Bow Rake vs Leaf Rake: Which Do You Need?
By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026
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Bully Tools 16 in. Bow Rake, Fiberglass Handle (92309)
A heavy-duty American-made bow rake for leveling dirt, spreading gravel, and breaking clods. It is a soil tool, not a leaf tool, so keep a fan rake for cleanup.
| Type | Bow / ground rake |
|---|---|
| Head width | 16 in |
| Tines | 16 rigid steel tines, 10-gauge head |
| Handle | Fiberglass, 58 in |
| Best for | Leveling soil and spreading gravel or mulch |
Fiskars 24 in. Poly Leaf Rake (29-Tine)
A wide, light poly fan rake that is the default choice for clearing dry leaves and clippings off a lawn. Reach for steel tines if your leaves are wet and matted.
| Type | Leaf / fan rake |
|---|---|
| Head width | 24 in |
| Tines | 29 flexible poly (resin) tines |
| Handle | Aluminum, ~60 in |
| Best for | Raking leaves & clippings across open lawns |
Our verdict
These are not competitors; they do opposite jobs. A bow rake like the Bully Tools has rigid steel tines on a stiff head for moving material: leveling soil, spreading gravel or mulch, and breaking clumps. A leaf rake like the Fiskars has a wide fan of flexible tines that glide over turf to gather leaves and clippings without gouging it. Use the bow rake to shape the ground and the leaf rake to clean up what is on top of it. Most yards need one of each rather than a choice between them.