Secateurs are a familiar tool for gardeners and gardeners. It is used to trim dry branches, so that in the future the crowns will form correctly, that is, it is needed to care for trees and other vegetation. Unlike such a rough tool, like garden shears, a pruner performs a more accurate and thin pruning, which is necessary at the last stage of the appearance of plants.
The modern market offers a lot of options for such products for the care of vegetation. And if the professionals in their field are at least somehow guided in all this variety, then the newcomers shrug their hands and ask the quite natural question: “How to choose a garden pruner and not lose money with a purchase?” Such tools are not smartphones, and it’s quite difficult to find frankly bad models on the market, and recognizing them will not be difficult, but more on that below.
So, let's try to figure out which garden pruner is better than another and why, and also tell you what you should pay special attention to and how not to miscalculate with the purchase. In order to narrow the circle of choice, we outline several basic selection criteria and specific series of the most successful tools.
Difficulty choosing
On sale you can find several types of garden secateurs: mechanical, electrical and pneumatic. The first type, due to the low price, is popular with many lovers and more than half of summer residents.
Electric (battery) models belong to professional garden tools and greatly facilitate the entire process of pruning. Its cost is appropriate, so for one-time work this is not the most practical option.
Pneumatic garden secateurs are for the most part professional equipment that is rarely seen on the shelves of domestic stores. Models are difficult to maintain and finicky in general, and sensible pneumatic tools can be found only in the premium segment. This type, due to its exotic nature in our market, we will not consider, but we will touch only on the first two.
In addition, grafting garden secateurs can still be found on sale (photo above). They differ from others in the structural feature of the main cutting part. Here it is more complex and specific, therefore it is of little use for ordinary pruning of branches - only vaccination.
Blades
It is also worth paying special attention to the quality of the blades. Good garden secateurs have hardened steel blades that do not need sharpening as such, and they are much less susceptible to corrosion.
Sharpening of the blade plays a significant role, which directly affects the quality of the cut. If the latter is perfectly even and sharp, the tool does not break the branch, but rather cuts it, which eliminates many of the associated problems.
Main cutting mechanism
Here we are talking mainly about mechanical garden secateurs with ratchet gear. He works in several stages: as soon as the tool stops, that is, he does not have enough strength to cut the branch, this system brings the handle to its original position, after which you can continue cutting without squeezing the blades.
For processing thick branches, ratchet garden secateurs will be very useful, and efforts to trim branches with a similar mechanism require much less. So before choosing a tool, be sure to pay attention to the presence of such a system.
Manufacturers
Many firms are engaged in the production of such garden tools. But not everyone gets really reliable, and most importantly, effective tools in their work. In the domestic market, a slightly different list of manufacturers, as well as models other than the European one, is popular.
The best manufacturers of sectors:
- Wolf Garten
- Fiskars.
- Gardena.
- "Central tool."
- Raco.
The products of these brands have earned the respect of many users, including professionals. Their tools are enviable popular with the domestic consumer, and he, as you know, is extremely picky even to ultra-budget models.
Next, we denote the best garden secateurs. User reviews, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the models will be discussed below.
Raco 4206-53 / 150C
The first thing that catches your eye with this model is an extremely affordable price tag. And despite its more than attractive price, the garden pruner from a well-known German manufacturer also distinguished itself by its quality component.
The model received a completely adequate ratchet mechanism, which greatly facilitates the trimming of thick branches. Judging by user reviews, the tool also has good ergonomic qualities: a durable aluminum case, well-calibrated finger loops and a rubberized handle.
20 millimeters is enough for gardening. It should also be noted that the model is entrenched in the arsenal of not only amateurs, but also professionals in their field, even as an auxiliary tool.
Secateurs Benefits:
- the presence of a ratchet mechanism;
- excellent ergonomic indicators;
- 20 mm cut;
- more than affordable cost.
Deficiencies for its price category have not been identified.
Estimated cost - about 600 rubles.
Fiskars P44
A quite worthy model from the famous Finnish manufacturer has received many awards at specialized exhibitions and has a large number of positive reviews from users. A powerful return spring is used here as the main mechanism, which allowed to significantly reduce the weight of the structure without a critical loss of the cutting characteristics of the tool.
As for ease of use, there are no problems with this, judging by the reviews. One part of the sector is made in the form of a buttonhole, and the other received an ergonomic rounded shape. The entire hand part is intelligently rubberized, so the tool does not rub the hand and does not leave corns.
The standard cut diameter is 20 mm, there is a blade lock, and the age spring itself is extremely reliable. The only controversial parameter that can not be attributed to either pluses or minuses is the weight of the device. 150 grams are practically not felt in the hand, but trimming serious branches with such an easy tool is rather difficult psychologically rather than technically.
Pluses of model:
- intelligent mechanism for cutting with high efficiency;
- excellent ergonomic indicators;
- reliable return spring;
- very small weight of the tool;
- nice looking appearance.
Minuses:
- the cost is slightly overestimated due to the use of extremely high-quality soft rubber.
Estimated price - about 2000 rubles.
Gardena 8906
Judging by the reviews, this is an excellent tool that can often be seen in the hands of professional gardeners. One of the main features of the model is its excellent ergonomic performance. The case and high-quality aluminum is complemented by well-positioned rubberized inserts, which prevents the tool from slipping out of your hands, as well as problems with corns.
Despite the fact that the buttonhole is not provided here in principle, this in no way affects the usability. Judging by the reviews, many users were especially pleased with the maximum cut diameter of 25 mm. There are simply no technical flaws and other shortcomings here: the trimming mechanism works like a clock, and without regard to volumes.
The only drawback that a good half of consumers complain about is the price. Of course, we have excellent German quality, but not every domestic summer resident can afford such a luxury, especially if he is engaged in gardening from time to time. So this model is a tool for professionals.
Secateurs Benefits:
- excellent cutting mechanism;
- maximum diameter - 25 mm;
- very high ergonomic indicators;
- German quality with excellent materials.
Disadvantages:
- the price varies greatly at different points of sale (ill-conceived brand targeted marketing).
Estimated cost - about 3,000 rubles.
Wolf Garten Li-Ion Power RR 3000
This, at first glance, a little prim model more than compensates for its appearance with excellent operational characteristics. The boasted German quality didn’t disappoint here either, and users leave completely positive reviews about this tool.
The construction of the sector can be called almost eternal, and the main cutting elements are powered by a reliable 1100 mAh battery. A full charge is enough for about 700-800 cuts for branches with a diameter of not more than 15 millimeters.
Distinctive features of the model
The only fly in the ointment, which, in fact, cannot be called critical, is the recharge time. It lasts almost four hours, and this is in the absence of a removable battery. Judging by the reviews, users have no complaints about the quality and efficiency of the model, and a good half of consumers are professional gardeners, but they don’t give the tool a descent and use it to its fullest.
Secateurs Pros:
- excellent and reliable electronic cutting mechanism;
- long battery life (up to 800 cuts);
- good ergonomic performance;
- excellent build quality and materials used.
Minuses:
- long battery charging;
- some users complain about the plain appearance.
Estimated price - about 7000 rubles.