Sunday, November 25

Finding the perfect pruners

Six popular products put to the test

They say an ideal tool becomes an extension of your hand and mind. It almost anticipates what you’ll ask it to do.

That may be a little metaphysical, but I think anyone can agree a tool should at least make your work easier, safer and more efficient. That’s certainly true of secateurs, or bypass pruners.

Naturally, different gardening applications and gardeners’ abilities make the “ideal pruner” different for everyone. But there are some qualities all pruners need to have. First, they should be the right size and design for their intended purpose. You should be able to use them with either hand and adjust them in different positions even when you’re wearing gloves. They should reduce your risk of direct injury by having smooth, well-finished surfaces, protected mechanisms to prevent pinches and cuts, and slip-resistant, shock-absorbing handles to prevent wear and blisters on your skin. And they should reduce your risk of long-term injury by being perfectly balanced, having the proper weight for the purpose, giving you the smoothest, greatest possible cutting power with the least effort and having large grips that spread pressure evenly across your hand and fingers.

So the trick is finding the right combination of features that will make a pair of bypass pruners perfect for your needs.

Along with my wife, who has smaller hands and less gripping strength, I tested six of the most popular bypass pruners on the market today. We looked for comfort, efficiency, power and capacity, fit and finish, ease of sharpening, adjustment and repair or replacement, and overall value for the price. Here’s what we found:

A.M. Leonard ART17 Double Cut Pruners
$40-$45
When I first picked it up I was skeptical of this chunky, coarsely finished chimera. But though it’s heavy, roughly ground and unsophisticated looking, the Leonard Double Cut pruner can make the surgically sharp cuts of a bypass pruner or take on thumb-sized woody branches like a lopper. Swedish stainless steel blades hold a fantastic edge and are easy to sharpen. I’d use this monster for the rougher jobs and save my fine French secateurs for pruning the perennials.
PROS: Tough, keen-edged stainless steel blades
Cuts like a larger lopper; blades won’t deflect on tough wood
Lifetime guarantee
CONS: Heavy, poorly balanced
Poor finish, lots of rough spots
Latch can’t be opened or secured with one hand

Bahco P1-20
$35-$45
Every part is easily replaceable and adjustable on these incredibly well-designed, professional-quality pruners. I could make hundreds of cuts a day with these without muscle fatigue. And there is a mirror image left handed model. The thumb catch has to line up exactly with a notch or it won’t engage--that makes it a little inconvenient to lock and open. Otherwise the operation, fit and finish are exemplary.
PROS: Light, ultra strong construction
Shock absorbing bumpers on the handles
Precision adjustment for surgical cuts
CONS: Thumb catch is difficult to open and close

Corona 3180
$24-$30
A hefty, old-fashioned 19-ounce pruner that can be used right- or left-handed. Self-aligning parts come apart easily for sharpening and maintenance, go back together and tune up in a snap. No bells or whistles, just a solid tool with a proven track record. My choice every time.
PROS: Right- or left-handed use
Forged steel alloy chassis
One inch cutting capacity
CONS: Opening spring can stick
Locking hasp can wear and fall open

Corona BP-4220
$23-$35
Very disappointing tool from such a distinguished name. The huge, bulky hook and blade are set at such a deep angle it’s impossible to reach into tight spaces. It’s like trying to cut with a toucan! Yet, for its size, the jaw’s capacity is only one-half inch. And the all-plastic construction is sloppy and fragile. Too expensive to be considered disposable, but they’ll wear out fast.
PROS: Forged steel blade holds an edge
CONS: Heavy and poorly balanced
Very difficult to take apart and reassemble
Odd shape is inefficient and tiring to use

Felco #6
$40-$55
A smaller version of the classic Felco #2. My wife loved these; the only product she tested that comfortably fit her hands. I find them perfect for more precise cutting. You can use them in either hand, but you’ll need your right thumb to open and lock the catch, which is stiff and hard to get to.
PROS: Well balanced, comfortable over long periods
Replaceable blade holds a razor sharp edge
Impeccable fit and finish
CONS: Needs special tool to adjust
Thumb catch is stiff and poorly located
Flat steel spring rusts easily

WOLFGarten RR-26
$34-$45
These German imports are pure Eurostyle. With their bright colors they look like toys, but they’re professional grade that can stand up to a lot of abuse, as shown by their 10-year guarantee. The jaws have a huge 1-inch cutting capacity, but were hard to disassemble for cleaning and tough to adjust when put back together.
PROS: Aluminum construction is lightweight and rust proof
Replaceable Teflon® blade is easy to change
Many larger, smaller and left-handed versions available
CONS: Too bulky for smaller hands
Volute (flat metal) spring holds moisture and rusts easily
Complicated to reassemble and tune

For tips on how to sharpen and maintain your own pair, click here.

Anatomy of a secateur Carbon steel blades sharpen easily, cut cleanly and hold an edge longer than less expensive blades. There should be a sap groove to scrape away plant juices from the cutting blade. Replaceable parts like blades, springs and even handle covers mean your pruners work longer. Look for nuts and bolts rather than rivets holding everything together. Simple axle shouldn’t need special tools to disassemble or adjust--they just get lost. Opening spring should open the jaws completely but not be difficult to compress. Coil springs are easier to maintain. The volute, or flat ribbon-type spring, holds water and tend to rust quickly. Locking clasp should hold the pruners safely closed and not be prone to popping open. You should be able to open and lock the tool while you’re holding it in one hand. Ergonomics of the tool can mean the difference between a pleasant, easy job and possibly damaging your hand. Choose the tool that fits you best; not just something with a trendy shape or fancy features. The tool must serve the needs of the user; the user should never accommodate the tool.

Active in the horticultural industry since 1994, Glen O. Seibert is a former editor for Garden Gate magazine and now works as a writer, landscape designer and self-professed “gardening media mogul.”