Secateurs

Secateurs Overview

Our secateurs are manufactured in Japan according to traditional standards, in an area which has been well known for tool manufacturing for many centuries. Building on this long tradition of quality manufacturing and utilising the latest technology in the production of quality hand pruning tools, our range of Quality Japanese bypass secateurs are designed to meet the requirements of professional horticulturalists and gardeners as well as home gardeners looking for quality, long lasting secateurs.

In addition to our range of Chikamasa secateurs we also stock Nishigaki long reach fruit pickers which can also be used as light pruning secateurs. Operated with one hand these are ideal for pruning roses (and picking their flowers) and other thorny bushes without getting your hands and arms too close to the thorns .

"Just confirming I have received the secateurs. Very happy with them!"

We also have the excellent Chikamasa PSA -G8 professional quality bypass secateurs and the Chikamasa PS-20R lightweight secateurs from this well regarded Japanese manufacturer. For quality and price, these secateurs cannot be beaten.

To compliment our range of secateurs please see our selection of harvesting scissors which provide a good range of light secateurs/trimmer options.

In addition to secateurs Lakewood products also carry a range of pruning saws, diamond sharpeners, loppers, long reach loppers and fruit pickers manufactured by Niskigaki and Chikamasa.

Key features to look for in secateurs 

• High-Quality Steel: Secateurs with blades made from hardened carbon steel or drop-forged carbon steel, Blades can be extremely sharp and hold an edge well.
• Durability: Look for good quality secateurs, made from materials that are built to last for decades and with spare parts available. With consistent maintenance and care, e.g. wipe down with an oily rage after use and keep the cutting blade sharp, these tools will last for many years.
• Ergonomics: Secateurs should have an ergonomic design, comfortable handles, and strong but lightweight construction. Extended use should not tire your hands, e.g. a soft spring (but still strong enough to return the secateurs to an open position.
• Japanese secateurs offer extremely good design and build quality at very competitive prices. Japanese garden tools generally have a well thought out and refined design, build with quality materials.

Care For your secateurs

• The secateurs we sell have carbon steel blades. Carbon steel is used as it it harder and holds a cutting edge better than stainless steel, however it will rust if left with surface moisture. Rub down with an oily rage after use. To help remove sap, use a mixture of oil and methylated spirits (approx. 75/25).
• Keep the secateur blades sharp, do not wait until they get blunt. A few strokes with a diamond sharpener before use will keep them sharp, extend the life of the blade and reduce stress and wear on other parts of the tool, and your hands.
• Secateurs will occasionally require to be taken apart for a full clean or when replacing blades. A key point to note when re-assembling:- tighten the centre bolt and nut until the secateurs remain shut (i.e. the force of the spring will not be enough to return the secateurs to an open position). Loosen the nut just enough to allow the spring to return the secateurs to an open position. Tighten the lock nut/screw. With lubrication this should allow the secateurs to open and close with ease while not allowing the blades to spread, i.e. no gap or movement at right angles to the face of the blades.
• Shape cutting blades on well maintained and lubricated secateurs, combined with a comfortable, ergonomic design will result in less tiring gardening

Anvil vs Bypass secateurs - which to use?

The cutting action with an anvil is like cutting with a knife onto a hard surface. The action with bypass secateurs is like scissors where the blades pass (bypass) each other. The anvil action can damage (crush) the plant, particularly soft stems but are well suited to cutting back (hard) dead wood. Well maintained and sharpened bypass secateurs will cause almost no damage to cut stems and have a wider general use than anvil secateurs.