They nip and they snip, cutting branches and deadwood with ease. Are you totally confident you know how to use secateurs safely, though, and can you assertively say you are using them in the right way? Secateurs are critical if you want to prune plants effectively. Here we tell you how to use them in the best way whilst staying safe at the same time.
Get the stem positioning right – Before you cut a stem always ensure the cutting edges of the secateurs are in the ideal position. Aim to position the stem deep into the cutting edges of the tool and make sure the branch is fully inserted into the pruners before you make a cut.
Open and close the blades fully – Never try to snip away at stems like you are using a pair of scissors. This will simply lead to excessive hand stress and there’s every possibility you will dull the blade of the snips by doing this. Open the blade fully, position the stem correctly, and make a positive snip.
Use the correct hand position – When you are pruning a lot of plants this can lead to soreness and hand fatigue. To prevent this, use the bases of your fingers and the ball of your hand to squeeze the handles of the secateurs and get the maximum amount of leverage possible.
Watch what you cut – Always pay close attention when you are using a set of secateurs. Pay extra attention if you have used metal ties to keep branches tucked away nice and neat. Cut through these and you could cause damage to the secateurs. Avoid this basic mistake at all costs.
Clean and sharpen your secateurs – After use, wipe the blades of the secateurs clean. If there is dirt engrained on the metal, use warm soapy water and a small stiff brush to clean away the grime, or get rid of plant sap with a quantity of steel wool. Sharpen the blades of the cutters regularly too. This will keep your secateurs in perfect working order.
Follow this advice to use your secateurs safely. If you need a new set of loppers or pruners, all you have to do is contact us here at H&G Promotions Ltd to place your order, or call 01299 288372 today.