Wolf-Garten RS-EN Bypass Secateurs Red | Professional Pruning Shears for Branches Up to 19mm

Anvil pruning shears for cutting woody stems and thicker branches, suited to anyone who does a fair amount of cutting back through the season.

The RS-EN works on anvil cutting technology, where the blade closes down onto a flat plate rather than passing a second blade. This gives you considerably more force through the cut for the same effort in the hand, which makes it the more sensible choice for woody growth and anything that has had a season or two to harden. Where bypass shears suit green, living stems, anvil shears come into their own on dead wood and the tougher material you encounter when cutting back shrubs in late winter or early spring.

The blade carries a non-stick coating, which keeps sap and residue from building up during a long session; a quick wipe at the end of the day is generally all it needs. The shears are suited to both left and right-handed use, so there is no need to seek out a specialist pair.

The thing most people get wrong with anvil shears is using them on soft, green growth, where they can bruise rather than cut cleanly. Keep them for the work they are built for and they will serve you well for a good many seasons.

• Anvil cutting action; blade closes onto a flat plate
• Maximum cutting diameter: 19 mm
• Suitable for left and right-handed use
• Non-stick blade coating for easier cleaning
• Well suited to woody, hardened or dead stems
• Wipe clean after use; store dry

A pair of pruning shears is worth buying once and maintaining properly; rinse the blade after use, dry it before putting it away, and a light oil on the pivot now and then will keep the action smooth. Start using them as the season turns and the cutting back begins, and you will find they earn their place quickly.