Sharpness of secateurs

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by Quentin 1, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Yes. The blades on scissors are thinner and more pointed in most cases.
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      @Mike Allen
      Hi Mike, I use Secateurs a lot during a pruning session and I clean and sharpen them every time because (a) the channel on the bottom blade of Anvil Secateurs becomes clogged with plant debris and even the toughest steel loses it's fine edge when tackling Shrubs (b) the difference between a sharp blade and even a slightly blunt edge is the difference between an aching and tired hand and fingers and enjoying the pruning. The same applies to Bypass Secateurs and also the habit of cleaning and sharpening Secateurs gives a Gardener more confidence when pruning and means less chance of transferring diseases and also making a clean cut and one that tears at the end of the cut. The Secateurs I use, I have 5 pairs:doh:(4 in a small box in the Green House ready to be used) and one pair permanently hanging up in the Green House and they're around 15 years old, get sharpened and cleaned after use, and the the blades are showing no signs of wear. As I said my Gardening Knives are also cleaned and sharpened after use with one always hanging from my gardening belt and again the difference between a clean, sharpened knife, and one that is not, means a job more easily done.
       
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        Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I'm just wondering why the question?
          Have you got a pair with no point on the end.
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            Apologies @pete I see what part of my post you were referring to :love30:

            I agree that the part you quote may be misleading but it follows on from where I said it shouldn't really be done. :)
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Yeah sorry @shiney ,I had look back because I thought I was going mad. :biggrin:
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                We're getting like that nowadays :old: :roflol:
                 
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                • Quentin 1

                  Quentin 1 Apprentice Gardener

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                  Not that I plan on doing this, but are secateurs less of a hazard if used as a stabbing weapon then?
                   
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                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                    I think the only hazard would be to the person trying to stab something with Secateurs as they are not designed for that purpose.
                     
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                    • ricky101

                      ricky101 Total Gardener

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                      Hi,

                      Just while on the subject of Sharpness we bought some of the cheap Wilko Snips last year mainly for cutting off old flowering stems of some small greenhouse plants.

                      For the price they worked ok-ish but when trying to cut down at the base of the plant with the very tips of the blades it often just squashes the stems rather than a clean cut.

                      Any recommendation of a good quality pair, seem to be quiet a few around like Fiskar and Wilkinsons ... ?
                       
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                      • Quentin 1

                        Quentin 1 Apprentice Gardener

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                        At Wilko you have to be 18 to buy scissors but not secateurs if that says anything...
                         
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                        • sandymac

                          sandymac Super Gardener

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                          You can not beat these i use them all the time, pricey but the best imo
                          Niwaki - Japanese Tripod Ladders, Fine Pruning Tools & Other Great Stuff from Japan
                          Regards Sandy
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            You dont work in a prison do you?:biggrin:
                             
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                            • shiney

                              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                              I use Mrs Shiney's flower arranging snips :blue thumb:. Don't tell her :th scifD36:
                               
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                              • ARMANDII

                                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                                I don't think you have to break the Bank to get a decent pair of Secateurs a middle band price and reasonable maintainance will ensure the long life of them.
                                 
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