Secateurs that are a cut above the rest

Secateurs are the single most valued tool in the gardener's trug, an implement as personally prized as the bricklayer's trowel.

- Matt Collins

Bypass secateurs comprise two blades that pass each other closely, providing a clean and accurate cut. They tackle everyday jobs: lighter shrub pruning, deadheading, slicing twine and so on.

I put 12 pairs through their paces in my own garden. For me, there are four key criteria they ought to meet. The first is sharpness.

The second is how well they cut through thicker stems. The third is comfort: handles are everything. The fourth is the catch lock: being able to lock the blades shut with ease is crucial.

I also tested visibility. I asked our five-year-old to lose each pair, one by one, in the garden - under parental supervision, of course. My wife timed my searches.

Best overall
Burgon & Ball bypass secateurs
Despite alloy handles, a carbon-steel blade and an endorsement from the Royal Horticultural Society, I didn't expect a workaday pair of secateurs such as Burgon & Ball's to top the lot.

Why we love it: They adopt a look recognisable in many brands - the long shaft, swivelling thumb clasp, volute spring and indented handles. However, these features are put together remarkably well: they feel comfortable, lightweight and well-balanced, while the blade had little trouble slicing through matted grass and larger stems alike.

When cutting 2cm-plus diameter material, you may need to apply some brute force - or consider some loppers - but for anything thinner, these make easy and precise work.