How to choose and buy secateurs

When making your choice of secateurs, be realistic about what you’ll need to prune. If you only ever deadhead and tidy growth through the summer months, you’ll only need a pair of lightweight secateurs. If you have a garden full of demanding deciduous shrubs or trained fruit, then invest in a substantial, robust pair that will give good service for years to come.

Find a supplier who will let you handle and even test the tool. Garden shows are great for this. Check how well the tool balances in your hand and the comfort of the grip. Finger placement on the handle grip needs to suit your hand size. If the handles open beyond your hand span, then closing the blade can be difficult. Check the tool will still be comfortable when wearing gardening gloves. Try out the safety catch. Central catches are ideal for left- or right-handed use. Avoid loose catches that slip closed as you work. Catches at the ends of the handles need to close tightly. Left-handed gardeners have a range of secateurs specifically for them. Look for a steel blade that has a high carbon content, as this will keep an edge and last much longer if you sharpen it regularly. Check the guarantee and the availability of replacement parts too. Consider a wire-cutting notch at the base of the blade if you prune and train plants such as climbers or grow vegetables that need support. It will save having to change tools while working. Brightly coloured handles are handy if you often mislay your secateurs, and a holster means you can carry them with you and always know where they are.