Secateurs Guide: Choosing the Right Pair
Choosing the right pair of secateurs can make a huge difference to pruning comfort, cutting performance and plant health. Whether maintaining shrubs, pruning perennials or trimming soft stems, secateurs are one of the most commonly used tools in the garden.
Most people instinctively test a pair of secateurs by picking them up and making a few cuts in the air. The feel of the handle, the movement of the blade and the overall balance all play an important role in choosing the right pruner for the task ahead.
Good secateurs are designed to make clean, accurate cuts with minimal effort. Using the correct tool reduces strain on the hands and wrists while helping plants recover more effectively after pruning.
What Are Secateurs Used For?
Secateurs, also known as pruners, are designed for cutting smaller branches, woody stems and soft plant growth cleanly and accurately. They are commonly used for pruning shrubs, deadheading flowers and maintaining perennials throughout the year.
Most secateurs are best suited for material around half an inch in diameter or smaller. If excessive force is required, it is usually a sign that a larger cutting tool such as loppers or a pruning saw would be more suitable.
Using secateurs beyond their intended capacity can damage the blades and increase strain on the user’s wrists and forearms.
Bypass vs Anvil Secateurs
There are two main types of secateurs available: bypass secateurs and anvil secateurs.
Bypass secateurs use a sharp cutting blade that passes cleanly alongside a thicker support blade, creating a precise cut with minimal crushing. This style is widely preferred for live stems, shrubs and general garden pruning.
Anvil secateurs use a cutting blade that closes down onto a flat lower surface. These pruners can apply greater force and are often used for cutting harder dead wood.
For most general pruning tasks, bypass secateurs provide cleaner cuts and better protection for living plant tissue.
Using Secateurs Correctly
Correct pruning technique improves cutting performance and helps protect plant health. Before cutting, identify the correct position and angle for the cut based on the plant’s growth habit.
For opposite-branching plants, cuts are commonly made straight across above the node. For alternate-branching plants, angled cuts sloping away from the bud can help direct water away and reduce the risk of rot.
The branch or stem should always sit deeply within the blade opening rather than being cut near the blade tips. This provides greater leverage and produces a stronger, cleaner cut.
Using secateurs in a smooth, controlled motion also helps reduce fatigue during repetitive pruning work.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Comfort is especially important during extended pruning sessions. Repetitive cutting can place strain on the hand muscles and forearms if secateurs are poorly fitted or used incorrectly.
Many professional secateurs feature contoured handles and ergonomic designs to improve comfort and reduce fatigue. Roller-handle secateurs can also help minimise strain during repetitive cutting tasks.
Choosing the correct handle size and gripping the tool properly using the base of the fingers rather than the fingertips helps improve control and reduce effort.
When to Use Loppers or Pruning Saws
Secateurs are precision tools and are not designed for cutting thick or stubborn material. If branches resist cutting or significant force is required, larger pruning tools should be used instead.
Loppers provide additional leverage for thicker branches, while pruning saws are ideal for mature woody growth and larger cuts.
Secateurs Maintenance and Storage
Keeping secateurs clean and sharp helps improve cutting performance and prolong tool life. Dull blades require greater force and can leave rough cuts that damage plants.
Diamond sharpening stones and dedicated sharpening tools can help maintain a clean cutting edge throughout the pruning season.
When not in use, secateurs should be stored safely in a holster or secured to a belt to prevent damage and reduce the risk of losing them.
Pruners & Secateurs Parts & Accessories
Important Safety Advice
Always use secateurs in a safe working environment and wear suitable protective equipment where required. Sharp tools should be stored safely and kept away from children.
This guide is intended for general information only. Users should ensure they have the correct training and experience before carrying out pruning work using secateurs or other cutting tools.
