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Mike’s Favorite Pruning Shears

June 30, 2015 by Duston McGroarty 8 Comments

We get a lot of emails from our readers.  One question often asked is: Which brand of pruning shears does Mikes use?  This question is an easy one for me to answer.

If you were to swing by the nursery right now, you’d find Mike there in his bib overalls.  The way he looks in his videos is 100% true to life.  His bib overalls and Timberland boots have become his uniform. He carries a small pocket knife in his right pocket and a pair of pruning shears in his bib pocket.  Always has.

Here is Mike with his pruners in his pocket a couple weeks ago.

Here is Mike with his pruners in his pocket a couple weeks ago.

Here they are again.

Here they are again.

Look!  He's even got them while he's in a hole!

Look! He’s even got them while he’s in a hole!

reach

Whatcha reaching for, Mike?

Okay, lets talk pruners.  There are two basic types of pruners available:  Anvil and Bypass.

Anvil pruners have one blade that does all the cutting and then comes to a rest against a stopping plate  (kind of like a knife on a cutting board).  Anvil pruners have the tendency to smash as they cut.  They will crush stems so are best used on things like dead branches.

Bypass pruners have two blades that work using scissor action.  They tend to make cleaner cuts and stay sharper longer.  A bypass pruner is what we recommend.

Bypass is the way to go.

High end pruners like Felco and ARS can run you anywhere from $50- $250 depending on the style.  Are they really any better than the $10 pair you can get from a box store?  In a word: yes.  Propagators who work with pruners all day long will be willing to invest more than someone who occasionally dabbles in the garden.   There are a lot of tiny bones in your hand.  The repetitive squeezing motion can become quite painful when you are spending hours making softwood cuttings with cheap pruners.   People who propagate plants for a living want pruners that are ergonomically designed to fit their hand size- one that is not heavy or hard to close.   They consider the spring, the lock, and the availability of replacement parts.

Even if you are not someone who spends all day pruning or someone who doesn’t necessarily need perfect, precise cuts its worth paying a little bit more for a pair of shears that are durable.  There are some very good pruning shears in the mid-price range.  The pair that Mike swears by is the Corona 3160BP.  (BP stands for bypass pruner.)

Corona 3160BP

Corona 3160

A pair of Corona 3160 bypass pruners should run you about $20- $30 dollars.   These general purpose pruning shears will easily cut up to 3/4 inch in diameter.  They aren’t designed to cut thick branches, but they’ll slice through leaves and stems like butter.  They make nice, clean cuts and are perfect for everyday use around our nursery.

The blades are made from a heat treated steel alloy.  This is important for two reasons.  Number one: it strengthens the blade.  Number two: heat treating allows it be resharpened as needed.

Notice the curved blade?  This means that you can cut with less effort.

Notice the curved blade? This means that you can cut with less effort.

The slanted head allows for ergonomic cutting by eliminating the need to constantly hold your wrist at an angle.  The no-slip rubber handle is red.  Its fairly easy to spot when you drop it in the bushes.  There are newer models with a comfort grip, but we find the original to be pretty comfortable.

Replacement blades and handle bolts are easily found on the website along with a lifetime guarantee (misuse and normal wear and tear excluded).

Mike does not get a kickback from Corona for advertising his pruners.  They are simply what he uses and what he recommends as the best pruning shears.  If you search online, you’ll find that other gardeners have posted some nice reviews about them.  They seem to be well liked by others.  Please note that there are some cheap knock-offs that look very, very similar.  You’ll want to look for the brand name “Corona” above the handles when buying.

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Comments

  1. Albert McBee says

    August 26, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    I started out with some $9.95 Wally World specials. they broke apart at the joint after two weeks of making cuttings to stick. I have since upgraded to the Corona pruners. They are absolutely the way to go. I spent over $60 on cheap pruners before I bought the Coronas.
    Save yourselves extra expense by getting the best pruners you can afford. You won’t be sorry.

    Reply
  2. Aldo says

    February 10, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    What a gorgeous yard and ladpicansng you have!! You really must enjoy your time outdoors! Looks like you did a lot of work! We have a couple of small azaleas in our yard, your’s look so beautiful! Heather 🙂

    Reply
    • Mike McGroarty says

      February 10, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Thanks Aldo, I appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  3. John Keith says

    August 3, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    Mike….love your work and tutorials.
    Regarding pruning shears….you state on your video you use 3130.
    The copy states your model is 3160. Can you clear this up?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Mike McGroarty says

      August 3, 2016 at 6:55 pm

      John,

      I’m pretty sure it’s 3130, don’t have any here with me. I use the shorter of the two. For cuttings we also use a pair pointed Corona’s that work really well.

      Reply
  4. Willy Mestdag says

    June 20, 2022 at 6:03 am

    Dear Mike, I am happy to receive your e-mails with all your suggestions and examples regarding GARDENING !
    I really enjoy all of it. It is a pity that we live so war away from each other : You are in the USA (one of my favourite
    countries) and I was born and live in Belgium, in the Flemish part. Here we have a nice climate not so far away from
    the North Sea. My passion is gardening since 40 years. My garden is about 5 acres and is filled with
    Rhododendrons, Box, Pioniae, Roses, Camellia, etc….My admiration for you and my kind regards from Belgium.
    Willy Mestdag

    Reply
  5. Diane Hopkins says

    February 11, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    Which loppers do you recommend? I’ve searched your website and never found a recommendation (yet)!

    thank you!
    Diane

    Reply
    • Mike McGroarty says

      February 12, 2023 at 8:27 am

      Diane,

      I’m a big fan or Corona tools. I bought a pair at a big box. They were junk, you can have them if you want them.

      Reply

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