the spring and summer months is well worth the effort.

No.6

PDLLong Handle Brushing Tool

Long Handle Brushing Tool 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Long Handle Brushing Tool 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Long Handle Brushing Tool 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£36.99
High Mid
Reference price
£36.99
High Mid

This Heavy-Duty Tool Weighing 2 kg Makes Quick Work of Stubborn Hedgerows

If you're looking for a heavyweight tool to cut back bushes and hedgerows, you may want to consider this brushing tool from PDL. It will have no problem clearing thickets and will make quick work of stubborn undergrowths.


The long handle makes it great for those hard to reach places but, combined with its 2 kg weight, can also make it quite unwieldy for those who aren't used to using heavy-duty tools. Trust us when we say this will give you a serious workout, and you will tire easily if you're not used to it!

No.7

RibilandBramble Cutter

Bramble Cutter 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£52.50
High Mid
Reference price
£52.50
High Mid

A Strong and Weighty Bramble Cutter Perfect for Trimming Overgrown Bushes

Ribiland's Bramble Cutter is, unsurprisingly, designed with the sole purpose of slashing through those difficult brambles. As a single-handed tool, it's fairly weighty without being too heavy, allowing you to cleave through those unruly hedges.


The main drawbacks are its singular focus and relatively high price tag, but if you're in the market for something durable to tackle those overgrown brambles in the back garden, it very much does what it sets out to do.

No.8

Spear & JacksonAgricultural Irish Hook

Agricultural Irish Hook 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Agricultural Irish Hook 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£18.31
Low Mid
Reference price
£18.31
Low Mid

A Powerful One-Handed Option Designed for Professionals and Farmers

Like the rest of Spear & Jackson's Agricultural range, this Irish Hook is designed for use on a farm or professional agricultural or landscaping environment. This one-handed scythe is a powerful and weighty option at a very reasonable price point.


The item does require sharpening before use, and we'd recommend using a sharpening wheel if you have access to one, meaning it's not really one for the garden or allotment. If you work on the land, however, this is well worth the small investment.

No.9

Spear & JacksonIrish Slasher

Irish Slasher 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Irish Slasher 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£43.49
High Mid
Reference price
£43.49
High Mid

An Epoxy Coated Blade and Agricultural Grade From a Reliable Brand

Similar to the PDL Brushing Tool, this Irish Slasher from Spear & Jackson is best suited to clearing brush thickets and stubborn undergrowths. The epoxy-coated blade also means that it won't have any issues with the elements.


Unfortunately, a number of customers have reported broken handles when they go to use it, and while this could be down to user error, it's definitely something to consider. In our opinion, Spear & Jackson's reputation for quality and reliability is well earned.

No.10

Spear & JacksonAgricultural Heavy Duty Single Brush Hook

Agricultural Heavy Duty Single Brush Hook 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Agricultural Heavy Duty Single Brush Hook 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£43.49
High Mid
Reference price
£43.49
High Mid

A Hard to Use but Effective Tool at Dealing With Thick Branches

We've taken a few liberties with the definition of a scythe, and this Brush Hook might be the least scythe-like on our list, but it is a fantastic tool in the right hands. It also features a powder-coated carbon steel blade, meaning that it should stay rust-free, even when stored in a damp environment.


The long handle and stout blade make it a difficult tool to use, more so than many of the other longer and heavier options on our list, but it's one that will have little trouble with even the thickest branches

Top 5 Garden Scythes

No. 1: Spear & JacksonRazorsharp Little Giant Grass Scythe

No. 2: Spear & JacksonTelescopic Patio Knife

No. 3: GardenaPatio Weeder

No. 4: Spear & JacksonAgricultural Staff Brushing Hook

No. 5: Spear & JacksonPatio Knife

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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