Many different edging shears are on the market. When making your choice, there are three main things you should bear in mind:
Handle length
Blade type and quality
Weight
Handle length
The right handle length is vital, so try out the shears beforehand, where possible. If you’re buying online, take a note of the handle size given and use a rigid tape measure against your body to work out how far up the shears will reach from the ground.
Tall people frequently find they have to stoop when using edging shears, which can be uncomfortable.
Sizes vary considerably. Fixed handles can range from 810mm (32″ approx) up to 990m (39″ approx).
Tall gardeners (those over around 5’10”) would be well advised to choose handles over 900mm (35.5″ approx) to avoid back problems.
Many people opt for telescopic handles, which are often longer than fixed handled edging shears when fully extended.
They can range from 610mm (24″ approx) with their handles retracted, up to 1.17m (46″ approx).
Telescopic handles let you alter the length to suit your height. This is an especially useful feature if you’re particularly tall or short, or share the gardening with other family members.
Each handle can be adjusted individually, which may benefit people with arm or shoulder problems. They can also be retracted to a short length for easy storage, or to carry around the garden in a wheelbarrow.
For anyone with a bad back, it’s worth noting that not all telescopic edging shears have the adjustment mechanism at the top of the handles – on some models it’s positioned further down the shaft, so you may have to bend over to alter the length.
There are different ways of adjusting telescopic handles. Some have a switch at the top of each handle that you twist one way to loosen the handles, then the other way to tighten them again in their new position.
Other edging shears have a flip-type switch instead – you pull the switch outwards, adjust the handle height, then push the switch back in to lock the handle into place.
Another popular design features a button that you push in to free each handle in turn, move to one of several possible positions, then release to lock the handle in position.
Blade type and quality
Sharp, well balanced blades should cut cleanly through the grass and make edging your lawn a pleasure instead of a chore.
Poorly made blades are more likely to chew or bend the grass, and will probably fall out of alignment more often, needing frequent adjustment and sharpening.
Edging shear blades described as hardened and tempered are generally of superior quality. The process involves heating the steel to an extremely high temperature, then cooling it rapidly in oil. This hardens and strengthens the structure of the metal, but also makes it more brittle.
To counter this, the steel is then tempered – reheated at a low temperature – to make it more supple so it won’t break under stress.
Blades made in this way should last a long time and give a sharp cutting edge, particularly if they have also been precision ground (individually sharpened on a grinding wheel).
The blades of edging shears at the top end of the market are often drop forged, which involves compressing the steel into the shape of a mould using a hammer-like tool. The process fortifies the internal structure of the metal and makes harder, more durable blades.
Some edging shear blades are described as self-sharpening. Their blades are angled so that they brush lightly against each other as they are opened and closed. The resulting friction grinds away imperfections and keeps the edges in good condition.
Most blades are straight, but you can also get ones with curved edges. The undulations help stop the grass slipping down the blade, so it can be gripped more firmly before cutting. This helps to reduce clogging.
Blades can vary in length as well as shape. Short blades are lighter, and make it easier to trim curved lawns or intricately shaped borders.
Long blades can obviously cut more grass in one snip than shorter ones, so are quicker to work with and may be preferable if you have a large lawn or are a professional gardener.
Weight
Look for aluminium handles and short blades if you want lightweight edging shears that won’t tire you out – they can weigh as little as 1.2kg.
Shears with steel or wooden handles are less prone to damage but tend to be heavier, with the largest weighing in at 2.4kg.
Some gardeners prefer heavy edging shears as they give more stability when cutting, and are regarded as sturdier.