To maintain the garden, it is necessary to prune trees and thin out some shrubs. Secateurs are used for this purpose. There are many different models, but they all have their own important features. This article will talk about what a pruner is, what varieties it has, and how to choose the most suitable model when buying.

Description of the device

When working with a pruner, there is no need to make sharp movements, as it may happen when using scissors.

Both knives fit snugly against each other. This is achieved by tightening a special screw.

The spring for the secateurs is designed to soften sudden movements and for reverse movement - bringing the tool into working position. During storage, it is necessary that the secateurs are folded. For this purpose, a latch is intended, the device of which may differ in different models.

Secateurs

The handles are specially coated. When working, your hand will not slide over it. Typically the handles are brightly colored, which can help locate the tool if dropped into the grass.

There are devices that work using a hydraulic system.

Types of secateurs

While these tools are designed for one purpose - pruning branches, there are still different types of home pruners.

Bypass

Secateurs Fiskars

This type is characterized by the fact that only one blade is cut in it. The other at the same time serves as an emphasis. During the cutting process, the cutting blade moves along the joint line. When pruning with such a pruner, there is no way to get an even cut. It will be slightly deformed. In principle, this hand tool is similar to anvil pruning shears. Anvil models are used for trimming tender, young shoots.

Shrub pruner

This garden pruner is used for pruning shrubs (grapes, currants, raspberries and others). The difference between these models is that they usually have longer blades.

Gardening scissors

Usually only one blade is cutting. Second, when carrying out work, it becomes a support when cutting off a branch. A different principle is implemented in the pruning shears. Here, both points are cutting. With such a tool, the result of the work is an even and neat cut. There is a peculiarity here, which is manifested in the fact that during work there is a strong squeezing of dense plant tissues.

On a note. Most often, it is customary to use garden shears to trim dried branches, young shoots, and grass stems. This is a suitable flower pruner.

Ratchet pruner

In this type of gardening tool, the upper part is fixed. Typically, these pruners can cut branches up to 3 cm in diameter, so that the cut is even and smooth.

Important! The ratchet mechanism gives the tool more power. If you need to cut a relatively thick branch during work, then this can be done with a few clicks.

Despite the existing advantages, work with such a flat pruner usually takes a lot of time.

Ratchet pruner

Inoculating

This type of secateurs is commonly used for vaccinations. It is believed that the effectiveness of this method ranges from 90 to 100%.

The principle of operation of the grafting tool is based on the fact that the incision is made simultaneously on two branches: the rootstock and the scion. At the same time, it is flat and ideal for vaccinations. To complete the main procedure, you need to fix the processed branches. The work uses blades of a special shape.

Interesting. Typically, this type of instrument is designed for two or three thousand vaccinations.

Curly scissors

Floristic pruner is designed to give a special shape to bushes and tree crowns. It is characterized by straight short blades.

Sector scissors

Although they are similar in principle to pruning shears, sector shears are not used in horticulture. They are used to cut thick cables.

Sector scissors

How to choose a garden pruner

Grafting pruner

At first glance, it might seem wise to consider the acquisition cost in the first place. In fact, it is equally important to take into account the quality and convenience of the purchased professional pruner:

  1. The length of the tool affects how comfortable it is to hold it in your hand. When buying, you need to hold the pruner in your hands, check how smooth the movement of the handles is.
  2. Usually, upon purchase, the maximum diameter of the branch for which the tool is intended is indicated. The larger this parameter, the more massive branches it can cut off. It should be borne in mind that sometimes the pruner can cut off branches of a larger diameter than indicated in the instructions.
  3. It is advisable to ensure that the blades are coated with a compound that prevents sticking.
  4. You need to consider the weight of the purchase. The larger it is, the more it will tire the employee at work.
  5. In a closed, contact state, a retainer is used in such scissors. It is necessary so that the secateurs cannot open spontaneously. In this case, sometimes such a situation is possible when, during operation, when the tool is compressed, the lock is triggered accidentally. This is inconvenient.
  6. In most models, the blade and handle are made on a common metal base. This gives additional strength, but in a situation where it is necessary to sharpen the tool, you will need to disconnect the secateurs. Some models have a different solution. They use removable blades. In this case, you don't have to worry about how to sharpen the secateurs.
  7. An important feature of the tool is the maximum thickness of the cut branch. In most models, this value ranges from 2 to 3 cm.
  8. The effectiveness of these garden tools depends on the sharpness of the blades and their material. However, it is necessary to sharpen them from time to time. By purchasing pruning shears with blades made of high-carbon steel, they can stay sharp for a much longer period of time, and there will be less worry about how to sharpen your pruners.
  9. The pruner has a period during which it is planned to use it. There is a difference between the various models. In some cases, the instrument can be designed for 25 years. In others - for 3 years. It is preferable to choose secateurs with a longer shelf life.

Review of popular models

Mr Logo secateurs

There are various types of secateurs on sale. Among them there are several well-known brands with a high reputation.

Pruner Bison Master

Pruner Bison Master

The pruner in question is a tool designed to cut branches no more than 2.5 cm in size. A special method of fixing in a closed state is used here. On the inside of the scissors there is a steel loop on one side and a hook for it on the other. This design prevents the secateurs from accidentally closing during operation.

The blades are pressed together with a special nut. They are made of special high carbon steel, which is Teflon coated. The Bison pruner has forged aluminum handles.

Samurai KS-8T

The blades and handles of this Japanese pruner are made of hardened steel. At the same time, the sharp edge of the blades remains for a considerable time. The Samurai pruner can be used not only when processing a small summer cottage, but also for processing plantings in areas of a large area.

It is recommended to sharpen the secateurs at least once every two seasons. It can cut branches up to 3 cm in diameter. The Samurai pruner has a spring made of galvanized steel. It practically does not rust. Even if the tool has not been used for a long time, the spring will not lose its elasticity during operation. The blade of this model is removable.

It uses a reliable design of the retainer - it is made in the form of a lever. By weight, this model is relatively heavy.

Another Japanese model is also widely known - the pruner Ars.

Black Decker GSL 700

This model is a cordless pruner. For the safety of the worker, protection against accidental starting of the tool is provided. A 1.2 Ah lithium-ion battery is available to power the instrument. Such a battery makes it possible to work with a pruner for one hour. Specially designed handles are provided for comfortable work with the tool. The blade is 15 cm long and 10 cm wide.

This model is designed for cutting bushes. She does this provided that the thickness of the branches does not exceed 8 mm.

Black Decker GSL 700

Center tool

Products of this company are distinguished by relatively low cost, which is combined with high reliability. Recently, some models of Centroinstrument pruners have been produced using titanium. Instruments of this Russian company are also produced at factories in Southeast Asia.

Palisade

The Palisad brand is known for its low price and a large number of manufactured items.

Model Raco RT53 / 143S

Raco secateurs are manufactured in Germany. The blades are made from specially coated carbon steel. A latch is provided in the form of a mechanical latch, which is considered quite reliable. The length of the tool is 21 cm. It is designed for cutting branches up to 2 cm thick.

Maintenance and storage of secateurs

After the work is completed, it is necessary to clean the cutting part of the adhering dirt. If the shrub has been infected with pests, it must be disinfected, for example, in a solution of potassium permanganate.

After this treatment, it is recommended to lubricate the blades with machine oil.

Sharpen the pruner blades periodically.

When buying pruning shears, it is important to determine the garden care tasks that you plan to solve. It is necessary to select the model of the tool carefully, taking into account the cost, convenience of operation and the quality of the unit.