A garden pruner visually resembles large scissors, in addition, the principle of operation is almost the same. This manual pruning tool has several types that you need to familiarize yourself with before choosing a garden pruner. Based on this, some will be used to trim flowers and young shoots, while the latter are suitable for removing dense branches, which may be better than a saw. It is difficult for an amateur or a beginner to make a choice, due to the large number of nuances. For everyone who is just planning to deal with the garden and the arrangement of the site, it is recommended to study the data presented in the article. With their help, you can make the right purchase of equipment.
Content
The principle of operation and device of a garden pruner
Classic hand pruning shears are one type of pruning shear that is characterized by dense and powerful blades. To be able to work with different plants and diameters, manufacturers began to improve the tool, adding additional elements that simplify the work. The main device is as follows:
- Working (upper) knife - definitely needs fine grinding and strong sharpening.
- Support (lower) knife - made of forged steel, may include a juice drainage chute, and is also often a removable part.
- Adjustment Bolt - Helps to connect the 2 knives, the user can adjust the toe-in of the blades to give the desired cutting force without too much friction. When properly adjusted, the tool will last for years.
In addition, the design has handles, among which there is a spring to protect hands from damage when working with large diameters, as well as a lock for more convenient and safe storage of the secateurs.
Top manufacturers of garden pruners
The pruner is considered one of the simplest garden hand tools, which has a simple design, but if you buy cheap goods from poor quality materials, then there is a risk of quick breakage or the inability to cut large knots. In any case, you will have to buy the instrument again, but of a better quality.
The name of the manufacturer will help you decide which garden pruner to choose. To eliminate the purchase of useless inventory, it is best to make an acquisition from trusted companies:
- Fiskars;
- Center tool;
- Wolf Garten;
- Palisad.
These companies offer high quality tools. During production, an excellent alloy is used, the design is carefully worked out, which gives a high level of reliability and ergonomics. Each person sets his own requirements for the tool, but there are several important parameters that will help beginners decide and buy the best product.
Types of garden pruners
At the moment, manufacturers and experts recommend buying 4 types of pruners for work on the site and in the garden. Before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself with the features of each type.
Vaccination
These models are characterized by a narrow specialization and area of use. They give perfectly clean cuts, which are like a semicircle or the letter "V".Depending on the model, the device can handle diameters ranging from 4-12 mm. The length of the secateurs is often no more than 20 cm, with a weight of about 250 grams or more.
Pros:
- Helps to make perfect cuts for further grafting of a tree or bush.
- Young shoots are not damaged.
- A high degree of convenience that is similar to classic pruners.
- It takes a minimum of effort to work.
Minuses:
- Narrowly targeted activity of models.
- High pricing policy, which will be approximately 2-2.5 thousand rubles.
Bypass (contact)
Such models are considered classic and are suitable for processing hard stems or branches up to 20 mm in diameter. The design includes 2 blades, which are made in the shape of a sickle, but only one (upper) knife is sharpened, the lower one is a supporting element. After cutting the plants with this pruner, the owner gets clean and even cuts, without deforming the rest of the shoot elements.
The length of the tool is often up to 25 cm, of which 5-8 cm falls on the blades. The weight of the equipment is about 250 grams, which does not put stress on the hand during prolonged work.
Pros:
- It turns out to make neat environments of solid branches as well as dry elements without damage or splitting.
- The knives are shaped like a sickle, so the branches do not slip out.
- Often, manufacturers install ratchets or power mechanisms to remove large diameter branches.
- The optimal cost, which starts at 100 rubles, will have to pay 4800 rubles for the best and functional devices.
Minuses:
- During work and operation from the master, it is necessary to ensure the correct position of the secateurs when cutting.
- It is difficult for lefties to work due to one-sided sharpening.
Pruning shears (brush cutters)
This type of tool is perfect for trees with branches of about 30 mm, as well as bushes. The pruner is characterized by a flat cut, visually similar to a large scissors with a pair of blades of the same size. They are sharpened on both sides, long handles measuring 20-40 cm are installed for comfortable and easy work. With their help, gardeners can cut large branches effortlessly. For softwood or old shrubs, models are sold with wavy or zigzag blades.
Pros:
- One of the simplest and most reliable designs, which is characterized by a high level of reliability.
- Thanks to the long blades, you can work the area faster when performing large volumes.
- Suitable for working with thick branches.
- There is a large selection of knife sizes on sale.
- No extra effort required during work.
- You can cut branches from any direction.
- The optimal cost is in the range of 140-2900 rubles.
Minuses:
- Difficult to keep on weight due to the large mass.
- To work, you need to use both hands.
Loppers
Loppers are a combined pruner that includes elements of the contact and brushcutter model. The length of the handle is similar to garden shears, and the blades are short but powerful, thick with a length of up to 10 cm in the shape of a sickle. Such a tool is considered to be flat, due to which both knives are sharpened and move towards one another.
Often, manufacturers supplement the design with amplifiers or ratchets so that branches with a diameter of 50-60 mm can be removed. The device is made to work with old trees, but can also be used for young plants and bushes. Often, brands make telescopic handles to increase or decrease the length within 30-200 cm. According to users, the main disadvantage is the weight of the product, which is within 1.5-3 kg.
Pros:
- High-quality pruning is achieved.
- Excellent power to handle any kind of wood.
- Convenient for low shrubs with thorns.
- It is possible to adjust the length if the design includes telescopic handles.
Minuses:
- Large size and weight.
- The cost of goods with long handles is 400-4500 rubles.
How to choose a good garden pruner - basic parameters
To choose the right pruner, it is recommended to focus not only on the types and design, but also on a number of other parameters.
Materials
The metal of the knives is the main parameter for the pruner to be used in the garden. Inexpensive tools are often made from plain steel without protective coatings, so the blades quickly become dull and covered with foci of corrosion. Quality products will be characterized by the following steel grades:
- 65X13 is a special steel for knives that does not rust, and is often used for pruning shears from domestic brands.
- SK-5 is a high carbon steel suitable for many types of tools, often used by Asian manufacturers. The main value is that the knives do not need to be sharpened.
- 440A - material with maximum protection against rust and high strength.
- AUS-6 is an analogue of the brand described above, but with increased resistance to wear.
- Titanium - is characterized by high strength and low weight, and is not afraid of corrosion, but the cost of the secateurs will be high.
The pruner handles are often also made of steel, but when choosing it is important to look at the braid. Budget models are equipped with plastic elements, and higher quality ones are made of polyamide with additional reinforcement. The basic rule is that the material should not slip, so it is recommended to buy secateurs with rubber inserts.
Mechanism
The work depends on this indicator, since the mechanism allows you to process different diameters of branches. When choosing, it is recommended to consider the following characteristics:
- Lever mechanism - characterized by the fact that the handles of the tool are placed parallel to each other. The work of the mechanism is focused on small branches, but the load on the hands is not strong, since all fingers work during compression.
- Scissors are the simplest mechanism that cannot boast of efficiency. With the help of human effort, the load is transferred to the knives, so the tool is suitable for working with thin shoots and working with young trees. The main plus is the length of the handle, which helps to work by analogy with lever mechanisms.
- Ratchet is a special mechanism in the form of a gearwheel with a lock that rotates in one direction. With the help of the device, it is possible to process branches large in diameter, but with a few clicks. Initially, the stem is cut, so there is enough effort, further movements cut the knives further until there is a complete cut. The mechanism is often used for powerful tools.
- Power drive - during pressure on the handles, the mechanism itself adds force, which helps to work with any branches with minimal effort. Due to the implementation of such a device, the pruner will be heavier in weight and more in price, but the models are the most effective.
Springs
The return of the handles to their initial position depends on the quality and function of the springs. Modern tools can include one of 3 spring options:
- Wire - weak and with a small resource, they have a short stroke.
- Levers are tight but easily adjustable.
- Belt - the most reliable, but constantly need to be cleaned of debris.
Which garden pruner to choose
Experts identify several recommendations for buying, which greatly simplify the selection of a tool:
- For everyone who cares for flowers, you should use scissors, which are made of carbon steel. Ideally, the surface should be overcoated to protect against corrosion. In this case, the spring does not really matter and you can buy the cheapest option - wire. If the owner of the plot follows the roses, then for pruning it is better to choose a bypass pruner with a holder in order to exclude the girth of thorny stems.
- Anyone who has a lot of bushes in the garden is advised to buy contact bypass pruners with thick knives. A brush cutter with any mechanism is suitable for cutting young grapes or hedges from plants, and ratchet models will be required for old branches.
- For trees with old and dry stems, it is recommended to use ratchet or power drive loppers. It is best to choose telescopic handles or immediately take long structures in order to be able to reach any branch. Knives are suitable from steel grade 440A, titanium.
- It is better to inoculate plants with narrowly targeted shears made of knife steel. Since the procedure is rarely carried out, the presence of a protective layer against corrosion is not a prerequisite.
Tips for choosing
Based on the information provided, garden pruners differ, in order to simplify the choice, it is recommended to use expert advice:
- Before buying, you should try different types of secateurs in use in the store. This allows you to appreciate the convenience and quality of each. If someone you know has a tool, you can ask it for a few days to cut a couple of branches and evaluate the product.
- The dimensions of the device must be suitable for the user. Medium to small devices are an excellent choice for beginners and are easier to learn and handle, but as a result of different hand sizes, there may be differences in learning.
- It is not recommended to chase a large cut diameter, in addition, for large branches a certain skill of work is required. The best choice would be a pruner, which is able to cut a branch up to 2 cm in diameter.
- It is recommended to check the device in motion, assemble and disassemble the tool several times in the store, and shake it. The blades should not play, and the structure should always be closed to prevent injury. A good tool is characterized by smooth movement without obstacles. There is no need to follow the lead of the seller and believe that the tool will be developed over time.
- Be sure to look for the sharpness of the blades. They should always be sharp, which will give a high-quality environment, you can cut off a sheet of paper for assessment, if it does not tear, then the tool will do. In addition, self-sharpening requires skills and knowledge, so it's better to buy a sharp tool right away.
- It is best to choose smooth blades, any grooves will increase friction, and also make it difficult to cut, and a tree or other plant will get hurt. Choose a Teflon coating with a smooth surface for better glide and corrosion protection.
- The strength of the blades will indicate the durability of the secateurs. When choosing, you should focus on strong, hardened steel, the blades should be solid without overlays.
- Choose tool handles that are strong and comfortable for the palm of your hand. Visually, they will be powerful, thick, it is better to have a protective arc on the bottom, in which case you can cut off large branches.
- To always see the instrument, experts advise buying bright models that are easier to find in the grass.
- If there are trees, flowers and other plants on the site that require pruning, it is recommended to buy a separate tool for each type. It can be not only pruning shears, but also garden shears, saws and more. You can not use pruning shears to cut everything in a row, this leads to the unusability of the blade, scratches, corrosion appear on them, the fasteners begin to dangle.
