Shopping for pruners can get overwhelming, but really all you need are clippers that cut cleanly without hurting your hands. Davoen is a British manufacturer that you can always rely on for high-quality affordable products and are best for busy home gardeners. The Davoen Pro Bypass Secateurs have a quirky design that makes them stand out from the competition. The handles of these secateurs are well designed, with their auto-rotating feature that allows you to spread your fingers and use the tool without too much effort. Issues such as hand fatigue, muscle cramps and blisters are not common with these secateurs and that’s really a good thing. Those who suffer from hand ailments or the elderly will benefit greatly from these secateurs and you won’t find a better-priced pair.

This is something to consider especially if looking at cheap secateurs. In my experience, one lost spring or a malfunctioning safety catch and the secateurs is for the bin. The A/M is designed for the medium to large handed gardener and my first impressions this would suit medium to heavy use. Finally, they have a good cutting capacity of 25mm and can cut in tight areas where some other models might struggle, especially anvil models. Our recommendation The blade has been grinded in two angles, so it will also smoothly cut through wood, and will not unnecessarily damage the plant. Due to the unique shape of the hollow ground blade the sap flows away from the blade, and the blades will not come apart. The V-shape of the spring ensures that the cutting load is distributed evenly over the length of the spring which guarantees a smooth closing.The Okatsune 101 has an overall length of 180mm and is the most compact pruner of the 3 models, they are particularly suitable for a small hand. The blades of this razor-sharp pruner are forged from the finest Japanese steel (the same steel from which the Katana sword of the Samurai are made), and enable you to effortlessly cut through branches up to 25mm, such as shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and creepers. Leading pruning specialist Jake Hobson learnt the craft of tree training, pruning and rootballing in rural Osaka, and founded Niwaki (it means “garden tree”) to bring Japanese techniques to Western gardens. “A good pair of secateurs is the single most important bit of kit for any gardener,” he explains. His range of secateurs doesn’t disappoint. The bypass designs have a simple, chunky catch at the bottom, just like the Okatsune. What makes this pair of secateurs exceptional are the cutting blades. Made from the finest Japanese steel (the same as used to make Samurai swords) they are sharp, incredibly sharp and being crafted from the finest steel, stay sharp!

The cuts are really clean with no tearing or crushing of plant material, which is good news for your hands in avoiding repetitive strain issues . However, topiary expert Lerigo says he found the latch used to open them involved too much fumbling around on ladders for his liking, a situation not helped by cold, numb or gloved hands. As much as I wanted to love them, and despite the superior, precise blade, Lerigo was right: the catch mechanism used to open and close them is fiddly compared with its smoother competitors, and nigh impossible with gardening gloves on or one-handed, up a ladder, because the clasp requires a thumb to be operated. I also found that my own hands were slightly too small for them.

A question asked frequently is what is the difference between anvil and bypass secateurs. The difference between these garden tools, bypass pruners and anvil versions is as follows. If you suffer fromcarpal tunnel, arthritis or have the distinct disadvantage of having smaller or weak hands, then these are the best choice for you.

With a top mounted safety catch the secateur is easily operated with hand and the ergonomic handles are comfortable to operate. According to Telegraph gardening expert Helen Yemm, secateurs usually jam because of a build-up of dried sap and general garden grot on the blades. A good clean, followed by a wipe with an oily rag, sorts the problem out. Presumably you have tried that.One common problem we come across with models that have exposed springs is that the springs can get dislodged and fall out. Most standard-looking secateurs have these types of springs, including all Felco models, it’s not a bad thing but something to be aware of. You can buy spare springs for some models including Felco, but unfortunately, with some models, you cannot get spare springs so if you lose the spring, then they are only fit for the bin. This is usually true for the cheaper models where the springs are not as well-fitted. An impressive 26mm cutting capacity means roses, shrubs and small branches can be pruned with ease. These are, without a doubt, the best ratchet secateurs we have ever had the chance to review. We have tried quite a few ratchet secateurs in previous years and we can confirm we have never come across a better pair of secateurs with the ratchet feature. Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things… 1. Correct Use: