Buyers’ Guide to loppers
Choose the right cutting tool and big pruning jobs become a doddle, says Geoff Hodge. Here’s what to look for
Choose the right cutting tool and big pruning jobs become a doddle
Loppers are ideal for pruning the stems and branches of trees and shrubs. Their wide mouths can cut through thicker growth than secateurs, while their longer handles allow you to reach further up and into the plant. Some loppers feature geared or compound lever-action mechanisms, which multiply the force you put into the handles by up to three times, allowing you to cut thicker, denser wood with far less effort.
Blade design
Just like secateurs, loppers have two types of cutting blade – anvil and bypass.
● Bypass loppers have a cutting blade that bypasses the lower blade, acting like a giant pair of scissors. These are ideal for slicing through live growth.
● Anvil loppers have a cutting blade that cuts directly onto a lower, broader blunt blade, or anvil. These can crush live, green growth, causing unsightly damage and leading to dieback, so are best used on dead/ brown growth. Size for size, anvil loppers are better at coping with thicker stems.
To produce a good clean cut, you need a top quality sharp blade. Look out for SK3 or SK5 high-carbon Japanese steel, usually regarded as the best for build, strength and durability. A non-stick PTFE coating (such as Teflon) provides rust resistance and leads to cleaner, smoother cuts.
Extra oomph
Loppers with a power multiplication mechanism are a good choice for cutting through thick or dense wood. Often referred to as geared or compound-action lever mechanisms, they multiply the force you exert when closing the handles, transferring it to the blade.
● Geared loppers have a gear mechanism at the fulcrum that provides more leverage.
● Compound-action loppers use multiple pivot points and moving parts to increase the force, but may need to be opened further to tackle a thick branch.
● Ratchet loppers are ideal if you need a bit of extra strength when pruning. The ratchet allows blades to cut through the wood in a series of steps, each one needing less force than standard loppers, and the same amount in the centre of the branch
where the wood is denser.
Checkthe weight
Heavyweight loppers may be too cumbersome to use for a long time, especially when reaching high above you or stretching out, so always feel the weight before you buy. Highdensity plastic, fibre composite or aluminium handles are much lighter than (and just as strong as) those with heavier metal ones.
Loppers with telescopic handles give you extra reach, so offer an advantage when pruning tall plants. However, bear in mind that each handle comprises a handlewithin-a-handle, which adds to the loppers overall weight.
All the blade and cutting mechanism options are available in standard and telescopic models. Short-handled or ‘mini’ loppers are the perfect choice if pruning space is at a premium. ➤