Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Professional Heavy Duty Bypass Secateur

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The best mid-range secateurs have got to be the Okatsune no. 103 pruners. Small and hardy and sought-after in Japan, these are sharp and very strong. They’re also very popular amongst my professional gardener friends. When it comes to working with arthritis, this reliable option is best for a less painful gardening experience. Secateurs are available in many different sizes, just like the hands of gardeners, and it’s always a good idea to handle them in-store to get a feel for how they’ll be in use. If you’ve got big hands, don’t assume you’ll need the largest pair you can find – the length of handles may be a greater concern than the sheer size of the blades. How should I care for the secateurs?

Even if the branches aren’t dead or diseased, pruning is required to keep it under control and pleasing on the eye. Finding the ideal secateurs for your needs could be a challenge but we have given you the most important things to look out for when making your decision. We also give you an honest lowdown of some of the very best options available.

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Leading pruning specialist Jake Hobson learnt the craft of tree training, pruning and rootballing in rural Osaka, and founded Niwaki (it means “garden tree”) to bring Japanese techniques to Western gardens. “A good pair of secateurs is the single most important bit of kit for any gardener,” he explains. His range of secateurs doesn’t disappoint. The bypass designs have a simple, chunky catch at the bottom, just like the Okatsune. The blade is 8cm and can handle branches up to ¾ inches. They are versatile and can handle heavy work as well as softer plants or precision work such as bonsai or topiaries.

When selecting the best professional secateurs for your needs, here are a few pointers. These will help you to make the best investment. Blade Material There is also a blade tension adjustment setting, although this does require some practice to get the ideal setting, so unless you’re an experienced gardener you may want to avoid adjusting it too much initially. Doing so may reduce the cutting efficiency if you get it wrong!

Burgon and Ball left-handed secateurs

There are few things more frustrating in the garden than poor secateurs or those that fall apart after a few months. Depending on your needs, you cannot go wrong with any of the above options. This pair is particularly effective against dead or dry wood, slicing through branches you’d swear you’d need longer-handled loppers for with just three squeezes. However, it didn’t have any problems pruning smaller twigs of greener wood. 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.

Pruning can be tiring work, especially to your hands and wrists. To offset that, many brands have pruners that are designed specifically to reduce the effort needed to squeeze the pruner blades closed and then reopen them. Notably, The Gardener’s Friend Ratchet Pruning Shears are specifically designed to be easy to use, even for those with sore or weak hands. Springs that help to reopen the blades are common, but some pruners take it further with ratcheting mechanisms that help decrease the force required to squeeze the blades together. Take proper care of your pruners, which means cleaning them after use, sharpening them as needed, only cutting greenery that’s within the tool’s capacity, and storing them away from excessive moisture and heat, and a good pair of pruners can last for decades. Recharging is fast and easy using a micro USB, while you can even adjust the cutting power to suit each plant. For instance, setting the Power Assist function to low means you can prune thinner stems without draining the battery as much, while medium and high settings let you cut through branches that are a bit tougher.

The best secateurs you can buy in 2023

Ergonomics. Whether you consider yourself a hobby gardener or a professional landscaper, any garden-related tool that you’re using will be better if its design is ergonomic. Ergonomic tools are easier on the body and reduce muscle strain and fatigue from repetitive motion. In addition to making garden work more enjoyable, these benefits also help protect against injury down the road. Designed specifically for those with weaker or smaller hands, this ergonomic tool comes with a number of features that produce significant results with minimal effort. With our selection of garden cutting tools you can keep your outdoor areas trimmed, pruned and tidy for a landscaped look. From potted shrubs to your hedges and lawn, we have the tools you need to keep your garden looking its best all year round. Also, you’ll find fruits and flowers produce much higher growth when regularly pruned. Instead of spreading energy across many parts, the plant can focus on producing high quality fruits, vegetables, or flowers when its properly pruned.