Updated: 15 Feb 2010

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Introduction

Secateurs are a vital pruning tool. Our test shows you don't have to pay heaps for a good pair.

Secateurs are an essential part of your gardening tool kit. A well-designed pair will allow you to keep snipping for long periods without getting sore or tired hands. They'll also ensure that the cuts you make are as clean as possible, with less risk to the plant's health.

To help you choose, we tested 10 popular secateurs costing less than $80. One pair (which cost only $22), out-rated models costing 3 times as much.

Models we tested

This report contains test results and recommendations for the following models of secateurs:

Checklist

If you're thinking of buying secateurs, here's what to consider.

Bypass secateurs

These are the most common type. They have a scissor-like action where the cutting blade slices past a curved, unsharpened, slim jaw (beak) that supports the plant. They can easily access tight spaces, and can cut branches off flush with the stem.

The cutting blade has a flat surface on one side that causes less damage to plant tissue than the curved side. The blade is usually on the right-hand side but some brands are also available in a left-handed version.

Anvil secateurs

These cut like an axe on to a cutting block. The blade is sharpened on both sides and when the secateurs are closed the blade meets a flat metal or plastic block (the anvil).

They are generally better at cutting hard, dry wood, and require less cutting effort. However, a jolt is felt at the end of each cut, they are not as easy to get into tight places (their lower blocks can get in the way), and it's difficult to cut side stems flush with the main stem. If anvil secateurs are not properly sharpened, stems may be bruised or crushed.

For most gardeners, bypass secateurs are the best all-round option. But a pair of anvil secateurs would be a useful addition, especially if you cut lots of hard woody stems.

Comfort and grip

Check this before you buy. If the secateurs come in sealed packaging ask to have it opened. Check the handles to make sure they will be comfortable to grip for extended periods. You should be able to open and close them easily without over-stretching your hand.

The leverage you'll get depends on the length of the handles. But if they fit your hand poorly, open too wide, or if the spring is too powerful, your hand will quickly tire and you may get blisters.

Safety catch

The catches for locking secateurs in the closed position vary widely and are probably the greatest cause of irritation for users. The most common catch is a simple thumb-operated lever on one side. However, a lever catch that is loose or sticks out from the handle too far can accidentally engage during use.

Others have a sliding catch, usually operable from one side. On some models the catch can be worked from either side or from on top of the handle, and can be used easily by left or right-handers.

Check that the locking catch on your preferred model can be worked easily with the thumb of whichever hand you use. It should work smoothly without sticking, and you shouldn't have to grip the handles tightly closed to get it to engage.

Pivot adjustment

A real frustration for secateur users is a pivot that keeps coming loose. Look for one that can be tightened. The adjustment should be easily carried out using a screwdriver and/or a small shifting spanner. The best types are those with a separate locking tab (with teeth) that positively fixes the adjusting nut in place. Others have locking nuts, or screws that can loosen over time.

Ratchet mechanism

Some anvil secateurs have a ratchet-type mechanism that reduces the effort required - you squeeze the handle several times to make a cut. But neither of the anvil secateurs we tested had this feature.

Visibility

Bright colours make it easy to find a dropped pair of secateurs. A wrist strap also helps keep hold of them.

Top tips

Maintenance

To keep your secateurs in good condition:

• Keep them sharp - blunt secateurs can damage a plant. You may find this easier if you dismantle the blade. You can sharpen the cutting blades on a small oil stone. For a bypass secateurs, sharpen the bevelled sharp edge of the top blade. For anvil types; sharpen both sides of the moving blade.
  
  
• Don't try to cut oversize branches - you could distort the secateurs or break the handles. Use loppers instead.
  
  
• Don't use a twisting action or you may bend the blade.
  
  
• Clean the blade after use by wiping it with a lightly oiled rag.
  
  
• From time to time dismantle the secateurs, and oil the pivot and moving parts.
  
  
• Store your secateurs in a dry place.

Pruning tips

About our test

A laboratory assessed the performance of the secateurs and how easy they were to dismantle and adjust. A user panel rated their ease of use.

The quality of cut was tested on 8mm pine dowelling (to represent hard, dry or dead wood) and willow branches of 10mm and 16mm diameter. The lab looked for a clean cut with no splitting and no damage to the wood or bark.

The lab mounted each pair of secateurs in a jig and measured the force needed to cut the dowelling and a 10mm willow branch. The less force needed, the higher the rating.

Ease of use was assessed by a user panel of four experienced gardeners, two men and two women. They rated the secateurs for balance, comfort, and for ease of use in hard and light work and those hard-to-get-at places. As well, they rated the safety catch and the instructions.

What we found

• The Wolf Garten RS22 Classic came out tops. It is one of the heavier secateurs; it's an anvil type and was good for woody stems.
• The two anvil secateurs in our test (Wolf Garten RS22 and Fiskars Powerlever) got better results on pine dowelling than their bypass equivalents (Wolf Garten RR22 and Fiskars Powergear).
• The Gardena 608 came with a very handy device that adjusted the grip for different hand sizes.
• The lower handle of the Fiskars Powergear rotates when you use it, to reduce cutting effort. People with a weak grip could find this feature useful, but only if they're right-handed. A left-handed version is not available.

We recommend

• 

  Wolf Garten RS22 Classic

  $54

  Good points

  Best overall score. Best-equal for both cut quality and force. Wrist strap. Bright red colour makes them easy to find. Safety catch is suitable left or right-handed gardeners. Available in a smaller version (the RS19).

  But

  No instructions.

  User Reviews 0
• 

  McGregor's M740

  $22

  Good points

  Very good price. Rated well for cut quality. Lightest model in test. Safety catch is suitable for left or right-handed gardeners.

  But

  Dark green and brown handles would make them hard to find if you dropped them. No wrist strap.

  User Reviews 2

What about the others?

The Spear & Jackson 6059BS ($43) topped the ease-of-use ratings. The user panel liked the balance and design of its handles, and the safety lock (suitable for left- or right-handed gardeners).

The Felco brand enjoys a high reputation among gardeners but the Felco 5 secateurs ($78) scored badly on both cut quality and ease of use. They were very sturdily constructed and came with good safety and maintenance instructions, but they were the heaviest secateurs in the test, and three users found they opened too wide to be comfortable.