It’s all in the title that this product is made for people with small hands. With a maximum cutting capacity of 2cm, this one is also suitable for smaller twigs and fragile foliage. The tool is remarkably well-built, with forged aluminium handles and hardened steel blade. In addition, it’s quite on the smaller side and lightweight for ease of use.

Mechanism: bypass (see FAQ at the bottom of this feature for the difference between bypass and anvil secateurs) 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.The Okatsune 103 are the most popular secateurs in the range. With its length of 200 mm this model is 20 mm larger than model 101, and 10 mm smaller than model 104. The blades of these razor-sharp secateurs are forged from the finest Japanese steel (the same steel from which the Katana sword of the Samurai are made), and enable you to effortlessly cut through branches up to 25 mm, of such as shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and creepers. Overall, the quality of the Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs is second to none. Perhaps the only negative is that they may not be the best choice for larger hands and in this case, the 104 Model may be a better choice. The shears are constructed from a few components, so that there is hardly any maintenance required. It is recommended to clean the blades after use. After cleaning it is recommended to oil the shears, and store moisture free with the cutting blades closed. If you notice that the shears are cutting less well, you can grind them using the Okatsune whetstone. Davoen is a British manufacturer that you can always rely on for high-quality affordable products and are best for busy home gardeners. The Davoen Pro Bypass Secateurs have a quirky design that makes them stand out from the competition. The handles of these secateurs are well designed, with their auto-rotating feature that allows you to spread your fingers and use the tool without too much effort. Issues such as hand fatigue, muscle cramps and blisters are not common with these secateurs and that’s really a good thing. Those who suffer from hand ailments or the elderly will benefit greatly from these secateurs and you won’t find a better-priced pair. You will also benefit from precise cutting no matter the plants or foliage you’ll be trimming. The SK5 carbon steel blades are sure to offer long-term service without losing their cutting edge, whilst the finger protection guard will ensure there are no accidental injuries.

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. There is a trade off when considering the cutting ability of secateurs. Pruning larger material such as branches will require more force to make the cut.

These secateurs are of the optimum quality, crafted with top quality metal and are made from just two pieces of steel which makes them incredibly strong. Cuts are super clean and finished with a satisfying snip, that being said, we don’t think they have quite as much grip as the Felco models, however, other people might think differently.