Loppers and Hedge Shears

In the previous blog I talked about the differences among the models of pruners from Berger. In some ways, loppers are just pruners with huge handles for even greater leverage, and many of the features that go into a great pair of pruners carry over. Again, depending on what you are cutting there are bypass and anvil loppers – bypass are better for standard green wood cutting, while the anvil type is better for dead wood or really sticky, sappy wood. Rather than forged aluminum or steel handles, most lopper handles are made of tubular aluminum, which is lightweight, strong and won’t rust. Depending on the thickness of material you are cutting, models range in length from 46 – 82 cm (18 – 32”). Obviously, the longer the tool, the more leverage you can get and the easier it will be to cut thicker material. Many models have oil grooves for joint lubrication and sap grooves to reduce stickiness. The forged blades again have an anti-stick coating and are replaceable, but one further refinement is a series of notches cut into the bottom blade, which help stabilize the branch, making a quicker and cleaner cut. Again you have a damper where the blade jaws meet at the end of the cutting stroke, helping to alleviate strain on the arm joints. Grips are available in soft rubber or natural cork, and one model even has a hook on the end of the jaw for quickly clearing away cut material.



Hedge shears are a slightly different beast. Think of them more like scissors on steroids. And while power hedge trimmers can certainly be a faster option, some specialists contend that a sharp pair of hedge trimmers makes a cleaner cut that is ultimately better for the plant. You still have longer handles, which can be made of wood (slightly forgiving during use) or aluminum (much lighter!), and those sweet rubber dampers, but there are two different blade styles. Straight blades are the traditional style with long sap channels along each blade for cleaner cuts, while wavy blades keep small woody twigs or vines from sliding down the blade during the cutting motion. Both types of blades are forged steel, chrome plated for durability, and self-sharpening during use. A fine adjustment knob at the joint of the shears ensures perfect cutting action. Other models worth considering are the Topiary Hedge Shear, which has longer handles for better reach, but shorter blades for more precision, or even the sheep-shear inspired Hand Topiary Cutters. These are great if you want the ultimate in precision for boxwood or yew, or in the case of the hand trimmers, fantastic for harvesting lettuce and salad greens in your garden.



Regardless of the type of tool you use, always use eye protection against those flying twigs, be sure to occasionally oil your tools, and keep the blades clean for the best performance!