A quality pair of garden shears is an essential investment for hedge maintenance. The right shears make light work of box balls, privet, conifers and long grass edges, and a decent pair will last you the best part of a decade if you look after them. This guide covers everything from budget telescopic models to premium Japanese blades for the dedicated gardener.
What to Look for in a Pair of Garden Shears
Blade Type: Straight vs Wavy
Straight blades give the cleanest finish on soft growth and are easier to sharpen at home, which is why they suit traditional box and yew. Wavy blades grip thicker, woodier stems and stop them slipping, making them better for tougher growth or hedges that are not trimmed often.
Handle Length and Material
Longer handles give more reach and leverage for tall hedges, but add weight and make precise topiary harder. Wooden ash handles absorb shock well but need periodic oiling. Tubular aluminium handles are light and maintenance-free, often with rubberised grips and shock absorbers.
Telescopic or Fixed?
Telescopic designs extend for extra reach, so you can skip the ladder on taller hedges. They add weight and some flex when fully extended. Fixed pairs are more manoeuvrable for hedges below shoulder height.
Weight and Shock Absorption
Shears don’t sound heavy until you’ve been at it for half an hour. Anything under about 1kg counts as lightweight. Rubber bumpers and shock absorbers noticeably reduce hand and wrist fatigue on longer jobs.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Shears |
Best for |
Blade |
Price |
|
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic (8120RS) |
Reaching tall hedges on a budget |
Wavy, PTFE-coated |
See card for current price |
|
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage (8110RS) |
Cheapest all-rounder |
Notched, chrome-plated steel |
See card for current price |
|
Kent & Stowe General Purpose Hedge Shears |
Traditional feel, general trimming |
Non-stick carbon steel |
See card for current price |
|
Wilkinson Sword Ultralight |
Long sessions, lighter hands |
Non-stick carbon steel, 20cm |
See card for current price |
|
Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade |
Easy, comfortable cutting |
Wavy edge, 229mm |
See card for current price |
|
Burgon & Ball RHS Topiary Hedge Shears |
Box balls and fine topiary |
Pointed high-carbon steel |
See card for current price |
|
ARS KR-1000 |
Premium, sharpest cut |
High-carbon steel, hard chrome |
See card for current price |
Our Top Picks
1. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic Hedge Shears (8120RS) – Best Budget Telescopic
These shears have telescopic aluminium handles that extend by up to 500mm, giving useful extra reach for privet or conifer hedge tops. The wavy, PTFE-coated blades trap stems and resist sap build-up. They suit small to medium gardens with a few awkward-to-reach hedges, and you get a guarantee behind the Razorsharp range.
Key specs: Wavy PTFE-coated blades. Aluminium telescopic handles, extend up to 500mm. Soft-feel grips, shock absorber and adjustable blade tension.
Pros: – Excellent value – Useful telescopic reach – Non-stick wavy blades – Strong guarantee
Cons: – Some flex when fully extended – Moderately heavy for precision work
Best for: Reaching tall hedges on a budget.
2. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage Hedge Shears (8110RS) – Cheapest All-rounder
A fixed-handle pair that is light and manoeuvrable, good for shaping and edging. The notched, chrome-plated blade holds slightly thicker stems in place while you cut. For a first pair or a shed spare, they are compelling value.
Key specs: 230mm chrome-plated steel blade with notch. Soft-feel grips with shock absorbers. 10-year guarantee.
Pros: – Very affordable – Light and manoeuvrable – Notch helps with thicker stems
Cons: – Basic comfort compared with premium pairs – Not for thick, woody growth
Best for: Routine summer trimming of box, lavender and lighter hedging on a budget.
3. Kent & Stowe General Purpose Hedge Shears – Traditional and Dependable
Kent & Stowe makes tools that put straightforward function first. These general-purpose shears have non-stick carbon steel blades for a smooth cutting action and sit at a sensible mid-range price without premium branding costs.
Key specs: Non-stick carbon steel blades. Fixed handles. General-purpose hedge trimming and shaping.
Pros: – Smooth cutting action – Non-stick blades reduce friction – Dependable everyday design
Cons: – No telescopic option – Less specialised than topiary or premium shears
Best for: Traditional feel and general trimming.
4. Wilkinson Sword Ultralight Hedge Shears – Kindest on the Arms
Weight is the headline feature: at 670g these are around 30% lighter than standard hedge shears, which makes a real difference over a long trimming session. Integrated bump stops dampen impact, and the blades are non-stick coated for cleaner cuts on box hedges and topiary.
Key specs: 20cm non-stick coated carbon steel blades. Aluminium handles with soft grips and bump stops. 670g. 10-year guarantee.
Pros: – Very light – Non-stick blades – Effective shock absorption – Strong guarantee
Cons: – Unsuitable for heavy, woody growth
Best for: Long sessions and lighter hands.
5. Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade Hedge Shears – Easiest to Use
Bulldog’s long British tool-making experience shows in the Premier design. The wavy blade grips and cuts thicker growth with little effort, and the curved, soft-touch handles feel natural. If you find some shears tiring or awkward, these are worth a look.
Key specs: 229mm blade with one wavy edge. Curved soft-grip handles with knuckle bumpers. Adjustable blade tension.
Pros: – Effortless wavy-blade cut – Well balanced – Solid British build
Cons: – No telescopic reach – Mid-range price
Best for: Easy, comfortable everyday hedge cutting.
6. Burgon & Ball RHS-Endorsed Topiary Hedge Shears – Best for Fine Shaping
Precision work on crisp box balls and detailed topiary calls for accuracy over power, and Burgon & Ball excel here. The RHS-endorsed design has highly pointed blades and a slight angle between blades and handles for trimming flat surfaces.
Key specs: 18cm high-carbon steel blades. Aluminium alloy handles with rubber grips and cushion stops. 65cm long, 750g.
Pros: – Superb precision – Excellent build – Ideal for topiary and box
Cons: – Premium pricing – Specialist rather than for heavy hedging
Best for: Box balls and fine topiary.
7. ARS KR-1000 Hedge Shears – Premium Pick
Japanese maker ARS has a serious professional reputation, and the KR-1000 shows why. The high-carbon, hard-chrome blades are exceptionally sharp and cut cleanly through foliage and stems, and the light composite handles are well balanced. It is the most expensive pair here, but built to last.
Key specs: Hard chrome high-carbon steel blades, 180mm. Composite handles, 653mm long, 780g. Large shock absorber, quick tension adjustment. Made in Japan, 5-year warranty.
Pros: – Exceptionally sharp – Light and balanced – Built to last
Cons: – Premium price – Sharp edge demands care
Best for: Regular hedgers who want the best cut and a long-term tool.
Which Garden Shears Should You Buy?
If you trim infrequently and want economy, the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp range will see you right, with the telescopic 8120RS worth the extra if your hedges are out of comfortable reach. The Wilkinson Sword Ultralight and the Bulldog Premier are sensible all-rounders, balancing comfort, cutting performance and value.
Dedicated topiarists should look at the Burgon & Ball design for its precision. Serious hedge enthusiasts wanting a long-term investment should consider the ARS KR-1000. Traditionalists will appreciate the straightforward Kent & Stowe general-purpose shears.
Looking After Your Shears
Wipe blades clean of sap and dry them thoroughly after each use. Apply light oil to carbon steel to prevent rust. Sharpen with a file or stone on the bevelled edges only, and oil the central pivot bolt now and then so the action stays smooth. Sharp, clean shears cut better, tire you less and leave healthier cuts that your hedge will thank you for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between garden shears and secateurs?
Secateurs are one-handed pruners for individual stems up to about pencil thickness. Shears are two-handed tools with long blades for clipping lots of soft growth, such as hedges, box balls and grass edges. Most gardens benefit from having both.
Are wavy blades better than straight blades?
It depends on the job. Wavy blades grip thicker stems and are more forgiving on demanding growth, while straight blades give the cleanest finish on soft new growth and fine topiary and are easier to sharpen at home. For general hedge maintenance, a wavy blade is the more forgiving option.
Do I need telescopic shears?
Only if your hedges are taller than you can comfortably reach. They save you a ladder but add weight and flex when extended, so a lighter fixed pair is better for hedges below shoulder height.
How often should I sharpen garden shears?
Most gardens need a quick touch-up once or twice a year, plus a thorough sharpen at the start of the season. If the blades are crushing or tearing rather than cleanly slicing, it is time.
Final Verdict
There is no single best pair of garden shears, but there is a right pair for every garden and budget. If you are watching costs, the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp range delivers real value. Spend a little more and the Wilkinson Sword Ultralight and Bulldog Premier give all-day comfort. Topiarists should choose Burgon & Ball, while performance-minded gardeners should invest in the ARS KR-1000 as a lifetime tool. Keep the blades sharp and clean and your hedge will look better for it.
