When we interviewed expert gardeners on their favorite pruners, it inspired us to do a roundup of options at different points along the pricing spectrum. Below are ten options—some made of aluminum for simple maintenance projects and others from hand forged carbon steel for tackling seriously thick branches.
Above: From Tokyo-based product designer Tetsutaro Nakabayashi for Opinel, a pair of Green Secateur with three adjustable positions is €49.90 from Merci. Above: Hand-forged Japanese Pruners provide a clean cut to allow the most surface area possible at the end of a stem; $93.23 from Amazon. For more Japanese garden tools, see Tools of the Trade. Above: Available for pre-order the Stainless Steel Secateur measures 7.5 inches long and features an ash wood handle for $32 NZD from Father Rabbit. Above: After searching in vain for a lightweight pair of pruners sized for a woman’s hand, British designer Sophie Conran (daughter of Terence) designed the Sophie Conran Hand Pruners to use in her own garden. They are rust-resistant and are $55.95 from Amazon. Above: The Flexrake LRB39 Aluminum Bypass Pruner is made from a lightweight aluminum with a comfort shape grip for an affordable $8.75 from Amazon. Above: The Polished Steel Secateurs have PVC-dipped handles to make them comfortable for use; made in Italy for £20 ($25 USD) each from Labour & Wait. Above: The Okatsune Secateurs in Red and White are $44.45 at Niwaki in Japan. Above: The Lefthanded Felco No. 10 Pruners, have a rotating handle that makes it easy for me to get leverage from any angle. They’re $76.60 at Amazon. See why they’re Michelle’s favorite pruner in 5 Favorites: Pruners. Photograph by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista. Above: Hand-forged to order, Tobisho Hiryu Secateurs from Japan “differs from all other secateurs with its thinner blade, slightly hollow-ground on the inside, and a slight gap between blade and bypass—creating a finer and cleaner cutting action, which along with the double spring system allows for prolonged use,” says Jake Hobson of Niwaki, where a pair is $252.94. Above: The Kijo Secateurs are lightweight pruning shears with tempered carbon steel and a non-slip coated grip for £25 ($31 USD) from Objects of Use in London.
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