10 Best Secateurs [Buyer Guide]
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Secateurs are essential for any gardener. Unlike machine operated tools such as lawn mowers, these are a manual, hand-held garden tool. They can be used for pruning, dead-heading, cutting back perennials and harvesting fruit, veg or flowers. It may seem like a simple task when it comes to choosing some secateurs, however there are some things you should consider before you buy. Here at Konservatory, we’ve put together this buyer guide to do the hard work for you. In this guide, we will consider how easy they are to handle, safety functions and blade specification. We also give some invaluable advice on how to use secateurs properly, as well as clean and sharpen them.
There are many different types of pruners and we’ll talk you through them, too. The different types are anvil, ratchet and bypass secateurs. The bypass type have two blades that work very similarly to a pair of ordinary scissors. They’re also pointed to help you cut stems and branches and are perfect for cutting stems between 10-15mm thick. They’re designed to give you a clean cut, so it’s necessary to keep them sharp. Not sure how to sharpen them? We have a section on that in our summary below. Anvil secateurs have one blade that cuts with the blade pushing through a stem or branch on to a ‘cutting board’ or block. They are very useful for cutting through thicker, woodier stems and dead wood. Ratchet Secateurs either have anvil or bypass blades and feature “ratchet” springs for ease of use. Ratchet secateurs are able to make tougher cuts far more gradually and are especially useful for gardeners who lack strength. In this blog we review the 10 best secateurs based on a whole host of things. Keep reading if you wanting to find out more!
JEOutdoors pruning secateurs
The JEOutdoors pruning secateurs features na easy open/close lock for added security. They also feature a spring loaded handle to give superior comfort. These secateurs also feature an anti rust blade.
Key Features:
Fit for cutting stems and light branches
Quality sharp blade
Safety lock for convenient security
Specification:
Brand
JEOutdoors
Blade material
High carbon alloy steel
Weight
0.15kg
Dimensions (cm)
45.72 x 4.57 x 15.24
Pros
superior comfort
Replaceable spring included
Cons
Not as good for trimming thicker branches
FELCO Pruning Secateurs
The FELCO pruning secateurs are designed to cut small shoots and collect flowers and fruits. They feature a locking mechanism which allows single handed operation.
Key Features:
Slim blades
Locking mechanism
Ergonomic handles
Specification:
Brand
FELCO
Material
Stainless steel
Weight
2kg
Dimensions (cm)
35 x 15 x 5
Pros
Ideal for collecting flowers and fruits
Cons
Slightly more expensive than other secateurs
Spear & Jackson Pruning Secateurs
The Spear & Jackson pruning secateurs feature drop forged carbon steel blades for strength and durability. They also have non-slip cushion grips for increased comfort and grip. These secateurs also have a safety lock catch to prevent from any injuries that may occur.
Key Features:
Carbon steel blades
Non-slip grips
Safety lock
Specification:
Brand
Spear & Jackson
Material
Drop forged carbon steel
Weight
0.57kg
Dimensions (cm)
21.01 x 11.51 x 2.01
Pros
Durable
Comfortable
Cons
Slightly more expensive than other secateurs
Davaon Pruning Secateurs
The Davaon pruning secateurs come with 2 different cutting mode being able to cut thick or thin branches with the flick of a switch. These secateurs also are made with hardened SK5 carbon steel blades which are ultra strong, sharper and more durable.
Key Features:
Ratchet and single cut mode
Hard steel blade
Ergonomic and lightweight
Specification:
Brand
Davaon
Material
Hardened carbon steel
Weight
0.25kg
Dimensions (cm)
21 x 8 x 1.5
Pros
30 day guarantee
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
Wilkinson Sword Pruning Secateurs
The Wilkinson Sword pruning secateurs Come as a reasonably priced twin pack consisting of a bypass pruner and an anvil pruner. They are made with high quality Japanese steel and also feature soft grip inserts in the handles.
Key Features:
Soft grips
High quality japanese steel blade
Specification:
Brand
Wilkinson Sword
Material
Japanese steel
Weight
0.25kg
Pros
Come with bypass and anvil pruner
Cons
Don't come with safety lock
Davaon Pruning Secateurs
The Davaon pruning secateurs feature a unique ‘less effort’ mechanism which is designed to reduce pressure on fingers whilst increasing comfort. These secateurs also come with finger a finger shield design to protect your hands from rose thorns or rough branch scratches.
Key Features:
Easy cutting
Finger shield design
Ergonomic comfort
Specification:
Brand
Davaon
Marterial
Hardened SK5 carbon steel
Weight
0.33kg
Dimensions (cm)
22 x 5 x 9
Pros
30 day guarantee
Reduces pressure on fingers
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
Spear & Jackson Pruning Secateurs
The Spear & Jackson pruning secateurs are made with SK5 carbon steel for extra strong blades that are made to be more durable. The blades are also coated for rust resistance and smoother cutting.
Key Features:
Large handles
Non-slip comfort grips
rust resistant blades
Specification:
Brand
Spear & Jackson
Material
SK5 carbon steel
Weight
0.21kg
Dimensions (cm)
22 x 6 x 2.5
Pros
Comes with sap groove in the blade
Absorbs shock
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
GRÜNTEK pruning secateurs
The GRÜNTEK pruning secateurs are made of high strength teflon coated carbon steel for extreme durability and easy cutting. The handles are ergonomically designed with PVC coating to guarantee better grip.
Key Features:
Teflon coated blade
Ergonomic handle
Very sharp blade
Specification:
Brand
GRÜNTEK
Material
Chrome-plated carbon
Weight
0.25kg
Dimensions (cm)
21.5 x 6.4 x 2.3
Pros
Perfect for dead-heading and pruning
Can cut up to 20mm diameter
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
JSDing pruning secateurs
The JSDing pruning secateurs use a Japanese SK5 steel blade making them super durable and strong. This is then reinforced by a PVC coating to prevent the blade from sticking to juice and dirt. These secateurs also feature a safety lock and ergonomically designed handles.
Key Features:
Super durable
PVC coated blades
Ergonomic mechanism
Safety lock
Specification:
Brand
JSDing
Material
Stainless steel
Weight
0.2kg
Dimensions (cm)
25.9 x 8.9 x 2.5
Pros
High quality spring
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
Davaon Pruning Secateurs
The Davaon pruning secateurs come with adjustable grips for larger or smaller hands. They have an auto rotating lower handle to make it easier for your hands to squeeze. The finger guard helps protect your hands from painful scratches.
Key Features:
Finger protection guard
Enhanced comfort
Adjustable grips
Specification:
Brand
Davaon
Material
Hardened SK5 carbon steel
Weight
Dimensions (cm)
Pros
Precise & powerful cutting
30 day guarantee
Cons
Might not suit every hand size
Summary
So, after you’ve read through all of those reviews – hopefully you will have found the secateurs for you, your garden and your budget. However, you might still be left wondering about what exactly you should keep in mind before you commit and purchase your very own secateurs. In this section of our buyer guide, we will talk you through exactly what you’re needing to look for when you’re adding to your garden tool collection. We also have a great section on how to sharpen your secateurs which is super beneficial to prolong their lifespan. So, if you’re in the market to buy some secateurs, have a quick read of these buyer considerations below so you can be sure you’ve made the right, informed decision.
How easy are they to handle?
Like lawn edging shears, it’s really important to think about how the secateurs actually feel in your hands, as you will most likely be using them for long periods of time. Here at Konservatory, we recommend going for a pair that have nice, comfortable padding and a grippy texture. This will ensure your secateurs will be easy to hold, and therefore easier to use, leaving your hands feeling just as they were before your pruning job – even after cutting your roses on your garden obelisks. Another thing to bear in mind is the actual size of the secateurs as this could effect your grip/how easy they are to handle. If you’ve got hands on the smaller size, go for a pair of secateurs that fit your hand well – as a pair that are too large will be uncomfortable to use and will ultimately mean you won’t be able to use them for long periods of time.
Safety features
It’s also beneficial to look out for secateurs that have safety functions. This means that your mind will be at ease when using them, as you’ll know they have been created with your safety as a priority. A lot of the secateurs available to buy will have an inbuilt safety catch which means you won’t have to worry about any unwanted cuts when you’re gardening. Safety features might also be a priority if you have small children – if they happen to accidentally get their hands on your secateurs, the safety function will ensure that no nasty accidents will take place!
Blade specification
Another thing to take a look at before you buy your secateurs is the material their blade has been made from. You should look for a blade that is made from high quality material, which will mean it will last a whole lot longer. If you go for secateurs that have a good quality blade, it will mean you won’t have to sharpen them as often, too. We recommend choosing blades that are made from either carbon alloy steel or stainless steel.
FAQ
How to sharpen garden secateurs
As we’ve mentioned throughout this guide, the key to keeping your secateurs working as they should is to keep them sharp. You can think of it in the same way as you’d treat your kitchen knives – it would be a whole lot harder to cut if your knives weren’t the sharpest. Heavy use of your trust garden pruners will clog them with plant sap which will eventually blunt their blades. A clean cut is essential for any greenery cutting as a blunt pair of secateurs can tear plant tissue and allow disease in. We thought we’d make your life a little bit easier and include a step-by-step guide of how to sharpen secateurs for you here:
What you will need:
- WD40
- Sand paper
- Sharpening stone
- Oil
- Cloths
Step 1: To clean the blade, use some WD40 and remove the plant sap by rubbing sandpaper on both sides of the blade.
Step 2: To actually start to sharpen the blunt blade, use a sharpening stone. In order to use this sharpening stone, if you’re not familiar with it, hold it flat and rub it across the surface of the blade. Proceed to turn the secateurs over and position the stone at the same angle as the bevelled edge and drag across the length of the blade.
Step 3: As sharpening your secateur is essential for its longevity and overall usability, a lot of brands actually make it possible for the two blades to come apart. This means that the blades are a lot easier to clean and sharpen, too. To do this, unlock the screws and careful take apart the secateurs. You can then go on to remove the blade and sharpen it as advised in step 2 – on a flat sharpening stone. Top tip: make sure you oil the stone first! When you’re done, you can then fasten the secateurs back together and they’ll be as good (and sharp) as new!
If you’d rather watch how to sharpen your secateurs – we’ve included a video explanation for you here. They use a slightly different method than the one we’ve listed above – but it works in the same way!
What is the difference between pruners and secateurs?
There is no difference between pruners and secateurs – the term is used for the same tool.