Last updated on June 8th, 2022
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Ratchet secateurs have proved to be indispensable when it comes to gardening, especially for gardeners with arthritis, rheumatism, and painful wrists and hands. They work by cutting in several movements aided by the ratchet feature which means it’s often much easier to cut through thicker or harder branches than regular bypass secateurs. They can also cut through dry and wet branches using those sharp blades with ease. One model we reviewed even has the option to switch between ratchet function for thicker difficult branches and single-pass for light easy trimming and deadheading.
In this review, we focus on 5 notable ratchet secateurs that we think are currently some of the best models currently available. They are reliable and most are very affordable, some even cheaper than alternative bypass secateurs.
Take your time and pick which model would qualify as the best ratchet secateurs for you and your needs.
In the meantime, check out the Jardin De France Secateur Pruner, which is our best pick and is a great choice, and the Davaon Pro Switch 2 in 1 Ratchet Secateurs, which is our runner up.
BEST PICK
RUNNER UP
Top 5 Ratchet Secateurs and Pruners
1. Jardin De France Secateurs
BEST PICK
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The Jardin De France Secateur Pruner is designed to be comfortable to use, even for people with wrist problems such as arthritis. This model features sharp carbon steel blades that can cut branches with a maximum diameter of 20mm. The blades are coated with a Teflon finish to prevent the metal from rusting and prevent the accumulation of sap that usually causes the blades to start sticking.
For comfort reasons, the secateurs come with light aluminium handles that also do not rust. The top handle has a rubberised grip to provide a firm grip while working, even if you are wearing gloves. This model comes with a safety pin to prevent any accidents and a 1-year warranty. It is worth mentioning though that small parts such as springs, clips, and rivets are guaranteed for life, however, this obviously excludes the blades because they will need replacing eventually.
Pros
- Features sharp carbon steel blades that can be re-sharpened or replaced.
- For every pruner/secateurs bought, the brand plants a tree.
- Cuts branches with a diameter of 20mm.
- Features comfortable aluminium handles with a safety pin.
- Accompanied by a 1-year warranty with a lifetime guarantee on springs, clips, and rivets.
Cons
- Replacement springs are expensive to buy if you lose them.
Our recommendation
While the Jardin De France Secateur Pruner is comfortable to use, it has a few mishaps to deal with. The sharp-bladed secateurs come with reliable carbon steel blades that do not rust. It also possesses a non-stick surface which is important when cutting through a wet plant or sappy material.
The problem arises with the ratchet spring that gets worn out quickly and requires replacement, this is covered by the guarantee, although you can also buy a spare blade that comes complete with a spare spring too.
However, the good news is that with a bit of patience this is manageable. Other than that, the pair of pruners work well for general garden activities, plus they do plant a new tree for every pair sold so you are also helping the environment.
2. Davaon Pro Switch 2 in 1 Ratchet Secateurs
RUNNER UP
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The Davaon Pro Switch 2 in 1 Ratchet Secateurs offers an interesting mechanism that allows you to switch between the two functions. This is the only pair in this review that can do this and it is a rather handy feature.
You can easily select the ratcheting or single cut function by moving the lever in the right direction. With the ratchet function, this model can cut thick branches of up to 22mm in stages, while the single cut function deals with the thinner branches and deadheading where you want to quickly snip away.
The blades on this model are made from SK5 carbon steel, again this is the best material for blades. These blades are sharp and they have a non-stick coating to prevent the accumulation of dirt/sap. To make the user comfortable the ratchet secateurs come with lightweight ergonomic aluminium handles. The top aluminium handle has a rubberised section to provide a firm grip.
If you purchase this model and end up being dissatisfied with the quality, there is a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee provided.
Pros
- Offers 5 times the cutting power compared to normal garden secateurs.
- Features a 2-in-1 function so you can switch between ratchet for thick branches and single-pass cutting.
- Comes with sharp non-stick blades.
- Comfortable and lightweight at 250g therefore, easy to use.
- Comes with a locking mechanism for safety.
- Provides 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- Blades could be sharper but nothing a sharpening tool can’t resolve.
Our recommendation
The Davaon Pro Switch 2 in 1 Ratchet Secateurs are of good quality and are well worth considering. You may have to sharpen the blades to meet your satisfaction, but other than that, they are great overall and have lots of reviews online to back this up.
Overall, these are good for those who need ratchet secateurs for occasional use but also need a good pair they can use for deadheading. You can quickly switch to using them like regular secateurs.
Read next: Best secateurs – anvil and bypass
3. Greenco Ratchet Secateurs
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Meet the Greenco Ratchet Secateurs. They are designed to meet the demands of the professional world. The ratchet secateurs feature carbon steel blades and an aluminium handle for optimal performance. These blades are coated with a non-stick layer to prevent the accumulation of dirt that often causes the sticking of the blades.
Whether you have wrist injuries or you are suffering from arthritis, these ratchet secateurs are easy to use. They feature ergonomic handles with a firm grip and a locking mechanism to prevent any accidents while working. The 260g model can cut branches up to 1-inch (25mm) thick in diameter and it is accompanied by a lifetime warranty.
Where this model is a little different is that most ratchet secateurs are also anvil secateurs, which means the top blades cut down onto the bottom blade rather than sliding against each other like scissors, these secateurs are usually called bypass secateurs. This model combines the ratchet system with a bypass blade instead of an anvil. Some gardeners only like using bypass secateurs so this is a good choice for them because they get the best of both worlds, a ratchet system with a bypass blade.
Pros
- The sharp blades are made from hardened carbon steel.
- Lightweight thus easy to manoeuvre with.
- Comes with non-stick coating blades that are easy to keep clean.
- Can be used by people with weak grips due to various health conditions.
- Accompanied by a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Could be quite stiff at first, especially when opening the secateurs after cutting.
Our recommendation
The Greenco Ratchet Secateurs are perfect for professional environments because they can cut through thick branches up to one inch thick and are more of a professional pair of secateurs.
They feature sharp bypass blades combined with the ratchet system, and this is where they stand out. These ratchet secateurs are comfortable to use and they are light enough to manoeuvre around easily. For those suffering from arthritis, these ratchet secateurs will serve you well. They are also ideal for cutting thinner plant material because they use a bypass blade. The alternative anvil blades often crush soft foliage rather than giving a clean cut.
Read next: Felco secateurs review – which model is best for professionals?
4. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Ratchet Anvil Secateurs
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Taking the Great British growing award in 2018, winning gold is the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Ratchet Anvil Secateurs, and they are just as good today as they were then.
These 230g lightweight secateurs can cut thick/deadwood branches with a thickness of up to 20mm with ease. They bear reliable carbon steel blades that have a PTFE coating to maintain the sharpness of the blades and make them easy to clean as well as prevent them from sticking.
For comfort purposes, the ratchet secateurs come with light aluminium handles. The handles offer a firm grip and they also come with a locking mechanism. You will find them easy to use as they can be used in awkward spaces.
Pros
- Features sharp carbon steel blades.
- Easy to use and keep clean thanks to the PTFE coating.
- Can cut through thick branches up to 20mm.
- Offers good value for money.
Cons
- Some people may find the metal 4-finger grip is a little hard on their fingers if used for prolonged periods of time.
Our recommendation
The Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Ratchet Anvil Secateurs provide good performance. We cannot complain about the sharpness of the blades as they appear quite efficient.
These secateurs are made from quality materials and assembled well to provide durability. They are quite rigid to use at first but over time the ratchet mechanism will work smoother. These secateurs will last long, providing good value for money.
5. Fiskars PowerStep Anvil Lopper P85
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Last but not least, we have the Fiskars PowerStep P85 lopper which is designed to cut through very thick dry branches of up to 4cm in diameter.
These anvil pruners are loppers and not secateurs, however, we wanted to feature a tool for really thick branches that also use a ratchet system. They incorporate sharp steel blades and comfortable long non-slip handles. You can work for long hours without feeling overly tired because the pruner is lightweight weighing in at 680g, which isn’t bad for a pair of loppers.
Ideal for both left and right-handed users, the large pruner feature blades that have a non-stick coating. The non-stick coating provides added grip while cutting through dry branches and it helps keep the blades clean. The easy to use 57cm (just under 2ft) anvil pruners can be sharpened when they get blunt using a diamond file that is sold separately.
Pros
- Can cut through thick dry branches of up to 4cm in diameter that hand secateurs cannot.
- Features sharp steel blades to give a clean cut.
- Lightweight thus easily manoeuvrable.
- Offers firm grip handles for comfort while working.
- The blades feature a non-stick coating.
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting wet branches.
Our recommendation
The Fiskars PowerStep Lopper P85 is suitable for those looking for a tool that can handle thicker branches than secateurs can but still use a ratchet system to make cutting branches easy.
These good looking anvil pruners bear sharp blades and a comfortable handle to make cutting through thick branches easy. The long handles provide better reach and the product is long-lasting, so you will make the most of your investment. Overall a great pair of loppers.
Read next: Best loppers for cutting thick branches
Buyer’s Guide
This is the section where we explore some of the features to consider when selecting the best ratchet secateurs. There are a few features to work with nonetheless, we will make the best out of it. By the time you are through reading this guide, your shopping experience will be smoother because you know exactly what to look for.
Blade considerations
The blade is essentially the heart of ratchet secateurs and pruners. The quality of the material used to make the blades is important for durability. You don’t want the blade to snap easily, rust, stick or become blunt only after a few uses. Luckily, most of the models on the market use hardened carbon steel with a Teflon coating to make the blades.
Another thing to consider about the blades fitted on the ratchet secateurs is the length of the blade. Longer blades can cut through larger branches while smaller blades take care of the thinner branches.
Also, one has to consider if the blades feature a non-stick coating. This is essential, especially when dealing with sappy/wet branches. The coating keeps the blades sharp and permits the easy cleaning of the blades to help prevent them from jamming.
Comfortable handle
A lightweight handle is essential for balance when working with ratchet secateurs. In many cases, the handle is made from aluminium because it is a light but durable metal as well as rust-resistant. It also helps that aluminium doesn’t rust so the ratchet secateurs and pruners will serve for longer.
Also, when it comes to handles, comfort is required. Handles fitted with rubber provide grip even for users with sweaty hands. If you have a condition like arthritis, make sure you seek handles that require less energy to cut through the branches. Look at the product description and customer reviews to determine if the handles are friendly to use. Some handles can open quite wide making them more difficult to use.
Safety
To prevent any accidents ratchet secateurs and pruners feature a locking system. The locking system prevents the blades from moving unnecessarily. If you have children around then this feature is essential in preventing unwanted accidents.
Price
Are you looking for ratchet secateurs for occasional or regular use? If you are in search of ratchet secateurs for daily use, perhaps you’re a professional gardener, then you may have to spend a little more to get a model that can withstand the wear and tear and perhaps comes with a lifetime or longer warranty. If you just need one for occasional use you can spare yourself some change and get a more affordable model which is more than up to the job.
Warranty
Sleep better at night knowing that if something goes wrong your back is covered. Any product that offers a valid warranty goes a long way in assuring that the quality is reliable for example, the Greenco Ratchet Secateurs offer a lifetime warranty.
Tips for maintaining your ratchet secateurs
- Try to wipe the ratchet secateurs after every use to prevent unnecessary dirt build-up which includes wiping the blades with oil such as WD40.
- If there is sap on the blades, use a mixture of water and methylated spirit to remove the dirt. You can also use a brush to dislodge the dried sap from the blades without damaging the surface.
- Sharpen or replace your blades when they become blunt. Sharp blades require less effort to cut through plant material. It’s well worth investing in a sharpening stone or diamond.
- Replace old springs to maintain the integrity of the cuts rendered.
- Lubrication often ensures that all parts move seamlessly.
- Store your ratchet secateurs in a dry, non-dusty place and away from prying hands.
Final Conclusion
With a bit of help from different tools like ratchet secateurs, one can maintain their garden effortlessly. Keep in mind that the best ratchet secateurs will perform as expected without requiring too much muscle power.
That is how the Jardin De France Secateur Pruner ended up being our best pick. It is affordable, has been made to a high standard and is a well-respected brand with thousands of happy customers.
Those who require something more budget-friendly can settle for our runner up the Davaon Pro Switch 2 in 1 Ratchet Secateurs which are also an excellent pair of ratchet secateurs, we especially like the 2in1 feature to switch between ratchet and single-pass cutting.
That being said, it’s time to bid you farewell and let you tend to those thick branches in your garden, we hope you have found our review helpful.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
