Garden Shears

About Garden Shears

Garden shears are essential manual cutting tools designed for maintaining hedges, shrubs, borders and lawns with precision and control. Unlike powered hedge trimmers, garden shears offer quiet operation, complete control over every cut, and the ability to work in tight spaces where machinery would be impractical. Whether you're a professional gardener, landscape contractor or dedicated DIY enthusiast, the right pair of garden shears enables you to achieve crisp, clean cuts that promote healthy plant growth whilst creating beautifully manicured outdoor spaces.

Garden shears fall into several distinct categories, each designed for specific tasks. Hedge shears feature long, straight blades ideal for shaping hedges and trimming bushes, whilst grass shears (also known as lawn shears or edging shears) have shorter blades positioned at angles perfect for trimming lawn edges and reaching awkward spots that mowers cannot access. Topiary shears offer shorter, more precise blades for intricate shaping work. Many modern designs incorporate features such as telescopic handles for extended reach, shock-absorbing bumpers to reduce wrist strain, and adjustable blade angles for comfortable working positions.

At TooledUp.com, we stock an extensive range of garden shears from trusted brands including Bahco, ARS, Gardena, Draper, Faithfull, Kent & Stowe, Bulldog and Kew Gardens. From professional-grade models built for daily commercial use to reliable tools for weekend gardening projects, our selection ensures you'll find the perfect shears to match your requirements and budget.

Jargon Buster

• Bypass Blades: Shear blades that slide past each other like scissors, providing clean cuts ideal for live growth. This design prevents crushing and promotes faster healing of plant tissue.
• Wavy/Serrated Edge: A blade profile featuring small teeth or waves that grip branches and prevent slippage during cutting, particularly useful when working with tougher or woody growth.
• Shock Absorbers/Bumpers: Cushioned stops positioned between the handles that absorb impact when the blades close, reducing jarring to wrists and arms during prolonged use.
• Telescopic Handles: Extendable handles that adjust to different lengths, allowing you to reach high hedges or work at comfortable positions without ladders or excessive bending.
• Blade Tensioning: An adjustable mechanism that controls how tightly the blades fit together, allowing you to compensate for wear and maintain optimal cutting performance over time.
• Single-Hand Operation: Compact grass shears designed to be operated with one hand, featuring spring-loaded mechanisms and ergonomic grips for detailed edging work.

Who Uses Garden Shears?

• Professional Gardeners and Groundskeepers: Maintaining parks, estates, commercial properties and residential gardens
• Landscape Contractors: Providing maintenance services and installing new garden features
• Local Authority Parks Departments: Managing public green spaces, recreation grounds and civic plantings
• Golf Course and Sports Ground Maintenance Teams: Keeping bunker edges, boundary hedges and ornamental areas pristine
• Garden Centre and Nursery Staff: Maintaining display plants and preparing stock for sale
• Property Maintenance Professionals: Managing grounds for residential developments, business parks and rental properties
• Homeowners and DIY Gardeners: Maintaining their own hedges, lawns and ornamental gardens to a high standard
• Allotment Holders: Keeping plot boundaries and pathways neat and tidy

How to Choose the Right Garden Shears

Task-Specific Design: Identify your primary use before purchasing. Hedge shears feature long blades (typically 200-250mm) for efficient trimming of large areas, whilst grass shears have shorter blades positioned at 90-degree angles for ground-level edging. Topiary shears offer compact blades for detailed shaping work on ornamental plants.

Blade Quality and Material: Premium shears feature hardened, precision-ground steel blades that maintain sharpness through hundreds of cuts. Look for rust-resistant coatings or stainless steel construction if you'll be working in damp conditions. Brands like ARS and Bahco are renowned for exceptional blade metallurgy that delivers professional-grade performance.

Handle Length and Material: Longer handles (650-900mm) provide greater leverage and reach for hedge work, whilst shorter handles offer better control for detailed tasks. Aluminium handles reduce weight significantly compared to steel, minimising fatigue during extended use. Telescopic models from manufacturers like Gardena and Bahco offer adjustable length for versatility across different tasks and user heights.

Ergonomics and Comfort Features: Quality garden shears incorporate cushioned grips, shock-absorbing bumpers, and ergonomically angled handles to reduce strain during prolonged use. These features are particularly important for professional users who may spend hours trimming hedges. Consider models with rotating handles if you'll be working at various angles.

Weight and Balance: Lighter shears reduce fatigue but must maintain sufficient rigidity for effective cutting. Ultra-light professional models from ARS, for example, use advanced materials to minimise weight without compromising strength. Test the balance point—well-designed shears feel naturally weighted in your hands rather than blade-heavy or handle-heavy.

Maintenance Requirements: Choose shears with replaceable or sharpenable blades if you anticipate frequent use. Models with accessible tensioning adjustments allow you to maintain optimal cutting performance as components wear. Consider whether replacement parts are readily available from the manufacturer.

Popular Accessories

• Sharpening Stones and Files: Diamond-coated or ceramic stones designed specifically for maintaining sharp cutting edges on shear blades
• Blade Cleaning and Maintenance Products: Specialised cleaners to remove sap and resin, plus lubricating oils to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation
• Replacement Blades and Spare Parts: Keeping your shears in optimal condition with manufacturer-genuine components
• Tool Holsters and Carriers: Protective storage solutions for transporting shears safely between jobs
• Gardening Gloves: Quality protective gloves from brands like Portwest to prevent blisters and provide grip during extended use
• Hedge Cutting Guides: String lines and frames to help maintain straight, level hedge tops
• Protective Eyewear: Safety glasses to shield eyes from flying debris during trimming work
• Collection Sheets and Tarps: Ground covers to simplify collection and disposal of trimmings

Safety Information

Whilst garden shears are manual tools, their sharp blades and powerful leverage demand careful handling. Always wear protective gloves to maintain secure grip and prevent blisters during extended use. Safety glasses or goggles protect your eyes from flying debris, particularly when cutting dry or woody material that may splinter.

Maintain stable footing when using hedge shears, especially when working on slopes or using ladders to reach height. Never overreach—reposition yourself or use telescopic handles rather than stretching beyond your comfortable working zone. When using grass shears at ground level, adopt a comfortable kneeling or sitting position to avoid back strain.

Keep blades sharp and properly tensioned—blunt shears require excessive force, increasing the risk of slippage and injury. Clean blades after each use to remove sap and debris that could cause binding. Store shears with blade guards in place or hung securely where they cannot fall or cause injury. Always carry shears with blades pointing downward and closed.

Be mindful of hidden obstacles within hedges such as wire fences, nails or garden canes that could damage blades or cause dangerous rebounds. Check hedges for nesting birds before trimming, particularly during breeding season (March to August in the UK). When working near others, maintain adequate clearance and ensure bystanders are aware of your cutting zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between hedge shears and grass shears?

Hedge shears feature long, straight blades (typically 200-250mm) positioned in line with the handles, designed for vertical and horizontal cutting of hedges and shrubs. Grass shears have shorter blades set at right angles to the handles, allowing you to trim lawn edges and ground-level growth whilst standing or kneeling comfortably. The blade orientation and length are optimised for their specific tasks.

How often should I sharpen my garden shears?

Professional users typically sharpen shears every few weeks during the growing season, whilst domestic users may only need annual sharpening. The key indicator is cutting performance—if you're crushing rather than cleanly cutting stems, or requiring excessive force, it's time to sharpen. Regular cleaning and lubrication extends the interval between sharpenings. Many quality brands like Bahco and ARS offer sharpening services if you're not confident doing it yourself.

Can I use hedge shears for cutting thick branches?

Garden shears are designed for soft to semi-hard growth up to approximately 8-15mm diameter, depending on the model. For anything thicker, use loppers or a pruning saw to avoid damaging the blades or straining the pivot mechanism. Forcing shears through material they're not designed for can misalign blades, damage the tensioning system, and create safety hazards. Match your tool to the task for best results and longest tool life.

Are lightweight aluminium-handled shears as durable as steel models?

Modern aluminium-handled shears from reputable manufacturers like ARS and Gardena are engineered to professional standards and offer excellent durability whilst significantly reducing user fatigue. The aluminium used in quality garden tools is alloyed and heat-treated for strength. However, steel-handled models typically withstand rougher handling and job-site abuse better, making them popular choices for demanding commercial applications where tools may be dropped or knocked about.

Do I need different shears for different types of hedges?

Whilst one good pair of hedge shears can handle most common garden hedges, specialists often use different models for different tasks. Long-bladed shears (230-250mm) suit fast-growing privet or conifer hedges where you're removing substantial growth, whilst shorter, lighter shears provide better control for formal box hedging or detailed topiary work. Wavy-edged blades grip woody stems better, whilst straight edges give the cleanest finish on soft growth. Consider your specific hedging types when selecting shears.