Best Secateurs

[MickyC]

Hello to all I’m looking for recommendations for a quality pair of Secateurs that will actually cut when required not jam up and that spring back once the cut is made I’m not cutting tree or bush branches I will be using them in the vegetable garden any suggestions are greatly appreciated

 

[Berkeloid]

Any type, but you have to keep them oiled and clean them after every use, otherwise they seize up pretty quickly.

Unfortunately I have yet to find a set of secateurs that is maintenance free or entirely made of stainless steel so it won't rust. If you don't want to spend time maintaining them, then your only option is to get the cheapest pair you can find and replace them every 6-12 months.

They don't take much effort to maintain, you just have to undo the bolt that holds them together so they come apart into two halves, and clean them out (soapy water is fine, just like washing the dishes), let them dry, then add some oil on the parts that rub together before putting them back together. If you have a knife sharpener you can sharpen the blade as well when you have them apart, and it makes a huge difference to how easy it is to cut thicker material.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Honestly wouldn't know. I still use granddad's beat-up ones. They are horrible, but if I'm annoyed enough and use a little angry force, they'll do the job.
To be fair I've never sharpened or oiled the dang thing. So I imagine just about anything would work, if you keep it up.

 

[shep]

@MickyC i use a pair of fiskars secateurs which werent expensive.
they work a treat for me and have copped a flogging
i wouldnt hesitate to buy them again if needed
shep

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

You know what. Anyone have a tip for sharpening them? I don't have any professional tools, but perhaps something cheap that does the trick?

 

[Berkeloid]

If you want cheap, a sharpening stone is probably your best bet. Like most things that are both cheap and good, it won't be fast, in that you will need to learn the right technique in order to get satisfactory results, however it's not too difficult and I'm sure there are plenty of instructions on YouTube to get you started.

Unfortunately last weekend my Aldi "Gardenline" brand of secateurs gave up the ghost while I was cutting some particularly disagreeable lantana - the bottom jaw snapped off so no more cutting with those!

 

[Cas JSA]

The best secateurs I've found come from Aldi. I cut all sorts of things with them including small tree branches. I have two pairs, never had a problem with them. I do clean them about once a month, take them apart, wash with soapy steel wool, let them dry in the sun, and reassemble. I do the same with my hedge shears. I've never "oiled" any of my cutting tools.

 

[Cas JSA]

They don't need sharpening, just polishing. The soapy steel wool does that.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

I've never seen a broken secateur before - wowza! The ones I use are getting quite a beating and I honestly thing they'd win if a truck drove over them. Wouldn't know about the brand though. Definitely needs a sharpen as more often than not I'm forcefully whacking it through a branch bit by bit. Not a gentle process whatsoever and quite timeconsuming. Heavy on the body too, as I frequently have back and shoulder issues.

Hmm, I do have an old sharpening stone laying around that hasn't seen use. I might give it a shot. I've just never done it before, haha.

 

[Berkeloid]

Let us know how you go with the sharpening stone! I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well they cut once they've been sharpened. If they've never been sharpened before it probably won't take much to improve their cutting ability.

 

[khalisthingsc]

Choosing the best secateurs (also known as pruning shears) depends on your specific needs and preferences, such as the type of plants you'll be pruning, your hand size, and your budget. Here are some highly regarded secateurs brands/models that are often recommended:

1. Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruner: Felco is a renowned brand known for durable, high-quality pruning tools. The F-2 model is a classic choice, favored by both amateur gardeners and professionals for its precision cutting and ergonomic design.
2. ARS HP-VS8Z Signature Heavy Duty Pruner: ARS is another reputable brand, particularly known for its sharp blades and comfortable grip. The HP-VS8Z model is favored for its durability and ability to cut through tough branches with ease.
3. Bahco PX-M2 Bypass Pruner: Bahco produces a range of high-quality gardening tools, including secateurs. The PX-M2 is praised for its ergonomic design, lightweight construction, and precise cutting ability.
   
   [From the moderator: This used has been banned for an attempt at phishing.]

 

[sky]

The Felco F-2 is the best secateurs I have ever owned. My husband accidentally threw away all my old ones, but then bought the same one.

 

[laidsadasded]

Unfortunately I have yet to find a set of secateurs that is maintenance or entirely made of stainless steel so it won't rust. If you don't want to spend time maintaining them, then your only option is to get the cheapest pair you can find and replace them every 6-12 months.

 

[Berkeloid]

ALDI had a pair of electric secateurs on sale last week (reduced to clear) so I picked one up. It has a five year warranty so you'd think it would be made of pretty strong stuff. Hopefully it won't snap like the last pair (photo in my old post above), as you can't really overdo it since its cutting power is limited by the electric motor.

So far so good, I used it to shop up some dragonfruit vines and some dried branches about 1cm in diameter and it had no trouble slicing through them, and after an hour of near continuous use the battery went from 100% down to 90% so it seems promising.

It does slightly terrify me though, it would be SO easy for a finger to get into the blade and with a manual pair you'd instinctively let go if you felt pain, limiting the damage, but this one closes and opens the blade in less than a second so there are no second chances.