2019-07-13_Amateur_Gardening

13 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 41

All prices correct at time of going to press and may vary at garden centres

Sarah Raven Ergo

Snips £15.95(+£4.95 delivery)

BEST BUY...

Features

Ergonomically designed snips with

carbon steel blades, sprung alloy

handles with built-in control pillar

and index finger notch, and fold-

away handle blade lock. Length:

6½in (17cm). Weight: 3½oz (101g).

Performance

Comfortable and secure in the

hand in spite of slim handles. The

curved shape and control pillar

(which works left- or right-handed)

nestling between thumb and

forefinger seem to help. Slightly

awkward handle lock, but it folds

out of the way when you are

working. Long blades reach deep

into plants to snip back stems.

Blades cut cleanly and are strong

enough to tackle woody stems

fairly easily. No blade protection,

so watch your fingers on the

point if you pocket them.

Value

The most secure in use, and very

effective. A reasonable price for

good deadheading and precision

pruning snips.

A quick snip to remove dying fl owers will

stimulate most plants to produce fresh buds

✆ 0345 092 0283

sarahraven.com

Razorsharp

Easy Reach Pruner

£32.90

Features

Lightweight alloy arm with carbon steel-

coated blades. Rotating body and head

for cutting at awkward angles. Cut-and-

hold mechanism. Non-slip grips. Handle/

blade lock. Length: 30in (76cm). Weight:

17oz (474g). 10-year guarantee.

Performance

If you have deep garden borders with

large perennials and shrubs, this tool

is excellent. Long reach with adjustable

angle and rotating cutting head means

you can get to all the awkwardly placed

fading blooms easily. It’s light enough

to use one handed. The cut-and-hold

mechanism works well for big blooms

with stems like roses and buddleja.

Value

It’s pricy, but if you have deep borders

and big plants, it’s a must.

✆ 0114 281 4242 for stockists

spear-and-jackson.com

Deadheads

Mini Snips

£5 from National Trust shops

✆ 0344 800 1895
nationaltrust.org.uk

Features

Miniature sprung metal-handled shears

with carbon steel blades. Plastic sheath.

Handles available in blue, pink or green.

Length: 4¼in (10½cm). Weight: ½oz (13g).

Performance

Small and easy to carry in your pocket,

but there’s no blade lock so the plastic

sheath is essential. Slim ‘handles’ are

fiddly (not as secure as other designs)

so care is needed. While working, it

is possible to pinch your finger quite

sharply between the handles just behind

the blade. It cuts soft material well, but

struggles with woodier stems. Doesn’t

reach well enough for cutting long

stems deep down.

Value

Cheap and work for light deadheading,

as long as you watch your fingers.

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nationaltrust.org.uknationaltrust.org.uk

0344 800 1895

nationaltrust.org.uknationaltrust.org.uk

Features

0114 281 4242 for stockists

spear-and-jackson.com

Features

Lightweight alloy arm with carbon steel-

coated blades. Rotating body and head

Features

Score

9

/15

Score

12

/15

OL

15/15 SS

£15.95

0345 092 0283

sarahraven.com

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