Secateurs are a must-have for keeping the landscape neat and orderly.
Cordless garden tools like hedge trimmers and weed whackers are great for heavy-duty work, but secateurs are a handy hand tool for light activities like pruning, dead-heading, and cutting back perennials.
Anvil, bypass, and ratchet are the three most common options. However, if you need to cut larger branches or wood, anvil secateurs are your best bet.
They cut metal by pressing the cutting blade on a flat surface like a hammer and anvil.
Like a regular pair of scissors, the cutting blade of bypass blades travels over another surface.
These can only be used for light tasks and require regular sharpening. Finally, the spring-loaded action of ratchet scissors aids in cutting through stronger materials.
In addition, you should think about the strength of your tool, the size of your hands, and whether or not you are a right- or left-handed individual.
A large, powerful right-handed individual will have different needs than a small left-handed person. Therefore we’ve written 5 of the best pruning secateurs.
My Top 3 Best Pruning Secateurs
Last update on 2023-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Felco FEL2 Model 2 Original Secateurs
- Comfortable, lightweight, sturdy aluminium alloy handles
- High quality hardened steel blades, forged aluminium alloy handles, wire cutting notch
- Anvil blade with sap groove, rubber cushion shock aborbers
- For a medium to large hand, right Handed; the handles have a non slip coating
- Lifetime guarantee, all parts replaceable
Last update on 2023-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One of the best anvil secateurs on the market right now is the Felco Model 2.
The Felco Model 2 is a great pair of secateurs for heavy wood and thin green branches since it’s made of high-quality materials and provides unmatched strength and durability.
High-quality hardened steel anvil blades can chop branches up to an inch in diameter, making them one of the most powerful cutting tools.
However, even thick and thin branches are no match for the razor-sharp blades, which excel at eliminating woody growth.
Felco is so confident in their secateurs that they even offer a lifetime guarantee on the blades and other components.
Therefore, it is unlikely to need to replace your blades for several years.
They are both lightweight and extremely robust, thanks to their high-quality metal handles constructed of aluminum.
Using the nonslip coating, you’ll have a better grip, and it’ll also cushion the blow when you need to prune thicker branches.
In addition to the sap groove on the anvil blade, which means less cleaning and more cutting, a hardened steel center bolt allows you to adjust the blades as required.
If you’re worried about cutting yourself, there is also a safety latch to keep the blades closed when they’re not in use!
Pros
- Ideal for those with large hands
- Includes a wire cutting notch
Cons
- Expensive compared to the majority
2. Florabrite Yellow Bypass Secateurs
- Reduce Hand Strain: These micro tip snips are built spring-loaded so that they automatically push themselves open...
- Ultra Sharp Blades: These quality snips come with stainless steel precision-sharpened blades and are ready to...
- Secure, Easy to Lock: These micro tip snips feature a safe and secure sideways locking mechanism that keeps your...
- Make Precise Cuts: With these micro tip snips, you can easily get between plants to "clip and snip" only the area...
- Applications: Trimming trees and flowers, cutting papers, opening boxes and so on
Last update on 2023-03-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These FloraBrite yellow secateurs are ideal if you frequently lose your pruners.
So named because of their brightly colored handles, they’re simple to locate in the grass, dirt, or shrubs when kept buried.
These secateurs have a rubber cushion and a high carbon steel blade to avoid jarring. Don’t be fooled by the funky color, though!
They’re part of a set of garden tools that include trowels, forks, and gloves in vibrant pink color. They feature beautiful design.
Pros
- They are bright in color
- It RHS endorsed
Cons
- Not suitable for harder wood
3. Sophie Conran Precision Secateurs
- FINE PRECISION PRUNING - This wonderful double-bladed tool with fine precision tips allows for targeted cutting....
- PART OF THE SOPHIE CONRAN COLLECTION - Sophie Coran has turned her attention to the tools that surround her low of...
- LOCKABLE HANDLE - A simple brass lock keeps the blades safely closed when not in use.
- SIZE - Approx: 19.5cm long / 7.7" long. Supplied in a beautiful gift presentation box. Made from Stainless Rust...
Last update on 2023-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The very fashionable Sophie Conran-designed secateurs have sharp yet thin blades that make it easy to separate individual stems and remove them with a clean cut.
If you have a lot of houseplants, these are the perfect scissors to keep on hand for trimming and pruning them.
It is even possible to take precise propagation cuttings without harming the remainder of the plant because of the long scissor-like blade.
Stainless steel construction means they won’t rust, and a brass lock keeps them safe while they’re not in use.
Florists and houseplant enthusiasts alike will appreciate the attractive presentation box that comes with these plants, making them a perfect gift.
Pros
- Ideal for houseplants and cut flowers
- Very sharp
- It comes with a 5-year guarantee
Cons
- Not suited to wood pruning or more rigorous gardening
4. Burgon & Ball Left-Handed Bypass Secateurs
Last update on 2023-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Secateurs, like scissors, are almost exclusively made for right-handed users, making it increasingly difficult for those who are left-handed to locate the proper set of secateurs to fit their needs.
On the other hand, these left-handed Bypass Secateurs make it easy for sinistral gardeners to prune their plants and hedges with utmost comfort.
Because of their carbon steel blade and bright orange rubber-coated grip, these secateurs are guaranteed to aid you on your road to a neater garden.
Pros
- Great for left-handed people
- It is also possible to get replacement parts
- Comfortable
Cons
- Big cuts are a challenge
- It’s best for larger hands
5. Kent & Stowe 2 IN 1 Ratchet Anvil Secateurs
- Drop forged high-quality carbon steel non-stick blades
- Suitable for cutting mature hard and dead wood
- Ideal for arthritis suffers or those with a slightly weaker grip and for longer and more demanding pruning tasks
- Ratchet mode cutting diameter 22m, Single cut mode 18mm
- 5-year guarantee
Last update on 2023-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pruning can be a painful and challenging activity for folks with weaker grips or arthritis.
Ratchet Anvil Secateurs are ideal for gardeners with limited hand dexterity since anvil cuts are more powerful than traditional bypass cuts.
Whether you’re an expert gardener or a novice, these scissors are a joy to use.
Because of the razor-sharp blades, they cut through even the toughest branches with ease.
Pruning heavier branches has never been easier, thanks to the combination of a single-cut anvil and a ratcheting motion that allows you to make four shortcuts.
Also included in the kit is an oil sponge that helps keep the blades clean and extends their lifespan.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly and ergonomic
- An outstanding all-arounder
- Comes equipped with both anvil and ratchet functions
Cons
- A bit on the heavier side
Buyers Guide… Things To Consider Before Buying a Secateurs
1. Left-Handed Secateurs
Due to the scissor-style blades of bypass secateurs, they are generally more suited to right-handed users.
However, left-handed pruners do exist, and the majority of top companies offer left-handed variants.
2. The Cutting Diameter Of The Blade
The cutting diameter of the blade varies between 10 and 30mm, depending on the size and type of secateurs you own.
This is the maximum length that the blades can cut when opened. If your secateurs are smaller in diameter, the cutting diameter will be reduced as well.
The diameter of full-size secateurs varies — this is important to consider if you intend to cut through dense bushes.
Here is an article I wrote on the best secateurs for indoor plants
3. Weight of the Secateurs
The Secateurs’ weight can range from as little as 100g to as much as 400g, which is a larger range than you might imagine.
Heavy models can feel more durable, but light models are best for frequent usage and delicate pruning
4. Locks
When not in use, these are an absolute necessity for your safety.
The blades on some models can only open to a certain distance, so they include a second safety lock for added protection when being stored.
5. Handle Covering
A wide variety of materials are used to create secateurs’ handles, ranging from ergonomic plastic and memory foam to slick rubber and silicone.
Unfortunately, a lack of a protective covering on metal designs makes them cold and unpleasant to hold in cold weather, making them less suitable for outdoor use.
When choosing a set of secateurs to be used outside, look for ones with brighter handles, as these are easier to spot when hidden in the undergrowth and are less likely to get lost in flower beds or hedges.
6. Replaceable Parts (Blades And Springs)
Blades and springs can be swapped out on some pruners, and some even come with the spanners needed to do so.
This is a good option if you wish to reduce waste by only replacing the broken or ineffective parts.
Conclusion
There is a lot of secateurs available in the market. So this guide is to help you narrow down your search to the best of the best.
However, our favorite of this list is the Felco Fel 2 model. It is quite efficient and comfortable in hand.
