Pruning shears are the most basic of landscaping tools. They can be used to trim hedges and bushes, and to cut back unwanted plants. As well as being great for the home garden and outdoor living space, pruning shears are essential to anyone who has a large garden or pruning shears are a must have for your landscaping tools. Landscaping tools can range from basic grass clippers and spades to much more specialized tools such as a chain saw or a cultivator. This article will take a look at how to choose the best landscaping tools depending on what you are going to use them for.
If you are just starting out in gardening then a basic set of secateurs and a hedge trimmer should be sufficient. But if you are a more experienced landscaper then it may be worth investing in some more expensive tools such as a cultivator or hedge trimmer. Both secateurs and cultivators are used to prune and thin plant growth, removing unwanted branches and leaves. Landscape tools such as these will also be helpful in maintaining a healthy garden by removing too many dead and damaged plants. But before you start using these much bigger tools it is important to learn how to use them safely.
The way that a pruning shear works is that it has a sharpened point on one side and a hook on the other, allowing it to be pulled down as well as pushed upwards. By pushing the point of the blade into the branches of a tree or shrub it can cause considerable damage. Certain parts of the branch however will not be affected and will not be cut. If you want to prune a certain part of a tree or bush then you will need to remove a certain part of the branch first, and this is where a pruning shear will be useful. The reason why it is important to keep both hands on the pruning tool is because if you hold the cutting edge towards yourself with your palms facing out, then it will not be quite as effective. However, if you hold it downwards then you will be able to see what you are doing better and can minimize any injuries.
There are basically two types of blades that you can find on the pruning shears. There are those that come with a sharpened tip and those which do not. A good example of the unsharpened variety would be a pair of Mopeds shears. On the other hand, when you buy a pair of Mopeds shears you will find that they have been made with a sharp point so you do not need to worry about getting an unsharpened one and you can still get a clean cut every time.
Before buying pruning shears, make sure that you know their lengths and you also need to know the difference between a horizontal and a vertical inclination. In fact, it is advisable for you to know all the possible ways in which you can use these shears. In fact, you can end up using more than one kind of blade depending on how you plan to use them. For example, you can use the horizontal one another for thinning out thick branches while the vertical inclination can be used for larger branches and so on.
Another feature that you should look out for when buying pruning shears is the kind of handle that they have. Ideally, it is better if the handle is a good grip and will not slip or move around on you as you use it to cut through whatever it is that you prune in your garden. This is especially important when you are trying to trim thick branches. This will ensure that you do not injure yourself in any way when you are trying to do this.
There are several other features that you will find in a quality pair of cutting shears. In fact, there are several different types of blades available and you can choose the one that is best suited for your needs. There are also different levels of sharpness available, so whether it is you are cutting small branches or thicker tree branches in your landscape, you will have a pair that will cut them properly.
In fact, it is always better to get a pair of tools that are both durable and high quality. This way, you do not have to worry about your cutting tools getting damaged because of the type of cutting diameter that they are designed for. This is important as many times these tools can get worn out after being used very regularly, especially if they are being used on thicker tree branches. Also, it is advisable to opt for a blade quality that is higher than what your average pair of gardening scissors are designed for. This way, they will last longer and will provide you with a good value for your money.