What are rakes made of?

	Rake designs vary considerably, and they can be made from a variety of materials. The quality of a rake is usually reflected in its price and the manufacturer's reputation, as well as in the materials it is made from.
Pens
	A good quality rake should have a handle that is comfortable to hold, strong enough to handle and not too heavy to handle. It is also advantageous for the handle to be resistant to corrosion since the rake is often used in a humid environment.
	Tree Some rakes have wooden handles. The quality of the wood used will depend on the manufacturer. If the specifications don't say what kind of wood it's made from, it's most likely the cheaper softwood. Wood can be relatively strong and durable with proper care, but can crack or rot over time in damp conditions.
	Manufacturers of good quality hardwood handled rakes usually list the type of wood used. The most common wood for rake handles is ash, very strong, dense, hard and tough, but at the same time elastic. This is a popular choice for tool handles, but can be expensive. Other hardwoods used include oak and beech.
	fiberglass Fiberglass, also known as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) or glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), is used to make many rake handles. It is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, so maintenance-free. The plastic in fiberglass can become brittle when exposed to the elements, especially cold. However, fiberglass is one of the most durable materials used for rake handles, although it can be quite expensive.
	Metal Some rakes have metal handles. They are usually shaped like hollow tubes to help reduce weight.
	Steel The steel handles are extremely durable. Usually steel handles are painted or coated with a special coating to prevent corrosion. Although their greater strength is an advantage, they will be the heaviest handles. Steel is usually more expensive than wood, but cheaper than aluminium.
	aluminum Aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion and is easier to use for long periods of time because it is lighter than steel. However, it is weaker than steel, unless the hollow tubes of the aluminum handles are particularly thick, making them more expensive.
Paws
	The rake teeth are the parts that come into contact with the materials being moved. The strength and stiffness required from the teeth will depend on what materials they are intended for. Good quality rakes should have tines that are resistant to corrosion and will not warp when used in accordance with their specification.
	Tree Some rakes are made entirely of wood, so the handle, head, and teeth are all wood. The strength of wooden teeth depends on the wood used. Good quality hardwoods will be quite strong and durable if properly cared for and protected from excessive moisture. Usually only hay rakes have wooden tines, as they are used for lighter materials. Wooden prongs are not as strong as most metal ones.
	bamboo Some leaf rakes have bamboo tines, although these are no longer very common. They are very flexible and gentle on the ground. However, they are the most brittle tooth material. They are not suitable for heavy work and are only suitable for moving dry leaves or grass clippings.
	plastic Plastic tines are commonly used for leaf rakes. Plastic is usually inexpensive, slightly flexible, and rather weak. Plastics can become brittle with prolonged exposure to the elements. Heavy-duty plastics will be much stronger than other plastics, but they will be more expensive.
	Metal The type of metal the teeth are made of depends on what the rake will be used for. Metal teeth must be strong and strong enough. They can be thin and flexible for lighter jobs or wide and stiff for heavier jobs.
	Steel The quality of steel used for rake fingers varies, but these are usually the strongest fingers. Depending on the type of rake, they can be wide and rigid or thin and flexible. Stainless steel is naturally resistant to corrosion, but is sometimes not as strong as other steels and is usually more expensive. The fine teeth of lawn rakes are sometimes made from spring steel, which is more flexible than other steels.
	aluminum Aluminum is used for the fingers on some rakes. It is a lightweight metal that does not rust. However, it is not as strong as steel and can be prone to bending or denting. It is more suitable for moving dirt and debris, which are quite light.
Soft handles
	The rake handles are made of durable materials. Because of this, some rakes come with padded handles to make them more comfortable to hold. Made from rubber or plastic, these grips make the tool easier to use for long periods of time and provide some cushioning. Cheap plastic grips can chip or crack over time, and rubber can wear down with use.
What materials?
	If you only need to use the rake from time to time, you may not need to buy high quality and expensive rakes. However, if you need a rake for regular use or heavy tasks, buying more expensive high quality rakes will make the job easier and save you the hassle of having to replace them regularly. The most suitable rake materials will depend on what kind of work you intend to use them for. For more information see: How to choose a rake.
	garden rake Garden rakes are designed for relatively heavy work. They have carbon or stainless steel heads and teeth for strength. The quality of the steel is usually reflected in the cost of the rake and the reputation of the brand. Garden rake handles are made from wood, fiberglass, aluminum or steel.
	Lawn rakes Lawn rakes have thin, slightly flexible metal teeth. They are usually made of steel, stainless steel or aluminium. Lawn rake handles are made from wood, fiberglass, aluminum or steel. Lawn rakes are designed to be strong enough for jobs like chaff removal, but they are not designed to be used with heavy materials like heavy rocks.
	leaf rake Leaf rakes are not usually designed to be very strong, but they should be light to carry. The tines of a leaf rake are usually made from plastic and sometimes from bamboo. The bamboo tine leaf rake will be very light and gentle on the soil surface. Bamboo breaks easily and is usually more expensive than plastic. Leaf rake handles are made of wood, fiberglass, steel or aluminium.
	straw rake The straw rake has teeth designed for cutting and removing plant material. Because of this, their teeth are made of steel and are very sharp. The head of a straw rake is usually attached to the handle with a Y-bar. Handles are usually made from hardwood.
	Landscape rakes Landscape rakes usually have wide aluminum or steel heads. Landscape rakes with steel heads are designed for heavier work than rakes with aluminum heads. Landscape rakes have handles made of wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass.
	Tarmac Rake Asphalt rakes are designed to move heavy materials such as asphalt and asphalt, so they need to be strong and durable. They have heads and fingers that are made from hardened steel. Tarmac rakes have hardwood or tubular steel handles. Steel will be the strongest and most durable, but can be heavy and quite expensive.
	hand rake Hand rakes are much smaller than standard rakes, with a narrow head and short handle. They come in two varieties: garden rakes and lawn rakes. Each design is made from different materials in accordance with their purpose.
	garden rake Like standard garden rakes, hand garden rakes have relatively wide and stiff fingers. Their head and fingers are usually made of steel or aluminum, so they must be strong and durable. The handles of garden rakes are often made of steel, as are the teeth. Wood and fiberglass are also used to make garden rake handles. There are also all plastic rakes, usually made of extra strong plastic.
	Lawn hand rake Hand lawn rakes have thin, slightly flexible fingers, just like standard lawn rakes. The teeth are made of steel or aluminium. Hand lawn rakes can have wood, fiberglass, or steel handles.