As of: February 13, 2024, 1:19 p.m
By: Ömer Kayali
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Garden shears are probably the most important tool for gardening.
© Gorilla/PantherMedia
Garden shears are part of the basic equipment for all professional and hobby gardeners.
Here we reveal which types there are and what they are good for.
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As a gardener, a good pair of secateurs should always be within easy reach.
Whether for cutting plants, roots, bushes, hedges and herbs, opening seed packets or potting soil* bags or harvesting vegetables: all of this can be done easily with the right scissors.
But what should you pay attention to when choosing?
Garden shears: The most important features
Anvil or Bypass:
Anvil pruners work similarly to a knife, with a blade pushed through the plant material onto a cutting board called an anvil.
Bypass scissors work more like scissors where two blades are moved past each other.
Anvil pruners tend to crush soft plant tissue.
If you use bypass pruners correctly, you will cause almost no damage to the plant.
Anvil pruners are a little better for old, dead wood.
Handle
: The handle of the secateurs should still be reasonably comfortable to hold, even after long periods of work.
In addition, it should not slip when wet or even cause cramps or blisters.
Proper care
: Garden shears are generally more robust, but you should always clean the shears well after gardening.
If you handle it carefully and take good care of the secateurs, the tool will last a very long time.
Gonicc secateurs: all-rounders for grape vines too
Gonicc secateurs © Amazon product image
These bypass secateurs score points with their gentle and energy-saving cutting system.
Their optimized power transmission makes it possible for gardeners with little hand strength to cut effortlessly over longer periods of time.
Gonicc secateurs for €14.40
Brand: |
Gonicc |
|---|---|
Type: |
Bypass scissors |
Size: |
8" |
Cutting diameter: |
1.9cm |
Blade material: |
High quality titanium steel |
Handles: |
Aluminum and PVC |
Amazon review: |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 |
Gardena secateurs: the variable
Gardena secateurs © Amazon product image
A pair of scissors for all occasions.
The variable handle opening allows the grip width to be infinitely adjusted to suit different hand sizes and cuttings of different thicknesses.
Gardena secateurs for €27.28
Brand: |
Gardena |
|---|---|
Type: |
Bypass scissors |
Size: |
26.4cm |
Cutting diameter: |
2.4cm |
Blade material: |
metal |
Handles: |
plastic |
Amazon review: |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 out of 5 |
Löwe secateurs: the professional model
Lion secateurs © Amazon product image
A secateurs for professionals and frequent gardeners: The ergonomic handle in combination with the sharp steel blade enables cutting work over a long period of time - without tiring.
The blade can also be sharpened wonderfully.
Lion secateurs for €51.73
Brand: |
Lion |
|---|---|
Type: |
Bypass scissors |
Size: |
20 cm |
Cutting diameter: |
2.5cm |
Blade material: |
steel |
Handles: |
plastic |
Amazon review: |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 out of 5 |
Wolf secateurs: inexpensive entry-level model
Wolf secateurs © Amazon product image
These pruning shears for left- and right-handed users are definitely suitable for occasional pruning.
If the branches are not too thick, they serve hobby gardeners well.
For €9.45 at Voelkner
Brand: |
wolf |
|---|---|
Type: |
Anvil scissors |
Size: |
20 cm |
Cutting diameter: |
1.9cm |
Blade material: |
metal |
Handles: |
plastic |
Grüntek secateurs: the smooth-running ones
Grüntek secateurs © Amazon product image
A special Teflon coating on the blade ensures smooth cutting on this model.
The sharp upper blade made of Japanese SK 5 steel, which can be easily resharpened, provides additional cutting power.
Grüntek secateurs for €13.95
Brand: |
Grüntek |
|---|---|
Type: |
Anvil scissors |
Size: |
20 cm |
Cutting diameter: |
1.8cm |
Blade material: |
steel |
Handles: |
Aluminum and plastic |
Amazon review: |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 |
How do I get my secateurs sharp again?
To get your pruning shears sharp again, start by cleaning the shears thoroughly to remove dirt and rust.
To do this, use a wire brush or steel wool and, if necessary, rubbing alcohol.
If the scissors can be dismantled, take them apart to make it easier to access all the parts.
Then check the original cutting angle of the blade, which is usually between 20° and 30°.
Use a fine metal file or sharpening stone to sharpen the blade along the cutting angle.
Always move the file or sharpening stone in one direction and keep the angle constant.
After sharpening, remove any burrs on the opposite side of the cutting edge with a finer sharpening stone or sandpaper.
Finally, oil the scissors to protect them from rust and maintain mobility.
Reassemble the scissors if necessary and test their sharpness on a piece of paper.