I have a Troy-Bilt one that has worked wonders. I got it last year and paid about $319. Quite a bit of money bit it is easy to use and does a wonderful job.

I'm one of the "old school" guys that also prefers the walk behind wheeled edger. A majority on this site favor stick edgers.

That said, the two best edgers are the Power Trim and the Little Wonder. Both are active in the professional market although they also have slightly less expensive models for the high end consumer market.

Little Wonder is the most expensive. Their commericial model is the 6032 which comes with a Briggs 3.5hp. List price is about $700 and you should be able to shop it for about $600. The Honda version (Gx120 4hp) is about $125 more. The Homeowner model is 6002 with same engine, but only one from wheel and slightly less heavy duty. List is $600+ and you should be able to get for around $500. Little Wonder is made in PA and is more Eastern US.

Power Trim starts around $500 and can go north of $800 with a top of line professional with Honda GX120 engine. You wont save much by shopping. Power Trim sells only though dealers and polices them pretty close. All are same basic frame and cutter head, with differences in number and type of wheels, and of course variations in engines. They are made in Southern Calif and are distributed through the South and West Coast.

More for homeowners, but still used by a lot of pros is the McLane. List ranges from about $400 to $650 and street prices range about $75 less. You have to be careful with McLane. They have "dumbed-down" some of the line to reach lower price points. At a minimum I'd suggest the 101 or better the 801 model. Both have Briggs 3.5hp. Avoid the 137 at all costs. You should be able to shop the internet and get a 101 for about $325 and a 801 for about $350.

The MTD manufactured edgers sold as Troy-Bily, Yard Machines, etc. are OK, but not quite up to the McLane, Whatever you do, get a machine with horizontal shaft engine and straight belt. Avoid the machines with vertical shaft engines (rotary mower style) and twisted belt.

I personally use a Little Wonder 6032. Love the machine. Got it used, but could never justify the price of a new one. Lived in Los Angeles for many years and owned a succession of Power Trim and McLane and am still a Power Trim guy at heart. Although I see Power Trim occasionally here in Jersey, Little Wonder is the more widely distributed.

Thanks to both of you. I will take a harder look at all of your suggestions and see if I can decide. Thanks again.

I also prefer the walk-behind units. If you have a while to wait, you might find a good used edger. A few years ago, I bought a John Deere E35 used, and have really enjoyed it.

There was a thread a couple of months ago (link provided below) that may provide you some more information. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Previous Edger post in Gardenweb

Admittedly my Troy-bilt has the vertical shaft engine with the twisted belt but that hasnt proven to be a problem yet.