How to Choose the Best Garden Secateurs

A quality pair of garden secateurs is one of the most important tools in any garden. Whether you're pruning roses, harvesting herbs, shaping shrubs or trimming fruit trees, the right secateurs make every cut cleaner, easier and better for your plants.

In this guide, we'll explain the different types of secateurs, how to choose the right pair for your gardening style, and how to care for them so they last for many years.

Why Quality Secateurs Matter

Good secateurs don't simply make pruning easier, they also help keep plants healthy.

Sharp, well-made blades create clean cuts that heal more quickly, reducing stress on the plant and lowering the risk of disease entering damaged stems.

High-quality secateurs also:

Reduce hand fatigue.
Make cleaner, more precise cuts.
Last for many years with proper care.
Can often be sharpened and maintained.
Feel better balanced in the hand.

Which Type of Secateurs Should You Choose?

Bypass Secateurs

Bypass secateurs work like scissors, with two blades passing each other to make a clean cut.

They're the preferred choice for most gardeners because they:

Produce clean cuts.
Are ideal for living stems and green growth.
Cause less damage to plants.
Are perfect for roses, shrubs and flowers.

Our Ashwood & Stainless Steel Secateurs are an excellent example of premium bypass secateurs designed for everyday gardening.

Garden Snips

Garden snips have shorter, finer blades that allow greater precision.

They're ideal for:

Herbs
Flowers
Soft stems
Harvesting vegetables
Deadheading
Indoor plants

If you regularly harvest herbs or flowers, a quality pair of snips is often the better choice than full-sized secateurs.

Which Secateurs Are Best For:

Roses

Choose bypass secateurs for clean cuts that help roses heal quickly.

Flowers

Garden snips provide greater precision when cutting delicate stems.

Herbs

Small garden snips are ideal for frequent harvesting.

Shrubs

Bypass secateurs offer the strength needed while still producing clean cuts.

Fruit Trees

Quality bypass secateurs are perfect for seasonal pruning of young branches.

Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel?

Both materials have advantages.

Stainless Steel

Excellent rust resistance.
Easy to maintain.
Ideal for everyday gardeners.
Requires less maintenance.

Carbon Steel

Can hold an exceptionally sharp edge.
Favoured by many professional gardeners.
Requires regular cleaning and drying to prevent rust.

Choose the material that best suits your gardening habits and maintenance routine.

Comfortable Handles Matter

A well-balanced pair of secateurs feels comfortable even after extended use.

Natural timber handles provide:

Excellent grip.
Warmth in the hand.
Beautiful appearance.
Comfortable everyday use.

Our wooden-handled secateurs combine traditional craftsmanship with practical performance.

How to Care for Garden Secateurs

Looking after your secateurs will help them perform beautifully for years.

We recommend:

Wipe blades clean after use.
Dry thoroughly before storing.
Occasionally oil the pivot point.
Sharpen blades when required.
Store in a dry place.
Use a leather holster or protective cover where possible.

Proper maintenance keeps cuts clean and extends the life of your tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bypass secateurs?

Bypass secateurs use two blades that slide past one another like scissors, making them ideal for pruning live stems and green growth.

Are garden snips better than secateurs?

Neither is better, they're designed for different jobs. Garden snips are best for delicate, precise work, while secateurs are suited to thicker stems and general pruning.

How often should I sharpen secateurs?

Sharpen them whenever you notice cuts becoming less clean or requiring extra effort. Regular maintenance helps keep plants healthy and makes pruning easier.

Can stainless steel secateurs rust?

Stainless steel is highly resistant to rust, but cleaning and drying your secateurs after use will help keep them in excellent condition.

How long should quality secateurs last?

With proper care, a well-made pair of secateurs can provide many years of reliable service.

Complete Your Garden Tool Collection

Pair your secateurs with our thoughtfully selected gardening essentials:

Designed to work together, these tools make everyday gardening simpler, more enjoyable and built to last.

Explore Our Garden Secateurs Collection

Whether you're pruning roses, harvesting herbs or shaping shrubs, our carefully selected garden secateurs and snips combine quality craftsmanship with practical performance.

Explore our collection of:

Built for years of dependable gardening.