What ergonomic features should I consider?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When you can prune comfortably rather than painfully, thanks to ergonomically designed features, you will notice a significant difference, especially during prolonged sessions. Having lived with arthritis, I've tried out dozens of designs. Good ergonomic features will prevent blisters and significantly reduce fatigue in your hands. Your hands will thank you after spending hours in the garden.
Most importantly, rotating handles occupy the number one spot on my essential feature list. The handles rotate slightly when cutting, preventing friction blisters from forming. For example, my Felco F-7 pruners have rotating handles that lessen the pressure on the palm by more than half. When using bypass pruners on delicate work, rotating handles allows for comfortable eight-hour days of pruning.
When cutting deadwood, shock absorbers are crucial for anvil pruners. Shock absorbers dampen vibrations that are transferred through the act of crushing dense material. I can feel an ache in my hands after removing heavy oak limbs with pruners that lack shock-absorbing features. More expensive pruners, like the Felco 9, include this option, while cheaper tools tend to transfer all the energy to your joints and hands.
For Arthritis Sufferers
- Prioritize ratchet mechanisms
- Choose lightweight aluminum models
- Select tools under 10 ounces
Commercial Landscapers
- Rotating handles essential
- Shock absorption mandatory
- Replacement grip inventory
Small Hands Solution
- Compact bypass models (Felco F-6)
- Adjustable grip systems
- Short blade reach designs
Ratchet mechanisms deserve special mention. They reduce the required hand strength by up to 70%, allowing you to cut thicker material with ease. After wrist surgery, I used ratchet anvil pruners for work in the orchard. The multi-staged cutting action enables you to cut through tough branches without straining your wrists.
Material weight is a serious consideration for working overhead. An aluminum bypass pruner that weighs less than 10 ounces generally eliminates shoulder fatigue. The heavier steel anvil pruners should be counter-balanced through an efficient ergonomic design. The important thing is to get a feel for tools before purchasing them, ensuring that they have good, comfortable operation according to all your possible angles while pruning at your garden comfort.
Never undervalue the significance of grip size. Small hands often find conventional handles awkward, while compact handles can be infuriating for large hands. I use Corona pruners that I can adjust for others to use as well. Comfort correlates to pruning precision and results in the garden. Choose carefully!
Read the full article: Bypass vs Anvil Pruners: Key Differences
