Peculiarities
The only purpose of such a device is to prune old, dried or simply unnecessary branches.
It is important that no burrs remain after the cut; for this, the scissors must have a special structure. The upper part of the blade can be either single-sided or double-sided
The upper plane should be bent outward. The underside of the blade is designed to provide support and to reduce damage to the underside of the bark. It is a semicircle or plane, this is where the blade descends. The ratchet pruner can significantly reduce the use of the operator's physical strength. The unit can handle both twigs and branches of large diameter.
Before buying such a design, you should pay attention to the following points
- The handle should be long enough as this is where the leverage effect is triggered. The device should fit comfortably in your hand.
- After cutting, the handle itself should return to its original state thanks to a lever or spring mechanism.
- The incisors should be fairly sharp and made of high strength metal. Experts recommend choosing Teflon coated secateurs.
Buying a new gadget is always a risk. Many buyers prefer to opt for the most popular manufacturers, considering only German or Japanese models. They often overpay for the brand. But the name of the company is not a guarantee of the quality of the device. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with experienced gardeners, as they have most likely tried many tools over the years and can certainly advise a good model. If you do not have familiar gardeners, then you can always study the reviews of amateurs and professionals about each model you are interested in.
Before purchasing, pay attention to the weight and dimensions of the structure. The heavier the device, the faster the hand will get tired during garden work.
If your task is to tidy up the bush, then any model will do, but if you want to give a neat look to the fruit tree, then you have to apply physical strength. The ratchet pruner is able to make a perfectly straight cut on a branch with a diameter of up to 30 mm. At the same time, even female representatives will be able to cope with the unit.
Review of popular models
Gardena has a wide range of products. Let's consider the most popular ones.
Classic 500 BL. The lightweight 50 cm pruner is very easy to use. It perfectly copes with branches up to 35 millimeters in diameter. Gardena has equipped this model with a patented gear system, thanks to which the tool works much more powerful and efficiently. The sharpened blades are coated with anti-corrosion steel and last much longer. The model has optimal ergonomics, it fits comfortably in the hands, and the plastic handles allow the pruner not to slip during operation. At the ends there are special restraints that reduce the load on the wrists, so cutting branches is much easier.
Comfort SmartCut. Quite a powerful model with a ratchet mechanism, with which you can easily cut off even thick branches. The Comfort SmartCup has a maximum cutting diameter of 22 millimeters. The larger the diameter, the higher the likelihood of activating the special Power Plus mechanism, which allows you to easily remove branches of any thickness. Sharply sharpened blades have a special coating against corrosion and are lubricated with a special solution, which prevents the knives from sticking together from the juice produced by the branches.The plastic handles do not slip during the cutting process. The increased ergonomics of the model allows you to quickly carry out the cutting process, and the safety of the secateurs is ensured by a special lock that switches from one position to another and, if necessary, locks the blades.
Gardena 08853-30 B / S-M. Convenient pruning shears with sharp and rounded blades are specially coated to prevent sticking. The tool is equipped with a small groove where the liquid secreted by the branches of plants flows down, as well as a wire cutter. The maximum cutting diameter is 20 millimeters, and the length of the secateurs itself is 22 centimeters. Safe storage is ensured by a special lock that quickly locks the tool - literally with one movement of the hand. The soft-grip handles are quite ergonomic, comfortable to work with and have two grip options, which means that the model can be used by both left-handers and right-handers. This model is quite powerful and optimal for working with young shoots and flowers with thick stems.
BP 50 Premium. A professional tool with good power for fast and easy cutting of branches up to 22 millimeters in diameter. The increased ergonomics of the aluminum handles make it more comfortable to work, and the two ways of gripping the handles allow even left-handers to use the pruner. The built-in groove is designed to drain off the sap from tree branches and shrubs. And there is also a wire cutter.
B / M 08904-20. The 26 cm long flat pruner easily handles hard and thick branches. The maximum cutting diameter is 24 mm. Precision sharpened blades with a rounded tip provide good sharpness and an anti-stick coating. The model has a built-in juice trough and a wire cutter. Ergonomic plastic handles for two ways of gripping. The model belongs to professional tools and has an increased cutting power.
B / S-XL 08905-20. This model has a very narrow blade tip and is ideal for working with young bushes and thin vines. The secateurs cut neatly without harming the rest of the tree. Ergonomic handles can be adjusted according to the opening width, they make it possible to independently adjust the tool even for a small female hand, which speaks of the versatility of the model. Sharply sharpened blades easily cope with cutting branches with a diameter of up to 25 millimeters. The handles have two grip options, so left-handers can also use the pruner. The tool has a built-in container for the sap produced by trees and a wire cutter.
In the next video, you will find an overview of the Gardena Comfort Ratchet Pruner.
How to choose?
These tools are used in the garden to cut dried branches, form shoots and tree crowns. They make it possible to carefully cut off excess parts of the plant without harming it, and ensure the safety of its health. In modern hardware stores there is a fairly large assortment of garden pruners, among which everyone can find a model to their liking.
However, when buying, you need to pay attention to small nuances that will help you better make your choice.
First you need to be clear about what type of work you will need a pruner. For example, a hand tool with a standard or ratchet mechanism is perfect for treating shrubs and cutting roses. If you have to cut the crowns of trees or tall bushes, then it is better to take the rod version. Before buying, you need to hold the garden pruner in your hands in order to understand how comfortable it lies
Work with your hands, estimate the dimensions and weight of the model, it is very important to comprehensively study the purchased model, since it will take a long time to work. For left-handed people, there are special double-sided models that fit comfortably in both hands
A big plus will be the purchase of a garden pruner with replaceable blades, since replacing them in case of failure is much cheaper than choosing a new one.
Care rules
The manufacturer gives a guarantee of durable operation for a quarter of a century. If the instruments are handled correctly, this period can be extended. Therefore, you should adhere to these rules:
- before working with a pruner, the spring is lubricated; if necessary, adjust the tool for certain conditions;
- after each trimming, the cutting blades of secateurs and scissors must be cleaned of juice using oiled rags; otherwise, the tool will quickly rust and become unusable;
- the blades need to be periodically tightened so that the tool does not loosen; this will avoid possible snacks and increase productivity;
- the cutting edges must be sharpened at the beginning of each season (do not use blunt knives).
Note! In most models, the blades are removable. If the edges become chipped and chipped, defective knives can be easily replaced.
Store your garden tools (as well as spare blades and springs) in a darkened area where the humidity is kept low. It is best to hang the pruning shears on a nail and keep the blades open.
Before removing the Gardena secateurs for winter storage, they are washed in soapy water, disassembled into parts, then carefully selected so that not a single drop of moisture remains. You can also use a water-replacing spray (WD-40 or Felco 980), which can be removed with a cloth.
Important! If dried traces of plant sap or resin are found on the parts, they must be removed with denatured alcohol or acetone.
5 rules for choosing a pruner
Secateurs
To summarize, there are several ground rules that will help you choose the best pruner:
- Don't focus on price. Even an expensive tool can have disadvantages
- Consider the purpose of the tool. For cutting green wood, take a flat one, for working with dry wood - contact
- Take into account the volume and complexity of the work. If you have to trim a large number of thick branches, it is better to choose a ratchet or power mechanism.
- Consider your dominant hand. Not every tool is suitable for left-handers
- Check the sharpness of the blades when purchasing. A well-sharpened pruner will cut a sheet of paper like scissors without crushing it.
When choosing, you should check the operation of the retainer, try on the tool on your hand in different positions, and also evaluate the integrity of the blade coating.
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