There are several different types of pruning shears. Each pair of can be used for different purposes. The first type is the straight hedge shear. This is a two handed stainless steel tool with a one inch handle. It has a heavy duty blade that will cut through various types of branch, turf and leaves with ease.
Secateurs is a smaller version of the straight hedge shears. It is only one inch in length and made out of steel. A good pair of secateurs will easily penetrate stems up to three feet tall. The branches that they cut through are also much easier to maneuver because the smaller size of the blade allows the gardener to keep it steady even as they are cutting through a wide variety of plants’ roots.
The cleavers are another excellent pair of landscape shears. These come in a wide range of sizes. They have a one and a half inch blade, which are the smallest among all the sizes available. A cleaver is the best choice for trimming away unwanted branches and twigs in your yard or garden. It is also a good choice for pruning trees and lighter shrubbery.
Another useful selection of landscape shears is the high carbon steel shears. High carbon steel is known as a corrosion-resistant metal. This means that a gardener does not have to worry about their shears getting dull when they are in contact with the elements. Some other types of blades are prone to rust. A regular steel blade will corrode after extensive use. A high carbon steel blade will last a long time, making it a good investment for any gardener.
Irrespective, of what type of shears a gardener has, they all perform a similar job; the primary job of a good shear is to produce the straightest, highest quality cut. Different shears, however, provide various other functions. Some of the other functions that shears perform include: cutting back grass, removing bark from tree stems, and creating a more attractive landscape by eliminating clumps of brush. There are basically two kinds of cutting shears: broad and narrow. Each has its own special purpose, which is why it is important to know the difference between them before selecting the perfect shear for your needs.
Broad blades can be used to effectively cut back most bushes and small shrubs. However, it is not advisable to cut back very tall shrubs or trees. To select the best pair of shears, it is necessary to determine the cutting diameter that is required for the task. The cutting diameter of a pair of shears varies depending on the width of the blade and the height of the prune being cut.
Wider blades provide a better grip when pruning shears. They also create a safer work environment because of their thicker width. The best features on narrow-bladed pruning shears include the ability to cut through thicker branches, and the steel blade material provides optimum cutting performance and stability. Some of the best features on wide-blade ones include the ability to cut back very large branches and tree trunks, the larger the blades, the harder it is to cut the branches.
When purchasing a pair of pruning shears, it is essential to ensure that the width is at least 2 inches wider than the shears’ minimum recommended blade size. This is to ensure that the prunes will have enough room to cut branches and twigs. For optimal cutting performance, it is important that the shears’ blades be kept sharp. Sharpening is usually a process that is done once a year or so, but it is not always necessary for the best performance. However, it does help lengthen the life of the blades and bring out a good edge on the pruned branches.