Re: Hand-held clippers

Anvil pruners should not be used because of the tendency to crush the plant
tissues while cutting (only a few anvil pruners actually draw the sharp edge
along the plant material while pushing up against the anvil making them the
exception to this consideration).  Another caveat, I would rather see people
with difficulty in using their hands to use the "ratchet" style of pruner to
prune rather than not prune at all.  (They are fairly inexpensive although I
don't know the brand name.)

I use Felcos and believe them to be superior in every respect.  But they
aint cheap.  When teaching introductory gardening classe, I list the Corona
grape shears as being a good starter pruner (about $12) although I am
impressed with the Fiskars line of cutters.  They seem to be inexpensive,
sharp and fairly durable (a lot of plastic is used, and I try to avoid
plastic tools for a variety of reasons, both practical and philosphical).

Having said all that....  Any brand of pruner, no matter how much it costs,
is worthless and bad for plants if it isn't sharp.  So, get whatever you
get, but keep 'em sharp - I'd rather someone used a cheap Corona anvil
pruner than the top of the line Felco if the Corona was sharp and the Felco
dull.


david
plants can't talk, someone has to be their advocate!

----- Original Message -----
From: <susannah@cyber-dyne.com>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 8:47 AM
Subject: Hand-held clippers


>
> I'm in the market for a new pair, and wondering what you folks recommend
as
> far as brand, model, and source (presumably in the U.S.).  I'm looking in
> the inexpensive range, because they will be used by people with varying
> degrees of experience -- and if the last pair is any guide, lost before
> they wear out.  I've used both the bypass-type and anvil-type, and don't
> really have a preference.  We use them to cut stems up to 1/2" diameter,
> although usually 3/8" or less.  Mostly for deadheading, etc.
> TIA,
> -- Susannah, in Oregon
>
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