What Are Pruning Shears? Types and Selection Criteria
Pruning shears are spring-loaded garden hand tools used to cut thin branches and shoots on vines, fruit trees and ornamental plants with one hand.
Pruning shears are spring-loaded garden hand tools used to cut thin branches and shoots on vines, fruit trees and ornamental plants with one hand. They are used for winter and summer pruning in vineyards and orchards, for cutting grape clusters and fruit stalks at harvest, and for park and garden maintenance.
Types of garden and pruning shears
| Type | How it cuts | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bypass pruning shears | The two blades pass each other | Clean cuts on live branches and shoots |
| Anvil pruning shears | The blade presses against a flat anvil | Dry and hard branches |
| Vineyard shears | Pruning shears sized for vine pruning | Vine pruning, general garden work |
| Harvest shears (straight blade) | Thin, straight blades | Grape clusters, fruit and flower stalks |
Selection criteria
- Condition of the branch: On live wood, bypass blades cut without crushing the tissue; an anvil jaw cuts dry, hard wood with less force but can crush live shoots.
- Branch thickness: Forcing a branch thicker than the shears can cut spreads the blades and wears the spring. Thick branches need two-handed loppers or a pruning saw.
- Length and fit to the hand: Shear lengths are values such as 210, 220, 225 and 230 mm. Longer shears transmit more force; for small and medium hands, a shorter or lightweight type is less tiring.
- Weight and body: For all-day pruning, a lightweight type or shears with an aluminium body tire the wrist less.
- Blade material: Stainless blades resist rust with juicy fruit and in damp conditions; this matters most in harvest shears.
- Lock and spring: The lock lets you carry the shears closed; the spring opens the blades automatically after each cut.
Common mistakes
- Twisting the shears while cutting: A gap opens between the blades and the shears then start to crush instead of cut.
- Pruning branches with harvest shears: The thin blades are not made for cutting branches.
- Cutting wire or hard material: The blade gets nicked; use sheet and metal snips for wire and sheet metal.
- Neglecting maintenance: Plant sap and dirt stick to the blade and the pivot rusts. After work, clean and dry the blade and apply a light oil or rust inhibitor; after a diseased plant, do not move on to another plant without cleaning the blade.
Garden and pruning shears in the catalog
Welibaba lists 7 active garden and pruning shears, all from İzeltaş:
| Product | SKU |
|---|---|
| Vineyard shears 220 mm (lightweight type) | `6720270220` |
| Vineyard shears 225 mm (comfort type) | `6715270225` |
| Vineyard shears 230 mm (deluxe) | `6710270230` |
| Vineyard shears, aluminium body | `14000005136` |
| Pruning shears, forged anvil jaw | `14000005137` |
| Apple shears 210 mm | `6712270210` |
| Harvest shears, stainless straight blade | `14000005138` |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between anvil and bypass pruning shears?
On bypass shears the two blades pass each other and cut live branches without crushing them. On anvil shears the blade presses against a flat surface; it cuts dry, hard branches more easily.
Are vineyard shears and pruning shears the same thing?
Vineyard shears are pruning shears used for vine pruning. They are also used on the thin branches of fruit trees and ornamental plants.
How do I protect the blades of pruning shears?
After each use, clean off sap and dirt and dry the blades, oil the pivot and store the shears locked. Do not cut hard materials such as wire.
What are harvest shears used for?
With their straight, thin blades they cut soft stalks such as grape clusters, fruit and flower stalks without damaging the fruit. They do not replace pruning shears for pruning branches.