Last Updated on 03/02/2024 by Barney
There are over 200 types of arthritis , rheumatoid and osteoarthritis being the most common to affect the fingers and joints. Finding and choosing the right secateurs and pruning tools for arthritis sufferers and users with weak hands can be confusing, especially if you have no experience with gardening tools.
Whether it’s occasional pruning or attacking an overgrown bramble patch I have put together my selection of the best models to buy if you suffer from arthritic hands.
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Best Secateurs for Arthritic Hands [UK] – My Recommendations
Fiskars Secateurs for Arthritic Hands
The Fiskars PowerGear X P921 for Small to Medium Hands with Rotating Handle
As with the Felco models listed below , the PowerGear-X 921 features soft grip rotating handles, making pruning up to 3.5x easier on the hands and joints than standard bypass secateurs.
Designed for small – medium right handed users. (see below for the larger version)
Due to their lower price these secateurs are a great alternative to the Felco models and feature on our best pruners for 2023.
- Bypass Garden Pruners with rolling handle for fresh branches, twigs of rose bushes or ornamental plants up to Ø 2.4 cm, Not suitable for dry and hard branches, Suitable for small to medium hands
- PowerGear technology: Effortless work thanks to 3 times higher cutting power, Smooth and clean cuts thanks to non-stick coating and precision-ground blades
- Supports the natural movement of the hand thanks to ergonomic rolling handle, Sturdy and ergonomic SoftGrip handles made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic without PVC
- High durability, Easy resharpening and replacement of the cutting blade, Separately available diamond file in the care set (Art.-No.: 1001640), Finnish design
- Bypass Garden Pruners with rolling handle for fresh branches, twigs of rose bushes or ornamental plants up to Ø 2.4 cm, Not suitable for dry and hard branches, Suitable for small to medium hands
- PowerGear technology: Effortless work thanks to 3 times higher cutting power, Smooth and clean cuts thanks to non-stick coating and precision-ground blades
- Supports the natural movement of the hand thanks to ergonomic rolling handle, Sturdy and ergonomic SoftGrip handles made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic without PVC
- High durability, Easy resharpening and replacement of the cutting blade, Separately available diamond file in the care set (Art.-No.: 1001640), Finnish design
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Fiskars PowerGear X P961 for Medium to Large Hands with Rotating Handle
Made for medium to large right handed users.
All the great specification from the model above (P921)
Revolving handle spreads the force across the hand making pruning less stressful on joints and tendons.
- Bypass Garden Pruners with rolling handle for fresh branches, twigs of rose bushes or ornamental plants up to Ø 2.6 cm, Not suitable for dry and hard branches, Suitable for medium to large hands
- PowerGear technology: Effortless work thanks to 3 times higher cutting power, Smooth and clean cuts thanks to non-stick coating and precision-ground blades
- Supports the natural movement of the hand thanks to ergonomic rolling handle, Sturdy and ergonomic SoftGrip handles made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic without PVC
- High durability, Easy resharpening and replacement of the cutting blade, Separately available diamond file in the care set (Art.-No.: 1001640), Finnish design
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Felco Secateurs for Arthritis
Felco Model 12 – Compact Secateurs for Right Handed Gardeners
The name Felco is synonymous across the garden industry for manufacturing the best secateurs.
Wanting to cater for all gardeners needs Felco have 5 models of secateurs ideal for users that suffer from arthritic and weaker hands.
The Felco model 12 are small secateurs however, they are full of features you would expect from secateurs in this price range.
As with the Fiskars, the rotating handle spreads the force across the fingers and whole hand thus making repetitive secteur use kinder on joints. Rubber shock absorber, a blade that is super sharp (and stays sharper for longer than all models tested)
Felco secateurs come with a lifetime warranty and all parts can be replaced. These are found on Amazon and other on-line retailers
- Forged Aluminium alloy handles
- Manually adjustable centre-nut for aligning play between heat treated steel cutting and screw mounted anvil blades
- Wire cutting notch
- Cushion and shock absorber to protect the hand and wrist
- Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defe
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Felco 7 Right Handed Secateur for Large Handed Gardeners.
All the great features of the Felco model 12 are the same on this model. The Felco 7 is designed for larger handed gardeners that need a comfortable secateur. One that is easier on the hand joints such as arthritis sufferers and those that experience weak hands and / or wrists.
- The Felco 7 Orcharding and Garden secateurs is best used for cutting tasks in your garden. It is best suited for twigs and plants with a diameter not larger than 2.5 cm.
- The box contains the garden and orcharding secateur that is equipped with a wire cutting notch and a sap groove.
- The shear provides a clean and precise cut for twigs and other plant parts up to a diameter of 25 mm.
- The one-hand pruning shear has an ergonomic design through a hand and wrist protection and an optimisation of the force by a revolving handle. Furthermore it is equipped with a non-slip coating.
- The sturdy handles are made of forged aluminium whereas the blade and the screw-mounted anvil blade are fabricated out of high-quality hardened ste
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Felco Model 10 – for Left Handed Medium to Large Handed Gardeners
The Felco 10 has all the features of the Felco 7 but a secateur for left handed gardeners.
- Left handed forged Aluminium alloy rotating handle
- Manually adjustable centre-nut for aligning play between heat treated steel cutting and anvil blades
- Wire cutting notch
- Cushion and shock absorber to protect the hand and wrist
- Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defe
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Felco Model 15 – Right Handed – Small Secateurs
- Compact, lightweight and efficient pruning shears
- Particularly suitable for smaller hands.
- Thanks to the specific Design Of the cutting head, that is highlighted by a slightly curved blade allow for a powerful, yet smooth cutting action
- As with all Felco pruning shears, each component is replaceable, ensuring that the life of the tool can be extended as long as the owner chooses.
- Blade and a counter-blade are made from high-quality hardened ste
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Felco Model 17 – Compact for Left Handed Gardeners
- For left handed use
- Rotating handle reduces the effort by up to one third
- Ergonomic
- Compact
- Ideal for the smaller hand
- Easy, durable cutting adjustment
- Clean, precise cut
- Comfortable, light, sturdy handles made of forged alumin
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Swollen finger joints and hand pain can severely affect the ability to carry out the simplest of garden tasks. What once was an enjoyable passion now becomes a chore and a painful one at that.
Pruning with arthritis is one of the most repetitive gardening tasks. The one that is going to cause the most irritation and strain on arthritic joints. There are however better secteurs that will aid a user with arthritic hands than others.
The use of secateurs can not be avoided in a planted garden. When carrying out those pruning tasks a secateur that is going to give the maximum output for the minimum effort on hands and joints is needed.
This should be a rule for every gardener, not just those with arthritic hands. Buy cheap and you will buy twice!
Some gardening shears work better for some sufferers than others. You may be lucky and find the right pair straight away. Alternatively it may be needed to purchase 2 or 3 pairs before finding the right one that is most comfortable. The solution is out there, it may just be a case of trial and error.
The blade on a secateur should be of excellent quality and always razor sharp. This reduces much of the force needed when pruning.
If you have a razor sharp blade and still find the force needed is tiring or causing pain then stop. There may be another garden tool, such as a lopper that is more suited to the task.
Recommended Secateurs for Arthritis Sufferers
Felco offer an ergonomically designed secateur. We believe Felco to be the first to develop a unique rotating handle. This secateur is available in both left and right hand versions.
The rotating handle spreads the force across finger joints, reducing stress and making the secateur more comfortable to use for those that suffer with joint problems such as those that suffer from arthritis.
Felco blades are made from carbon steel. They are very sharp and stay sharp for longer between sharpenings.
Felco secateurs are the professionals choice in horticulture and worth every penny.
PowerGear™ Bypass Pruners
Fiskars have launched a secateur with both a rotating handle and their patented PowerGear technology.
The PowerGear reduces the effort needed by up to 3x when pruning, similar to ratchet secateurs.
The handle is constructed from lightweight, reinforced fibreglass. The blade is corrosion resistant and has a non stick PTFE coating, lessening the added resistance from friction. Fiskars are making ground in garden tool supply.
Prices generally start from £30 so I believe these to be a great entry level, mid-use secateurs.
Hopefully this article has proved useful in your search for secateurs for arthritis sufferers and those with arthritic hands. This list will be added to when more suitable products are found.
Care for your secateurs.
With the appropriate care your secateurs should last you a lifetime (providing you don’t loose them under a bush, we’ve all been there).
Blades.
Having a very sharp blade will produce clean, healthy cuts on your plant material and make light work on your joints, lessening the force needed. There are many sharpening stones and specialist secateur sharpening tools. I find a simple sharpening stone to be a very effective method. I would recommend after every use to wipe the blades with some warm soapy water, thoroughly dry and a quick pass with a sharpening stone. It’s a good idea to have a pre oiled cloth to wipe over the blade to prevent rust.
Springs
Keep the spring oiled at all times. There’s nothing worse than secateurs that refuse to open and close properly. Also the spring is the one component that is more likely to rust so a few drops of 3-in-1 oil works a treat.
