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. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range from trusted brands including Bahco, ARS, Gardena, Draper, Faithfull, Kent & Stowe, Bulldog and Kew Gardens, catering to both professional gardeners and DIY enthusiasts.

Garden shears fall into several distinct categories, each designed for specific tasks. Hedge shears feature long, straight blades (typically 200-250mm) ideal for shaping hedges and trimming bushes, whilst grass shears have shorter blades positioned at angles perfect for trimming lawn edges. Modern designs incorporate features such as telescopic handles for extended reach, shock-absorbing bumpers to reduce wrist strain, and adjustable blade angles. Whether you need ultra-light professional models from ARS or robust traditional designs from Bulldog, MyToolShed.co.uk offers garden shears to match every requirement and budget.

Applications

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

Choosing The Right Garden Shears

Task-Specific Design: Identify your primary use before purchasing. Hedge shears with long blades (200-250mm) suit large areas, whilst grass shears with 90-degree angled blades are perfect for ground-level edging. Topiary shears offer compact blades for detailed ornamental work.

Blade Quality: Premium shears feature hardened, precision-ground steel blades that maintain sharpness through hundreds of cuts. Look for rust-resistant coatings or stainless steel construction for damp conditions. Brands like ARS and Bahco are renowned for exceptional blade metallurgy.

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

Ergonomics: Quality garden shears incorporate cushioned grips, shock-absorbing bumpers and ergonomically angled handles to reduce strain during prolonged use—particularly important for professional users. Consider rotating handles if working at various angles.

Weight and Balance: Lighter shears reduce fatigue but must maintain sufficient rigidity. Test the balance point—well-designed shears feel naturally weighted rather than blade-heavy or handle-heavy.

Safety Information

Always wear protective gloves to maintain secure grip and prevent blisters during extended use. Safety glasses protect your eyes from flying debris, particularly when cutting dry or woody material. Maintain stable footing when using hedge shears, especially on slopes or ladders—never overreach. Keep blades sharp and properly tensioned, as blunt shears require excessive force, increasing the risk of slippage. Store shears with blade guards in place and always carry them with blades pointing downward. Check hedges for nesting birds before trimming, particularly during breeding season (March to August in the UK).

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 for vertical and horizontal hedge cutting. Grass shears have shorter blades set at right angles to the handles, allowing you to trim lawn edges and ground-level growth whilst maintaining comfortable posture.

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, it's time to sharpen. Regular cleaning and lubrication extends intervals between sharpenings.

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. However, steel-handled models typically withstand rougher handling and job-site abuse better, making them popular for demanding commercial applications.