Tried-and-tested anvil secateurs for autumn pruning

Kay Maguire tests out 16 secateurs designed for dead or woody stems that need cutting in the coming months

The autumn and winter pruning seasons are just around the corner. Herbaceous perennials are almost ready to cut back, trees and shrubs need pruning and for most of these tasks secateurs will be your go-to tool.

There are three main types of secateurs: bypass models, which are best for softer, greener growth; plus anvil and ratchet secateurs, which are the types you need for pruning now and in the months to come..

Anvil models have a blade that’s sharpened on both sides and cuts like a knife, pushing through a stem or branch onto a ‘cutting board’ or block. Less effort is required, and they can cut thicker stems than bypass pruners, up to 25mm in diameter depending on the model. But they can crush stems, so work best on thick, woody or dead branches and stems.

Ratchet secateurs have springs and mechanisms that ease the effort, cutting through a stem in a series of stages. Rather than one big push, you press and release until a stem is sliced all the way through and they are very useful for those with weaker hands and for really tough growth. They are available with either bypass or anvil blades but anvil are the most useful for cutting very thick wood.

How we tested

We tested a range of anvil and ratchet models on various types of plant material. Each pair of secateurs was rated in four key areas:

Handling We assessed comfort, weight, balance, safety catch and general ease of use.

Cutting This looked at the blades, including their material, strength and opening widths, as well as their manoeuvrability and cutting efficiency.

Maintenance How easy were they to clean and sharpen? Were replacement blades available or a maintenance service offered?

Value for money Finally, the price was weighed against quality and design of each model, plus performance and the length of warranty available.