Pruning is one of those important autumn/winter tasks to keep plants in check and to foster healthy future growth. Here is a variety of products we’ve been putting to the test this month
SOPHIE CONRAN GARDEN LOPPER
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These bypass loppers will cut through green growth, up to 2.5cm (1in) in diameter. The tool head and blade are made of strong, high-carbon steel which has been drop forged (a manufacturing process which removes any voids and aligns the grain of the metal). The shock-absorbing bumper is there to reduce impact on hands and wrist, and the handles are made from FSC®-certified ash. They come with a 10-year guarantee.
BURGON & BALL
www.burgonandball.com
TEL: 0144 233 8262
PRODUCT CODE: N/A
PRICE GUIDE: £38.99
KG VERDICT
With its smooth, wooden handles this is a first-class lopper, strong and robust with sharp, bypass blades can be opened widely before closing in on their final position on the branch to give a crisp cut. The 50cm (20in) handles are shaped for comfort and provide a good reach. Heavier than some other loppers you will find on the market, nonetheless this is a very well made, effective tool. It also comes with a 10-year guarantee. If you like wooden handles and blades that can easily be manoeuvred into position because they open wide, these will impress.
EVERSHARP ALL PURPOSE SECATEURS
These secateurs have high carbon steel blades, sharpened to be twice as sharp as other models and 50 times harder than average blades. The blades can also be adjusted to accommodate hand size (both left or right) with a 2.4cm (1in) cutting diameter They also have a built in wire cutter.The aluminium handles feature a bi-material micro hex grip.
WESTLAND
www.gardenhealth.com
TEL: 01480 443789
PRODUCT CODE: Go to website for stockists
PRICE GUIDE: £21.51
KG VERDICT
These are an excellent pair of secateurs. The handles are shaped to facilitate a firm grip with the bi-material micro hex providing an appropriate cushion for hand comfort. The blades are particularly sharp and hard, perfect for efficient pruning. The switch to adjust the width of the blades when fully open means that you can adjust the secateurs to suit prune narrow stems or thicker ones or to suit hand size. The secateurs have a good spring action (not too taut or too loose) when cutting. A strong, robust and versatile pair of secateurs that comes with a 10-year guarantee.
SURECUT HEDGE SHEARS
These Kent & Stowe SureCut Hedge Shears feature high quality carbon steel blades with a chrome coating for high rust resistance. The wavy blade is designed to help grip foliage and stop branches sliding down the blade while cutting whilst the rubber handles provide extra comfort and grip. The rubber bumpers are there to absorb impact when cutting. Cutting diameter of live wood is 10mm (just less than ½in).
WESTLAND
www.gardenhealth.com
TEL: 01480 443789
PRODUCT CODE: Go to website for stockists
PRICE GUIDE: £32.98
KG VERDICT
The first thing you notice when you pick up these shears is just how light they are, so easy on the arms with prolonged clipping. The rubber handles are very comfortable to hold and offer a secure grip. The wavy blades provide for sharp, efficient cut and the inside shock absorbers prevent vibration traveling down the arms when cutting. An excellent product for tidying up your hedges and bushes. It comes with a 5-year guarantee.
NIWAKI GR 210 FOLDING SAW
This folding pruning saw has a 21cm (8¼in) blade made from impact hardened SK-4 steel with 8.47 teeth per inch. It will saw through branches up to 7cm (2¾in) in diameter with cutting on the pull stroke. It has a rubber handle into which the blade is folded when not in use.
NIWAKI
www.niwaki.com
TEL: 01747 445 059
PRODUCT CODE: GR 210
PRICE: £39
KG VERDICT
A good pruning saw that does what it says on the tin. It provides an effective cut on the pull stroke with the blade clicking nearly into place. The blade also folds back into place smoothly once released from its active position. Added to that, the rubber handle facilitates a comfortable and firm grip. This is a medium sized pruning saw, suitable for cutting branches up to 7cm (2¾in) in diameter.
COMFORT FIT LEATHER GLOVE
With reinforced palms for protection and a spandex back which allows freedom of movement and breathability, these soft and supple leather gloves are suitable to wear when pruning thorny bushes, or protecting the hands more generally. There is extra protection on the fingers and the fitted wrist has secure strap which will keep the gloves in place.
TOWN & COUNTRY
www.townandco.com
TEL: Order from website
PRODUCT CODE: TGL446L
PRICE: £14.99
KG VERDICT
With their padded palms and extra protection on the fingers, these stylish leather gloves are perfect for pruning thorny bushes or hedges, including roses, cotoneaster, hawthorn and gooseberries. They will provide very good protection from those nasty bramble thorns too. They have a flexible with a breathable back and a Velcro wrist band to create a secure fit and prevent extraneous material entering the glove. Note from the supplier: “Using leather gloves in the rain is not recommended or exposure to excessive water as it can lead to the leather drying up and cracking or slight staining to exposed skin.” Overall, an excellent glove for handling prickly plants of all kinds
