Union 16-Inch Forged Bow Rake Review
- Forged 16-inch steel head with 15 tines
- Bow-style frame between head and handle
- Long 60-inch ash handle for reach
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A forged 16-inch, 15-tine bow rake on a long ash handle from Razor-Back's Union line. Here's what it does well, where it falls short and who should buy it.
Quick verdict
The Union 16-Inch Forged Bow Rake is a straightforward heavy-duty rake: a forged 16-inch head with 15 tines, bow-style braces and a long 60-inch ash handle. That's the right recipe for spreading and leveling soil, gravel and mulch. It won't replace a leaf rake or a level head for finish grading, but for rough spreading work it's a dependable choice.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Forged head is the sturdier choice over a stamped rake head
- 16-inch width with 15 tines covers ground quickly
- Bow frame adds a little spring and keeps the head braced
- Long 60-inch handle gives reach for leveling large areas
- Flip it over and the back of the head smooths and levels
What could be better
- Rigid steel tines are too aggressive for leaves or lawns
- A long 60-inch handle can feel awkward in small beds
- The raised bow frame makes it harder to work under low shrubs
Key features, explained
Forged 16-inch, 15-tine head
The head is 16 inches wide with 15 tines, made of alloy steel that's forged rather than stamped. Forging generally produces a tougher head that resists bending when you drag it through gravel or rocky soil, which is exactly the abuse a bow rake takes. Fifteen tines across 16 inches gives a fairly tight spacing, good for combing out stones and clods without letting too much slip through.
Bow-style frame
As a bow rake, the head connects to the handle through two curved arms rather than bolting straight on. Those bows act as braces and add a bit of spring, which takes some of the shock out of working heavy material and keeps the head from twisting under load. Flip the rake over and the flat back of the head works as a screed for smoothing a bed or a gravel path.
Long 60-inch ash handle
The rake comes on a 60-inch ash handle, a generous length that's useful for reaching across wide beds or pulling material over a driveway without stepping into it. Ash is the traditional handle wood for earth-moving tools because it's strong and has a little flex to absorb shock. Store it out of the rain and give it an occasional coat of linseed oil to keep the wood from drying out.
What a bow rake is for
Bow rakes are grading and spreading tools. Use one to spread topsoil, gravel or mulch, break up clods before seeding, level a bed before planting, or pull stones and debris out of turned soil. For finishing work on a perfectly flat grade, a level head rake is the alternative; Razor-Back also offers a 16-tine forged level head rake in the same lineup.
Union 16-Inch Bow Rake specs
| Brand | Razor-Back (Union) |
|---|---|
| Part number | 63141 |
| Type | Bow rake |
| Head width | 16 inches |
| Head | Forged, alloy steel |
| Tines | 15 |
| Handle | 60-inch ash wood |
| Prices change often. See the live price: Check Price | |
Who should buy it?
Great for
- Spreading and leveling gravel, topsoil and mulch
- Breaking up clods and grading beds before planting or seeding
- Landscapers who want a forged head over a stamped one
Skip it if
- You need a leaf rake or a lawn rake for light debris
- You need a perfectly flat finish grade; a level head rake suits that
- You mostly work in tight beds where a shorter rake is easier
Frequently asked questions
What is a bow rake used for?
Spreading and leveling heavy material such as soil, gravel and mulch, breaking up clods and pulling stones out of a bed. It's not meant for leaves or lawns.
How wide is the Union bow rake and how many tines does it have?
The forged head is 16 inches wide with 15 tines. The part number is 63141.
What handle does the Union 16-inch bow rake have?
It's listed with a 60-inch ash handle. The brand's product photo shows a dark handle with an orange grip, though, so check the photos and handle material before you order.
What does forged mean on a rake head?
The head is shaped from hot steel under pressure rather than cut and bent from sheet. Forged heads are generally tougher and less likely to bend in rocky ground.
Bow rake or level head rake: which should I get?
A bow rake's curved arms add spring and bracing for heavy spreading. A level head rake mounts the head directly on the handle for flatter finishing work. If you do both jobs often, it's worth having one of each.
Final verdict
The Union 16-Inch Forged Bow Rake gets the essentials right: a forged 16-inch head, 15 tines and a bow frame that braces the head for heavy spreading and leveling. It's a rough-work tool, not a finisher or a leaf rake, and the long handle takes some getting used to in small beds. For spreading soil, gravel and mulch across bigger areas, though, it's a sound, long-reach choice.
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