Secateurs are a staple in any garden shed. On a recent garden visit I noticed them being used upside down. This wasn’t the first time. Using this tool upside down can cause strain on the hand and arm muscles as the weaker part of the hand is doing all the work.
As with all garden tools, quality varies with price. I have found that you pay for what you get. If you’re only doing the odd tip prune it won’t matter so much, but if you’re gardening regularly, spend that little bit more for good secateurs.
But what makes a good pair of secateurs? Its all about the fit. In the photo there are 4 different brands and they all have different shaped handles with different widths. Generally secateurs are made for big hands. If your hands are on the smaller side most brands will be hard to use. The red ones pictured are the Felco 300. They are a better fit for smaller hands and are top quality. After size the next thing to consider is the shape of the handle. The only way to know which one suits your hands best is to try them. Try out your friends or visit a garden show where they will be different shapes to test.
Ratchet secateurs are great if you’re struggling with conventional types. They take longer to make a cut but are easier on the hands. 2WP is a brand that is often set up in Noosa Civic with ratchet secateurs for customers to try out. They can be switched between ratchet and non-ratchet mode and are good quality and long lasting.
Keeping the blades clean and sharp is important for getting a good cut and that helps to reduce muscle strain and injury. Its easy to learn how to sharpen the blades – have a look at Youtube guides. Sharpening stones can be found in hardware or gardening shops and are inexpensive. Tools will also last longer if properly maintained. Dry after each use and put away.
Don’t struggle with getting secateurs to cut through wood that is too hard or big for them. If you need to use two hands or twist while cutting, the secateurs aren’t the tool for the job. Avoid injury to yourself or damage to the tool and use loppers or a folding saw instead.
Michelle Newall
