The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Edging Trimmer Line

String trimmers, also known as weed eaters or weed whackers, are powered gardening tools used to trim grass and weeds in areas a regular lawn mower can't reach. They utilize a rotating trimmer head spooled with nylon line that cuts vegetation on contact. While string trimmers are commonly used to trim open lawn areas, they also serve an important purpose when it comes to edging.

Edging involves trimming along hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and curbs to create crisp boundary lines between your lawn and other areas. It gives a professional, manicured look to your landscape. Choosing the right trimmer line is crucial for efficient, clean edging. The line comes into frequent contact with rough surfaces when edging, so durability is key.

Trimmer Line Basics

Before delving into the ideal lines for edging, it helps to understand the basics of trimmer line shapes, materials, and diameters.

Shapes

Trimmer lines come in several common shapes:

• Round - The most popular all-purpose shape
• Square - Has sharper cutting edges than round
• Twisted - Adds rotational force for thicker vegetation
• Multi-sided - Shapes like star or pentagon; provide clean cuts

For edging, twisted, multi-sided and square lines tend to work best. The rotational force of twisted line helps power through tough spots. Multi-sided lines like pentagon create smooth, even cuts. Square line is a bit more durable along hard edges. However, round lines are still a fine option for basic edging tasks.

Materials

The vast majority of trimmer lines are made from nylon or advanced plastic polymer blends engineered for durability and flexibility. Some brands also offer lines with a protective coating to reduce breakage and improve lifespan.

Diameters

Trimmer lines come in a range of diameters, typically from 0.065 to 0.155 inches. Thicker lines provide more cutting power, while thinner gauges allow for increased finesse and control.

For edging, a diameter between 0.065 and 0.085 inches is ideal. This gives a balance of precision and durability when maneuvering around curbs and other hard surfaces.

Key Factors for Edging Trimmer Lines

Now that we've covered the basics, let's examine the key factors that make certain trimmer lines optimal for edging work.

Durability

Durability is by far the most critical characteristic to consider when selecting edging trimmer line. The line will be bouncing against and scraping across concrete, asphalt, stone and metal surfaces frequently, which can quickly lead to wear and breakage of flimsy options.

Look for commercial-grade lines that are abrasion-resistant and have a thick diameter of 0.085 inches or more. Lines made out of advanced flexible plastic blends or protected with a coated layer also demonstrate enhanced durability during edging.

Flexibility

Flexibility goes hand-in-hand with durability as a top priority. Trimmer lines need to bend and flex as you maneuver around curves and contours in the edging area. Inflexible lines are prone to snapping under pressure.

Materials like nylon and engineered polymers have an ideal blend of strength and flexibility. Softer, more elastic lines adapt better to corners and irregular edges without compromising cutting power.

Diameter

As mentioned earlier, a diameter between 0.065 and 0.085 inches gives the best mixture of control and durability for edging.

Larger diameters in the 0.095+ inch range deliver maximum durability, but the thicker lines can be overkill for simple edging jobs. Unless you're edging acres of dense vegetation, they offer less precision and finesse than lines in the 0.065 - 0.085 inch sweet spot.

Shape

The shape of the trimmer line affects edging performance as well. Multi-sided lines like pentagons and stars provide clean, even cutting action along hard edges. Their sharp facets create crisp boundary lines.

Twisted line is another excellent choice, as the spiral ridges help power through tough spots and thicker vegetation that often borders edges. The added rotational force gets the job done quickly.

Compatibility

It's critical to select trimmer line that's compatible with your machine. Line diameters and shapes are optimized for certain trimmer models. Using an incompatible line can hinder performance and even damage the equipment.

Consult your operator's manual for recommended line types and rule out any that are explicitly discouraged. This prevents wasted money on line that won't work efficiently with your trimmer.

Coated Options

As mentioned previously, some trimmer lines come coated in a protective layer to reduce wear and extend lifespan. This coating helps the line hold up when constantly striking concrete, stone and metal edges without degrading as quickly.

The coatings reduce friction and heat damage from those surfaces, allowing the line to retain its strength and cutting ability longer. They're ideal for maximizing edging time between replacements.

Brand Recommendations

Now let's look at some top trimmer line brands on the market for edging purposes:

• Oregon - Their Gatorline stands up well to concrete and is available with protective coatings.
• Stihl - Their commercial-grade PolyCut line resists abrasion on hard edges.
• Rotary - Designed for commercial landscapers, their lines excel at edging.

For residential and occasional edging, brands like Arnold, Cyclone and Weed Eater offer durable budget-friendly options. Evaluate your usage level when deciding between commercial and residential lines.

Proper Line Installation

Once you've selected the ideal trimmer line, proper installation is key for optimum edging performance.

Here are some tips for loading new line onto your trimmer:

• Refer to your owner's manual for detailed instructions specific to your model.
• Determine the proper winding direction for the line spool.
• Leave 8-12 inches of line to thread through the exit guide.
• Wind the line evenly and tightly onto the spool.
• Cut the line so just 3-5 inches extends beyond the trimmer head.
• Make sure the line is secured in the hold-down notches.

Take care to install new line correctly to avoid tangling and inconsistent feeding during use. It only takes a few extra minutes for smooth edging performance.

Edging Techniques and Tips

Choosing the right trimmer line is essential, but proper techniques go hand-in-hand with achieving perfect edging results:

• Start by edging along the edges and boundaries only. This prevents scattering debris into open areas you'll trim later.
• Use the largest diameter line recommended for your trimmer model. Thicker line stands up better to concrete and stone.
• For large straight-shaft trimmers, remove any cutting shields or guards to allow full contact with the edge surfaces.
• Work slowly and methodically, overlapping your passes for full coverage.
• Keep the trimmer head perpendicular to the edge surface for maximum cutting power.

Patience and practice lead to professional edging results. Let the trimmer do the work - don't force it along edges rapidly. With the proper line installed, you'll achieve clean, defined lawn borders in no time.

Proper Line Storage

Storing trimmer line correctly maximizes lifespan between replacements:

• After each use, remove any remaining line from the spool and trimmer head.
• Keep the line in a cool, dry indoor location away from sunlight, moisture and temperature extremes.
• Hang or loosely coil larger bundles of line to prevent deforming the shape.

Neglecting storage practices leads to premature drying, cracking and deformation. Following these tips keeps unused line fresh and ready for your next edging session.

When to Replace Trimmer Line

Here are signs it's time to replace your edging trimmer line:

• Visible cracks, frays or damage from wear
• Frequent breakage while in use
• Reduced cutting efficiency and ability
• Line diameter has worn down 30% or more
• Edges appear jagged, uneven or poorly defined

Don't wait until line failure to swap it out. Replacing timely based on these indicators ensures you always edge at peak performance.

Choosing the best trimmer line for edging doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on durability, flexibility and the right diameter for your trimmer model. Square, twisted and multi-sided lines deliver clean, defined edges.

Top brands like Oregon, Stihl and Rotary offer time-tested edging performance. Proper installation, storage and replacing line as needed keep your trimmer edging like a professional.

Equipped with the right techniques and line choice, you'll achieve landscape edging that makes your neighbors green with envy. Crisp lines along sidewalks, driveways and other hardscape surfaces give your lawn a meticulously manicured look.