Pruners are one of the most essential tools for gardeners, but they can be difficult to use if you have arthritis or other hand problems. The best pruners for arthritic hands need to be easy on your fingers and wrist so that they don’t hurt when using them. They also should have a design that is comfortable in your grip, even if it’s just because you’re more comfortable holding the tool this way. You’ll also want a blade that will cut through wood easily without hurting your hands more than necessary. Whether you’re looking for bypass shears or anvil pruners, there are several products out there with features designed specifically to make gardening easier on arthritic hands!
Choosing the best pruners for arthritic hands
1. When are pruners not the best option for you?
Pruners can be a little difficult for people with arthritis to use, but if you have a small branch that needs trimming or a dead flower that needs cutting off, then they can be just the thing. If you have larger branches of varying shapes and size that need cutting, loppers are probably the better choice.
2. Choosing the right size of pruner!
If you have smaller hands, then a pair of bypass pruners may be hard for you to use. Instead, opt for anvil shears or loppers. If your hands are larger, bypass pruners might be easier for you to use!
3. What to look for in a good quality pair of pruners?
Pruners need to be easy for you to grip and hold your hand steady as you cut. They should also be lightweight, reasonably sharp, and comfortable in your hands. The handle shouldn’t pinch or hit the top of your fingers as you use it, and it shouldn’t slip from your hand either. Look for a pair of pruners with rubberized grips that will give you better traction and make it less likely to fall out of your hand!
4. How to use your new pruning tools correctly and safely.
Make sure your pruners are sharp before using them; a blade that is dull will be harder work and more likely to slip. Cut away from your body instead of towards it, and hold the branch firmly with one hand as you cut it. If possible, use both hands on the pruning shears so that you have better control over them. Always cut branches flush with the tree or bush stem so they stop any spread of infection through open cuts.
5. Where to find more information on choosing the best tool for you.
There are many types of pruners on the market and it can be difficult to pick just one without help. You can try asking friends and family members for recommendations, or you can do some research on the internet to find out more about different types of pruner blades and what they’re best used for. Take a look at garden sites online as well as general tool-selling websites to see what’s available before choosing your new garden tools!
6. Tips on how arthritic hands can make gardening easier.
Gardening is a great hobby for arthritic hands, but it can be difficult to get started if you’re not sure what tools are best for the various tasks that need doing. If you have smaller hands, then your best choice might be to get into container gardening instead of doing traditional backyard gardening. Jot down anything you learn about gardening and pruning so that when next season rolls around, you’ll know which tools will work best for your tasks.
7 Best Pruners for Arthritic Hands
Spring is a great time to prune trees, shrubs, and woody perennials as the weather warms and the end of winter hibernation draws near.
But using loppers, shears, and pruners might be difficult if you have arthritis in your hands, which causes swelling and pain.
Don’t give up if your arthritis is beginning to interfere with your gardening practice. With the correct equipment, arthritis-related weakness or discomfort can be lessened, allowing you to adapt and keep up with all the labor that springtime offers.
And to assist you, we’ve put together a list of the top 7 pruners for arthritic hands!
The Gardener’s Friend Ratchet Pruning Shears
Because they employ a mechanical ratcheting technique to make up for a lack of strength, these shears are a great choice for those with arthritis or weak grips.
They were created by a business that began as a family-run plant nursery and can cut through thin branches and stems up to an inch in diameter.
These pruners are made to close in three steps, or ratchets, as opposed to making one large cut to cut through wood or stems.
You may make your cut using this technique by applying three little squeezes as opposed to one large one. The ratchet strengthens the user’s grasp as the blades gradually shut in between squeezes by holding them firmly in place.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Cordless Rechargeable Power Pruner
Pruners may really function as a power tool, too!
If you have a lot of plant material to trim or have a seriously impaired grip, these electric pruners are a great option. The Scotts pruners’ electric motor handles all the work for you!
These cordless pruners weigh slightly more than one pound. The grip is padded to assist make them even more comfortable, and the rechargeable battery lasts up to two hours.
The 34 inch diameter branch may be sliced with the hardened steel blade. Many reviewers point to how quickly they trim big trees or plants that would usually take days.
These pruners are also available with an add-on extender pole so you can reach higher into the branches of large trees. This makes your Scotts Power Pruner a fantastic substitute for conventional pole pruners, which are difficult to use and need a lot of muscle.
Classic PRO Titanium Pruning Shears
These titanium shears are an excellent upgrade from conventional pruners. They have a few characteristics that make them a viable option for those with moderate arthritis despite their totally typical appearance.
Aluminum and steel combine to provide a lightweight material for the handles and body. The handles can be adjusted from 6.7 inches down to 4.7 inches, and this closer handle position greatly lessens wrist and muscle ache after a long day of pruning, which is something many gardeners are familiar with.
The handles are also simple to grip onto thanks to a successful mix of an anti-slip coating and a shock-absorbing mechanism.
They also come with a few well-considered extras, such as a wire-cutting notch in the blade and a titanium coating that helps keep the blade from rusting.
The blade’s grooves aid in preventing sticking during and after cuts. Additionally, the cutting edge is composed of Japanese stainless steel that has been hardened and is simple to sharpen.
Gonicc Professional SK-5 Anvil Pruning Shears
These ergonomic anvil cutters have a firm cutting edge made of premium carbon steel, and they include a safety lock on the side for simple one-handed release.
However, the spring-loaded pulley mechanism that enables you to make significant cuts while using less strength makes them ideal for arthritic hands.
The pulley starts to draw the handles together when you pinch them together. Without your intervention, this process raises the pressure placed on the plant material.
With this technique, you can easily and painlessly cut through big stems and branches that are up to 34 inch in diameter.
Along with being comfortably close together, the handles, the steel blades are made to last a very long time.
VIVOSUN 6.5 Inch Gardening Hand Pruner
These micro-tipped cutters are excellent for quickly slicing through thinner stems and leaves with one hand. They can be useful while collecting vegetables.
The Vivosun pruners are particularly difficult to misplace because of their vivid orange hue. And if you’ve ever put down a tool and couldn’t locate it again, you understand how useful it is!
Both sides of the handle may be used to control the safety lock, and padding lines the ergonomically curved grips to keep your grip cozy.
These pruners are lightweight plastic, making them comfortable to use for extended durations. Additionally, you may carry them without feeling burdened in your tool bag or work apron.
Power Drive Ratchet Anvil Hand Pruning Shears
These anvil pruners use a ratchet motion to gradually increase cutting force, just like the Gardener’s Friend pruning shears mentioned above.
But they actually live up to their name—their five-stage ratchet mechanism effectively boosts your grip strength by five. This enables cutting through thick, woody shrubs or perennial stems that are more resistant, as well as tree branches up to an inch in diameter.
Additionally, the grip of these shears is well-designed, with finger grooves on the bottom handle and an anti-slip rubber cushion on the top to relieve strain on the hand’s heel during cuts.
Felco F6 Pruning Shears
This Swiss-made brand is renowned for its high caliber, sturdiness, and plenty of spare parts. This enables you to fix your trusted pruner rather than throwing it away.
The F6 shears were made expressly to be more compact and lightweight than its Felco lineup counterparts, and they more than achieve that objective. The F6 pruners include a shock absorber and non-slip grip in an easy-to-see shade of red in addition to its smaller wingspan.
Although the Felco F6 pruners are not very heavy for their size, they do weigh more than other items on this list since they are made entirely of metal.
Conclusion:
Pruners can be difficult for people with arthritis to use, but if you have small branches that need trimming or dead flowers that need cutting off then they can be just the thing. Make sure your pruners are sharp before using them; a blade that is dull will be harder work and more likely to slip. Cut away from your body instead of towards it, and hold the branch firmly with one hand as you cut it. If possible, use both hands on the pruning shears so that you have better control over them. Always cut branches flush with the tree or bush stem so they stop any spread of infection through open cuts!