Gardeners are no different than parents. The amount of care with which they maintain their yard hugely mirrors a child’s upbringing—especially passionate gardeners.
That’s why choosing the right tools for your yard constitutes a big part of being a gardener.
String trimmers are one of those essential tools gardeners can’t do without. So, how could you pick the best option regarding those trimmers when there’s confusion circling them? Of course, I’m talking about the infamous “weed eater vs. weed wacker” debate.
Let’s settle this debate once and for all!
Weed Eater vs. Weed Wacker: What’s the Difference?
First, we shouldn’t be saying, “what’s the difference?” We’ll be hitting closer to the mark if we say: “is there a difference?” The answer to the latter question will be: no, there isn’t. It’s all a matter of names. Both terms actually refer to the same thing: the string trimmer.
It’s called a string trimmer because it harnesses the precision of a monofilament string to cut through the grass. The string grows all the sharper due to the high-speed spinning and the specific angel, making it more effective for its function.
So, it’s called a string trimmer because it uses a string to trim—pretty understandable, right? But does that mean the other two names are completely groundless?
Where Did the Confusing Terms for String Trimmers Come From?
The story began in 1971 with a guy named Gorge Ballas. Much like yourself, George wanted nothing for his garden other than being neatly in order. This need is what drove him to invent the string trimmer, calling it the weed eater. This invention went on to make him a fortune, all under the brand name of the “weed eater.”
No one expected the landscaping industry to sit without lifting a finger. Many brands hurried to manufacture similar products, attaching their own brand names to them. That’s how the other term, weed whacker, was introduced to the picture.
In an instance all too common, people began calling the product by its brand name rather than its actual one. It’s just like calling adhesive bandages “band-aids.”
Is There Any Other Reason for This Tool To Have More Than One Name?
Yes, there is: your geographic location will make all the difference. As different brands may predominate in different regions, you should expect the term to differ from one state to the other. If you live in the Southeast, for example, I bet “weed eaters” will have a familiar ring to it.
Are There Other Names for the String Trimmer?
Yes, “weed eater” and “weed whacker” aren’t the only names for this tool. To recognize them right away, here are some of its other names:
- Weed snipper
- Weed Whipper
- Weed cutter
- Whipper snipper
- Stick trimmer
- Grass trimmer
- Line trimmer
- Weed whip
British people call it a “Strimmer.” Quite a nice name—combining “string” and “trimmer” in one word, pretty clever.
Despite this multiplicity of names, the most common one among them all is the “weed eater.” That’s why, from now on, we’ll refer to it as such.
Now that we cleared out the terminology, let’s get to real differences. I mean gardening tools that may resemble the weed eater yet have entirely different functions.
What Sets a Weed Eater Apart From Other Gardening Tools?
Weed eaters are all about meticulousness; they’re what takes a garden from good to great. True, your usual lawnmower is effective in mowing wide areas relatively quickly. Tight areas, however, are the specialty of the weed eater.
Think of the areas around trees, or the ones neighboring walkways and rocks, or even along fences—a weed eater can get to them all. Cutting those areas is no complementary task, by the way. Trimming these tight spots is essential for residential pest control.
Other than tight spots, weed eaters can take on rough areas as well. An example of that would be bumpy lawns, steep slopes, high grass, and rugged terrain. Despite its distinct design and function, some people still confuse the weed eater with other tools. Namely, the edger and the brush cutter.
The Weed Eater vs. the Brush Cutter
These two have both structural and functional differences. Instead of the monofilament fiber the weed eater uses, the brush cutter incorporates a blade or a heavy-duty line.
This very structural difference is what creates the functional one: Brush cutters can handle thick vegetations that’ll be simply impossible for the string trimmer.
The confusion between these two tools comes from the fact that they share some functions regarding weed trimming. So, just remember that the weed eater is all about precision, while the brush cutter specializes in handling thick brushes.
The Weed Eater vs. the Edger
The other tool some people mistake for a weed eater is the edger. The latter is usually a heavy-duty tool. It also has a metal blade. An edger is a tool dedicated to one specific purpose: perfecting the edge of your lawn by cutting into the ground via its vertical blade.
Unlike the edger, the weed eater is a bit of a jack of all trades. That’s why you can also use the weed eater for edging your lawn. This isn’t advisable, though. That’s because it’ll require a certain technique, and there are higher chances of you messing up the edge.
To make things more convenient for you, there are now some types of weed eaters that feature an edging blade. This way, you can trim your weed and edge your lawn with the same tool. In this case, go ahead and use your weed trimmer as an edger, no problem.
Final Words
To upkeep your dear garden, you need to uplevel your toolkit. One tool that has a central role in your toolbox is the weed eater. There may have been confusion about its name, but it should all be cleared out to you by now.
After putting this name thing in the rear mirror, you can now focus on your tool selection. That can be done by discriminating between the weed eater, the edger, and the brush cutter.
With the weed eater featuring blades for different functions, this amazing tool calls for you to leverage its potential!