Which Pruning Tool Should You Use? A UK Gardener's Guide to Secateurs, Loppers, Shears and Saws

Secateurs — Your Everyday Pruning Essential

Secateurs (also called pruners or clippers) are the most-used pruning tool in any garden. They handle stems up to about 25mm — that's the thickness of a standard pencil or a bit thicker. Deadheading roses, cutting back perennials, pruning soft fruit bushes, tidying up shrubs — secateurs do it all.

There are two main types: bypass and anvil. Bypass secateurs have two curved blades that slide past each other like scissors, making clean cuts that heal quickly. Anvil secateurs have one blade that cuts against a flat surface — they crush green stems and should only be used for dead wood. For any UK garden with live plants, bypass secateurs are the right choice. Our bypass vs anvil secateurs guide goes into the full details.

Within bypass secateurs, you also have standard and ratchet/lever-action mechanisms. Standard bypass models like the Felco 2 are the gold standard — Swiss-made, forged aluminium handles, replaceable blades, and a 25mm cutting capacity that handles 90% of garden pruning. For gardeners with arthritis or weaker grip, lever-action models like the Felco 13 multiply your cutting force to make thick branches easier to cut. Read our standard vs ratchet secateurs comparison for the full breakdown.

Loppers — When You Need More Reach and Leverage

When branches get too thick for secateurs (over 25mm), you need loppers. Their long handles give you two advantages: extended reach into the middle of shrubs and trees, and mechanical leverage that multiplies your cutting force. Most loppers handle branches up to 35-45mm comfortably.

Like secateurs, loppers come in bypass and anvil versions. Bypass loppers make cleaner cuts on live wood and are the better choice for general garden pruning. Anvil loppers handle dead wood and thick, hardened stems but crush green growth. The Wolf-Garten bypass loppers and Fiskars ratchet loppers are among the best options for UK gardens — our hedge shears and loppers review has full details on both.

When considering loppers, think about handle length: longer handles (70-90cm) give more leverage but are heavier, while shorter handles (40-50cm) are lighter and more manoeuvrable. For most UK gardens, a 60-70cm lopper is the sweet spot.

Pruning Saws — For the Thick Stuff Secateurs Can't Touch

Every gardener reaches a point where secateurs and loppers just aren't enough. That overgrown apple branch, the thick limb on your lilac, the deadwood that needs removing — that's when you reach for a pruning saw. Pruning saws handle branches from 25mm up to 150mm, and many folding models fit in your pocket.

There are two main blade types: curved blades for fast cuts on green, live wood (like the Silky Gomboy 240), and straight blades for precise, controlled cuts on dead or dry wood (like the Felco 600). For most UK gardeners, a folding curved-blade saw is the best first purchase.

The Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is our top recommendation for value — it cuts both green and dry wood, costs under £25, and has proven its durability from British gardens to NATO expeditions. For premium performance, the Felco 600 is Swiss-made with replaceable blades. Our complete pruning saw guide covers all the options in depth.

Most folding pruning saws cut on the pull stroke, which puts less strain on your shoulder and allows a thinner, more efficient blade. The teeth are impulse-hardened (heat-treated) for longevity, and many models have coated blades that resist rust through damp UK winters.

Hedge Shears — For Shaping, Not Pruning

Hedge shears are a different tool entirely. Their long, straight blades are designed for trimming soft, leafy growth — shaping box hedges, trimming lavender, cutting back herbaceous perennials. They create a flat, even finish that secateurs and saws can't achieve.

But hedge shears have a critical limitation: they crush stems thicker than about 12mm. Using them on rose stems, woody shrub branches, or fruit tree growth creates ragged tears that invite disease. For those jobs, you need secateurs or loppers.

Most UK gardeners with established hedges should own a pair. The Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Shears and Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Hedge Shears are both excellent options for British gardens. Check our best hedge shears and loppers guide for top recommendations.

Quick Comparison — Which Tool for Which Job?

Building Your Pruning Toolkit

You don't need every tool on the shelf. Here's how to build a pruning kit that covers your garden's needs without wasting money on tools you'll never use:

Essential (every gardener): A quality pair of bypass secateurs. The Felco 2 is the obvious choice, but the Felco 6 (compact model for smaller hands) and ARS HP-VS9Z (ultra-light Japanese precision) are excellent alternatives. Add a leather pruner holster to keep them accessible while you work.

If you have fruit trees or overgrown shrubs: Add either a pair of loppers or a folding pruning saw. The Bahco Laplander costs less than £25 and handles branches that no hand pruner can touch.

If you have hedges: Add a pair of hedge shears for shaping. But keep your secateurs handy for the thicker stems the shears can't handle.

If you have arthritis or hand issues: The Felco 13 lever-action secateurs reduce the effort needed by about 30%, and ratchet loppers (like the Fiskars models) cut thick branches in stages with less peak force required.

For more detail on building a complete garden tool collection, see our essential garden hand tools guide and must-have tool accessories roundup.

Keeping Your Pruning Tools in Shape

Good pruning tools last for decades with basic care. After each use, wipe the blades clean with a dry cloth — damp sap left on metal promotes rust, especially in the UK's humid climate. Apply a drop of light oil (WD-40 or 3-in-1) to pivot points monthly to keep the action smooth.

Sharpen blades at the start of each season. A SHARPAL 121N diamond sharpening stone is ideal for maintaining a clean edge on secateurs, shears, and pruning saws. For Felco secateurs, replacement blades are available when the originals finally wear out — one of the many reasons professionals choose them.

For a complete guide to caring for all your garden tools, read our how to clean and sharpen garden tools guide and garden tool storage ideas article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

Start with a quality pair of bypass secateurs — the Felco 2 is our top recommendation, but the Felco 13 lever-action model is worth considering if you have hand issues or regularly prune thicker wood. Add a folding pruning saw like the Bahco Laplander for the branches that secateurs can't handle. If you have hedges, add a pair of hedge shears for shaping. That's three tools that cover every pruning job in a typical UK garden.

For a deeper dive into each tool type, check out our dedicated guides: best secateurs UK 2026, pruning saw guide, and best hedge shears and loppers. And don't forget to pair your pruning tools with a good pair of gardening gloves — your hands will thank you.