Secateurs

03.Product profiles

Models are profiled in rank order.

SPEAR & JACKSON PREMIUM SJ-6160BS

Price: $50

Good points

• Best overall cutting performance, and it was rated equal second for cleanness of cut
• Needed the least force when cutting willow
• Easy to use
• Adjustable handle width
• Teflon coating on blades

Bad points

• The lock is only easily accessible for right-handed people.

CYCLONE Ratchet Bypass Pruner 657726

Price: $36

Good points

• Very good overall cutting performance
• Needed the least force when cutting pine dowel
• Cut the largest cross-section of all
• The safety catch is suitable for both left- and right-handed people
• Teflon coating on blades
• Knuckle guard
• Comes with instructions for use
• Five-year warranty

Bad points

• Difficult to dismantle for cleaning

WOLF GARTEN RS22

Price: $55

Good points

• Equal second for cleanness of cut
• Easy to use
• Comes with a wrist strap — useful if you tend to lose your secateurs while you’re pruning
• The safety catch is suitable for both left- and right-handed people

Bad points

• Comes with very few instructions for use and care

What about the rest?

There was quite a difference in cutting performance between the top three in the What to buy list and the remaining models on test.

• The GARDENA 608, SPEAR & JACKSON SJ-6059BS and CYCLONE Heavy Duty Anvil Pruner are easy to use, but didn’t cut as well as the top three. They’d be fine if your garden doesn’t have any tough pruning. At $20, the SPEAR & JACKSON is the cheapest of the three.
• The two FELCO models on test didn’t live up to their brand’s reputation (or price). The FELCO 2 was the most expensive in the test at $99 but scored just 64% overall. On the plus side it was capable of cutting the thickest stems in our test. The FELCO 5 ($52) was second bottom overall.
• The FREUND 2990 had the highest score for cut quality, but was let down in other areas.
• The WOLF GARTEN RR22 and WILTSHIRE General Purpose Gard 2200 had the lowest overall cutting scores.
• The remaining models either only have an average score for cutting performance or aren’t that easy to use.