Secateurs and Pruners

Secateurs and Pruners – Your must have garden tool

Secateurs or as some would say, pruners are a must have gardening tool because of the multi use aspect for pruning and trimming. They are small, easy to carry, and can be used on many different types of plants and trees. They come in a variety of different blade and handle types and they are easy to maintain and look after. Felco being a very well known brand name for secateurs, the [easyazon_link asin=”B00023RYS6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruner[/easyazon_link] considered the most popular gardening secateurs by many gardeners around the world. The ultimate Felco secateurs comparison guide can be found here

Secateurs are short handled and operated with one hand, sometimes referred to as pruning shears or pruners they are probably the single most important gardening tool that you will own. Developed around 1819 by the French, secateurs are widely used around the world today.

They have a spring between the handles so they open after they have been closed more easily and have a safety catch to lock them shut for storage. The short handles allow for easy use with one hand.

Secateurs are used in gardening, flower arranging and in other horticultural areas. This essential gardening tool gives clean cuts on any smaller (usually no more than two centimetres in diameter) branches on shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants.

Secateurs come with three basic blade designs – Anvil – Bypass – Parrot beak.

• [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”anvil secateurs” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″]The anvil secateurs and pruners[/easyazon_link] has been criticised for crushing stems for they have one blade sharpened on both sides that closes on a flat surface and if the cutting blade becomes blunt (dull) then crushing can occur. These are used mostly for woody stems but not particularly good in tight spots.
• [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”The bypass secateurs” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″]The bypass secateurs and pruners[/easyazon_link] blades work in a similar way to scissors. One blade is usually thin and sharp with the opposing blade, thicker. There are many variations and different blade types and thickness that are used. Bypass secateurs tend to be better at getting into tight places, like cutting back into the side-shoots from the main branch.
• The parrot beak secateurs and pruners are similar to bypass secateurs in that they can have the same differing blade configurations with the main difference being they have concave shaped blades. They are used for narrow stems, making fast quick clean cuts.

When purchasing a pair of secateurs or pruners you should look for a pair constructed to a high quality, with a good reputation, if this is the case, they will serve you well. Recommendation is always a good way in helping you make a choice. Pictured on the right [easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B00CWF7YBE” cloaking=”default” height=”450″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CXFRAXR7L.jpg” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″ width=”450″][easyazon_link asin=”B00CWF7YBE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”] Ratchet Hand Pruners 3 Stage Action – The Gardener’s Friend – Lightweight Ergonomic Design, Left Or Right Handed – Prune Small Branches To 1″- Ideal For Those With Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis – Secateurs Are Tough But Easy To Use – Great for Weak Hands[/easyazon_link]

There are many options such as size, shape, handle grips, and price. The cheaper models perform well for short terms and the more expensive models, normally of better quality have replacement parts and the blades can be sharpened numerous times.

Maintaining your secateurs is relatively easy, after each use you should clean off any residue and wipe over the metal areas with an oily rag. Caring out this easy care should keep your secateurs in good order. Occasionally you may need to sharpen (hone) the blade, this can normally be done on a [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”sharpening stone” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”thedigitalwor-20″]sharpening stone[/easyazon_link] without needing to dismantle.

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