What matters
- Bypass blades (scissor action), not anvil
- A size that fits your hand; a lock that actually stays locked in a pocket
- Replaceable blades or a brand that sells springs — cheap shears that cannot be sharpened get thrown away
- Sanitation: you should be able to wipe sap and soil off between blighty tomato plants
You will use shears more than a full-size pruner in a raised-bed garden. Keep them dry. For tomato pruning context, see tomato spacing and the tomato page.
How these bypass pruners differ
Match the tool to the stems you actually cut. Listed cutting capacities are manufacturer specifications, not HarvestBench measurements.
- Up to 5/8-inch bypass: routine vegetable-garden pruning and lighter live stems
- Up to 1-inch forged bypass: thicker live stems and small branches, if the handle fits your hand
- Full-size replaceable-part bypass: gardeners who want to service the tool instead of replacing it
Product examples
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Pruning shears
Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears
- Best for
- Routine vegetable-garden pruning and lighter live stems
- Key specification
- Bypass design; up to 5/8-inch cutting capacity
A compact bypass pruner for routine vegetable-garden cuts when most stems stay within a 5/8-inch capacity.
Keep in mind
The lower cutting capacity is not intended for thick woody branches
Pruning shears
Corona BP 3180D Forged Classic Bypass Pruner
- Best for
- Gardeners wanting more cutting capacity for thicker live stems and small branches
- Key specification
- Forged bypass pruner; up to 1-inch cutting capacity
A forged bypass pruner when you want more cutting capacity for thicker live stems and small branches.
Keep in mind
Hand fit and the larger capacity should be considered; it may not suit every hand
Pruning shears
FELCO F2 Pruning Shears
- Best for
- Gardeners who value repairability and long-term parts availability
- Key specification
- Full-size bypass pruner with replaceable parts
A full-size bypass pruner chosen for replaceable parts and long-term parts availability.
Keep in mind
It is a full-size model and may not suit smaller hands
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Felco-style shears?
Not to grow food. Comfort, a sharp bypass blade, and the habit of cutting rather than tearing matter more than a brand name. A full-size repairable model is one option when parts availability matters; it is not required.
Are the cutting capacities tested here?
No. The capacities listed on this page come from the product specifications. Use them to compare models, then confirm the current details on the retailer page.