Secateurs and other Gardening Hand Tools
Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed
Updated 11th October 2024
Best Secateurs - Which Secateurs should you buy?
Also On This Page
Best 7 Secateurs Tested By Fred
I have tested hundreds of secateurs over the last 30 years and have found very good ones at prices from around a tenner. Sadly there are so many cheap copies of good tools that buying secateurs has become a tricky business.
Below are some of my favourite secateurs that I have personally used for many years. My own preference for secateurs is to have 2 pairs - one anvil ratchet type for cutting thick, or dead stems and one bypass secateur for the thinner, more delicate living stems.
Best Quality Secateurs
Original Felco 2 and my slightly larger, more ergonomic and well used Felco no 8
First Question - Anvil or Bypass Type Secateur? Bypass secateurs are more useful and give a clean cut on delicate stems. These were invented in France over 200 years ago. So have been well tried and tested! Secateurs with anvil blades are better at chopping thick, dead or robust stems.
Felco Secateurs - World Famous - Top Brand Name These classic secateurs have been copied by all and sundry. Felco is the choice of the professionals and you can literarily SMELL the quality when you buy new ones. At about £40 they are quite an investment but can be serviced and repaired to last your lifetime. (Please contact the company, Burton McCall) Many professionals I know and most of the gardening celebrities on TV tend to use Felco secateurs. There is a large range to suit your hand size and pruning requirements. Model no 2 are the original ones. Later model no 8 was introduced with a more ergonomic handle. If you have smaller hands then Model no 6 are best but will have a slightly reduced cutting capacity of 20mm instead of 25mm.
You will notice that most of the Felco range are bypass type secateurs. Felco also pioneered the use of rotating handles to reduce RSI and skin chafing. See models no 7 and no 12. (also no 10 for left handed use) The only small criticism I can make of Felco secateurs is that the small metal safety catches can be hard to access by people with arthritis or large cold fingers. Made in Switzerland
Felco Model 2 Original Secateurs FELCO Model 6 Compact Secateurs Felco Model 8 Ergonomic Secateurs
Spares are available for every part of every Felco Secateur Felco Blister Springs for Models 2/ 4/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 100 (Packs of 2)
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Best "all-round" Secateurs? Wolf Secateurs - Made in Germany
Curved Ergonomic Handle and Easy to use Safety Catch - Plastic or Metal Models These German made pruners were designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind and are the most comfortable and easy to use. The downward curve of the blades puts your wrist in the best position and reduces the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI). The large yellow safety catch is easily visible on the top of the tool and can be used by left or right handed people, and those with reduced dexterity from conditions like arthritis. Another good feature is the hard grey Teflon coating to the blades that protect them from the corrosive properties of plant saps. They have been given various, confusing names. Wolf Basic Plus, Comfort, Comfort Plus and Premium Plus, all similar tools with increasing quality. The plastic handled model comes in 2 sizes, with springs built in and with either bypass or anvil blades. RR2500 and RS2500 for medium size hands RR4000 and RS4000 for larger hands Wolf-Garten RR2500 medium size bypass Secateurs Wolf-Garten RR4000 larger size Bypass Secateurs
Wolf Garten RR5000 Aluminium Professional Bypass Secateurs This Aluminum version (RR5000) also has an internal spring that cannot fall off. It gives a superb cut but is not suitable for users with small or weak hands.
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Ratchet Secateurs for Easier cutting
The latest model has a switch to change from ratchet to normal action
In my former work as an NHS Horticultural therapist I recommended ratchet secateurs to hundreds of patients with arthritis or who had a weak hand grip. This enabled many people to continue gardening when they would otherwise have given up. However anyone can benefit from using ratchet pruners as you will be able to cut larger stems more easily. The ratchet action will enable you to cut woody stems up to 25mm with 30% less effort and reduce the chance of damage to arthritic knuckle and finger joints. Ratchet pruners only come with Anvil blades, not bypass and the pumping action required takes slightly more time (but we are talking nano seconds). There are many versions available but the latest now has a switch so you can use them like normal secateurs when you cut thinner stems. Use the link below for the basic version which is simplest to use and totally tried and tested. Buy Fred's recommended ratchet pruner and help Fredshed with a small commission too!
I tested the Spear and Jackson version with the switch for non ratchet use. They are made from aluminium and also have the finger guard that helps keep thorns at bay. If you use the link below you will get them at a brilliant price and support my work too as anything purchased from my links generates a small commission for Fredshed. Advanced 2-in-1 Ratchet Garden Secateurs - 5 X Power (Perfect for Weaker Hands) (Pink)
Remember the technique for using ratchet pruners When cutting thick stems - Squeeze -release- squeeze-release - squeeze - cut done! In between squeezes of the handles you will hear a little click as the mechanism re-sets itself for optimum leverage and cutting power.
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Best Value Good Quality Bypass Secateur
If you want cheap but good small size secateurs, with a really clean cut these sturdy bypass secateurs are superb value for money. They are well put together for Spear & Jackson who have been selling secateurs for many years. They are modern copies of a classic Japanese pruner that has been around for decades. They also have a top quality Japanese SK-5 steel blade but an aluminium body for strength and lightweight. I also like the comfy but durable soft grips on the handles. For the money these have to be the best secateurs and are a real pleasure to use. Despite the low cost these are well made secateurs. I am not so keen on the rear mounted safety catch but it is reliable and easy to get used to. Spear & Jackson Colours (Green) Bypass Secateurs Spear & Jackson Colours (Pink) Bypass Secateurs
I keep several different secateurs scattered around my gardens and in my car. I am always pleased to see these ones and use them mostly for pruning live stems where I need a good clean and accurate cut. Japan has a long history of using high grade steel in cutting tools (knives and Samurai swords) so it is fantastic to have such a high quality blade on a relatively cheap tool. You can buy similar looking secateurs from other companies but many I tried were very poor quality. Secateurs of this type and price range are all made in the far east so differences in quality will exist between different "brands" and suppliers. The Spear & Jackson secateurs will make a great present and should last many years with just an occasional oil and clean. If you buy them using my link you will join many of my happy readers and also help my site and work with a small commission.
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Long Reach Secateurs
Darlac Cut n Hold Snapper Long Handle Pruner If you don't like bending, climbing ladders or getting prickled then this is the tool to get. I have been using this 1m long Darlac Snapper for over 20 years and also have a longer telescopic version. I gave the Darlac Snapper one of my first Golden Shed Awards and this amazing tool remains one of my favourite and well used tools in my shed. The rotating handle means it is good for right or left hand use and the 500g weight is easy to manage. The other great feature is the cut and hold blade that stops your prunings from dropping over the neighbours wall!
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Small Garden Hand Tools, Forks and Trowels Most Advanced Forks and Trowels
Fiskars Premium Planters Trowel, Length: 28 cm, Stainless Steel Trowel Fiskars Premium Planters Cultivator, Length: 25 cm, Stainless Steel Tines, Fiskars Premium Planters Transplanter, Length 27 cm, Stainless Steel Fiskars Premium Planters Weed Fork, Length: 25 cm, Stainless Steel
These tools are made in Finland by Fiskars and really break new ground for gardening tools - see what I did there? Special composite plastics and top quality stainless steel make these tools super lightweight but strong and effective. The fork is more of a cultivator but this is great for breaking soil and quickly removing surface growth. This style of hand fork is more popular in the USA and I think it is more efficient than our usual type. The range includes the traditional type of hand fork also, if you prefer. Fiskars have been making tools since 1649 and are one of my favourite manufacturers. I absolutely love my Fiskars hand tools and due to the nature of the materials I leave them out all year round - ready for action!.
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My Favourite Traditional Style Forks and Trowels
Whilst my readers know that I am not a fan of stainless steel for full size forks and spades I am enthusiastic about its use in small hand tools. As stainless steel is not as strong as normal carbon steel it is more suited to the smaller tools that suffer less strain. The advantage is that the tools rust less, and are easier to push into the soil, especially when damp. The blue Spear & Jackson Select tools are a joy to use as they are well made and have comfortable soft grip handles. Spear & Jackson Select tools with soft grip handles If you use handtools a lot then you will really appreciate these handles. I have left these tools out in the garden to see how durable they are and they are doing well. If you like Wooden handled tools then the gift set on the link below is good value and has been sold like this for many years with great feedback. Wooden handled Set - Stainless Steel
The wooden handled tools shown above are
children's size but perfect for anyone with small hands.
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Dutch Made Artisan Fork and Trowels These are my handmade Sneeboer stainless steel fork and trowel. My friend Jaap Sneeboer made them in Holland as his family have done for centuries. These tools are relatively expensive but very special and make superb gifts for any gardener. Sneeboer Ultimate Flowerbed Trowel Sneeboer Stainless Steel hand fork
Solid Forged Forks and Spades - Made in the Traditional British Way
This pair of classic British made border tools cost around £35 each To see the largest range of full size forks and spades tested and reviewed by Fred use link below See my Page Dedicated to Forks and Spades
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READ ON FOR HOES, RAKES, LOPPERS, SHEARS AND OTHER GARDEN HANDTOOLS
Best Garden Tool for Hoeing and Shallow Rooted Weed Removal The Stainless Steel "Swoe"
Spear & Jackson Stainless Steel Swoe Angled Hoe In my opinion this is one of the best and easiest to use weeder/cultivators ever made. It is also one of the strangest looking. Which explains why even after 30 years on the market -it is still hard to sell. The Swoe is a cross between a golf club and a hoe and is light-weight yet extremely strong. The chamfered steel blade slides under the soil backwards and forwards, or at an angle. It can even be hooked around the back of a hard to reach plant. Turned on its edge it can be used to dig small holes for planting, seed drills and for ridging soil. The best versions have a stainless steel blade that remains cleaner thus offering less resistance when sliding through the soil. This hoe, along with my own Stealth weeder is the tool of choice for most of the gardeners at Le Manoir. You will probably not be able to find a Swoe in your local garden centre as the unusual design makes them harder to sell than other types of hoe. The links below will get you one at a good price and also help me and my site keep this great tool going. I promise you that will be impressed with this tool! If you hoe larger open areas or want a more traditional type hoe then I would recommend a stainless steel Dutch hoe.
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Wolf Multi-Change Garden Tools
To cover a plethora of jobs in the garden I like to have a system of tools that fits different handles.
WOLF-Garten UIMC Multi-Change Leaf Rake The advantage of this is that you save space on storage and can transport lots of tools all at once. I have used this multi-change system for over 30 years now and also tried many "wanna-be" systems. With the exception of the hard to find Gardena Combi-system all were poor in comparison and none have the range and variety of handles and heads. The range includes the amazing soil miller cultivating tool, a hollow tine lawn aerator and tree pruning attachments. Brooms, brushes and even fruit picking attachments make this the widest range of tools available from any one company. This system has been around many years and will be available for many more. The Wolf Multi-change system is made in Germany and now has a 35 year warranty on the tool heads.
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Best Loppers Tested - Which Garden Loppers should you buy?
Telescopic or Ratchet? Traditional or Geared? Over the last 24 years of running Fredshed I have tried and tested dozens of pairs of garden loppers. These tools have evolved over the years with the introduction of telescopic handles and ratchets. Some of the current budget versions of these tools are rubbish and best avoided. The strength of loppers were greatly improved with the introduction of oval rather than round tubing and telescopic loppers improved with sliding rather that twisting adjustment on the handles. Telescopic handles & ratchet mechanism
This is me using my Bulldog telescopic ratchet loppers. The Bulldog loppers are light but strong. If your budget is limited or you want some extra cutting power then these Bulldog telescopic ratchet loppers are excellent. Square section aluminium handles give strength but remain lightweight. Ratchet mechanism adds power to easily cut 50mm branches. The only negative thing about these loppers and ALL ratchet loppers is that the handles have to be opened wide to get the full effect of the leverage from the ratchet mechanism. So they are a little more awkward to use in confined spaces. Bulldog Evergreen Bypass Lopper - Extending Spear & Jackson Anvil blade Version
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See my page dedicated to loppers and long reach tree pruning tools
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Best Hedge Shears
The hedge shear is one of the essential garden tools and one that if selected badly can cause you a lot of pain and hard work. It is also a garden tool that requires more maintenance than most to keep its performance. Buying cheap shears is a fools option unless you have one small bush and little money. A quality pair of garden shears are a pleasure to use and will last many years with only a little attention now and again. The choice is enormous and some of the old ones are still the best. Recent innovations include lightweight telescopic handles and some sort of gearing or leverage to make cutting easier.
Some of the shears I own and have tested. I tested many makes and types of Garden shear from the ridiculous Tesco specials for a fiver to the top price Golden Ceka Shears. To test hedge shears I took 5 of the best I could find and used them over a 10 year period. During this time other shears were occasionally introduced to the trial and all of the tools were loaned to my test team for further feedback.
Best Budget Priced Hedge Shears
Bulldog Premiere Range Hedge Shears Wavy Blade The Bulldog Premier wavy blade shears are small in length but well made enough to cut most hedges. The wavy blade actually helps to trap the stems so that they can be cut cleanly. At only 18 inches long and weighing around 1KG these are ideal for small gardens, small sheds and small gardeners. They have comfortable soft grips and the blade tension is easily adjusted by use of a large knob. The Spear & Jackson wavy blade shears are longer, lighter and have the added advantage of a gear mechanism that helps to cut through thicker stems. The Spear & Jackson version is a good length and has a geared mechanism
Best Telescopic Hedge Shears
Wolf Garten "HS 1000 T" Telescopic Hedge Shears
These German made shears are my favourite telescopic versions. The handles are oval for extra strength and adjusted by durable sliders rather than
the unreliable twisting mechanisms found on inferior models. They also
have Teflon coated blades. The tool shown above is over 10 years old and gets frequent use.
Here is a big tip -avoid telescopic tools
like shears or loppers with round tubular handles, they usually jam. Go for
oval tubing, it's stronger. Even cheap Chinese made hedge shears have now
copied this design. However, take care when buying
unbranded cheap Chinese tools as many use poor quality metal or do not
harden and temper it properly to reduce costs. You wont know this, until they fail.
Best Professional Quality Hedge Shear
The notches enable thicker stems to be
cut.
The most commonly used shears amongst professional gardeners are from
Bahco of Sweden who make a huge range of no frill hedge and garden shears
like these P51 models shown above. They are available in 2
handle lengths and unless you work in confined spaces I would recommend
the longer handled model. Bahco are
literally at the cutting edge of blade technology and also provide simpler
budget priced tools with the same quality blades for domestic use.
A note on lightweight shears
The action of shearing can put a lot of
strain on the moving parts of shears so if you want lightweight shears
then don't expect them to do heavyweight work. Also if you want lightweight telescopic shears then
please be aware that the introduction of more moving parts introduces
more weakness and parts so again don't expect them to be very
lightweight or be able to handle heavyweight tasks.
You will find Bahco shears in most professional gardeners sheds.
Bahco P51H-SL Professional Hedge Shear 73cm Long Handle
Old Fashioned Top Quality Hedge Shear
C.K.
Tools Legend Golden Ceka Shears My personal favourite shears are these German made Golden Ceka shears with a wavy blade. They have been around
many years and have the best cutting ability. However this power comes at a price and they are a tad heavy, and seriously expensive.
An alternative product is the Silver Ceka hedge shear. This is heavier but has the wavy blade that many gardeners prefer. |
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Thin but Tough Showa Plant Master Gloves
Also known as "assembly 370" gloves as they are often used on factory assembly lines
Showa Gloves are the real deal and cost around a fiver I bought some cheap copies at a garden show and they ripped in no time. Don't waste your money on poor quality gloves. These are strong but also soft enough for delicate work. Gardening Gloves Showa 370 Assembly Grip - Plant Handler - Small Showa 370 Assembly Grip Gloves White - Nitrile Palm - 7 Medium Gardening Gloves Showa 370 Assembly Grip - Plant Handler - Large Thin but strong - small - medium - large Please use my links when purchasing gloves if you want to help my work testing and reviewing the best gardening products. - (long term since Feb 2000!)
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If you found my advice helpful you can support my work by returning to this page and using my links when purchasing your tools.
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