Are you planning to remove grass from your lawn for a landscaping project? There are a few ways to get rid of turf, but there’s really only one method if you want to reuse your sod somewhere else: a sod cutter. What are the best sod cutters available on the market?
We’ve compiled a list of the best sod cutters and what makes them a cut above the rest. We’ve included at least one entry for each of the four types of sod cutters available to homeowners, as each type is better suited for certain types of DIY projects.
Our Top Picks
Best Knife Sod Cutters – Reviews
Knife sod cutters aren’t exactly dedicated sod-cutting tools. Rather, they’re typically garden knives that serve multiple purposes, one of which can be cutting sod. Typically, these tools can only cut the sod, needing to be partnered with another tool (like a shovel) to separate the sod from the soil. Hori-hori knives are similar tools to these.
1. Linsen Outdoors Stainless Steel Garden Knife
Linsen Outdoors Stainless Steel Garden Knife
With its versatile 11″ stainless steel double-sided blade, designed for lawn care and trimming tasks, and an ergonomic handle ensuring utmost comfort.
With its 11-inch stainless steel blade, this garden knife is great for small sod removal jobs. This sod cutter is double-edged; the serrated side, which is better for fine trimming, and a straight-edged side that’s good for quick cuts. Its two edges make it great not just for cutting sod but also trimming small bushes and cutting things like mineral wool.
Although this small sod cutter is better for smaller-scale jobs, you can definitely use it to cut out larger areas of sod. You’ll need a little elbow grease, patience, and another tool to lift the sod strips, though! At least the ergonomic handle makes it easier to work with.
However, homeowners should be careful, as this knife is wicked sharp and will cut your skin even without pressure. Good thing it comes with a nylon sheath for you to stow the knife in! We highly recommend wearing a thick pair of gloves while using this tool, though.
Product Details
- Blade Length: 11 inches
- Total Length: 16.5 inches
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Easy to use ✔ Made of stainless steel ✔ Lightweight and easy to carry; perfect for small jobs ✔ Very sharp ✔ Comes with a nylon sheath | ✘ It’s sharp enough to cut you without much effort ✘ Will need to be sharpened after a while ✘ You’ll need a shovel to lift up larger pieces of sod, especially if you want to transplant them somewhere else |
2. Keyfit Tools SOD Knife
Keyfit Tools SOD Knife
8″ serrated stainless steel blade for sod & turf, 5″ handle, 13″ overall length. Ideal for cutting around sprinklers, edging, and repairs. Includes nylon sheath.
This sod cutter from Keyfit Tools is a little smaller than the one listed above, with its blade only reaching 8 inches in length. Nevertheless, it still removes small pieces of sod just fine. The shorter blade actually gives you a little more control. You can also use it to edge landscape beds and cut strips of sod to add to your lawn.
Like the Linsen Outdoors Stainless Steel Garden Knife, it can also be used to remove larger sod strips in conjunction with another tool.
It’s razor-sharp, so be careful when handling it; keep it in the nylon sheath if you’re not actively using it. It has two serrated edges, as well, so you can get hurt from both sides. We also recommend wearing thick gloves when using this tool.
Product Details
- Blade Length: 8 inches
- Total Length: 13 inches
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Blade Material: Stainless steel
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Easy to use ✔ Made of stainless steel ✔ Lightweight and easy to carry; perfect for small jobs ✔ Very sharp ✔ Comes with a nylon sheath | ✘ It’s sharp enough to cut you without much effort ✘ Will need to be sharpened after a while ✘ You’ll need a shovel to lift up larger pieces of sod, especially if you want to transplant them somewhere else |
Best Landscaper Spade Sod Cutters – Reviews
Like garden knives, landscaper spades are typically multi-purpose tools as opposed to dedicated sod-cutting tools. Also called square-edge sod cutters, you can use them to edge your flower beds and other landscape areas in addition to cutting sod. Unlike garden knives, you can cut and remove sod with just a landscaper spade.
1. Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel
Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel
Durable 46″ garden tool for edging, trenching, and tough soil. Strong steel construction, extra-large D-handle, and sharpened blade. Lifetime warranty included.
Although it’s mainly used to edge lawns and dig holes, Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel is also good for removing slightly larger areas of sod. Its sharpened edge, extra-large D-shaped handle, and foot platform design make cutting sod quite easy because it’s easier to control and exert force on.
The shovel is made of a steel alloy, making it quite durable; the only part that isn’t made of steel is the plastic D-handle. However, this also makes it heavier, so you might have some trouble if you’re not used to handling a heavier tool. Otherwise, it’s quite straightforward to use.
Product Details
- Total Length: 46 inches
- Blade Material: Steel alloy
- Body Material: Steel alloy
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Made of steel alloy ✔ Straight edge makes it easier to cut through sod ✔ D-handle makes it easier to handle ✔ Powder-coated to prevent rusting ✔ Comes with a lifetime warranty | ✘ Heavy, which can make it a bit difficult to use ✘ Can be too long for shorter people ✘ The coating can make the shovel duller than expected, requiring sharpening ✘ Plastic handle |
2. AMES 2917200 Saw-Tooth Border Edger with T-Grip
AMES 2917200 Saw-Tooth Border Edger with T-Grip
Versatile landscaping edger with a serrated steel blade for clean lawn edges. Includes a footplate for comfort and control. Blade: 8-7/8″ W x 4-1/2″ H.
Like the product above, the AMES 2917200 Saw-Tooth Border Edger with T-Grip is mainly used for edging. Its arched serrated edge cuts through turf quite easily, especially if you rock it back and forth. Its design also allows for a uniform cutting depth. The footplate and T-shaped handle also help make the job less tedious.
While it does cut through grass like butter, you’ll need a separate tool to actually lift the sod up if you plan to remove larger areas of sod. The serrated edge can also give you trouble in the future, as it’s difficult to sharpen.
Product Details
- Total Length: 39 inches
- Blade Material: High-speed steel
- Body Material: Steel
- Handle Material: Steel
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Made of steel ✔ Serrated edge cuts through sod easily ✔ T-grip handle is wide, making it easier to control ✔ Comes with a 15-year warranty ✔ Makes uniform cuts | ✘ Serrated edge can be difficult to sharpen when needed ✘ Will need the help of another tool to remove larger pieces of sod |
Best Manual Kick Sod Cutter: A.M. Leonard Kick Type Sod Cutter – Review
A.M. Leonard Kick Type Sod Cutter
Rugged kick-type sod cutter: cuts 30 ft of 12″ sod strips in 40 seconds. Adjustable depth, sturdy frame, heat-treated blade.
Manual sod cutters like A.M. Leonard’s Kick Type Sod Cutter cut larger sod strips quickly and easily compared to the first two tool types in this list. As the name suggests, this sod cutter requires manpower — specifically, kicks. While it can get tiring, the potential to remove 30 feet of sod in 40 seconds is worth it if you’re tackling a larger grass removal project.
This sod cutter has a heat-treated cutting blade, which is more durable than the average blade. The cutter blade is also fully adjustable; while it’s automatically set to cut 2.25-inch-thick strips of sod, it can be set deeper. However, you’ll need to hold the handles higher if you want to cut thinner strips of sod, which can get a bit tedious.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the A.M. Leonard Kick Type Sod Cutter is its price. It’s on the more expensive side, and it’s a bigger upfront cost than renting a motorized sod cutter for one day, but it’ll be yours forever. If you think you’ll need to use the tool over multiple days — not uncommon for large sod removal projects — then it might be worth it for you.
Product Details
- Cutting Width: 12 inches
- Cutting Depth: 2.25 inches (adjustable)
- Blade Material: Heat-treated steel
- Body Material: Steel
- Handle Material: Varnished hardwood
- Price range: Expensive
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Durable ✔ Cuts up to 30 feet of sod in 40 seconds ✔ Easy to use ✔ Can adjust cutting depth ✔ Makes uniform cuts | ✘ Expensive ✘ Can get tiring to use ✘ Can’t adjust the cutting width ✘ Cutting higher than the standard depth is awkward |
Best Motorized Sod Cutter: Classen PRO Hydro-Drive Sod Cutter – Review
Classen PRO Hydro-Drive Sod Cutter
18″ Hydrostatic Drive Sod Cutter with variable speed, easy blade adjustment, and maneuverability. Enhance sod projects faster and easier.
Motorized sod cutters are ultimately the most expensive but least tedious method of cutting sod. They cost thousands of dollars to buy and around a hundred or so to rent for a day. The Classen PRO Hydro-Drive Sod Cutter is not the cheapest motorized sod cutter homeowners can rent, but its features make up for it.
This Classen sod cutter cuts sod very fast while still being quite maneuverable thanks to its smaller size, rear swivel wheel, and user-friendly controls. It also doesn’t vibrate as much as other motorized sod cutters, which makes it more comfortable and easy to use. It also comes with accessories that let you cut 12, 16, 20, and 24-inch strips of sod in addition to the default 18-inch blade.
This is a great sod cutter to use if you have large sod removal projects. If you need to remove just a small strip of sod around your mailbox, then it’s probably not the tool for you, as it’s expensive to rent and way too big.
Product Details
- Cutting Width: 18 inches (can use accessories that cut 12, 16, 20, and 24-inch strips)
- Max Cutting Depth: 2.5 inches
- Cutting Speed: 1200 strokes per minute
- Dry Weight: 340 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 0.8 gal or 1.4 gal, depending on the engine model
- Price range: Expensive (better to rent)
Pros and Cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Smaller than other motorized sod cutters ✔ Cuts sod fast ✔ Easy to use and maneuver ✔ Can adjust cutting depth and width ✔ Makes uniform cuts ✔ Doesn’t vibrate as much | ✘ Expensive to buy and rent if you need to use it over multiple days ✘ Vibrations can make it difficult to use, even if it doesn’t vibrate as much as other motorized sod cutters ✘ Can’t cut sod strips less than 12 inches across, making it unideal for smaller sod removal jobs |
Buyer’s Guide to Sod Cutters
Don’t know what to look for in a sod cutter? Here are some factors that can help you pick the correct sod cutter for your landscaping project.
Project Scale
How large of an area are you planning to remove sod from? If it’s a small project, then you should consider buying a garden knife or landscaper spade. You’ll be able to use them elsewhere in the garden, too.
However, if you need to remove sod from a large area — think half of your lawn or more — then you should consider buying a manual kick sod cutter to reduce the labor required. You can also consider renting a motorized sod cutter if you don’t want to exert too much energy on a large-scale sod removal project.
Required Labor and Ease of Use
How much of your time and energy do you want to spend removing sod from your lawn? Most sod cutters are manual, so it’s quite likely you’ll need to catch your breath every so often. If you would like to make it easier on yourself, look for a motorized sod cutter.
Cutting Depth and Width
If you want to cut thicker strips of sod — mainly if you have turf that grows deep root systems — then you need to keep cutting depth in mind when choosing a sod cutter. Dedicated sod cutters typically have a maximum cutting depth and can’t go deeper. Multi-purpose hand tools can go deeper, but they require more effort and may not always result in a uniformly deep cut.
This is the same with cutting width. Motorized and manual sod cutters typically only have preset cutter blade widths. Multi-purpose tools can be used to remove sod strips with varying widths.
Handle Material
Mostly applicable to garden knives and landscaper spades, the handle material affects how durable a tool is and how easy it is to handle. Plastic and wood aren’t as durable as steel and fiberglass, but they can be lighter and easier to use.
The shape can also affect how easy a tool is to use. Look for handles that are ergonomic; if possible, get a feel for the tool in your hand before buying.
Cost
Multi-purpose garden tools are less expensive and can be used for other projects, but they can be more tedious to use. Motorized sod cutters don’t require much effort, but the costs of renting one can quickly add up if you plan to use it over multiple days. A manual kick sod cutter is more expensive upfront, but it’s yours to use whenever needed.
FAQ About Sod Cutters
It really depends on the type of sod cutter you’re using. It can be as straightforward as driving the tool into the ground, or you may need to fiddle with a machine. Our sod cutter how-to guide has step-by-step instructions on how to use different types of sod cutters.
If you’re planning multiple landscaping projects, it might be worth buying a manual kick sod cutter. Motorized sod cutters are only worth buying if you plan many, many large-scale landscaping projects; it’s better to rent one.
Still, it may only be worth it to you if you want to reuse the sod elsewhere. There are other ways to remove grass from your lawn that don’t involve herbicides or sod cutting tools.
Cut sod typically lasts up to 2 days, so make sure to lay it down as fast as possible if you want to reuse it.
When to Call in the Lawn Care Pros
Let’s face it: Removing sod to grow a new lawn or to prepare for another landscape addition can be tedious. Getting rid of sod with a sod cutter will take time and effort, and not everyone can squeeze it into their busy schedules.
Does this sound like you? Then hiring a lawn care company can help you move on with your landscaping project quickly. LawnStarter can connect you with lawn care pros near you who can remove your sod, replant it elsewhere, seed your lawn, and much more.
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