Best Hand Pruners for Small Hands
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon associate I may earn on qualifying purchases.
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In the blog post, I am going to share my honest review of a hand pruner for small hands and also give you some suggestions on other similar hand pruners from Felco.
Are you an avid gardener, but your hands are small and you are tired of how heavy and uncomfortable the average hand pruner is when gardening?
Well you are in luck today, because I am going to review the Felco 6 pruning shears which is ergonomically designed for small to medium hands.
Hi I am Susan from In The Garden Sue. I am a Physical Therapist, Master Gardener and Published Author. I strive to help fellow gardeners prevent pain as they garden into their senior years.
I create honest reviews of gardening tools by testing each tool personally and use my vast knowledge of over 35 years as a Physical Therapist to evaluate and recommend only the best ergonomically correct tools you can use with ease.
We'll discuss the key features necessary for individuals with small hands and how these pruners address their unique needs.
1. Felco Pruning Shears F6
The Felco brand is widely recognized for producing high-quality and durable gardening tools. The Felco Pruner, F6 specifically designed for individuals with smaller hands, is an exceptional choice.
Here are some notable features:
PROS
a) Ergonomic Design:
The Felco F-6 incorporates an ergonomic handle design that reduces strain on hands.
Its angled cutting head ensures a comfortable grip and minimizes wrist and hand fatigue during prolonged use.
The comfort grip extends up and over the finger and thumb blocks to prevent your hand from slipping forwards over the cutting mechanism.
Textured or rubberized handles can enhance grip up to 58%, reducing the risk of slippage
b) Precision Cutting:
Equipped with a bypass cutting mechanism, the Felco Pruner delivers clean and precise cuts up to 1 inch in diameter.
Its hardened steel blades provide excellent cutting performance and are easily replaceable.
The cut was easier to make on the same size branch with these than the other two tested in the video below.
c) Handles:
The pruner handles are smaller and the span is less to fit the small hand size, ensuring a secure and comfortable grip.
Research has found that the span for the best grip strength should be any where from 40 to 60 mm of distance between the handles when your fingers are extended. This pruner fits within these parameters.
This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals with arthritis, allowing for customizable support and reducing strain on joints.
CONS:
a) They are more expensive some other pruners , but they are known by all the professionals for their long lasting durability, precise cutting, replaceable parts and overall comfort.
b) My husband has his own pruners because of the size of his hands. So I think every gardener needs their own pruners based on their needs. (Is that really a con?)
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Choosing the right hand pruner for small hands is essential to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable gardening experience.
Here is a YouTube video I did reviewing 3 different pruners for Arthritic hands. The Felco F-6 is one of them I reviewed that may be of interest to you.
Links to Pruning Shears in video:
Felco F-2 (for large hands) (at end of video)
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My Felco pruner F6
Tips for any Pruning Shears you buy:
always wear grippy garden gloves which will help you grip better with any pruner you choose
keep your pruner sharpened so you don't have to grip or squeeze as hard to cut. Check out this article on how to sharper a hand pruner.
take breaks
keep your wrist in a neutral position when cutting so your wrist is not in flexion or extension when cutting.
choose a pruner that fits your size hand. Some models are specifically for small, medium or large hands and you can use the manufacturer sizing charts to make sure you get the right size for your hand.
When selecting a hand pruner, prioritize features such as ergonomic design and ease of use to make gardening more accessible and enjoyable for anyone with arthritis.
If you have too much hand pain for hand pruners, look at this article about the Best Long handled Pruners and Electric ones for Seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you replace the Felco 6 blades?
Felco pruners have replaceable blades, so if they become dull or damaged beyond sharpening, you can easily swap them out following the manufacturer's instructions.
How Expensive are Felco Pruners?
At the time of publishing they were on sale for $57.86 on Amazon. Felco F-6
They are more expensive than the other 2 pruners in the video above, but they are known by all the professionals for their long lasting durability, precise cutting, replaceable parts and overall comfort.
What Are the Best Hand Pruners on the market?
A: After an extensive review and personal experience, we feel the Felco brand of pruners are long lasting, has great ergonomic features and can be well maintained for years to come. They have lots of chooses for your individual needs and are worth the money
Felco Hand Pruners
These come in different sizes for small, medium and large hands, right or left hand pruners, along with ergonomic design options. I have been using the Felco F-6 for my medium sized hands for 10 years.
Different Felco Pruner Options:
Felco pruners for Large hands ( right handed): Felco F-2
Felco pruners for Large hands (left handed): Felco F-9
Felco pruners for Small or Medium hands (right handed): Felco F-6
Felco pruners for Small or Medium hands (left handed): Felco F-16
Felco pruners for Small hands (right handed): Felco F-14, F-6
Felco pruners for Small hands (left handed): none as per listed by the company, but I use the F-6 and I am left handed. They are very comfortable and I have had them for years and years.
Which is better bypass or anvil pruning shears?
A: The choice between anvil and bypass pruners depends on the type of cutting tasks you need to perform and your personal preferences. Both types of pruners have their own advantages and are better suited for different situations.
+Bypass Pruners:
- Bypass pruners are typically the more versatile option for general pruning tasks. They work like scissors, with one sharp blade passing by a thicker, unsharpened blade.
- They provide cleaner cuts as the sharp blade slices through the plant material, minimizing damage to the plant.
+ Anvil Pruners:
- Anvil pruners have a single sharp blade that cuts against a flat, hard surface (the anvil) to crush and sever the branch or stem.
- They are better for cutting dead or dry wood, as the crushing action is more effective on tougher materials.
- They may not provide as clean of a cut on live, green wood, as they can potentially cause more damage to the plant.
What is the most common Felco Pruner?
A: The Felco F-2 is the most common pruner and is for large hands.
How often should you sharpen your pruners?
A: Felco advises to sharpen your tool once every use for optimal sharpness. I personally sharpen mine once every couple of uses.
Check out this YouTube Video on How to Sharpen Felco Pruners:
Happy Gardening!
Related Articles:
How to Sharpen and Maintain Hand Pruners:
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon associate I may earn on qualifying purchases.