Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs

Product Information

A question asked frequently is what is the difference between anvil and bypass secateurs. The difference between these garden tools, bypass pruners and anvil versions is as follows.

According to Telegraph gardening expert Helen Yemm, secateurs usually jam because of a build-up of dried sap and general garden grot on the blades. A good clean, followed by a wipe with an oily rag, sorts the problem out. Presumably you have tried that. 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. 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. Overall, the quality of the Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs is second to none. Perhaps the only negative is that they may not be the best choice for larger hands and in this case, the 104 Model may be a better choice. The difference being on bypass secateurs is the cutting blade passes the anvil to make the cut, a bit like similar to ordinary scissors, blades passing each other.The Felco Model 7 Classic Secateurs are bypass-type secateurs that have been designed for professionals and they are our new first choice when it comes to secateurs, replacing our previous top choice, the Felco Model 2. We still love model 2, however, the main reason we prefer model 7 more is the rotating handle. It really does make a difference to the strain on your hands and helps prevent blistering if you are working with secateurs for a lengthy amount of time. Rescrew the bolt, and tighten to what feels right. This is how you adjust the play, with the bolt, not the nut

This can also vary more than you expect, a pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g. A lighter weight is ideal for continued use and fine pruning, but heavier models can feel more robust. Replaceable blades and springs

Choosing a new pair of garden pruners is not as easy as you might think. First of all, you need to consider what type of secateurs would be best for your needs. Are you just looking for an everyday pair for light trimming, or do you often face heavy set branches? Next, you need to think about comfort, do you need extra cushioning or even a revolving handle to make the job a little easier?

Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges) 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.

Another feature that we think is quite impressive is the rotating handle which revolves on its own axis, your fingers will be able to move naturally, thus minimising blisters and hand fatigue that may be a problem after extended pruning periods, and anyone who works pruning plants a lot will understand what we mean. Felco says their innovative swivel action requires 30% less effort than conventional secateurs and we tend to agree, overall it provides great comfort on continuous pruning work. As you may expect from this German gardening tools manufacturer, the Gardena A/M is a well designed, functional and comfortable secateur. What makes this pair of secateurs exceptional are the cutting blades. Made from the finest Japanese steel (the same as used to make Samurai swords) they are sharp, incredibly sharp and being crafted from the finest steel, stay sharp!