With a sickle you can pluck out and remove disturbing growth in your garden - such as weeds or undergrowth. You can find out what to look out for when buying this practical tool in our guide.
Sickles are helpful gardening tools
Our recommendations
our recommendation
OCHSENKOPF OX 70 H-0905 One-hand culture sickle, with hickory handle
50.28 EUR To the product| crescent shape | bow sickle |
|---|---|
| material of the blade | steel |
| material of the handle | hickory |
| overall length | approx. 73 cm |
| Weight | about 1kg |
The culture sickle from OCHSENKOPF impresses with its first-class materials and the appropriate workmanship. In addition, it has a comparatively long handle, which allows for more flexible use. It is practical that an even longer handle (90 centimetres) can also be ordered. Most reviewers on Amazon are positive about this bow sickle with the short but powerful cutting edge.
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Tomita Hamono Nisaku stainless steel crescent sickle 180mm No.130
EUR 16.90 To the product| crescent shape | hooked sickle |
|---|---|
| material of the blade | stainless steel |
| material of the handle | magnolia wood |
| overall length | about 40 cm |
| Weight | about 120g |
Our second-placed sickle is also made of high-quality materials and has proven to be robust and sharp. The very low weight is also impressive - entirely in the Japanese style. The majority of Amazon reviewers describe the sickle as a "wonderful tool".
our recommendation
Okatsune 405 sickle
EUR 27.90 To the product| crescent shape | hooked sickle |
|---|---|
| material of the blade | steel |
| material of the handle | wood |
| overall length | about 40 cm |
| Weight | about 180g |
The Okatsune Sickle has similar features to the Kayleeolivi model - only the blade is slightly shorter while the weight is heavier (but still light!). One of the advantages is the signal red color of the handle, so that the sickle is easy to see even when lying in long grass. This prevents accidents and injuries. The model is well received by Amazon reviewers: "super sharp", "lies very well in the hand" - these are typical comments.
Purchase Criteria
garden tool
You don't want a decorative sickle for Halloween or Mardi Gras, but a high-quality and functional garden tool. So, first and foremost, always make sure your target model is a "real" crescent and not just a costume accessory.
crescent shape
There are hooked and bowed sickles. The crescent-shaped hooked sickle resembles a dagger blade, which is slightly hooked towards the front. The name of the arc sickle says it all - it appears as a semi-circular arc.
Sometimes you read that the bow sickle is the better choice for longer, more complex work. It is said that weeds and the like can be removed more effectively with it. We advise you to try it with a hooked sickle. Ultimately, it's a matter of individual preference, which you can only find out in practice.
Perforation
Some sickles are toothed. The teeth enable you to powerfully beat perennials and harder grass.
material
In most cases, the blade of the sickle is made of steel - and that's a good thing, after all, the material is considered extremely robust and stable. As a result, steel sickles can even cope with dense weed growth.
When it comes to the handle or handle, manufacturers usually use wood or steel. Both variants are resistant, so you can let your taste decide here. Many people find wooden handles more comfortable to grip.
handle ergonomics
Speaking of the handle: it should be ergonomically designed so that it fits comfortably in the hand and prevents signs of fatigue, even during long periods of use. A non-slip surface is also important. Otherwise the sickle threatens to slip out of your hand, which poses a certain risk of injury.
Working width/length of the blade
The longer the blade, the wider the working width and the more weeds or grass you can hit at once, reducing the working time. However, larger working widths only make sense in places in the garden that are relatively easy to access. If you want to be more active with the sickle in very angled areas, make the more effective choice with a shorter blade.
overall length
The handle of the sickle is usually very short, so you have to bend over, crouch or kneel when working with the device. This in turn can be very stressful for different parts of the body - especially the back and knees - and result in acute or even chronic suffering.
If you plan to use the sickle more often, you should opt for a version with a longer - i.e. correct - handle so that you can hit the grass while standing. Ideally, the handle should be of a length that suits your height. Unfortunately, there are only a few sickles with a handle that is at least 80 to 90 centimeters long.
We advise you to pay close attention to the overall length of the tool when purchasing it - for the sake of your health. When working with a classic sickle without a handle, you should take many breaks to relieve the body areas mentioned. Incidentally, it is also advisable to use a longer handle with handleless sickles in order to vary your posture and to be able to operate with two hands.
coating
If possible, prefer a sickle with a non-stick coating. This way you ensure that neither dry nor wet grass sticks to the blade. This brings with it two major advantages: on the one hand, the performance in use is not impaired and, on the other hand, the coating makes it easier to clean the sickle after the work is done.
Weight
The weight is not a primary purchase criterion, but you are better off with a light model, especially for extensive work. We recommend versions up to around 1.5 kilograms - provided the other quality is right.
equipment
Some sickles come with practical accessories, such as a blade guard to prevent injuries and a whetstone to sharpen the edge if necessary. It is of course an advantage if such extras are included in the package. However, the same applies here: the quality of the sickle itself stands above everything else.
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4betterdays.com live NATURALLY! Small sickle scythe incl. free sharpening stone - with ash wood handle - handle length: 14 cm, weight: 500 g - hand-forged in Germany
EUR 39.90 To the productfrequently asked Questions
What is a sickle?
The sickle is a useful gardening tool that you can use to remove weeds and other unwanted growth from your green oasis. It is a valuable helper, especially in hard-to-reach places in the garden. Small animal owners sometimes use the sickle to beat fresh grass to feed their rabbits or guinea pigs. The utensil consists of the blade, which forms the heart, and a relatively short handle/handle.
By the way: the sickle is one of the oldest tools of all and is said to have been used as early as the Neolithic Age.
tips
The so-called Japanese sickle is characterized primarily by its extreme sharpness and high stability with simultaneous lightness.
The following video shows you the functional strength of a Japanese sickle in an entertaining way:
youtubeWhat is the difference between the cutting edge of a scythe and a sickle?
The edges of the scythe and sickle are actually very similar. However, the blade of the sickle is typically smaller.
In addition, the sickle generally has a shorter handle or no handle at all, but only a more or less long handle. In contrast, the scythe generally has a long handle that allows for standing work.
Which brands offer good sickles?
The best-known brands for high-quality sickles include OCHSENKOPF, Fiskars and Okatsune.
Where is the best place to buy a sickle?
You can find crescents of convincing quality in hardware stores, among others - whether OBI, toom, Bauhaus, Hornbach or hagebaumarkt. You can also enjoy a large selection on Amazon.
How much does a sickle cost?
Solid sickles are already available for about 15 to 20 euros. There are also very high-quality versions that cost over 50 euros. All in all, the purchase of this gardening tool is not a large investment.
How can I sharpen my sickle?
Only with a well-sharpened sickle can you efficiently beat the grass and other growth. We advise you to sharpen your tool before using it for the first time, even if the manufacturer describes it as sharp. With a whetstone, even inexperienced hobby gardeners can quickly get their sickle sharp.
equipment
whetstone
A whetstone is ideal for sharpening your sickle. The application is very simple and the costs for a solid stone are manageable.
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