Carbon blades will keep an edge to them longer (less time between sharpening) and are less prone to snapping when under pressure. Bypass secateurs are for cutting living, green growth, for example live stems, branches and plant material . Anvil secateurs are used for cutting tough, old, dead wood.

A question asked frequently is what is the difference between anvil and bypass secateurs. The difference between these garden tools, bypass pruners and anvil versions is as follows. The quality just can’t be beaten and no other brand even comes close, you really have to feel the quality to appreciate it. Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things… 1. Correct Use:Okatsune secateurs were once described as ‘Life-Changing’ by Bunny Guinness at The Telegraph and we couldn’t agree more. They are available in different versions and are the only secateurs we think truly compare to Felco’s quality and cutting performance. Okatsune models include model 101, model 104, model 108 and model 109, but it is the Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs that really caught our attention.

Sharpen with a whetstone. Leave the whetstone in water for about five minutes until soaked through, then gently rub a blade against it to sharpen. What do I do if the blades of my secateurs jam and the stems get caught between them?Topiary expert Lerigo devoutly describes his chosen make of Japanese secateurs, Okatsune, as a bit of kit that Marie Kondo would approve of: simple, effective, and capable of sparking joy, time and time again. The Hitachi Yasugi high carbon steel of these Okatsune secateurs stands out, producing a clean, precise, efficient cut. Apparently, they’re made with “Izumo” iron sand, which was used in the manufacturing of ancient Japanese swords.

With the Felco model 6, you get the same great quality, excellent cutting performance and of course, they also come with a lifetime guarantee. The Felco Model 7 Classic Secateurs are bypass-type secateurs that have been designed for professionals and they are our new first choice when it comes to secateurs, replacing our previous top choice, the Felco Model 2. We still love model 2, however, the main reason we prefer model 7 more is the rotating handle. It really does make a difference to the strain on your hands and helps prevent blistering if you are working with secateurs for a lengthy amount of time. They have been crafted with Swiss precision and attention to detail, resulting in a high-quality tool that is now probably one of the best-selling secateurs available that professionals use. We would simply buy Felco every time because most other brands simply do not compare. Davoen is a British manufacturer that you can always rely on for high-quality affordable products and are best for busy home gardeners. The Davoen Pro Bypass Secateurs have a quirky design that makes them stand out from the competition. The handles of these secateurs are well designed, with their auto-rotating feature that allows you to spread your fingers and use the tool without too much effort. Issues such as hand fatigue, muscle cramps and blisters are not common with these secateurs and that’s really a good thing. Those who suffer from hand ailments or the elderly will benefit greatly from these secateurs and you won’t find a better-priced pair. If you struggle to cut with regular secateurs, look for a ratchet bypass secateurs 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.Using bypass secateurs on large, dead material and you could end up damaging them. Using bypass secateurs on this plant material will also put strain n your joints and tendons.

The thing you need to pay close attention to is what the blade is made blade. Some blades are made from quality hardened stainless steel and will last a lifetime, staying razor sharp even after lots of pruning. They can also be sharpened using a tungsten carbide blade or ceramic stone when needed and this should be done as soon as they start to feel less effective and take a little more effort to use. Look for hardened steel, most cheap secateurs often break at the blade. How your hand size effects which model to considerThese pruning shears are designed with the serious gardener with medium to heavy duty use in mind and with these secateurs it is easy to see why they probably the most coveted pair of secateurs around. Chopping through deadwood can be tough on the hands and wrists but the ratchet setting on these secateurs let you cut each branch in several steps. They cut cleanly and are lighter than they look, keeping you gardening for longer. There’s an oil sponge hiding in the handle for keeping the blades well-lubricated, too.