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Looking for reliable garden tools? Here are the anvil and bypass secateurs we rate
August is one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar, with roses, wisteria, jasmine and other plants all benefiting from a summer prune. To keep your garden looking its best, you'll need a reliable pair of secateurs that make clean, precise cuts.
Shopping for pruners can feel overwhelming, but really all you need are clippers that cut cleanly without hurting your hands. Bypass secateurs are the most common – they act like scissors and are best for cutting fresh stems. Opt for anvil secateurs, which cut like a knife on a chopping board, for tougher jobs such as clearing thick or dead branches.
If you struggle to cut with regular secateurs, look for a ratchet bypass secateur or anvil secateurs. This will allow you to break down each cut into multiple steps, creating an easier motion. It’s a good choice for tougher tasks that can wear on hands over time, or if you have arthritis.
Features such as shock absorbers, soft-grip handles and rotating handles can also make pruning more comfortable. The good news is you don't have to spend a fortune to find a reliable pair that will last for years – whether you're deadheading roses this month or tackling autumn pruning later in the season.
The safety catch on these secateurs can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the branches you’re cutting. They cut through all stems smoothly and the blades can be replaced with the included spanner. There’s a notch for cutting wire and the rubber handles make for comfortable gardening. They aren’t too heavy either.
Key specifications
Type: Bypass
Cutting diameter: 25mm
Weight: 250g
These lightweight bypass pruners will be a saviour for those with small hands who find big secateurs too cumbersome. They cut easily and well, and the steel blades are replaceable. Neat and nimble, they’re ideal for delicate jobs. The price is excellent for the quality and they come with a generous lifetime guarantee.
Key specifications
Type: Bypass
Cutting diameter: 15mm
Weight: 156g
If heavy secateurs put you off pruning your shrubs, try these neat and ultralight anvil pruners. There’s a ratchet mechanism again, but no option to slice through a branch in one cut if your strength allows. Sap makes the blades sticky if you try to cut greenery, so save these for tougher jobs.
Key specifications
Type: Ratchet anvil
Cutting diameter: 22mm
Weight: 130g
The handles on these secateurs were among the more comfortable on test, making them a good choice for beginners who may be more prone to blisters. They slice through stems of all thickness easily and are compact enough to manoeuvre into small gaps, but gardeners with bigger hands may find them too fiddly.
Key specifications
Type: Bypass
Cutting diameter: 20mm
Weight: 170g
The blades on these bypass pruners have a non-stick coating for gliding through sappy stems, and there’s also a sap groove. Shock absorbers take the strain when chopping through woody stems and they’re sturdy without feeling too heavy. The wire cutter’s a useful addition, too.
Key specifications
Type: Bypass
Cutting diameter: 22mm
Weight: 198g
These Japanese secateurs will suit all gardeners, as they’re available in three sizes. Razor-sharp and smartly designed, the red and white handles are easily visible, both during the day and in the evening. The downside is the high price tag – costing more than £50, these are expensive pruners that don’t have any fancy features. But they do look nice…
Key specifications
Type: Japanese
Cutting diameter: 25mm
Weight: 227g
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