Weeds are very stubborn and make their way even through rough terrain. Even if you have finely grouted the garden or terrace slabs, the green growth will still come through after a while. You can remove them with a sharp grout scraper. But such a device also helps against moss and dirt. In our guide you can read which joint cleaners are recommended and what you should pay particular attention to when buying.
Stubborn weeds can also be removed with a joint scraper
Our recommendations
our recommendation
WOLF-Garten - joint scraper KF-2K; 2729000
11.19 EUR To the product| material | Metal, plastic |
|---|---|
| blade | very narrow (1 mm), sharp |
| Handle | ergonomic plastic handle |
| Weight | 120 grams |
| length | 27.2 cm |
Anyone who has to work on very narrow joints is well advised to use this inexpensive and handy tool. According to the descriptions of Amazon customers, the ergonomically shaped plastic handle fits well in the hand, the narrow blade is sharp and stable. The joint scraper is very well suited for small joints, for which most other commercially available joint cleaners are simply too thick. The only negative is that the handle can occasionally slip out - provided you exert great force on the tool - but can be quickly put back in.
our recommendation
Fiskars Small Weed and Moss Scraper Length 13.3" Black/Orange High Quality Steel/Plastic Xact 1027045
12.99 EUR To the product| material | stainless steel, plastic |
|---|---|
| blade | 2 steel blades (1x narrow and pointed, 1x wide) |
| Handle | Plastic handle, soft grip |
| Weight | 270 grams |
| length | 13.3" |
This handy joint scraper scores with two blades. The narrow, pointed blade with a length of 6.5 centimeters is well suited for narrow joints, while the wide and two centimeter long side is ideal for removing weeds and moss between coarsely laid paving stones. Both blades are made of stainless steel and are very robust. The plastic handle feels good in the hand. It is slightly longer than comparable models, so that you can use the leverage effect of this grout cleaner better. There is a practical eyelet at the end of the handle, which you can use to simply hang the tool on a hook when not in use.
our recommendation
Gardena combisystem joint scraper: weed scraper for removing moss and weeds in panel joints, double-sided ground and hardened stainless steel blade, corrosion protection (8927-20)
9.99 EUR To the product| material | stainless steel, plastic |
|---|---|
| blade | Steel blade, ground and hardened |
| Handle | ergonomically shaped, non-slip |
| Weight | 194 grams |
| length | 35 cm |
If you do not like to scoot around on your knees when removing weeds and moss between the terrace joints, then this joint scraper from Gardena Combisystem is the right choice. You can use the tool both with the supplied handle and with a longer handle from the Combisystem range, the latter having to be purchased separately. Amazon customers report that the device is easy to handle even with a long handle. However, the result is not as clean as when used as a handheld device. The blade can be sharpened again and again if it becomes blunt, and you can also order replacement blades from the manufacturer if required.
Purchase Criteria
blade
The most important criterion when buying a joint scraper is the blade. This needs to be well sharpened and made of a sturdy material, as the tool's primary purpose is to cut between the joints - you'll get unsatisfactory results with a blunt tool. Make sure that the knives can be resharpened or that you can order replacement blades from expensive brands - the joint knives quickly become blunt with use. Also important is the width of the blades, which eventually need to fit into the crevices. For very narrow joints you need a joint blade that is as narrow as it is pointed.
handling
The joint scraper is usually used as a hand-held device, i. H. it must lie well and comfortably in the hand. You must also be able to apply great force to the handle and blade without breaking either (or both). Therefore, pay attention to an ergonomically designed handle so that you can hold and operate it easily. Handling also includes the weight. Here you would have to ask yourself before you buy whether you would prefer a lighter or heavier tool - some get along better with the slightly heavier joint scrapers, as you can use more force with them.
Handle
Simple joint scrapers with a wooden handle are easy to hold, and the material is robust and durable. However, more ergonomic (and often more comfortable) are specially shaped plastic handles, which often also have certain comfort zones made of soft material or come up with extras such as rounded edges, knobs and angled handle ends. These serve to increase safety and ensure a better grip.
renewal
With some models - such as the joint scraper from the Gardena Combisystem program - you can attach longer handles to the blade and work comfortably while standing. These systems are useful if you find it difficult to bend down or if you have to clean larger areas and don't want to do it on your knees. However, these handles are usually not included in the scope of delivery and must be ordered separately.
materials and durability
It doesn't matter whether you decide on a cheap or an expensive floor scraper: it's always annoying when the tool stops working after just a few uses. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to high-quality branded goods so that you are not disappointed by an inferior product afterwards. The blades should be made of stainless steel and ground sharp.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
How much does a good joint scraper cost?
Simple joint scrapers are available from Amazon for less than ten euros, more expensive models from brand manufacturers such as Gardena, Wolf-Garten or Fiskars are slightly more expensive.
Where can you buy joint scrapers?
A particularly large selection of joint scrapers of different types and from different manufacturers can be found on the Internet, for example in online department stores such as Amazon. But you will also find what you are looking for in the online shops of certain brands or DIY and garden stores and can compare offers and prices with just a few clicks. If you want to hold the respective product in your hands and check it before you buy it or if you want good professional advice - for example when buying a high-priced electric joint cleaner - it is best to contact the stationary specialist trade. However, you can be unlucky here because the product you want is not in stock at the moment.
Which manufacturers produce joint scrapers?
In addition to the usual garden tools and tool manufacturers such as Gardena, Wolf-Garten and Fiskars, whose products have already been presented in this guide, many different brands produce joint scrapers and other joint cleaners. These manufacturers, for example, also deliver good, proven quality:
- Bosch
- stretcher
- unanimously
- Karcher
- Wolfcraft
In addition, there are numerous other manufacturers who offer cheap and satisfactory joint scrapers. These are often available online.
What are the differences between a joint scraper and a joint brush?
The most obvious difference between a grout scraper and a grout brush is the cleaning method: A grout scraper has one or more blades and cuts the grout cleanly. A joint brush, on the other hand, is equipped with bristles that can adapt flexibly to the joints and panels and not only remove weeds and moss, but also stubborn dirt. This also means that you can only use grout scrapers for grout and not for surfaces - but grout brushes can.
Are there alternatives to the joint scraper?
Instead of a joint scraper, you can of course also use a kitchen knife or a wrench (or another pointed or sharp tool). However, these are not designed for this purpose and will therefore not deliver the desired results.
Can't I just flame or chemically control the weeds?
Of course, you can also simply flame the area with a gas burner or similar, or apply herbicides or a chemical joint cleaning agent to a large area. Both methods are effective, but carry different risks. With a bit of bad luck (and that happens more often than you think) and the wrong wind direction, you can set fire to the house, the garden shed or the garbage can, depending on what is nearby. Herbicides (including household remedies such as vinegar), on the other hand, are often prohibited on paved paths, especially since they can get into the groundwater and enrich it with toxins.
equipment
extension handle
our recommendation
GARDENA combisystem small device extension handle: aluminum handle for extending all combisystem small devices, 78 cm long, light and robust, with handle protection and hanging loop (8900-20)
15.17 EUR To the productTools and garden equipment from the Gardena combi system can be combined with different handles from the same range. You can extend the handy joint scraper with the practical handle and then clean the joints comfortably and back-friendly while standing. The connection is established via a locking screw and is wobble-free.