How to Choose a Pair of Suitable Secateurs
Let's face it; secateurs are the bread and butter of any gardener, home or professional. You need a good solid pair of suitable secateurs if you want to keep both your hands and your green friends beautiful. Why do I say that? That’s because using the wrong pair of secateurs, or pruners as some of us may call it, will result in muscle pains from over-exertion. You should consider the following points when selecting your secateurs:
- Pick the right size. There’s no better way to identify the right size than to try and test it a few rounds. Ideally, you want something that fits right and definitely not oversized as that will cause you palm strains, particularly at the base of your thumb.
- Watch where the safety catch is positioned at. It should be within comfortable reach of your fingers and thumb. Make sure you don’t need to over-exert strength when flipping it. It can be quite dangerous if you need to hit the catch hard to move it.
- Left handers need not necessarily purchase a specialized one as secateurs with safety catches on the top (rather than the side) work equally well.
- If you expect more than one user for your secateurs, you can consider getting one with adjustable size. Most of these have safety catches on its top so no problem there for left handers.
Now that you recognize the importance of size and safety catch positioning, the next step will be figuring out the type of secateurs you need. Each different type is generally categorized according to its diameter-cutting power so it is prudent to first understand the branch/twig thickness of your plants. You don’t need electrical transmission to cut small stems and branches. Save that money to get a holiday watering set instead.
Bypass Secateurs
Resembles a typical household scissors (except it has curved blades) and in fact works like one. This is the common type you see in stores that leaves a clean cut on small stems. Not recommended for thick cuts as the cutting blade is pretty short and it is harder to exert strength on those thick stems.
Anvil Secateurs
This big brother looks a lot meaner and tougher than the bypass secateurs and is designed to cut away the thicker stems. Compared to the bypass secateurs, its blade is less likely to stick to the thick stems so it feels more comfortable when you are cutting it. If you see the bypass secateurs as a scissors, think of this as pliers.
Ratchet Action Secateurs
Basically an upgrade to the anvil secateurs as it is only available on anvil blades. With the ratchet mechanism, you apply less force by intermittently closing and releasing the handles. This is possible because the blades lock onto the stem when you release the handle so cutting done progressively rather than with one brute attempt. A great product for the elderly.
Cut & Hold Secateurs
A nice pair of secateurs that holds the severed piece of stem you just cut. Apart from that neat contraption it works like the rest.
Comfort Secateurs
An excellent and recommended range designed with ergonomics in mind. Comes in variable sizes for both anvil and bypass blades so you should definitely find the right one you need!