Garden Scissors & Snips

About Garden Scissors & Snips

Garden scissors and snips are precision cutting tools designed specifically for delicate gardening tasks where traditional secateurs or pruners would be too cumbersome. These versatile implements excel at harvesting fresh herbs, deadheading flowers, gathering fruit and vegetables, trimming soft stems, and performing intricate pruning work in tight spaces. Unlike standard household scissors, garden snips feature specially designed blades with acute cutting angles, rust-resistant materials, and ergonomic handles that reduce hand fatigue during extended gardening sessions.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com encompasses everything from general-purpose garden snips for everyday trimming tasks to specialist fruit harvesting scissors with angled blades for reaching into dense foliage. Leading manufacturers including ARS, Gardena, Wilkinson Sword, Spear and Jackson, and Kew Gardens provide models suited to both professional horticulturists maintaining commercial landscapes and keen gardeners tending domestic plots. From the lightweight ARS 140DX Snip Secateurs ideal for smaller hands to the Gardena GRIPCUT with its cut-and-hold functionality, each design addresses specific cutting challenges encountered in garden maintenance.

Modern garden scissors incorporate advanced features such as non-stick coatings to prevent sap build-up, precision-ground stainless steel blades for clean cuts that promote plant health, and spring-loaded mechanisms that reduce repetitive strain. Many models include safety locks for secure storage and comfortable soft-grip handles that provide excellent control even when working with wet hands or in damp conditions. Premium Japanese models from ARS feature high-carbon steel with hard chrome plating, delivering exceptional durability and long-term corrosion resistance for professional applications.

Jargon Buster

• Bypass Blades: A cutting mechanism where two sharp blades pass by each other like traditional scissors, delivering clean, precise cuts ideal for living plants and green stems. This design minimises crushing and promotes faster healing of plant tissue.
• Non-Stick Coating: A special surface treatment applied to blades that prevents sticky plant sap, resin, and debris from adhering during use. This reduces cleaning time and maintains cutting efficiency throughout extended work sessions.
• Spring-Loaded Action: An integrated spring mechanism that automatically reopens the blades after each cut, reducing hand strain and increasing cutting speed during repetitive tasks like deadheading or herb harvesting.
• Cut and Hold Function: A specialised design feature that grips stems after cutting, preventing cuttings from falling into dense foliage or water features. Particularly useful when collecting delicate flowers or working in hard-to-reach areas, as seen in models like the Gardena GRIPCUT.
• Hard Chrome Plating: A durable surface treatment that provides excellent corrosion resistance and extends blade life. Commonly found on professional-grade models, this finish maintains sharpness whilst protecting against moisture and plant acids.
• Ergonomic Handles: Specially contoured grips designed to fit naturally in the hand, distributing pressure evenly across the palm and reducing fatigue during prolonged cutting sessions.

Who Uses Garden Scissors & Snips?

Garden scissors and snips serve a diverse range of users across both professional and domestic gardening applications:

• Professional Gardeners and Landscapers: For precision maintenance work, delicate pruning, and plant care across multiple properties
• Horticulturists and Nursery Workers: Essential for propagation work, specimen preparation, and routine plant maintenance
• Florists and Flower Arrangers: For harvesting cut flowers and preparing stems for arrangements
• Allotment Holders and Vegetable Growers: Ideal for harvesting herbs, salad crops, soft fruits, and tender vegetables
• Garden Centre Staff: For plant preparation, display maintenance, and customer demonstrations
• Groundskeepers and Estate Managers: Maintaining ornamental gardens, borders, and landscaped areas
• Home Gardeners and DIY Enthusiasts: General garden maintenance, container gardening, and small-scale cultivation
• Urban Gardeners and Balcony Growers: Perfect for small-space gardening where precision tools are essential

How to Choose the Right Garden Scissors & Snips

Blade Type and Material: Look for stainless steel or high-carbon steel blades with rust-resistant properties. Premium models feature Japanese SK steel or hard chrome plating for exceptional sharpness and edge retention. Consider whether you need straight or angled blades – angled designs like the ARS 320 Angled Fruit Pruner provide better access when harvesting fruit or working beneath leaves.

Cutting Capacity: Check the maximum stem diameter the scissors can comfortably cut. Most garden snips handle stems up to 6-8mm diameter, whilst heavier-duty models can tackle up to 12mm. Match the capacity to your typical tasks – herb harvesting with models like the Gardena HERBCUT requires less capacity than pruning woody perennials.

Handle Comfort and Design: Ergonomic handles with soft-grip surfaces significantly reduce hand fatigue during extended use. Consider the handle size relative to your hand – the ARS 140L-DX at 184mm overall length is particularly suited to users with smaller hands. Spring-loaded mechanisms reduce repetitive strain but may require slightly more grip strength.

Special Features: Cut-and-hold mechanisms are invaluable when collecting cuttings or working above water features. Non-stick coatings extend time between cleaning and maintain cutting performance. Multi-purpose models like the Bessey Multi Purpose Shears offer added versatility around the garden.

Build Quality and Warranty: Invest in reputable brands available from Tooled-Up.com like ARS, Gardena, or Spear and Jackson that offer replacement parts and warranty support. Quality construction with reinforced pivot points and adjustable blade tension ensures longevity and consistent performance over many seasons.

Intended Use: Specialist scissors like herb snips feature shorter blades for precision work, whilst general-purpose garden scissors offer greater versatility. If you frequently harvest delicate flowers, consider models with extra-fine tips for accessing tight spaces without damaging surrounding blooms.

Popular Accessories

• Tool Holsters and Belts: Keep scissors within easy reach whilst working, preventing loss amongst foliage and reducing trips to the shed
• Sharpening Stones and Files: Maintain optimal blade sharpness with regular honing using diamond files or ceramic sharpening tools
• Blade Cleaning Solution: Specialist cleaners remove stubborn sap and resin whilst protecting blade coatings and preventing corrosion
• Lubricating Oil: Food-safe oils maintain smooth pivot action and protect mechanisms from moisture and debris
• Storage Pouches and Cases: Protect blades during transport and storage whilst keeping cutting edges safely covered
• Replacement Springs: Keep spare springs on hand to maintain spring-loaded function without replacing entire tools
• Garden Gloves: Quality gloves from brands like Portwest provide grip and protection during cutting tasks
• Trugs and Collection Baskets: Ideal for gathering herbs, flowers, and cuttings as you work through the garden

Safety Information

Blade Safety: Always engage the safety lock when not in use and store scissors with blades closed in a secure location away from children. Keep fingers clear of the cutting path and never force blades through materials exceeding their rated capacity, as this can cause sudden blade closure or tool breakage.

Maintenance and Hygiene: Clean and dry blades after each use, particularly when working with diseased plants, to prevent pathogen spread between specimens. Regularly inspect pivot points and springs for wear or damage. Replace tools showing signs of blade misalignment, loose rivets, or compromised spring tension.

Proper Technique: Use garden scissors only for their intended purpose – never as screwdrivers, pry bars, or general-purpose cutting tools. Position work at a comfortable height to avoid awkward wrist angles that can lead to repetitive strain injuries. Take regular breaks during extended cutting sessions to prevent hand fatigue.

Personal Protective Equipment: Wear appropriate garden gloves when handling thorny or sharp-edged plants. Safety glasses provide protection from sap spray and small debris, particularly when working overhead or in windy conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between garden scissors and secateurs?

Garden scissors feature a traditional scissor action with two moving blades, making them ideal for precise, delicate cuts on soft stems, herbs, and flowers up to approximately 8mm diameter. Secateurs use a bypass or anvil mechanism designed for thicker, woody stems and branches. Scissors offer greater precision and control for intricate work, whilst secateurs provide more cutting power for pruning tasks.

How do I maintain my garden scissors to keep them sharp?

Clean blades after each use with warm soapy water, removing all sap and plant residue. Dry thoroughly and apply a light coating of tool oil to prevent rust. Periodically sharpen blades using a fine sharpening stone or diamond file, maintaining the original bevel angle. Check and tighten the pivot bolt if blades become loose, and replace springs when tension decreases noticeably.

Can I use garden snips for harvesting vegetables and herbs for cooking?

Absolutely – garden snips are excellent for harvesting edible crops. Ensure blades are thoroughly cleaned before use, particularly if you've previously cut diseased plants or used chemical treatments. Many gardeners keep dedicated scissors solely for edible crop harvesting to maintain food safety standards. Models with stainless steel blades are preferable as they don't react with plant acids and are easier to sterilise.

Why do some garden scissors have angled blades?

Angled blades provide better access when cutting beneath leaves or harvesting fruit deep within foliage. The angle allows you to keep your hand and wrist in a comfortable position whilst reaching into dense growth. This design is particularly valuable for grape harvesting, berry picking, and deadheading roses where straight scissors would require awkward hand positions.

Are expensive garden scissors worth the investment?

Quality garden scissors from established manufacturers like ARS or Gardena offer superior blade materials, better edge retention, and more comfortable ergonomics compared to budget alternatives. They typically include replaceable parts, adjustment mechanisms, and warranties. For occasional hobby use, mid-range options provide excellent value, but professional gardeners and frequent users benefit significantly from premium models that maintain performance through intensive daily use and can be serviced rather than replaced.