Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs

Product Information

Designed to be used in the left hand is another exceptional pair of secateurs from this world leading manufacturer.

How smoothly the contraption can be manoeuvred one-handed will impact the efficiency of your green-fingered endeavours.Bypass secateurs are for cutting living, green growth, for example live stems, branches and plant material .

They can both be cleaned the Japanese way with odourless, non-oily camellia oil and also with a “ Crean Mate” – a scouring block for cleaning resin, rust and other gunks from blades. Some blades are made from quality hardened stainless steel and will last a lifetime, staying razor sharp even after lots of pruning. Shock absorbers take the strain when chopping through woody stems and they’re sturdy without feeling too heavy. This can also vary more than you expect, a pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g.

The cutting blade always aligns with the counter blade, even after intensive usage and, that combined with the unique locking/unlocking feature allowing you to open and close the secateurs with one hand, delivers superb tools well-loved by commercial and home gardeners alike. The top mounted safety catch is great for when working up ladders etc as it can be operated with the cutting hand. Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, the Fiskars PowerGear X Bypass Garden Shears with Roll Handle incorporates a gear drive system into both handles that are quite different from the other secateurs on our list. However, while they promise the standard 20mm cutting capacity I’ve come to expect from many brands, the reality is more like 15mm.

Made by Japanese manufacturers Niwaki, these are of exceptional quality and a perfect fit for smaller hands. There is a soft rubber sleeve over the handle that acts as a shock absorber and makes pruning a little bit more enjoyable. According to topiary expert Darren Lerigo, most gardeners will find bypass secateurs to be the better bet, because they make for a cleaner cut. Furthermore, the handle rotates in either direction, making the secateurs perfect for both right and left-handed people which is a good design. If you suffer fromcarpal tunnel, arthritis or have the distinct disadvantage of having smaller or weak hands, then these are the best choice for you.Many will also have soft grips to ensure you maintain control when holding and avoid them slipping in your hand.