Use the non-slip, soft-grip handle as you guide your tool through branches of up to 15mm – you can alter the locking catch for a wide or narrow cutting width. The cuts are really clean with no tearing or crushing of plant material, which is good news for your hands in avoiding repetitive strain issues .

This can also vary more than you expect, a pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g. Renowned for the hardness of their blades, being forged from the finest Izumo Yasugi steel, gives long lasting sharpness to Okatsune tools. Revolvable handles can take a bit of getting used to but they move with your hand more naturally, making it easier to get into tight spaces. With all of this in mind, it can actually be quite a daunting task when selecting this essential tool and it’s easy to make mistak es. Behind this site is an actual real person who has worked and has experience with the types of products we review as well as years of knowledge on the topics we cover from actual experience.Fiskars also backs the product with a lifetime warranty that covers defects in workmanship and materials. Unlike western brands, which rely on cushioning and gearing for a smooth feel, these have a more direct action, resulting in a very clean, efficient cut. Leave the whetstone in water for about five minutes until soaked through, then gently rub a blade against it to sharpen.

If you suffer fromcarpal tunnel, arthritis or have the distinct disadvantage of having smaller or weak hands, then these are the best choice for you. These pruners also have a finger protection guard and a sap groove – sap from green stems runs into it to prevent sticky blades. Leading pruning specialist Jake Hobson learnt the craft of tree training, pruning and rootballing in rural Osaka, and founded Niwaki (it means “garden tree”) to bring Japanese techniques to Western gardens. The maximum cutting thickness is good and the blades are easy to sharpen when necessary but it’s worth noting they cannot be changed like that on the Felco models. Bypass secateurs provide a scissor-like action as the blades close, meaning they pass over one another to produce a clean cut.For anyone involved in viticulture, arboriculture, horticulture and pruning in parks and gardens, this is an excellent choice for you.