Some edging shears have self-sharpening blades. The angle at which the blades work produces a small amount of friction, which means the blades sharpen with every cut. As with all gardening tools, proper cleaning and care keep manual grass shears performing their best and lasting a long time. Sap can build up on the blades, which inhibits proper opening and closing; this problem is easily solved by wiping the blades with an oily rag. Handle Lightweight shears weighing 1 – 1.5kg are best for edging medium/large lawns . They’ll be easier on the arms when used for long periods. However, some of the larger, quality shears weigh over 2kg, as you’ll see below. In terms of performance, the 20.5 cm blade, made from forged manganese steel, results in a sharp cut and is easy to use to neaten lawn edges. The tension of the blades is adjustable, using a screw head positioned where the blades join. Even in a large garden, you may need smaller blades to effectively cut a shallow verge . I also recommend these short blades for working in any fiddly, intricate areas.

There are well over a dozen different types of gardening shears. Each has its own special purpose. However, the vast majority are for pruning. It is easy to recognize these types of shears as most have a crescent-shaped blade because they are designed to cut cylindrical objects such as stems and twigs. The most important feature to consider is whether you want long-handle grass shears that must be operated with both hands or shears that offer one-handed operation. Two-handed models have much less flexibility, but they are more powerful and built to last. One-handed models offer a wide range of features that are not available on two-handed models, but they are designed for lighter-duty tasks. Materials Although you might expect these shears to weigh more than others – based on their longer blades and handles – they are surprisingly lightweight. Weighing 1.1 kg, they are actually the lightest shears featured here, as well as the longest.

A short blade works best for curved edges to get the right arch in the snip, and they’re usually lighter, too. If you would prefer to have reasonably light shears, that are still robust, you should consider models that weight between 1 – 1.5 kg. There are also lighter shears available on the market, but they may not be as robust or durable. What Type of Blade to Look Out For Weighing 2.4 kg, these shears are a little heavier than many others on the market and require reasonable upper-body strength to use. They also need to be used on edges that have quite a deep gully, due to the depth of the blades, and will be more difficult to use on shallow edges. Unlike some edging shears, that catch on themselves whilst cutting, these glide past each other without excessive friction. It’s also possible to adjust the blade tension, with a dial on the blade if necessary. No tools (like a screwdriver) are needed to adjust the tension, which makes it very easy to do.

The tops of the handles are coated with rubber, which provides good grip and control over the tool. If you want to avoid using electric edgers, but don’t want to spend more money than necessary on a pair of shears, these are a good option to consider. Some grasses are tougher than others, requiring stronger shears. For stubborn coarse grasses, leaves, and stems, use these swivel-blade shears from Kings County Tools. The blades rotate either 45 or 90 degrees, giving more options for trimming than a fixed blade but less flexibility than shears with a 360-degree rotation.

Key considerations

Speaking of comfort, there are plastic sleeves on the top sections of the handles to help with grip, making the shears easier to hold. The orange handle is easy to spot, minimizing the risk of misplacing these shears. A loop-handle design helps maintain a secure and controlled grip for each snip. Weighing just under half a pound, these shears’ light weight reduces the labor necessary when manually trimming the grass. To sharpen the blades, use a large single cut mill file. If you have a vice, put the shears in these to hold them still, otherwise brace them against a solid object. When sharpening, follow the angle of the blade’s edge – only sharpening the outside of the blades. Dragging the file up the blade towards you will damage the blade. Instead, it should be pushed away from you down towards the tip using a long smooth stroke. Returned to the top of the blade to start again. Selecting the best manual grass shears relies on important features such as how they will be used, the material of the blade, and how the tool feels in your hand. Type