Shears

[HOMER]

What are the best shears for trimming hedges, manual not gas. I want to get more into the hand pruning on the smaller shrubs but every set I get just don't cut the mustard..............or the shrubs. We have a landscape company in town that doesn't even own gas trimmers as far as I know and their work is top notch. I need to get some practice.......................what to buy?

How many on here use the hand shears over the gas?

[TJLC]

Homer, I sometimes use manual shears. I just went to walmart or home depot and bought the best ones they had. I think they are Fiskar brand, the same company that makes sissors. They have held up very well so far. They are nice for smaller shrubs. Hope this helps a little.

[Island Lawn]

Ditto TJLC.

I keep them sharp and use them often.
I've tried wavy blades and even serated. But these were difficult to sharpen (to say the least!)
Now, I have straight blades and I give them a few swipes with a bastard before each use. (If they need it.)
I like 'em sharp and straight!

[Mowman]

Homer,
I'm having trouble with the exhaust burning my shrubs. I'm thinking of going to a good set of shears. I see that Sthil makes a really nice one, little pricey at $120.00. I just bought this Husky 225H60 Gas Trimmer last year. I don't remember the problem with burning last year so I can't figure out what's going on this season. Just had the blades sharpened and I'm still getting brown patches on the yew shrubs. If anyone else has had problems like this please advise on how to CURE the problem.
Thanks,
Mowman

[powerreel]

Felco.

[CSRA Landscaping]

Homer, I remember reading your post about trimming the shrubs up into perfect balls, so I'm assuming that's what's motivating this question. With that in mind, let me say that. in my experience, a gas trimmer will work just fine. You just need a feather touch, you can't go at it like a bull in a china shop. The way I do it, is take it off in several small, straight angles on the sides. The top I just follow the contour of, if it's already been rounded. If not, I just picture the shape that I want it to have and cut following the picture in my mind.

In short, if it were me, I would stick with the gas trimmer because otherwise I'd make too much work for myself. Godd luck and let us know how it turns out.

[kutnkru]

Originally posted by TJLC
... I just went to walmart ...

Thats what we do by the case $13.99. I like them just as much as the $40-50 shears.

If you are not satisfied with the gas units you might even consider a generator to power the electrical units like Little Wonder.

Homey, just remember that if you have larger hedge rows to shear that you might not be able to have clients who can afford to have them cut in this manner.

I think that for the smaller specimens such as Spirea, Barberry, Euonymous, Ivy, etc. that these hand helds are essential. Just dont sell yourself short for work.

We also use these units for cutting back Hostas and Daylillies in the fall after the season has ended.

Good Luck!!
Kris

[trimmer]

Homer,

I also like the look that you can get from a good set of hand shears over the gas trimmer. They cut everything so tight and straight. I was thinking of buying a set of ARS I think they were around 80-100 dollars. I would buy a nice set not the ones from home improvement stores.

[Craig Turf Management]

A little off the subject, but when shearing rounded shrubs, try using the manual shears upside down. I mean holding the tool in front of you, the tip would be pointing toward the ground. This is a natural, easy way to take care of your rounded shrubbery.
Take care, Bill Craig:blob3:

[CSRA Landscaping]

Actually, I do that with my gas trimmer too!

[HOMER]

While we're off the subject.............................has anyone out there ever tried using the little B&D battery powered shears? They are surely not commercial by any means but it would be interesting to see if they would work on the smaller shrubs. Every time I see them I think.......................hmmmmmmmmmmm, would these dudes work?

The reason for the original question was...................I keep seeing these shrubs that are perfect, it makes me jealous, mad, angry, whatever, that I ain't got the same talent. I just want to try my hand at it one time so I can "challenge" myself.

[Paradise Yard Service]

http://www.stihlusa.com/handtools/PH80.html

O.K. Homer check these out. BTW I'm saving up for a pair. They are extremly light and balanced. The Germans have always been known for the best in knives and such so shears are not a prob.

Hope this helps. I personally don't know how any gardener/LCO could do without manuel shears. I tried,but its not possible to clean cut Tiare (Tahitian Gardenias) and crotons with anything but a SHARP manuel shear. All the rest get the standard gas powered. I charge extra for the manuel TLC. Good workout, make um pay.

Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[yardmonkey]

When I started in the business a bit over a year ago, I wanted to do various things besides mowing, so I advertised hedge trimmming. I got some Black and Decker trimmers, not the cheapest they make, but like all B&D stuff, pretty crummy. They lasted almost a year before a switch broke. It seemed like I was pretty happy with them. Later I found an Echo HC1700 on eBay. I was under the impression these were one of the really long ones, like 6 feet, but they're not. Have used them a few times. I seemed to think the cut was not so good and they are such a monster. Later I got a Little Wonder 2400DE. Had heard that these were really incredible. They cost about $220. I like using electric tools instead of gas for environmental reasons, plus the vibration of gas tools seems to be bad for my hands and arms. I have been frustrated that there are so few electric tools suitable for commercial use. The Little Wonders are commerical quality. But so far I haven't felt like they are cutting like they should be. Maybe its just the particular hedges and shrubs I have used them on so far.

But anyway, I have been moving more to just using manual shears. You can do a pretty good job with them, somtimes just as quickly and easily as with powered shears. I started with some cheap ones. I get a lot of tools from A.M Leonard http://www.amleo.com Get a catalog if you don't have one, they are great to look at just to see what all is out there. They seem to sell just really good quality stuff and they seem like a great company. So when I was ready to get some new shears, I decided to try their "house brand", which happen to have the wavy blades. Well I don't think I like the wavy blades and I don't think it pays to buy the AM Leo brand tools. I also got some pruners and did not like them. I plan to get some new shears soon. I would probably get Felco, I love my Felco loppers, which I got from AM Leo a year ago. But I don't see Felco shears in the catalog. They may sell them anyway, I don't think they have room to put their whole inventory in all their catalogs. Anyone know where to buy Felco shears? Sanvik is also a very good brand and AM Leo sells some Sandviks for about $50.00. I seem to have decided that even on small tools, it is best to buy commercial quality stuff.

So anyway, yeah, get some good hand shears. You'll get better and better with them. It can be frustrating but its not always easy to get the results you want with power shears either.

There is a really cool documentary/art film by Errol Morris called Fast, Cheap and Out of Control. It is about four guys who are really into what they do. One is a lion trainer, one studies mole rats, one is a robot scientist and one is a topiary gardener - he trims hedges into animal shapes. He uses only hand shears, which he sharpens himself of course. Its a great film and can be rented at larger video stores. You won't learn a lot about hedge trimming from it, but it is very interesting - check it out!