Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Steel Telescopic Lawn Shears 4911RSS, Gray

Product Information

Although they may be most famed for their razors, Wilkinson Sword do a good line in gardening tools as well, as demonstrated by their Long Handled Edging Shears. As you might expect from Wilkinson Sword, the cutting blades are particularly well designed.

The cutting is performed by two 9 inch long blades constructed from heat treated carbon steel which is a material that is easier to get an extremely sharp edge on than stainless steel and so makes it great for cutting. Our range of secateurs includes both bypass and anvil designs, offering easy precision cutting for any type of pruning. The blades are suitable for cutting small branches and trimming your plants to encourage new growth. At the ends of the handles are rubber foam grips with ribbed and curved sides so that they fit in the hand more naturally and also provide better grip and prevent slipping once you start sweating. I found these grips comfortable enough and they certainly didn’t leave me with any blisters after using these edging shears for a while, but I do have fairly tough old hands. The tubular-steel handles are 90 cm long, and the tool measures 100 cm in total. Although they are some of the longest edging shears on the market, they may still be uncomfortable for those over 6 ft tall to use for extended periods. Weighing 2.4 kg, these shears are a little heavier than many others on the market and require reasonable upper-body strength to use. They also need to be used on edges that have quite a deep gully, due to the depth of the blades, and will be more difficult to use on shallow edges.Different brands and models use different materials for their blades. Each with their pros and cons. Carbon steel is known for its hardness and the fact that you can get a razor sharp edge, but some blades of this type can be brittle and need a special coating to make them resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel blades require less maintenance and are good at fighting off rust so they are generally considered more durable but it is harder to get the sharpness that matches a carbon steel blade. Something like 420HC is high carbon steel and ideal for blades. High quality steel with high carbon content and a good heat treat retains blade edge the best Buffers Fiskars have opted to make the blades for this model out of stainless steel for increased longevity. Usually this means the blades aren’t as sharp as carbon steel, but these did a great job of cutting through everything I aimed them at, so no complaints there.

When it comes to brands that are trusted names, Wilkinson sword is right up there with the best of them and for the most part, have been producing high quality products for centuries. Longer blades, measuring 21 cm + are more suitable for bigger gardens because they allow more edge to be cut in one go. However, be aware that the bigger the blade, the more depth it needs to open fully. If your verge edges are quite shallow, you may find that longer blades often end up digging into the dirt when you open them. For a start, the first thing that grabs your attention is that there is only one handle. So how does the cutting motion work? I found myself thinking. I laid them on the floor and started thinking how? The handles on this product feel strong and very sturdy but the overall product is actually very light and I could swing these about with ease for hours without getting unwanted aches. The soft grip handle tops also helped in this department. Telescopic edging shears are great because they take the guesswork out of what is the right length for you. It also means that they can be used effectively and comfortably by different people. When buying telescopic edging shears, it is my advice to always go for the premium models as very cheap ones will no doubt cause you problems. Blade material – the quality of the steelAnother consideration is the handle length. If you’re 5’10” (178cm) or above, opt for shears with a total handle length of over 100cm . For those under 5’8”, a handle length of 80 – 90cm will be ideal. Lawn edging shears are very low maintenance, but most will still require sharpening every once in a while. Before you begin, assess whether you are comfortable to sharpen the blades yourself. Shear blades are sharp and could cause serious injury if not treated correctly. If you have any doubts, take them to a professional. Long-handled edging shears can vary dramatically in terms of how much they weigh. In some cases, very light shears may not be very robust, though this isn’t always the case. On the other hand, some people might not like the more flexible feel to the handles and prefer the solidity of steel, so that’s something to think about.

Thankfully, the grips on these handles are made from a combination of polypropylene for strength, and TPR for softness and grip, and they really help to keep the tool under control. Choosing the best lawn edging shears will depend on your height, budget and garden. The following information should help give you more of an idea what to look out for. This makes them comfortable to manoeuvre and use for prolonged periods; plus, on top of this, they have the addition of non-slip handles for better grip. As a result of these three factors, they’re some of the best edging shears in terms of comfort, particularly for taller gardeners who may have to stoop a lot when using other models.Unlike some edging shears, that catch on themselves whilst cutting, these glide past each other without excessive friction. It’s also possible to adjust the blade tension, with a dial on the blade if necessary. No tools (like a screwdriver) are needed to adjust the tension, which makes it very easy to do. Just about everything about these edging shears shouts good build quality, from the handles, to the grips, to the blades, but that quality comes at a cost and that cost is manoeuvrability. Remember that shears with long handles (which aren’t telescopic) will require more storage space. Weight and Manageability The 20 cm blades are drop forged and hardened with chrome plating; in real-life terms this means they are powerful blades that create a very clean cut against edges. They’re sharp, and stay that way for a long time thanks to their self-sharpening mechanism, and have a smooth cutting action. Fiskar have chosen heated steel as the material for the blades on these edging shears to give them more strength and durability, and there is a cushioned ‘bumper’ to reduce jarring and strain on the user.

Another excellent feature of Fiskars servo system edging shears is the ability to rotate the blades 360 degrees so you can always get the angle that you need. You can also adjust the angle of the blades in relation to the handle so that it runs straight down and not perpendicular. This would be helpful for trimming some particularly tight spots.This product comes with a 12 month ‘no quibble’ guarantee from the makers, which is very good considering the low price of these edging shears. Shorter blades, measuring between 17 – 21 cm are better for smaller gardens and getting into more intricate areas. If your garden has shallow verges, you may find it easier to work with smaller blades. Usually, when you go with a budget gardening tool, you have to expect that you will have to put up with the fact that they aren’t made from the best materials, or the build quality is slightly suspect.