Where to buy the best secateurs

The lower blade is replaced by an anvil-shaped hammer, which has the function of holding the branch better, making it easier to cut hard or dry wood, when the upper blade lowers. The fin prevents the branch from slipping and optimizes the force exerted by the user of the pruner, simplifying pruning work. On the other hand, it is not very suitable for branches, young green shoots and delicate bark, as it tends to crush them, causing sap leaks.

Also known as cantilever shears, these models are fantastic for getting precise and above all straight cuts. As I told you, they are not afraid of dry or hard woods, and they facilitate the pruning phase, since they allow you to cut with less force by pressing the handles. As for the cutting diameters, they usually do not exceed 2.5 centimeters.

Due to their characteristics, they are particularly recommended for pruning vines and all plants with lignified branches.

single sheet with bow

Also in this case, the cutting system provides for the presence of a single upper blade and a lower blade. Except that, unlike the previous model, the blade does not stop at the anvil but goes beyond it, which is why it is also called a cross or step cut. This is a feature that allows you to achieve even more precise, clean and clean cuts, without endangering young shoots and green branches.

By not hitting the anvil, in fact, they do not crush the branch and therefore do not damage its delicate bark or squeeze the sap. However, these professional pruners are not suitable for hard, dry and lignified branches, as they can produce inaccurate cuts. This happens for a reason: being hard, these branches offer greater resistance, which leads to the widening of the blade in relation to the leaf.

The risk is twofold: you could break the mechanism and bark the branch, damaging both the branch and the scissors. It is precisely for this reason that I advise you to use them to prune green branches.

Single-blade shears should be used to cut slightly thicker, stronger branches by cutting the bark first. To do this, you have to press the blade well on the branch and then make a small rotation to affect the cortical part. And, when you start to cut, you have to continue with the rotation of the wrist. This movement will give more incisivity to the cut and will prevent it from fraying.

When to use them? They are excellent for trimming roses, small shrubs and hedges. They are also ideal for picking small fruits (like blueberries) and flowers.

double blade scissors

They are the most versatile of all, since their cutting system makes them universal, therefore usable in all circumstances. How do they work? It’s super easy to explain. In practice, this time we have two leaves but without the crossing, so the upper leaf collides with the lower leaf, producing a clean and quick cut of the branch. Since there is no anvil-shaped hammer, there is no lymph crushing problem, nor possible peeling of the cuticle.

Another advantage is: often these professional secateurs can act even against twigs with a larger than average diameter – about 3 centimeters. But what are the flaws? As the two blades come into direct contact, these models often tend to dull.

He considers that not compressing the branch not only does not damage it, but also allows easier and faster healing. This factor is really very important, because it reduces the risk of disease.

Although universal, double-edged pruners are typically used for pruning orchards and pruning rose bushes. This is due to the extreme precision of the cut because they do not damage the bark of the branch.

2. Blade materials

When wondering which are the best professional pruners, always evaluate the material of the blade. The fact that they are made of steel is not very indicative because, as you already know, there is steel and steel, and not all of them are the same. Specifically, the carbon content and the industrial production process, such as forging or forging, matter a lot.

• high carbon steel : Preferred over low carbon blades because it makes components harder and stronger, and because it retains its edge longer. Unsurprisingly, professional scissors still have this feature.
• wrought iron : forging is an industrial production technique that makes steel sheets even more robust.
• hardened steel : quenching makes the steel even more resistant, in particular with respect to mechanical stress, traction, torsion and shocks.
• covering : The coating is important because it prevents the resins from adhering to the blades, thus facilitating the cleaning phase. The best secateurs are chrome-plated, but there are also excellent teflon-coated models.

As for the coating, know that it is also important for another reason: it prolongs the life of the blades, since it protects them from the acids of the sap, which could corrode the steel. Finally, consider that the best brands from this point of view always offer you the best.

3. Mechanism: spring or pawl?

It is also very important to evaluate the mechanism that allows the scissors to reduce the fatigue of those who use them, and which becomes invaluable when cutting for several hours at a time. In this case, there are two options: a spring pruner and a ratchet pruner. In some cases, ratchet shears give you the option to switch to soft cutting by deactivating this system with a lever.

• spring system : this is the classic cutting aid system, present in almost all professional pruning shears. In fact, the spring helps distribute the force optimally, reducing fatigue during cutting operations. It is a system particularly suitable for green and tender twigs.
• ratchet system : the ratchet system is particularly useful for pruning hard and dry branches, such as olive buds. You can still guarantee a clean cut, but be careful: cheap ratchet shears tend to break, in which case the tool will have to be thrown away.

Personally, I advise you to avoid ratchet models, because it is generally a delicate mechanism, and it also increases the weight of the shears. Unsurprisingly, almost all professional models mount the classic spring.

Other important factors to consider

• self-cleaning system : some models like the Felco have a lower blade with a groove, which favors the flow of the resinous substances released by the branch when it is cut. This way the scissors get less dirty, they are easier to clean and the two blades don’t stick together all the time.
• close the lock : Found in all the best secateurs, this lock keeps the blades closed, preventing them from opening suddenly. This is a fairly common security system.
• adjusting nut : some scissors are equipped with a special toothed nut, which allows you to adjust the clearance between the upper and lower blades. The objective is to guarantee you a cut that is always precise and customizable according to your needs.
• rotating handle : Some scissors have a bottom handle that rotates while cutting. This system allows you to reduce fatigue, since it distributes the effort on all the fingers, avoiding problems such as tendonitis.
• Ergonomic and non-slip handle : as I already explained, the ergonomic handle improves your grip, and prevents the scissors from slipping out of your hands when sweating.
• damping system : if present, this fin reduces vibrations at the end of the cut, to protect your joints.
• replaceable parts : A good pruner should always allow you to replace parts subject to wear such as the blades and the spring.