Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs

Product Information

And what’s more, being of such high quality steel you will be impressed at just how long you can go before the need to sharpen. The blade has been grinded in two angles, so it will also smoothly cut through wood, and will not unnecessarily damage the plant. Due to the unique shape of the hollow ground blade the sap flows away from the blade, and the blades will not come apart. The V-shape of the spring ensures that the cutting load is distributed evenly over the length of the spring which guarantees a smooth closing.

These bypass secateurs are the number 1 choice for professional gardeners in Japan, where pruning has been elevated to genuine art if the famous Higashizawa Rose Park is anything to go by. Our recommendation With its ingenious rotating handle the P961 takes up to 3x less effort when pruning. This is due to the load being spread across all joints. Oil sponge: It’s quite rare, but some pruners feature an integrated oil sponge which you can use to clean and lubricate the blades after use.Okatsune secateurs were once described as ‘Life-Changing’ by Bunny Guinness at The Telegraph and we couldn’t agree more. They are available in different versions and are the only secateurs we think truly compare to Felco’s quality and cutting performance. Okatsune models include model 101, model 104, model 108 and model 109, but it is the Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs that really caught our attention. There is a good reason the handles are different colours. So they are easy to spot in low light & sunny conditions. Very clever! Topiary expert Lerigo devoutly describes his chosen make of Japanese secateurs, Okatsune, as a bit of kit that Marie Kondo would approve of: simple, effective, and capable of sparking joy, time and time again. The Hitachi Yasugi high carbon steel of these Okatsune secateurs stands out, producing a clean, precise, efficient cut. Apparently, they’re made with “Izumo” iron sand, which was used in the manufacturing of ancient Japanese swords. Cushioning: Some secateurs have soft and cushioned handles so they’re more comfortable to use over long periods. When buying the best secateurs for your own use there are other makes and models suited for individual needs. Below are my best secateurs suited for individual needs. 1.) Felco 2 – Best Overall 2.) Okatune 101 – Best for Small Hands 3.) Felco 9 – Best for Left Handed Gardeners 4.) Jardin de France – Best Ratchet Secateurs 5.) Gardena A/M – Best Anvil Secateurs 6.) Okatsune 103 – Best Japanese Secateurs

Revolving handle: This feature allows one handle to rotate with you as you grip, so it moves with your hand to make the movement more natural. You will also benefit from precise cutting no matter the plants or foliage you’ll be trimming. The SK5 carbon steel blades are sure to offer long-term service without losing their cutting edge, whilst the finger protection guard will ensure there are no accidental injuries. With anvil secateurs, the blade comes down and meets the anvil to create the cut. Think of a crushing action.The ratchet systemincreases your hand’s power by up to five times so that the pruners do the cutting, not you. All this equals effortless cutting. The rotating handle is a brilliant feature on these winning secateurs, as it rotates with your hand as you cut, giving added comfort and a more natural squeezing action. It also offers added protection for your fingers against thorns and bristles. These pruners performed consistently in our tests, whether trimming fresh prunings or chopping through deadwood. The grip can also be adjusted using the safety catch, like our other joint winner. After many hours of research and testing, there’s just no beating the Felco range of selectors, especially the Model 7 with its rotating handle, their superior quality and clean straight cutting performance as well as how they feel in your hand, makes them better than any other model we have looked at. Many people literally have secateurs for a whole lifetime. If you buy a decent pair then there is no reason you won’t have yours to pass on to future generations.

In my many years of buying garden tool products I have learnt the hard way. Buy cheap, buy twice! and this is particularly relevant with secateurs. The ratchet system makes pruning branches much easier and they make pruning branches possible for gardeners who thought they would no longer be able to prune branches and have previously struggled with regular secateurs. If you struggle to cut with regular secateurs, look for a ratchet bypass secateurs or anvil secateurs. This will allow you to break down each cut into multiple steps, creating an easier motion. It’s a good choice for tougher tasks that can wear on hands over time, or if you have arthritis.

These secateurs are great value for money and offer good all-round performance. The blades are sharp and particularly good at snipping leafy plants as well as general pruning. Our testers found the shape of the handle and the rubber grip comfortable in use, although it’s quite a chunky handle, so would suit larger hands. Bear in mind that at this price you won’t get any extra features like a sap groove or wire-cutter.