Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Pruning Shears

Every day, more and more people are diving into the wonderful world of gardening. It's a rewarding journey, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility – especially keeping your plants healthy. One great way to keep them thriving? Pruning!

Pruning is not just for professional gardeners and landscapers. All gardeners, even beginners, should prune their plants to maintain their health. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task! You can certainly make it easier by finding the perfect pruning shears for you.

To help you choose the right pruning shears that work best with your needs, here are some of the most common types of pruners:

1. Bypass Pruning Shears

• Best for live wood.

• Think of them like scissors – the blades pass each other to make clean cuts.

• Easy to use for all gardeners.

2. Anvil Pruning Shears

• Ideal for damaged and dead branches.

• One blade on one side, an anvil on the other.

• Works like a knife on a chopping board, so not recommended for live wood.

3. Ratchet Pruning Shears

• Combines the anvil style with a ratcheting mechanism.

• Great for tackling thicker branches in steps.

• Makes it easier to cut through thick branches efficiently.

What Should You Look For in Your Pruning Shears?

Blade Quality and Overall Construction

One of the most important components of a pruner is its blades. Different manufacturers use different types of blades – stainless, forged, or high carbon steel. The durability, hardness, sharpness, and resistance vary on each one.

No matter the blade quality, it will most probably lose its effectiveness over time. With high-quality blades, a simple sharpening can bring it back to its peak performance. Low-quality blades, on the other hand, break down more easily over time. When this happens, you will not be able to produce clean, sharp cuts and can even cause damage to your plants.

Titanium coated blades provide an ideal balance of sharpness, durability and anti-corrosion. The titanium coating strengthens the blade, reduces friction while cutting, prevents it from corrosion, and provides a longer lifespan of the pruning shears. 

Cutting Capacity

Choosing the right tool depends on what kind of plants you are planning to prune. A pruner with a 1-inch cutting capacity is perfect for most tasks, like trimming fruit trees and shaping shrubs.

Ergonomic Design

Pruning can be very tiring – especially when you're doing it for long periods of time. Whether you're pruning on a day-to-day basis or for longer hours, having a pair of shears that require less effort is helpful. Look for models with an ergonomic design, lightweight build, and grip-friendly handles.

Safety Lock Mechanism

This feature closes the jaws when the shears are not in use. It's purposely designed to ensure safety and prevent injuries and accidents from occurring. 

Sap Groove

A sap groove keeps the blades from sticking to each other. This feature helps you save time by keeping your blades cleaner for a longer period. It can also prevent plant-to-plant transmission of diseases. 

2-Step Preset Cutting Positions

This feature can give you an option to fully or partially open your pruners. This gives you a choice on how wide your blades are expanding depending on what type of plants you prune.

Micrometric Adjustment System

If your pruners have a micrometric adjustment system, you can adjust the play and alignment of the blade to achieve a more precise cut. Giving your plants a clean cut doesn't only make them look better, it's also beneficial for their overall health. 

Wire-Cutting Notch

This can make you cut wires without a wire snip. With this feature, you can hit two birds with one stone by using your pruners to cut small to medium sized wires without worrying about damaging the blades. 

Availability of Replacement Parts

The availability of pruning shears replacement parts on the market is important because it can help you save time and money from having to buy a brand-new pruner every time a specific part needs to be replaced. 

Choosing the perfect pruning shears might feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but with the right features, you'll be a pruning pro in no time. So, grab those shears and give your garden the love it deserves!