The diameter on full-size secateurs can vary – if you plan to cut through thick shrubbery, you'll need to consider this. These are well thought out secateurs with good features and adjustable settings to suit different hand sizes. Next, you need to think about comfort, do you need extra cushioning or even a revolving handle to make the job a little easier? This can also vary more than you expect, a pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g.

Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Cushioning: Some secateurs have soft and cushioned handles so they’re more comfortable to use over long periods. Twice as sharp than the average blade, this revolutionary tool boasts a superior chassis that will stand the test of time. Bypass secateurs provide a scissor-like action as the blades close, meaning they pass over one another to produce a clean cut. We prune fresh as well as dead stems and branches of varying thickness to test how much pressure is needed, how cleanly they cut, and how easily it releases.This cutting action causes the least damage to a live plant, as growing plants can easily heal from a clean cut. We have everything for the dedicated and occasional gardener alike, as well as providing great places to visit for a great cup of coffee and much more. Our winning anvil secateurs performed well, especially when cutting thicker branches in ratchet mode.

We loved the useful oil sponge, which is supplied as part of the handle to clean and lubricate the blades after use. Never use your bypass secateurs to cut through stems thicker than the recommended cutting diameter, we recommend you keep your packaging to refer to as this can easily cause damage. With all of this in mind, it can actually be quite a daunting task when selecting this essential tool and it’s easy to make mistak es. As the name suggests, anvil secateurs are designed to cut as if a hammer were hitting an anvil, or in this case, a sharp blade cuts into the anvil. The design of the blades on secateurs make it easy to get into small gaps and to prune side stems flush with main stems.

These have sharp, SK5 carbon steel blades that cut well, although we did feel vibrations on larger cuts.