Some gardeners think that the type of cutting action is very important, but as long as you keep your pruning tools in good condition, there's not much to choose between them. But bear in mind that the anvil type of blade, where a sharp blade is brought down to a flat anvil, can squash soft stems instead of cutting cleanly through them. By-pass blades, with their scissor-like action, shouldn't have this effect.

Perhaps more important is the blade's shape. Anvil blades have a rounded appearance and aren't as easy to insert into tight places as the more pointed by-pass types. And some bypass secateurs have swivel heads to angle the blades for awkward corners. However, anvil blades are suitable for right or left-handed use, whereas nearly all by-pass types are made for right-handers (look for Felco left-handed versions).

Scissors and flower snips are the smallest type of pruner, ideal for deadheading and cutting flowers for display indoors. For one-handed convenience, there are also cut-and-hold designs .

Snips are a cross between scissors and secateurs, sharp but lightweight and easy to use. View snips in our online garden centre. View scissors too.

Burgon & Ball's version is based on the traditional hand sheep shear design and can also be used for trimming grass and cutting string. View hand sheep shears in our online garden centre and Crocus