So, it’s always advisable to settle for secateurs that are brightly coloured since it will be easy to find or locate them. Moreover, ensure that you go for a garden pruner that comes with a belt clip or a belt loop holster that can be used to hang it when it’s not in use. Conclusion Comfortable and lightweight are words that best describe FELCO Model 2 Original secateurs. These anvil secateurs boast a durable set of forged metal alloy handles that are lightweight and easy to grip.

The most important part of any bypass secateurs is the blade. Precise cutting, sharp blades will cut cleanly through stems and branches which reduces the chance of disease and infection spreading into the the pruned cut. Less effort will also be needed as a super sharp blade should the like cutting through cucumber on a chopping board. Well, secateurs are small gardening tools that are used for trimming branches and plants. They can also be held using one hand.The P961 is perfect for those who struggle with the aches and pains that pruning can cause with regular secateurs. This can also vary more than you expect, a pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g. A lighter weight is ideal for continued use and fine pruning, but heavier models can feel more robust. Replaceable blades and springs These are perfect for beginners and avid gardeners but probably not the best choice for professionals or anyone who does lots of pruning regularly. If you tend to experience fatigue and aching hands from continuous pruning but don’t prune on a weekly basis, these secateurs are life-saving and probably the most affordable pair.

Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused

This Fiskars PowerGear X Bypass Garden Shears with Roll Handle is a truly advanced tool that looks superior to what many people are used to. There’s little doubt that the technology behind its workmanship is a brilliant attempt to make something better but it also carries some shortcomings. Previous customers reported that the rotating handle needs time to get used to. The shears are also only suitable for right-handed people (though that’s the larger population anyways) and you’ll need to look elsewhere if you have big hands. The handles of these secateurs are also wrapped with a layer of PVC that is very soft and comfortable to use. Bear in mind that these professional secateurs have a cutting diameter of up to ¾”. However, these may vary depending on the tree species and the branches.

The ratchet systemincreases your hand’s power by up to five times so that the pruners do the cutting, not you. All this equals effortless cutting. Wire-cutter: This is a small notch at the innermost point when the blades are fully open. Put the wire in this notch and it’ll be cut as the blades close. The thing you need to pay close attention to is what the blade is made blade. Some blades are made from quality hardened stainless steel and will last a lifetime, staying razor sharp even after lots of pruning. They can also be sharpened using a tungsten carbide blade or ceramic stone when needed and this should be done as soon as they start to feel less effective and take a little more effort to use. Look for hardened steel, most cheap secateurs often break at the blade. How your hand size effects which model to consider In my many years of buying garden tool products I have learnt the hard way. Buy cheap, buy twice! and this is particularly relevant with secateurs. However, topiary expert Lerigo says he found the latch used to open them involved too much fumbling around on ladders for his liking, a situation not helped by cold, numb or gloved hands. As much as I wanted to love them, and despite the superior, precise blade, Lerigo was right: the catch mechanism used to open and close them is fiddly compared with its smoother competitors, and nigh impossible with gardening gloves on or one-handed, up a ladder, because the clasp requires a thumb to be operated. I also found that my own hands were slightly too small for them.If you’re left-handed you probably already know that not all secateurs are suitable for left-handed people, some can be more difficult with the catches in less than ideal places, however, some models are specially designed for left-handed people such as the Felco Model 10 and maybe a better choice. Do you need rotating handles? These bypass secateurs are made with high-quality materials. And their blades are normally coated with titanium or Teflon coating that helps prevent any rusting caused by the tree pulp. This, in turn, protects and prevents you from unnecessary accidents from the sharp blades. Cutting Diameter Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things… 1. Correct Use:

My advise is to buy branded secateurs from a reputable, well known manufacturer in its field. I have mentioned the leading brands above. The cutting performance is excellent and it always gives a nice clean, straight cut. The blades are made to last and can handle being sharpened dozens of times. Spare parts that are worn outare widely available and theparts are veryeasy to change and replace if needed. This is one of the main advantages they have over other models because many do not have changeable parts. According to topiary expert Darren Lerigo, most gardeners will find bypass secateurs to be the better bet, because they make for a cleaner cut. How do I care for the blades of my secateurs? These bypass secateurs are the number 1 choice for professional gardeners in Japan, where pruning has been elevated to genuine art if the famous Higashizawa Rose Park is anything to go by. Our recommendationWhen it comes to gardening, a wide range of garden tools make work easy, and secateurs are one of them. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for best bypass for comfort the handles of these secateurs have an aluminium frame with a sustainably sourced FSC-certified ash insert. This smooth wood is comfortable to hold and offers a great grip, even without gardening gloves. They're suitable for both right and left handed gardeners and although the secateurs are lightweight, at just 330g, they still feel robust and hard wearing. Okatsune secateurs were once described as ‘Life-Changing’ by Bunny Guinness at The Telegraph and we couldn’t agree more. They are available in different versions and are the only secateurs we think truly compare to Felco’s quality and cutting performance. Okatsune models include model 101, model 104, model 108 and model 109, but it is the Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs that really caught our attention. There is a good reason the handles are different colours. So they are easy to spot in low light & sunny conditions. Very clever!