Garden pruner: what is it, types, TOP 5 best pruners

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Reviews and Ratings

Vladimir Serchenko

Gardeners are economical people, for them the question of buying an inexpensive, but high-quality tool is always relevant. The pruner is one of the main tools for working in the garden, and the requirements for it are serious. Luckily, the best and most well-reviewed pruners come in a variety of price points.

• Introduction
• Our TOP
• GRINDA 8-423233 z01
• PALISAD 60536
• GARDENA 08854
• RACO 4206-53 / 150C
• FISKARS SingleStep P25
• Center tool 0233
• GARDENA 08905
• FISKARS PowerStep P83
• GARDENA SmartCut 08798
• FISKARS PowerGear P94
• 5 rules for choosing a pruner
• Our Rating

Read also: TOP-10 Best axes for all occasions | Overview of models on the market + Reviews

How to choose the right one?

A garden pruner is a hand-held, working tool used to trim branches, twigs, pagons of trees and shrubs.

To avoid problems while working with the pruner, it must meet certain requirements.

• During operation, the tool should make even cuts. The edge should not be crumpled, torn!
• A good tool will last for many years, so durability is an important quality criterion.
• The secateurs should not let down during operation, break or slide off, wedge.

Photo of Fiskars secateurs

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The garden pruners available today on sale differ in purpose and in some other indicators. To begin with, all such tools are divided into 2 large groups.

• For thin vegetation, bypass pruning shears are most often used. They have 2 blades, one of which is also an emphasis. These pruners can easily cut small, green branches, but thick pagons crumple more than cut.

Interesting!

To keep your garden pruner working properly, you need to clean and lubricate it regularly, otherwise it will squeak.

• For thick vegetation, contact pruners are suitable. They have a support platform and therefore are much better in power than the bypass types. Both young and old, thick branches are easily cut off.

Cutting blades, depending on the model and purpose, can be sickle-shaped, serrated or simply straight.

Garden pruners vary in purpose. Actually, this is the most important thing to consider when choosing a tool for giving. Each individual type is used for specific gardening jobs.

Photo of Gardena secateurs

• Garden shears are a simple type of tool. It is used in floristry, for cutting flower shoots, in the care of fruit and berry and ornamental shrubs, as well as when harvesting, for example, from grapes.
• A flower pruner is a specialized tool that is specially designed for use in floristry. These scissors allow you to make a precise, clear cut of the flower stem.
• For shrubs and various plants with an abundance of thorns, special pruning shears with elongated handles or with protection are suitable, they are also hedge cutters. Such a tool allows you to cut branches in the very depths of the bush or shape it without risking getting scratches from the thorns.Brush cutters are available in manual, electric, battery-powered and gasoline-powered.
• A grafting pruner is a special type of tool that can be used for high-quality grafting of shrubs or trees. The essence of the grafting pruner is that it has a curly knife, which makes mirror cuts on the scion and rootstock.
• A top cutter is a garden pruner that can be used to trim branches located at a considerable distance from the ground. Due to the fact that they have telescopic or solid rods, such work is greatly simplified.

Important!

By choosing the pruner for the intended purpose, the gardener can greatly simplify the care of the plants.

• Loppers, like headers, allow you to cut pagons from trees that grow at a great distance from the ground. But this type differs in that it simply has elongated handles.
• The grass shears are another type of pruner used for cutting grass in the most difficult-to-reach areas where a lawn mower or trimmer will not work.

Photo of Felco secateurs

A good pruner is not only convenient to use, but also pleasant. But what to look for when buying?

• If the pruning shears' handles are not comfortable, even sharp blades will not do a good job of pruning bushes and trees. So you need to try them out in the store. Handles are made of different materials: aluminum, steel, plastic, wood. On top they can have rubber pads for more comfortable work.
• The blades should be smooth, well-sharpened, strong. The material for them is always taken of high quality. If the material of the blade is of poor quality, then the pruner will not last long. It is difficult to say which metal is better for the pruner, the main thing is that it is not fragile and not soft, otherwise chips and deformation are inevitable in the first month of use.

Photos of Finland pruners
Important!

The blade of a quality secateurs should have a protective coating. It can be polymer or Teflon and protect the metal from corrosion.

• The mechanism of modern secateurs can be traditional, lever, ratchet or power. Simple pruning shears have a coil spring or ribbon spring. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is easiest to understand which one is better in practice.

At a price, pruning shears are available from the cheapest, simplest options, costing 250 rubles, and to expensive, branded models with a price tag above 8,000 rubles.

Below are the TOP 5 best garden pruners, which stand out both for the quality of materials and for ease of use.

1. Fiskars secateurs are of high quality. The brand produces only reliable garden tools that can serve for many years without failures. The Fiskars SmartFit P68 111610 model is currently considered the best in terms of both price and quality. Blade opening width from 12 to 24 mm. Cutting diameter - 20 mm. Handle with a special coating so that it does not slip in the hand. Carbon steel blade, cuts neatly. Weight - 192 g. Cost up to 1500 rubles. The secateurs are supplied with a safety cover.
2. Gardena is a well-known brand under which a wide variety of garden tools are produced. Gardena pruner 8854 - one-hand pruner. The maximum cutting diameter is 20 mm. There is a blade lock, a return spring. Plastic handles, but of good quality, comfortable, covered with rubber pads on top. Tool length 246 mm, weight - 159 g. Cost - 650 rubles.
3. Felco is a Swiss company. It has been known on the world market for more than a dozen years. Secateurs are of high quality. The FELCO 160S pruner is a one-handed, lightweight tool. The handles are made of fiberglass reinforced and high strength polymer. The model is suitable primarily for women, because it is very convenient for her to work. The maximum cutting thickness is 20 mm. Weight 175 g. Cost - 1850 rubles.

   
   Photo of pruners of the Raco brand

4. The Finland brand is known for producing the most user-friendly tool to work with. The Finland 1431 pruner model is a flat professional pruner. Cuts knots up to 26 mm. The handle is made of lightweight plastic. Blades - stainless steel with anti-friction coating. Length - 220 mm, weight - 200 g. In the closed position there is a lock for safety. Cost - 620 rubles.
5. Raco is a tool from a European brand. Differs in high blade strength, long service life. The blade can be sharpened or replaced as needed. Secateurs RACO 4206-53 / 150C - one-handed tool. The maximum cutting diameter is 20 mm. There is a ratchet mechanism, a return spring, a blade lock. The handles are made of aluminum. Length - 200 mm, weight 250 g. Cost 690 rubles.

Pruners from well-known brands are universally loved by gardeners. They do their job with high quality, so they more than pay off the cost.

• Valentina Smirnova: “Last year I bought myself a new garden pruner Fiskars pin 111430”. I note that right after I took it out of the package, it was clear that the instrument was of high quality and would not break even from a thick twig, although it was not intended for such. It cuts very easily, effortlessly, hands do not get tired of long work. In the spring, in a few hours, I cut 5 bushes and a young tree, and only then I began to feel tired in my hand! Although before, with an old pruner, there was not always enough strength for one bush. As a bonus, it is easy to clean. So I advise everyone. "
• Anton Sirotko: “I used to use the simplest pruning shears in the garden, but it was disappointing that they quickly broke with regular work. Then I was presented with a Gardena 8905 pruner, and since then I have understood what a real garden tool is. It works very smoothly, cuts smoothly, does not tear the edges. Although the maximum cutting diameter is 20 mm, I still tried to cut larger branches. Of course, not so perfect, but still better than a simple pruner. It is elementary in service, it is well cleaned, does not rust, although I have been using it for more than 1.5 years. "
• Marina Buryak: “The pruner is a must in the country. To solve the problem of constant breakage of secateurs, I finally decided to spend money on a good, branded one. The Finland 1431 model was chosen in a good store for a considerable price. It doesn’t weigh much, thanks to the comfortable handle, you don’t notice the time at work. The blade is very sharp, it cuts knots on bushes and trees like clockwork. Work is now a real pleasure, so I don’t regret the purchase and recommend it to everyone. ”

In this video, an expert will tell you how to choose the right pruning shears for your garden.

Gardening scissors

Garden shears' blades can be of two types: straight or curved. To better fix the branch, small teeth are sometimes applied to them. The tool is intended for green flexible shoots, no more than 2 cm thick.

Bypass

The secateurs are equipped with two blades. When working, the thickened lower blade serves as a support for the branch, while the sharp upper blade cuts off part of the shoot. Suitable for pruning dry, woody and green shoots.

With an anvil

Model with resin base and one sharp upper blade. The principle of operation is similar to the bypass pruner, however, the thickness of the captured shoot is greater - up to 3 cm. It is used to cut off dried branches of old trees.

Pole cutter

A trimmer on a long bar (up to 2 m) can have several working tools: a pruner, a hacksaw, or a small electric chain saw. The Pole Pruner is designed for the maintenance and shaping of tree crowns.

Lopper

Long-handled garden shears for cutting thick branches. The maximum diameter that the tool can grip is up to 5 cm. Some lopper models are also equipped with a reinforcement arm.

Special devices for grafting fruit trees. The blades are positioned so that the cut of the rootstock and the scion matches as closely as possible.Typically, the kit includes three additional attachments.

- Felco.

What models can be offered for purchase

In my opinion, these firms deserve to be in the reliability and quality rating.

ARS Corporation

The ARS model is convenient for the gardener and summer resident

Pay attention to the pruner model VS-7Z at a cost of about 4000 rubles, weighing 212 grams and a one-handed locking system. Suitable for use both in nurseries and in a private garden, as well as in fruit farms. Made of chrome-plated forged steel, rubberized handle.

Okatsune

SILKY Okatsune 103 from a well-known Japanese manufacturer

Okatsune 103 (200 mm). Model from one of the market leaders in Japanese gardening tools. Suitable for seasonal gardening as well as bonsai. Weight 230 grams, cost in the same price range - about 4000 rubles. The red and white handle is easily visible in the grass when lost. Lightness and at the same time high reliability are ensured due to the use of Izumo Yasugi high-carbon steel.

FELCO

FELCO 7 pruner made of hardened steel

Felco 7. The pruning shears of the famous Swiss brand cost a little more than their Japanese counterparts (about 4600 rubles). Provides increased ergonomics and ease of use with a revolving handle, tilting cutter head and a buffer shock absorber. Weight 290 grams, hardened steel.

You can look at other manufacturers and their models on websites selling garden tools on the Internet, choose the ones that are suitable for your needs.

Secateurs manufacturers

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Pruners are manufactured under a wide variety of brands. But not all manufacturers make high quality products. Secateurs from Fiskars, Felco, Finland, Gardena, Raco are among the best. In addition, gardeners note that Wolf Garten, Palisad pruners perform well in their work.

Which pruner to choose, and under which brand, each gardener chooses independently, based on his capabilities, needs, requirements and experience. The main thing is to choose a quality tool so that it will serve for many years.

Pens

Responsible for ease of use. The most common options are metal, reinforced polyamide or plastic.

Metallic ones are stronger. Such an element is often equipped with rubberized inserts so that the device does not slip out of the hands.

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Design features of secateurs

Depending on the device, all pruning shears are divided into flat and contact. The movement of the blades of tools of the first type occurs in the same plane. Their blades move towards each other like scissors.

Contact pruning shears have one blade (top), because the second (lower) was replaced with a kind of platform. During the cut, the plant is pressed with a blade to the site and cut.

Contact tools are conventionally divided into bypass and secateurs with a persistent system. In pruning shears with a thrust system, the upper blade during cutting rests against the lower stop, in the bypass shears it passes alongside.

You can better understand the design features of secateurs by looking at their photos.

Having finished with an overview of the main models, it is necessary to dwell on some important details. In the end, we want to choose the best pruner possible and the little things are very important.

There are models with a rear lock, made in different versions, or with a front one, located either under the thumb of the hand, or on top of the blades.This is of course a matter of convenience, manufacturers have come up with a huge variety of options, but there is no ideal among them. The front one is often loosened, which leads to involuntary closing, the rear one, on the contrary, can get into a position that prevents the end of the cut.

An important sign by which you can make the assumption that you have a professional garden tool in front of you, these are replaceable parts, at least the blades should be replaceable. The fact is that the sharpening resource of the blades is not very large. This is not a knife, not only sharpness is important here, but also the shape, geometry of the blade, which provides a cut at the correct angle, and when sharpening the secateurs, we remove the metal and after a while we will have to change the secateurs blade to a new one.

There are many models of lightweight aluminum handles, thus, the design is significantly lightened. Wear-resistant steel blade attaches to lightweight aluminum handles. True, even in very expensive and high-quality models, there are cases of breakage of such structures, an alternative is a solid-forged blade along with handles, it is almost impossible to break such a pruner, but weight will pay for reliability.

One of the most important parameters is, of course, the characteristics of the steel for the blade. I will not go deep into the topic of comparing steel grades, this is a separate topic on which real battles are being waged on specialized Internet forums. But such a parameter as hardness, of course, must be taken into account. For pruning shears, as a rule, carbon steel is used (it unfortunately rusts) with a hardness of 58 HRC.

Pruner price

Price is also an important criterion. With a great deal of confidence, we can say that the price of a quality garden tool, which is worth paying attention to when buying, starts from several thousand rubles (in 2020 prices). It doesn't matter if you choose a pruner for pruning two trees in the garden or for intensive work.

Cheap models costing up to a thousand are usually wasted money. Of course, they cut in the first place and are often not bad, but they are enough for a season or two at most and you have to buy again and again, while part of the time you have to work with a blunt and faulty tool, and this is a dubious pleasure. By purchasing a professional pruner and initially spending a large amount, in the end you will win.

For an average suburban area, it will most likely be enough for a lifetime. The resource is designed for tens of thousands of cuts, and if you sometimes carry out preventive cleaning and lubrication, then it will definitely last for many years. The tool from the middle price range is the hardest to choose. Some brands are simply overvalued, but in fact they are a rather mediocre tool, while some, on the contrary, are little promoted, but at the same time of good quality.

Having already finished this article, I still thought that it would not be possible to do without mentioning specific brands. Of course, when deciding which garden pruner is better to buy, you need to read reviews on forums and ratings and advice from familiar gardeners. I will try to make one of these ratings. Once again, I will make a reservation that, like any other rating, it will not be entirely objective, it worked more with some models, some less, some brands are sold in our online store and it would be strange to hear a lot of criticism from the owner. But since you have read the article to this point, it means that my opinion is not indifferent. Below is an overview of the most popular brands.

There are thousands of different pruning shears, which have their own design and usage rules. Every gardener has his own tool in stock. The types of this apparatus are divided according to the principle of performing certain tasks. For example, at present, there are several types of pruners that are most popular: loppers, pruning shears and anvil pruners. All of these tools are unique in their design and can be used for different purposes.

Lopper. As the name implies, such a tool is intended for preventive pruning of branches and twigs. It has long handles to increase the grip of the handles. This feature makes it possible to trim unnecessary vegetation even from hard-to-reach places. In addition, it is designed to level out overgrown bushes and tree crowns.

Garden shears are versatile tools. They fit easily in the hand and are easy to use. They are convenient for cutting off excess thin branches or forming a vine. Gardeners love to use them to cut flowers from flower beds. Anvil pruner has its own differences. If the previous versions had a scissor principle, then this variety has the concept of an ax.

Herbal scissors are sometimes considered a type of pruner, but they are not. Their mechanisms are different, and it is better not to use such a tool when working with stems and branches. It is more intended for cutting thin grass. If you use it for other purposes, then either the tool itself or the branch that you try to cut will be broken.

Currently, another type of garden tool is gaining popularity - grafting. Cuts from such an aggregate are smooth and suitable to each other - this leads to the fact that the survival rate of a plant grafted with such a pruner increases. In addition, many manufacturers of grafting models include three nozzles for different branch diameters in the kit.

The electric pruner has several interesting points. For example, it is more convenient to use, since the gardener needs to apply much less effort, and the cuts are smoother. However, its essential difference from the manual version is that it can be used only near the house or indoors, since it constantly needs a charge of energy. The disadvantage of such tools is that the wires will always get tangled under the feet of the worker.

When choosing a garden pruner, the scale of the job must always be considered. If it is a small garden with roses, then garden shears are ideal. If it is necessary to trim the crown of trees, then choose a lopper with long handles. For beginner gardeners, the best option would be to purchase a pair of garden shears. They are compact, low cost and easy to use.

Varieties of the instrument

If you think that pruning shears and pruning shears are one tool, then you are greatly mistaken. Another mistake of an inexperienced gardener is the opinion that the pruner is needed only for pruning branches and its different forms - this is just a whim of the manufacturer. Speaking about these garden tools, it should be noted that they are divided into two main groups:

• The pruner is really necessary for pruning branches in trees and shrubs. But the question is why you need to trim them. This can be the usual removal of unnecessary and dry shoots or the implementation of grafting. For each task, there is a specific pruning shears design, differing in blades, handles and overall shape.
• Garden shears, on the other hand, are not meant to cut branches. They cut soft vegetation. There are many varieties of garden shears. All of them are designed to perform specific tasks.

Now you understand what is the difference between pruning shears and pruning shears. But these are only two large groups. Now we will consider what kind of instrument is included in each of them.

Advice! To care for your garden, you need to purchase both types of tools. Moreover, it is advisable to take not one copy at a time, but to choose several pieces from each group.

The video provides an overview of garden pruners:

Secateurs blades

First of all, the blades must be sharp and strong. They should be securely connected, with minimal clearances, but at the same time, their movement should not be too tight.The material of the blades plays an important role, as a rule, it is indicated in the instructions or description of the secateurs.

Carbon hardened - strong and hard enough, due to which it holds well the factory sharpening. To increase corrosion resistance, it is coated with special compounds.

Others are distinguished by low strength and anticorrosive properties; they are mainly used in inexpensive models of tools. Pruners with blades like this won't last long.

The shape of the blades is important. For work requiring high precision, pruning shears with straight blades should be used. If accuracy is not an important factor in the work, then it is more convenient to use a tool with a curved blade.

An additional plus for the selected tool will be the presence of notches on the lower (support) blade of the secateurs. They hold back the branch to be cut and allow you not to bend over again to harvest it.

A special groove on the anvil blade allows the sticky sap of cut plants to be removed, which makes it possible to clean the instrument less often.

Anvil device

The action of the tool is not based on cutting, but on chopping, as in the guillotine. A sharp blade joins with a wide support - an anvil and splits the stem. If the cutting blade is metal, then soft materials, such as plastic, are used to finish the stop. This will help you successfully trim and avoid damaging the blade when touching the anvil.

The presence of this support area will help to effectively and quickly cut thick and dry branches when sanitizing trees and shrubs in the garden. Stems up to 30 mm in diameter are susceptible to impact.

Purposes of different types of secateurs

Garden shears - Similar to regular shears. Their upper and lower blades are sharpened, they move in opposite directions. Most often they are used for cutting flowers or young shoots up to 15-20 mm thick. They can be used for cutting grass in places where the lawnmower is not accessible. They can be used when harvesting vegetables, fruits or grapes.

For thorny plants - their handles or blades are elongated, which eliminates the need to grip thorny branches.

Grafting secateurs - equipped with knives of different shapes. It is convenient to use them when making a cut of the same shape on grafted and hooded plants.

Shrub pruner - its handles are lengthened and the blades are reinforced. This makes it possible to work with thick branches of large shrubs.

Pruner - a pruner with retractable bars, allows you to cut knots high above the ground (or in hard-to-reach places) without the use of ladders and other devices.

How to sharpen?

Any tool has a tendency to fail. A garden pruner is a thing that is used either too often or very rarely. And every use can make it unavailable for work. After a while, the pruner may stop cutting branches and start chewing or simply breaking them.

You will need an emery stone for sharpening. Each blade should be sharpened separately. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise there will be no sense from such sharpening, and the tool will be damaged, since each manufacturer chooses an individual angle of the blade. Sharpening should be done from the handle to the point at the same pace and direction, so as not to spoil the sharpening angle. Only the inner side of the blade requires careful handling. After the blades are sharpened, the tool should be assembled.

In order to repair the secateurs less often, you need to remember some prevention rules.

• After work, you should always clear the soil and grass of your assistant.
• Rust should not be allowed, therefore water should be avoided on the tool.
• Sharpen the blades regularly.

By following these points, the life of the instrument will be greatly extended, which will save you money.A garden pruner is an indispensable item in the household. But regardless of whether the tool was chosen correctly, it is important to be able to use it, because a neatly cut branch can subsequently give offspring. A stem cut off with dull blades is more likely to bend and become unviable, so it's important to keep track of your gardening tools.

It is also important to remember the rules for the prevention and cleaning of secateurs - in this case, the investment will pay off faster. A person himself will enjoy working with high-quality tools, and then admire the results of his activities. A trained gardener should always have several garden pruners in stock - this will help to avoid unpleasant situations with tool breakage, as well as to provide maximum comfort when working with different types of plants.

For information on how to sharpen garden pruners, see the next video.

Sharpening is not the easiest task, and if you are having difficulty sharpening a household or garden knife, it is best not to do it. Fortunately, the best professional pruning shears rarely need to be sharpened when working in a typical garden. Once a year, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the pruner from dirt and plant sap, lubricate it well and only in rare cases sharpen it.

Lubrication and cleaning is desirable during operation. But if there is a need to sharpen the pruning shears, then the best solution would be to disassemble it, so you can sharpen faster and better, since it is easier to control the sharpening angle and sharpen the blade along the entire length. they have a rather specific blade shape.

I hope that now the choice of the pruner will be deliberate. And you, without overpaying for extra features, can buy a pruner, the work of which will be a pleasure.

You may be interested in an article about comparing two specific models - Felco 2 and Due Buoi 133/20

Andrey Vasiliev

Selection options

You need to choose inventory not only by the type of work for which it is intended. The material and mechanism of garden tools are of great importance.

Materials (edit)

The cheapest garden shears are made from regular steel. They are short-lived, dull quickly and are susceptible to rust formation. In order for the tool to serve for a long time, you should choose models from the following materials:

• high-carbon (SK-5) or knife (65x13) steel;
• alloy 440A or AUS-6;
• titanium.

Mechanism

The simpler the mechanism, the more effort it will take from the gardener to cut the branch. Therefore, for each job, you need to choose the appropriate tool:

1. Scissor. The simplest device that works only from the force applied to it.
2. Lever. The handles are parallel to each other, which significantly reduces the strain on the hands.
3. Ratchet. Equipped with an auxiliary mechanism consisting of a non-return wheel with teeth and a stopper.
4. Power. Secateurs with a special drive, designed for cutting off thick branches.

Secateurs differ in different mechanisms