Choosing the Best Pruning Shears for You

Introduction

Pruning shears are an important part of every gardener’s toolkit. Not only do they keep plants from becoming overgrown, but they can also help you shape trees, shrubs and bushes into a more aesthetically pleasing shape for your yard. However, there are many different types of pruning shears available that vary in price, size and weight. Here we’ll cover some basic information about different types of pruners so that when you’re ready to purchase your next pair of garden tools, you know what type is best for your needs!

Bypass Pruners

Bypass pruners are the most common type of pruning shear. They have a blade that passes through the center of the handles, and it cuts as it closes. The cutting action happens on either side of the stem (but not both).

The blades are sharpened on only one side, so they cut when you pull them towards yourself or away from yourself depending on which way you hold them: if you hold them with your thumb over top and forefinger under bottom (like holding an ice cream cone), then this will be a “pulling” motion; if you flip that around so your thumb is underneath and forefinger is over top—or vice versa—then this will be an “inserting” motion. Bypass pruners are ideal for thick branches because their long handles give extra leverage for larger cuts

Anvil Pruners

Anvil pruners are the most common type of pruner and are used to cut stems. The bottom of their blades have a flat surface, which allows them to be used on thicker branches, as well as being better when it comes to removing larger cuts from your plants. They’re also less expensive than other types of pruners.

Ratchet Pruners

If you’re someone who wants to cut thicker branches and needs more leverage, then ratchet pruners are great for you. They work by using a ratcheting mechanism that increases the amount of force needed to cut through the branch. This means that even if you don’t have much strength in your hands or arthritis, these types of shears will help out by giving them more leverage.

Ratchet pruners are made with metal blades that are sharpened on both sides so they can be used effectively on both ends. They also have a locking mechanism so that when they’re not being used, they stay closed together and won’t come apart unless someone opens them up again manually.

Scissor Pruners

Scissor pruners are a good choice for small branches and cutting flowers. They will not work well on larger branches, but can be used to trim smaller shrubs and vines.

If you have only a few plants in your yard, these may be the best option for you as they can easily maneuver around tight spaces or plant containers.

Pruning Saws

With a saw, you can cut wood. The blades on saws are much larger and thicker than those of shears, so they are used for cutting through thicker branches and logs. A few types of saws include bow/reciprocating saws (which use an oscillating motion), chainsaws (which use a chain-driven blade) and pruning saws—smaller versions with teeth that are designed specifically for pruning. Sometimes people will use the terms “bow” and “reciprocating” interchangeably. They’re not exactly the same thing but have similar characteristics: Bow/reciprocating saws have more power than chainsaws because they’re faster but also heavier; chainsaws have more power than bow/reciprocating because they’re slower but lighter.

Saws are more expensive than shears because they don’t require as much manual labor to operate them compared to hand tools like clippers or loppers—your arm won’t get tired from holding up a tool while you make cuts through thick branches all day long!

It is important to know what type of pruner would be best for you.

It is important to know what type of pruner would be best for you. There are many types of pruning shears and this can be a bit overwhelming when trying to find the right one.

  • Do you need a pruner that is going to last? That is one of the most important factors in choosing which pruner you want. If you know that it will last for several years then this should help narrow down your search.
  • What do you need to cut? Are there any types of plants or trees that are difficult to cut with regular shears, or do they require something more heavy duty like loppers or hedge shears? This will also help narrow down your search because if it’s something bigger then perhaps the lopper is better suited than smaller clippers or nippers.
  • What material do I need to cut? Some materials such as wood can dull blades faster than others so if this isn’t something that bothers me then maybe having an option where I don’t have as much maintenance would be good enough; however, other people may prefer having tools that require less maintenance even if it means spending more money upfront on buying them in order not having buy replacements often over time because their blades become dulled quickly after using them only once or twice due lack luster quality control standards at some companies who manufacture these kinds products without thinking about how much wear & tear they might undergo during use through normal household chores around home (which could lead into premature replacement costs).
  • What type will work best for me? This could mean whether someone prefers curved handles versus straight ones; metal vs plastic construction_

Conclusion

If you’re looking for some help in choosing the best pruning shears, we hope this article has been helpful. We know it can be challenging to find the right pair of pruning shears. There are so many options out there, and they all have their own pros and cons. But with a little research and knowledge about what kind of work you will be doing with them (or even if it’s just for fun), you should be able to make an informed decision on which type would work best for your needs.

Leave a Reply