Secateurs that stick halfway through a cut can make a simple tidy-up surprisingly irritating. Before you buy another pair, give the ones you have a proper look. A coating of dried sap, a stiff pivot or a tired spring can make a perfectly serviceable tool feel worn out.
To clean secateurs, brush off loose dirt, remove sticky deposits with a tool cleaner, dry everything thoroughly and lubricate the moving parts with GT85. Then check how they open and cut. I would clean first and diagnose second, rather than reach straight for a sharpener.
I use Felco 981 resin remover for cleaning the secateurs I use in customers’ gardens, and GT85 for lubrication afterwards. The cleaner tackles the sticky sap on the blades; the lubricant helps the moving parts work freely and protects the metal between jobs.
What is actually making them difficult to use?
Open and close the empty tool carefully, keeping your fingers clear of the blades. If it feels stiff without a branch between the jaws, sharpening alone is unlikely to fix the whole problem. If the handles move easily but thin, suitable stems are crushed or torn, look more closely at the cutting edge and blade contact.
- Sticky blade surfaces: use resin remover to remove the deposits before judging the edge.
- Resistance around the pivot: clean and inspect it, then check the adjustment instructions for your model.
- Handles that do not spring back: check that the spring is present, seated correctly and undamaged.
- A lock that catches during use: inspect the catch rather than repeatedly forcing the handles.
These are checks, not a reason to dismantle everything. Put the tool on a clear bench with good light. If it needs taking apart, find its parts diagram first and keep small components in a tray.
Clean the deposits off before adding oil
Gather a nylon cleaning brush, cleaning cloths and Felco 981. Brush loose debris away, then spray the resin remover onto the blade surfaces, give it time to work and wipe away the loosened deposits. Follow the cleaner’s label for application and handling. Keep hands away from the cutting edge and wear suitable protective gloves; check protection and fit rather than assuming any gardening glove is cut-proof. Avoid scraping aggressively at a coated blade or leaving the entire tool soaking because a stain is stubborn.
Dry the tool thoroughly, including the joint and spaces around the spring. Adding lubricant over a layer of grit leaves the dirt exactly where you do not want it. The RHS tool-cleaning advice covers cleaning cutting tools and protecting metal afterwards.
Cleaning and disinfecting are separate jobs. If you have been pruning diseased material, choose a suitable tool disinfectant and use it according to its label, including the required contact time and any rinsing instructions. Remove dirt first, do not mix cleaning products, and dry the tool before applying protective lubricant. Resin remover and GT85 are not substitutes for a suitable disinfectant. A quick spray onto a dirty blade is not a substitute for following the instructions.
Lubricate, then check the movement again
I use GT85 lubricant for this stage. Apply it sparingly to the moving parts, work the handles carefully and wipe away excess with a clean cloth. Use the spray in a well-ventilated place, away from ignition sources, and follow its label. If the pivot is adjustable, follow the model’s instructions: making it as tight as possible is not the goal.
There should not be obvious looseness or grinding as the blades pass. Stop if a component is bent, cracked or badly damaged. A replacement spring can be a sensible repair on a serviceable pair; attempting to force damaged blades back into alignment is a different proposition.
Felco’s maintenance guide illustrates inspection, sharpening and lubrication. Use the guidance for your own tool if its mechanism or blade arrangement differs.
Do they still need sharpening?
Once the tool is clean and moving properly, check its cutting performance on suitable pruning material within its capacity. Do not test an edge with your finger. If the cut is still poor, sharpening may be needed, but check that you are using the right tool for the branch as well.
For sharpening, I use the Kimura garden tool sharpener. It is a compact carbide sharpener that is easy to keep with the rest of the maintenance kit. Start with a clean blade so you can see the edge clearly, and follow the sharpener’s instructions for the particular tool.
On bypass secateurs, the cutting blade passes the counterblade. Follow the existing bevel and the manufacturer’s sharpening method; do not grind both faces into a new shape. If you cannot clearly identify the bevel, a professional sharpening service is a better option than experimenting with a power grinder.
I would not expect a one-handed tool to deal comfortably with every branch. Move up to suitable loppers or a pruning saw when the job calls for it. A quoted maximum cutting diameter is not a promise that every piece of wood at that size will be an easy cut.
When is a better pair worth buying?
For professional pruning, one of the pairs I use is the Felco No. 2. After using several cheaper secateurs, I found the cleaner, easier cut and solid mechanism a worthwhile improvement. They sit well in my hand, and replaceable parts make the initial cost easier to justify for regular pruning.
That does not mean they are the right shape for every gardener. The No. 2 is a large-hand model: check hand size and handedness before buying. If you struggle to span the handles comfortably, buying a well-regarded tool in the wrong size has not solved your problem.
I also have Kimura secateurs, which are a great alternative to the Felco. They arrived sharp, make clean cuts through soft growth and firmer stems within their capacity, and the rubber-covered handles give me a comfortable grip. I use them for deadheading and mixed border pruning. If you want an everyday pair, the Kimura is well worth considering alongside the Felco No. 2; compare the current prices and choose the pair that fits your hand and the work you do.
For occasional deadheading, cleaning an existing comfortable pair may be all you need. For frequent pruning, I would put comfortable operation and available spares ahead of a bundle of accessories. Check the cost and availability of a blade or spring for the exact model, not simply whether the brand sells spare parts somewhere in its range.
This is also a useful check before buying secateurs as a Christmas present. Find out whether the recipient prefers a smaller handle opening, which hand they use and whether they already have a favourite pair. A compatible replacement part or a proper service can be more welcome than another unsuitable tool.
Put them away ready for the next job
Store the clean, dry tool securely, with its lock engaged and the edge protected. Do not put a damp pair straight into a closed pouch and assume a dry shed will sort it out. Keep the care instructions and model number somewhere you can find them again.
