Pleasant trifles
Professional secateurs differ from amateur ones not only in high quality and price. Some companies, in order not to buy a new tool instead of a worn out old one, produce repair kits, spare parts, and sometimes even modification kits for it. Many people simply don’t think about these pleasant little things.
The quality of the cut depends on how to sharpen the cutting edge, and the durability depends on the properties of the metal. However, a good blade is not only about high carbon steel or alloy tool steel that is protected from corrosion. It should have a Teflon or chrome alloy anti-adhesive coating to prevent the formation of sticky deposits from plant sap.
A hand tool implies the presence of handles, on the convenience of which labor productivity largely depends. Plastic is typical for cheap products, but it is very uncomfortable and slippery. Rubber inserts on plastic handles are better. And although reinforced fiberglass with polyamide is also not bad, aluminum handles with rubber pads are recognized as the most comfortable, durable and ergonomic. In addition, they must be equipped with rings, like scissors, or a stop so that the hand does not slide to the blades during operation, and for safe transportation they must have a catch (lock) that allows the blades to be securely locked.
The design of the handles should exclude injuries during operation, so it is desirable that the distance between them is large enough. Models of secateurs with revolving handles are very convenient - sometimes this greatly facilitates the work and prevents the appearance of calluses.
The spring is quite an important element. It depends on it how easily the knives open, and, accordingly, labor productivity. There are two types of springs, classic spiral and tape. The latter are more reliable and safer to work with.
It is also a pleasant trifle that many serious companies produce pruning shears for left-handers and with various sizes of handles, so that the buyer can choose a tool for his hand.
The best lawn clippers
For any gardener, a well-groomed lawn is a real pride. Naturally, it is simply impossible to achieve such beauty without much effort. And one of the main processes in this case is grass cutting.
For a beautiful and efficient grass cut, you need to purchase the best garden shears. Only then can you shape your final lawn design and reach hard-to-reach areas. Here is an overview of the most current and popular models of such devices.
Garden shears PALISAD 60830
Among the huge variety of garden shears, the model PALISAD 60830 is especially popular. It is an indispensable assistant for any gardener, which will allow you to cut grass in flower beds and small lawns.
These grass shears have side locks and metal handles. The blades of the inventory are made of high quality steel, which is sharply sharpened. The material has an oxidized coating that helps protect the shears from the negative effects of corrosion. Due to its design and manufacturing principle, PALISAD 60830 garden shears are comfortable to use and do not cause discomfort.
Garden shears PALISAD 60830
Garden shears FISKARS Servo-System GS42
ISKARS Servo-System GS42 are high quality and reliable garden shears designed for regular lawn care. They will help you enjoy the well-groomed look of the grass without much effort.Such devices are made of high quality steel. At the same time, the equipment is quite compact, does not take up much space and will allow you to work without feeling tired.
These garden shears have a unique servo system that prevents the blades from being pinched, while ensuring efficient and continuous operation. The lightweight design and ergonomics guarantee the ease of use of the FISKARS Servo-System GS42. In addition, the garden shears have a movable cutting head that can be rotated 360 degrees. This feature allows you to easily reach hard-to-reach corners.
Garden shears FISKARS Servo-System GS42
GARDENA Garden Shears 08730
Among the modern models of garden shears, the model GARDENA 08730 is especially relevant. It is a handy and easy-to-use tool. It allows you to trim the edge of the lawn, and the ergonomic shape of the handle makes it easier to mow the lawn. The tool allows you to cope with the tasks assigned to it as accurately as possible. The manufacturer has equipped these scissors with a hardened galvanized blade, which ensures durability and wear resistance.
Among the important features of such a model, it is necessary to highlight the knife support, which allows you to perform an accurate cut along the entire length of the blade. Such garden shears will allow you to do the job as accurately as possible, and the material from which they are made will ensure a long service life of the equipment.
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GARDENA Garden Shears 08730
What details should I pay attention to when buying?
When deciding which garden pruner is better to choose, ask the seller not only for the type of construction, but also for the details of a particular model. This will help you to avoid further problems and inconveniences in the operation of the tool. Deserve your special attention:
1. Blade - steel quality and sharpening
The highest quality blades are made from hardened steel that does not corrode and does not require sharpening for several years. The sharpness of the blade should allow you to get a perfectly even cut without deforming the branch.
The easiest way to sharpen pruning shears is with a file.
2. The presence of a ratchet (step) mechanism
Anvil pruning shears and bypass pruning shears can be fitted with this "addition". The ratchet mechanism breaks down the branch cutting into several stages. As soon as the blade stops in the wood (there is not enough effort to bite a thick branch at once), a special spring brings the pruner handle to its original positions. The blade will stay in place. Pressing the handle again will continue the process until the branch is cut.
The ratchet will be triggered every time the branch pressure is released. Thus, a ratchet pruner will help reduce the effort required to cut thick branches. At the same time, the duration of the work will be increased.
3. Handle material
The convenience of any hand tool depends to a large extent on the quality of the handles. For secateurs, they can be made of various materials: plastic, wood, aluminum alloys, tubular steel, composites. It is better to refuse handles made of pure plastic right away - they are extremely inconvenient. The same plastic with rubber pads becomes much more ergonomic. Fiberglass reinforced polyamide handles are another good option for long-term comfortable use.
Aluminum handles with rubber pads - a guarantee of comfortable work with the pruning shears
4. Swivel handles
Many models of modern pruning shears are equipped with a pivoting bottom handle (it is wrapped with four fingers). This prevents fingers from rubbing against the handle material and the formation of calluses. In addition, this design allows for less hand strain and less fatigue, even with significant garden pruning.
5. Springs
The ease with which the pruning shears' blades converge and diverge depends on the spring. Accordingly, the better the quality of the spring, the faster and easier the trimming will be. Springs are wire spiral and tape type. The latter option is considered more reliable.
The tape-type return spring is more durable than wire spiral
6. Anti-stick coating
When pruning, plant sap gets onto the pruning shear blades, which can form a sticky coating. Therefore, it is advisable that the blade of the pruner of your choice be coated with an anti-stick coating - Teflon or chrome.
Top 5 best pruners
Let's make a rating of the five best pruning shears. They all differ in configuration and perform different functions.
Palisad 60500 - a device with a straight cut for flowers and plants for 470 rubles. Has two sharpened double-sided teflon-coated Japanese steel blades. The base is made of stainless steel with rubber pads for comfortable use. There is a retainer to prevent accidental cuts.
Pros:
- remains sharp for a long time;
- fits comfortably in the hand;
- even cut.
Minuses:
- rather tight fastener;
- not suitable for pruning branches.
Tsentroinstrument 0233 - pruning shears worth 560 rubles. It is equipped with a flat blade with a stop at the bottom. To be able to cut thick branches (up to 30 mm) with minimal labor costs, the device is equipped with a ratchet mechanism. The working tip is made of titanium, so that it is not afraid of high loads. The upper handle is completed with an anti-slip insert.
Pros:
- optimal price-quality ratio;
- reliable construction;
- ergonomic shape;
- light weight.
Minuses:
- “Chews” thin shoots;
- copes worse with dry twigs.
VKTECH Fruit Tree Pruning Shears - a grafting device for 820 rubles will significantly improve survival. This is possible because the pruner makes perfect matching incisions and heals faster. The blades are made of carbon steel and the base is made of aluminum. The set includes three knives of different configurations and a tape for wrapping inoculations.
Pros:
- double-sided knife sharpening;
- solid materials;
- perfect joining of scion and rootstock;
- the price tag is lower than in hardware stores.
Minuses:
- not suitable for professional use;
- in some cases, confusion arises and the blades of the same shape are sent.
Fiskars PowerGear L PX94 - flat version for 2,400 rubles. It has Teflon-coated hardened stainless steel cutting edges. This specimen is equipped with a power drive mechanism, which allows it to cope with shoots up to 26 mm in diameter. The holders are made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide. It is lightweight but very durable. SoftGrip cushioning is provided.
Pros:
- easily cuts branches of any thickness;
- the knife can be replaced;
- comfortable handle.
Minuses:
- suitable only for right-handers;
- high price.
Bosch EasyPrune - if you need a "more serious" assistant, then take a look at this rechargeable device for 6 600 rubles. It allows you to shorten scions up to 25 mm thick with no effort on your part. There are three preset power levels for different applications. In this case, the selection of the required mode is carried out automatically. The knives of this unit are made of stainless steel, the upper one, if necessary, can be replaced with a new one.
The device is powered by a Li-ion battery, which is charged via a micro-USB connector. One charge, according to the manufacturer, is enough for 450 slices.
Pros:
- minimal effort of the user during work;
- there is a wire cutting function;
- capacious and durable battery.
Minuses:
- will cost more than manual;
- quite heavy - 850 g.
The best universal secateurs
Many gardeners prefer versatile pruning shears that can handle a variety of tasks. Choosing the best models, you can easily and without much effort, quickly cope with any process.In addition, this kind of inventory ensures neat and clean cuts, without damaging the fiber. There are two types of pruning shears:
- Standard. They are models with two blades and handles. One - cuts, and the second is intended for emphasis. Suitable for cutting live branches, apply a minimum of time to wood tissue;
- With an anvil. In these models, the stop is located on the cutting line, as a result of which their action is as gentle as possible. They are chosen for removing dry, old and thick branches.
Naturally, to facilitate the work, the best models of the universal sectors are purchased. Consider the top of such inventory.
Secateurs GARDENA 08904
The GARDENA Secateurs 08904 is a model that features an extra-narrow cutting head. They are designed for the most accurate pruning of flowers, fresh wood, including young shoots. The opening width of the handles is adjustable, this will allow you to adjust the tool to a certain hand size, which provides comfort during work.
The blades of this sector model have a special anti-stick coating. Due to the presence of two gripping positions, it is possible to produce both fast and powerful cutting. There are soft inserts on the handles, and the pruner was equipped with a groove, thanks to which the juice flows from the plants and a wire cutter. To lock the device for safety, a latch that switches with one hand will help.
Secateurs GARDENA 08904
Secateurs FISKARS PowerLever P53
The FISKARS PowerLever P53 pruner is a high-quality and reliable unit, distinguished by its compactness and the presence of a patented PowerLever mechanism. According to experts, thanks to the power of the device, the gardener can easily get rid of dry and hard branches. Such garden tools will be an indispensable tool during the seasonal garden cleaning. This model of pruner can easily handle even thick branches with a diameter of up to twenty millimeters.
The PowerLever is a unique linkage that distributes the cutting force evenly to all fingers, thus increasing the power of the sector. Also, this feature makes the cutting process easier and requires a minimum of effort.
Secateurs FISKARS PowerLever P53
Pole Pruner FISKARS PowerGear UPX86
The FISKARS PowerGear UPX86 Pole Pruner is an efficient and powerful tool that almost every gardener needs. With its help, you can avoid using the ladder, even in hard-to-reach places. Thanks to the powerful cutting mechanism, the necessary force is created, which is quite enough to cut even the toughest branches without additional effort. In order to provide the tool with maneuverability, it was equipped with a cutting head capable of turning two hundred and thirty degrees. The maximum length for this pole saw is four meters.
Pole Pruner FISKARS PowerGear UPX86
Overview of secateurs from different manufacturers
To compare manufacturers and models of tools, practical tests are often used on branches of the same diameter.
For the correct assessment, we chose the samples of the following companies, and summed up the result:
- Secateurs from RACO. Came out on the first place due to the easy operation of the device, high-quality cut. The tested branches had the least damage. Minimal stress on the joints of the hand.
- Gardena Comfort pruner. The most comfortable tool, it also processes branches with high quality, but the tested model did not have a lock, and without this element, the speed of work is not the same.
- Fiskars compact pruner. The lightest instrument of the tested samples. Thanks to this characteristic, it is pleasant to work with a pruner for a long time. Cut quality is inferior to RACO, but not essential for general use.
- Pruner Centerinstrument. A convenient and reliable pruner, boldly cutting through branches with a diameter of more than 2 cm. The only flaw is in the design, but this does not affect the overall work.
- Brigadier pruner model.A convenient and lightweight tool, but the quality of cutting thick branches is not at the highest level, it requires the effort of two hands.
- Lux. The pruning shears of this company are a classic consumer product. For branches over 1 cm in diameter, two-handed efforts are also required.
- Pruner Grinda. Handles simple twigs well, but sometimes "chews" the material.
- Instrument from the times of the USSR. An obvious unfinished tool, suitable only for a few minutes of work, then a significant load on the brush.
The price of a garden pruner from this list is from 110 to 1300 rubles. The first place in testing is taken by a model costing only 380 rubles. I would like to note that it is not correct to focus strictly on the price when buying, the test data confirms this.
What should you pay attention to?
First you need to decide on the purpose of the tool. Before visiting a specialized store, you should familiarize yourself with the basic parameters of secateurs.
In addition to the price, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
Tool weight
When buying, it is advisable to pay attention to the weight - the weight of the product is lighter with aluminum handles, with such a tool you can work longer without much effort. Cover, handle shape
For added convenience, you can purchase a model with handles covered with plastic or a sponge - a comfortable coating prevents the tool from slipping out during operation. Properly profiled handles, which reduce stress on the wrists and hands, also have an effect on the comfort of work.
Handle adjustment to palm size. Models with adjustable handles are available. This function allows you to adjust the size of the hand tool to the size of your palm, which is especially useful when the tool is used by different people.
Blade material
The quality of the material of the cutting part of the secateurs is important. A blade made of high quality steel such as nickel plated will last the longest.
Some models have a Teflon coated blade (eg Greenmill professional teflon). It is worth investing in high quality because the blades often rust from the sap of the plants that gets onto the pruner when pruning.
Availability of spare parts. High-end pruning shears have spare parts available for sale in case of wear and tear. This makes it possible to eliminate the malfunction on your own, enjoying the purchase for a long time.
Brush cutters
hedges
Brush cutter Brush cutters
Mechanical brush cutters
The simplest and most budgetary type of brushcutter. They are inexpensive, easy to operate and do not require any special care. These are long-handled garden shears.
Mechanical brush cutter
Single-sided hedge trimmers handle plants up to 15 mm thick. For models with double-sided cutting, the blades are straight or wavy. The latter are suitable for the formation of hedges, vines, low conifers with branches up to 10 mm thick.
Electric brush cutters
The middle option between "mechanics" and gasoline brush cutters, which we will talk about below. They are less powerful than gasoline ones, but they work better than simple ones.
Electric brush cutter
An electric brush cutter is a great option for frequent use. It does not require refueling, as it is powered by the mains. But this is not only a plus, but also a minus. You will have to work only where the cord will reach. In general, the instrument is not that expensive (from 4,000 to 15,000 rubles), but makes life much easier. To understand the models will help the publication OBI Tips: How to Choose an Electric Brush Cutter.
Cordless brush cutters
By the principle of operation, they are similar to electric ones, only they are powered by a battery. They are as mobile as gasoline ones. You can move anywhere. The main thing is to monitor the battery charge level.
Cordless brush cutter
However, mobility comes at a price. The price of a cordless brush cutter is from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.
Types of hedge trimmers by design
There are 2 types of hedge trimmers design (we will talk about all types, except mechanical). These are brush cutters, trimmers and brush cutters, gas cutters. The former are similar to a mower trimmer with a gasoline or electric motor, a boom and a cutting element.
The latter are more like a chainsaw, only the cutter differs. Brushcutter Important: When deciding to purchase a brushcutter, consider what it will be used for. If there are 1-2 apple trees and a couple of bushes on 6 acres, then an expensive gasoline option is an irrational waste
You can do mechanical or, in extreme cases, electrical.