When spring kicks in, roll out your hedge shears! During spring, all crops seem to be in a growing mode. They proliferate like the way a prisoner feeds on his first day of freedom. This overgrowth is not pleasing to some extent as the lawn looks untidy from all directions.
Since not everyone has access to the best battery hedge trimmers you can opt for hedge shears. Hedge shears reduce and shape this lush overgrowth into something attractive. However, not just any hedge shear will perform the task effectively. You have to use the right pair for the right job.
We have reviewed the top best manual hedge shears and a buying guide to help you settle on your perfect match. Read on.
The Best Manual Hedge Shears
1. Best Overall-Tabor Tools B212a Telescopic Hedge Shears
Are you looking for your perfect match for trimming and shaping borders and tall bushes?
Key Features
Just as the name, the Tabor Hedge Shear has telescopic handles that make your trimming task easy. The telescopic handles are strong enough to let you enjoy shaping your bushes as you desire and reach even the unreachable spots stress-free. When the handles stretch to a maximum, this shear gets a length of 25-33 inches. What’s more?
Sharp blades are a must-have feature, and this Tabor Hedge Shear doesn’t disappoint. The sharp edges are of carbon and a distinctive wavy design all through to the tip for precise cuts. Precision in cutting is essential for the general plant’s health and regrowth.
The bumpers’ shock absorbers are an additional advantage to the gardener. Pruning task will be less tiresome as these shock absorbers prevent shaking vibrations and ease arm fatigue.
Moreover, anti-slip grips provide comfort while shearing. An adjustable blade tension has a simple adjustment that allows you the freedom to prune a variety of plants. To add value to your money, this pair of Tabor Hedge Shear comes with a year warranty.
Pros
- Telescopic handles
- Anti-slip grips
- Adjustable blade tension
- Precision cutting
- Affordable
- High flexibility
Cons
- A bit heavy
Verdict
The Tabor Hedge Shear is a shrub eating monster. Sharp blades for precision cutting and wild bushes don’t stand a chance.
Rating
4.5 Out of 5
2. Best Affordable – Corona Hs 3950
For an affordable yet reliable pair of hedge shears, look the Corona HS 3950 way.
Key Features
Pruning should be fun; therefore, the Corona HS 3950 has steel handles that are lightweight with comfortable non-slip grips. Nobody wants to get hurt and strained while working their decorative bushes. Also, the handles stretch from 15-26″ for more flexibility while trimming. Read on.
The 8.5″ long blades are of durable, high-quality carbon steel and just straight with no fancy designs. Also, the ShockStop bumper feature reduces fatigue on your shoulders if you are working on a big trimming task.
Last but not least, the precision-made pivot bolt runs a flawless cutting action.
Pros
- Extendable handles
- Comfortable grips
- Strong and durable construction
- ShockStop bumper for reduced fatigue
- affordable
Cons
- Straight blades
Verdict
For those who don’t love sophisticated looks, this Corona HS 3950 is an affordable and simple but effective way of trimming your plants.
Rating
4.6 Out of 5
3. Best Expandable Shears –Best Ars Hs-K900z
The stubborn and hard-to-reach shrubs in your yard just got served!
Key Features
The ARS HS-K900Z is of a mid-range value with high-quality extendable handles best for the hard-to-reach trees and shrubs. They reach tall bushes and the wide ones that are challenging to trim in the middle. Go on.
ARS HS-K900Z is flexible and long, but has blades that are hard-chrome-plated to boost the cutting power. This power allows you to prune just about any plant in your yard that needs shaping.
These blades are also curved. Curved edges deliver precision and more comfortable cutting.
Amazingly, the handles stretch to 13.5″ beyond their extra length. More like having 2in1 shears. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Pros
- Clear-cut
- Lightweight
- Long-range of extension
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Absence of comfort features
Verdict
Because of the long stretching ability, the price is higher than other shears. Be careful not to use it on thicker bushes as it may break.
Rating
4.6 Out of 5
4. Fiskars 91696935J
The Fiskars 91696935J offers a lifetime warranty to protect your purchase at all costs.
Key Features
These Fiskars Power-Lever Hedge Shears feature advanced compound lever technology that increases your leverage to offer double cutting strength than the usual single-pivot shears. Therefore, these shears make tall and hard-to-reach cuts relaxed. What’s more?
They consist of easy-grip handles that expand and lock tightly.
They also include easy-to-grip handles that extend and lock securely. The steel blades hardened with precision cuts. These steel blades feature a saw-like edge to clutch branches while cutting. Also, an original self-sharpening blade makes sure that every amount is precise, clean, and crisp.
A rust-free coating cares for your shears’ blades making each cut easier. The shock-absorbing bumpers inhibit jolting vibrations.
Moreover, durable steel handles with anti-slip grips offer safety and easy control.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Unlimited leverage
- Lifetime warranty
- Anti-slip grips
Cons
- Challenge in using the extendable feature
Verdict
The extendable feature is cumbersome for most users to adapt; otherwise, this feature is an added advantage to shape even the tall bushes for the value of your money.
Rating
5 out of 5
5. Bahco P51-F
Are you a pro in cutting and trimming your shrubs?
Key Features
These shears are for professional use in commercial areas and expert works.
The solid, easy to operate, and top notch design wins the .favourite prize for landscape professionals.
The partially jagged edge cuts 15mm of dense branches easily. Also, the lightweight decreases fatigue and strain while using.
Lastly, these shears come ready to use; hence no assembly is needed to get started. Simply, unbox then trim!
Pros
- Worthy of professionals
- Top-notch materials
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Sharp and accurate
Cons
- Expensive as it is precisely for professionals
Verdict
These shears are ideal for experienced and professional hands. As a greenhorn, opt for simple and easy to use types.
Rating
4.6 Out of 5
6. Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears
You can trust to deliver flawless cutting tasks in your yard for shears and choose the Japanese Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears.
Key Features
With blades forged with a hot hammer using the high-quality “Izumo Yasuki Steel,” these shears will remove hard and crushing cuts. The famous “Izumo Yasuki Steel” makes the high-end quality Japanese swords. Even these words have the power and strength to deliver accurate cuts. Read on.
Also, even the handles are of a Japanese product, White Oak. The White Oak is an exceptional wood that offers strength and durability in anything it makes.
The razor-sharp blades cut bushes and branches with much ease. Again, these shears weigh just 1.12 pounds making the lightweight and versatile to use. Therefore, your arms and shoulders won’t suffer from fatigue and strain even after long working hours in the garden.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- High-quality
- Simple to use
- Sharp and precise
- Lightweight and versatile
Cons
- Lack of comfort features
Verdict
The razor-sharp blades feature is a significant boost to the shears as most buyers opt to look for that factor above anything else.
Rating
4.8 Out of 5
7. Gonicc Professional Adjustable Hedge Shears
If you are searching for a pair of hedge shears that will maintain the sharpness for a long time without going blunt, this one is a perfect choice.
Key Features
The Gonicc hedge shears are the ideal choice since they have wavy blades of carbon steel. Amazingly, these wavy blades can remain sharp for a prolonged period without making you panic.
With the adjustable handles, you have the flexibility to reach high and hard-to-reach points for trimming. What’s more?
More precisely, these hedge shears can be modified to up to 25 feet in average mode, and then 33 feet in the stretched way.
The shock-absorbing design protects the user from vigorous vibrations, fatigue, and strained arms and shoulders.
Pros
- Shock-absorbing design
- Regulating blade pressure
- Wavy blades for strength and durability
Cons
- Blades do not line up correctly.
Verdict
These Gonicc hedge shears are ideal for small jobs and not professional use.
Rating
2.7 Out of 5
8. ARS HS-KR1000
Succeed on professionalism at its best with the ARS HS-KR1000.
Key Features
Construction is of top-notch steel with 7″ blades that are very sharp. The cutting procedure is simple yet powerful. However, these clippers should not cut heavy wood even though they are powerful. They are ideal for pruning and shaping bushes and flowers. Go on.
They are stress-free and easy to operate, simply take out your shears and start cutting. These clippers offer uncompetitive cuts that have most users are still talking about. Amazingly, the blades are replaceable. You won’t have to throw away your clippers once the edges become blunt, instead replace them. They come with a lifetime warranty. Talk of value for your money!
Pros
- Easy to use
- Replaceable and razor-sharp blades
- Strong and durable
- Unmatched cuttings
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Joint breaks after some time of usage
Verdict
Due to the delicate joint, these clippers are ideal for smaller size bushes and trees to avoid frequent damage.
Rating
4.8 Out of 5
9. Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears
For high-class offering regular sharp and precise cuts, Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears has your back.
Key Features
Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears offer dependably sharp cuts. This tool is top-quality and good enough for expert use. The partially saw-toothed edge allows you to cut till 15mm of thick branches. The steel handles h epoxy resin for rust resistance. Go on.
The two rubber bumpers arrange for shock absorption to ease arm fatigue. Since they are not light in weight, working all day can be uncomfortable to use, especially for thicker branches.
Just take out of the packaging and use it immediately. They require no assembly to begin cutting tasks.
Pros
- Top-quality and durable
- Strong handles with rust resistance
- Double rubber shock absorbers
- Serrated edge for cutting tough bushes
Cons
- Somewhat heavy to operate on long cutting tasks
Verdict
Cutting thick bushes using these shears can take long hence uncomfortable to finish because of the heavy weight.
Rating
4.6 Out of 5
While comfort is on your mind, shearing can be so much fun and calm while using the Gnome HS1G Garden Hedge Shears.
Key Features
The handles have comfort features such as shock absorbers to ease the strain on your shoulders and arms. Also, ergonomic, easy-grip design makes the rubber easy to hold and operate even in a prolonged period.
The blades are of steel construction, surface-polished, and heat-treated for resilience. Their curved nature also inhibits sliding when pruning twigs. What’s more?
These shears weigh less than 3lbs but are considerably heavy. The heavyweight is likely to cause fatigue on the arms and shoulders in case of prolonged use.
Pros
- Carbon-steel blades
- Tough ergonomic, rubber easy-grip handles
- Rubber Shock-absorbers
- Curved edges to avoid sliding when pruning twigs
- Surface polished and heat-treated steel-blades
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Blades do not preserve sharpness; hence constant sharpening
Verdict
The blades’ constant sharpening will make them wear off quickly, hence not a durable choice for your garden pruning.
Rating
4.4 Out of 5
Buying Guide
Depending on the times you want to use the hedge shears, either a big yard full of bushes and shrubs or just a minor area, a buying guide will be ideal. There are several pointers to contemplate before making that purchase. Such as;
Length of blades:
The edges’ size is an essential concern, reliant on what type of hedges you will be pruning. For smaller jobs that need close-up work, smaller blades of about 6-inch will work fine. If you have a large row of tall borders with overgrowth, then longer blades of 9-12″ with long handles will let you spread the reach of your arms.
Weight:
If you were trimming several shrubs, it would be paramount to find the feather-weight shears you can. Commonly, shears with fiberglass or aluminum handles will be flimsy than steel or wooden kinds. Hedge shears should weigh anywhere from above 1-4 lbs.
Since many hedges are over the shoulder height, it can become a thoughtful workout for your shoulders and back. This should be accountable when you probe the weight of every product.
Type of Blade:
If you contemplate on sharpening your blades often, then it’s good to hunt for shears with straight edges. This nature of blade sharpens effortlessly using a millstone. Jagged blades, though, are perfect for grasping and cutting branches that are greater than 0.25″.
Cutting procedure:
Several shears have gear automation, which permits to stress-free cutting. It’s naturally the most pleasing on twigs that tend to grow thicker. If you’re holding on to trimming and just have new growth, the soft branches won’t be as rigid to cut. Therefore, and you may not want any innovative cutting process under those circumstances.
Comfort:
Specific shears will contain shock-absorbing bumpers or stuffing on the handles where the handles join to lessen the pressure on your arms. Several come with an easy scissor-like cutting system, while others are a little tougher to open and shut. Try testing before buying a hedge shear.
Cutting Capacity:
Make sure to know the estimated size of the twigs and branches you count on cutting with your fresh pair of hedge shears. Most available on the market these days are only for until 0.5″ diameter. If you got a blade with a branch gash, you would probably be capable of cutting larger branches.
For people who are sure they will often be cutting bigger branches, you should purchase extra tools.
Additional features:
Many blades present a layer that can inhibit rusting and sticking up, which is useful when the branch sap is continually leaking. Other shears come with a flexible pivot-bolt that gives you the freedom to modify the blade’s rigidity.
Spare Blades:
While particular blades, such as straight blades, agree to calm sharpening, it can also be thoughtful to decide on shears that have standby blades readily accessible. This way, it is less challenging to get the parts you want to retain your shears working as it should be.
Price: Just like any purchase, you must consider your budget when spending on your fresh pair of hedge shears. The array of prices is quite wide from the cheapest to the most expensive. It is also a noble idea to look out for sales on a number of the more expensive products. Hedge shears are an essential case of receiving what you pay for. A cheap pair is likely to break down on you even before you are through using them.
Parting shot
The most significant thing you need to consider when opting for buying a pair of hedge shears is the task at hand, personal strength, and comfort inclinations. After getting the ideal shears that work accordingly, you can scrutinize other features available.
However, if you have an enormous task to undertake, an electric or gas hedge trimmer will be a better choice for you. Find a pair of hedge shears that will cut quickly and last long. Shopping for the perfect one can be agonizing, but the best hedge shears are eventually worth it.