A robust and rugged high performance tool with a design that makes it easy to deal comfortably with heavy-duty, intensive pruning tasks

These are, without a doubt, the best ratchet secateurs we have ever had the chance to review. We have tried quite a few ratchet secateurs in previous years and we can confirm we have never come across a better pair of secateurs with the ratchet feature.Felco Secateurs or Pruning Shears as they are sometimes called are the perfect tool for pruning in your garden or professional use.

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? You can truly feel the quality with the smooth tight action and superb cutting power, combined to offer you an unparalleled level of precision. The easy to use design always provides a clean cut which encourages the efficient healing of the wood. 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

Choosing Secateurs, Anvil or Bypass?

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 recommendation Each pair is ergonomic and features non slip handles; great for working longer in the garden without suffering from tired wrists or hands. We love them. TheseFelco Model 6 secateurs are nearly identical to the Felco model 2. The handles are made from the same forged aluminium steel which makes them very strong, lightweight and nearly unbreakable. They have the same hardened steel blade that can be changed if needed and it produces a very precise clean cut on all the different types of stems we tested them on. Our recommendation They are lightweight, which is the first thing you will notice, and there are no cheap plastic pieces that look like they will break off easily the first time you drop them. Who is it ideal for? If you are a professional gardener or horticulturist then these are for you, of course, amateur gardeners will also appreciate the swivel handle feature. If you do lots of pruning then using these secateurs will be a big advantage. The only downside is they may not be suitable if you have smaller hands.

Rather than confuse you with the full range of Felco secateurs, we have looked at the most popular models to help you choose the right one for you. Many people literally have secateurs for a whole lifetime. If you buy a decent pair then there is no reason you won’t have yours to pass on to future generations. If you have smaller hands then some secateurs may be difficult or uncomfortable to use because the handles open too wide for you to get your hands around, or simply are too large. Some models are have been designed with smaller hands in mind such as theFelco Model 6 Secateurs. Usually, if they have a larger cutting diameter than most, they are usually, better suitable for larger hands. Are you left-handed? At first glance, you would probably say that they all look the same and do the same thing. Whilst they all do prune, some do have nice little features to make your life a little easier. Types of secateurs – Bypass design vs Anvil Bypass secateurs Who is it ideal for?Ideal for amateurs and professional gardeners alike, the Felco model 2 is perfect and that is why it has proved to be the best selling pair of secateurs. It is also the original and has been able to withstand the test of time. The Felco Model 2 also comes with a lifetime guarantee and all parts can be replaced with spare parts. However, it may not be suitable if you have smaller hands.

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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. Finally, they have an ergonomic range that is suitable for gardeners who are left-handed or have smaller hands. These can be better for gardeners who suffer from arthritis. They incorporate ergonomic handles and some even rotate in your hand.

Consider the catches that hold the handles together when not in use, it may not seem like an essential feature but some get in the way when pruning and slip open which can be frustrating. This problem is usually associated with cheaper models that have not been well thought out or use inferior parts where the screws become loose. Buy spare springs and consider models with concealed springs When pruning, they cut through almost every material on test with little resistance. Live, green wood was easy to prune and even hard, dried wood was simple to snip. This is thanks to a carbon steel blade covered in a plasma coating, which Kent and Stowe claim makes these harder than any other blade. Reliable: comfortable light sturdy handles made of forged aluminium with a lifetime guarantee / blade and screw-mounted anvil blade made of high-quality hardened steel / clean precise cut / all parts can be replaced Who is it ideal for?Ideal for gardeners and professionals who do intensive pruning but have smaller hands and can find it difficult to use other slightly larger models. 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.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. The Felco model 7 is made for professional gardeners and horticulturalists and has been designed with this in mind. As with all Felco secateurs, the quality is of the best quality, the coated rubber handles help to reduce impact when cutting and the bottom rotating swivel handle helps prevent tendinitis and inflammation by spreading the pruning force across all your fingers. The handles are designed so that pruning takes 30% less effort and this helps to protect your hands when doing intensive pruning, which many gardeners often do.