What's the difference between Snips and Secateurs?
A questions we get asked frequently is: What's the difference between snips and secateurs?
When trying to find the right tool for the job it can be difficult to know which blade is most suited to the task in hand.
Secateurs and snips are both essential pruning tools but they serve different purposes. We thought we would break down both tools to help you understand which tool can help you get those gardening jobs ticked off your to do list:
Secateurs (Pruners)
Best for: Woody stems and tougher plant material.
Ideal For:
- Shrubs and small trees
- Perennials with thick stems
- Roses, hydrangeas, lavender, etc.
- Harvesting woody herbs (e.g., rosemary, thyme)
Our Okatsune secateurs are Bypass secateurs, the bypass model uses the same cutting technique as scissors, where both blades come together and meet in the middle. They are strong and durable giving clean cuts on tough stems and are best for shaping and pruning shrubs. The Okatsune secateurs are the real ‘muscle’ you need for those tougher slightly bigger jobs in and around the garden.
Snips (Floral or Trimming Snips)
Best for: Soft, delicate, or thin stems.
Ideal For:
- Annuals and soft perennials
- Flowers (deadheading or harvesting)
- Herbs (basil, mint, parsley)
- Indoor plants
- Vegetables with soft stems (e.g., peppers, tomatoes)
Our Okatsune snips are perfect for the lighter jobs and would fit easily in a pocket or a tool belt making them the perfect companion to a gardener on the go! They are lightweight and easy to handle making them the favourite for more precise work such as deadheading and fine pruning. They are most effective when cutting soft tissue stems, anything harder or thick are not suitable for a snips blades.
How to clean secateurs & snips:
Although both do different jobs, cleaning the blades at the end of the day is the same for both sets of tools. We would recommend wiping the blades down after use to remove any saps or residues from the day’s work. If you have some tougher saps that are not lifting we would advise against using harsh chemicals to remove it and instead try some olive oil or Camila oil as these are the best oils recommended for cleaning Japanese tools. Either oils would also add a little bonus by acting as a protective barrier on the blades preventing rust and seizing. And then when you are happy to put the tools away, store moisture-free with the cutting blades closed.
We hope this helps you understand the difference between what jobs our secateurs and snips are able to help you with round the garden! And happy gardening!
