What kind of cutting tools do I need?

[GillianSquillion]

I'm a novice gardener with a small garden but I have some Karl Foerster grass that needs cutting back. I will be adding to the garden so want either a secauteur or garden shears - but would prefer to buy one only.

What is most practical please?

Secateurs are my most favourite used tool.

I think you need both evenutally (sorry!) - though not necessarily for your Karl Foerster, which you can chop back with scissors if necessary (it's really not that woody).

Secateurs are super-useful. Wilkinson's make some good ones that aren't too expensive. If you're into posher tools, some of those by Felco are a good price at Amazon atm!

If money is a problem, then yes get some shears and secateurs from wilkos. We use a £3 pair of shears and Felcos for secateurs as they are my most used tool in the garden - I use them almost every time I am in the garden.

Well that's kind of unanimous! I'd rather buy a good one once... I'd better get a Felco.

There are lots on Amazon. Which one would you recommend? The Felco2, Felco6 and Felco8 are all about the same price (and they look the same to me). Then there's the Felco7 which is £7 dearer.

So many Felcos to choose from. What's the difference?

Go to a decent garden centre and try them out - they are all different sizes. I bought an 8 and then had to buy a 6 as it was too big - my OH then had the 8 which he was well chuffed with.

I always favour Wolf Garten tools, and their secateurs come in three different sizes, and cross cut or anvil cut.

Definitely worth spending a bit on decent secateurs - mine are Felco.

Shears and loppers are also very useful. (Loppers only if you have big shrubs or trees to deal with)

The Felco2 is the "standard" one - others are a bit more specialist, left-handed, etc.

I have two pairs of Felco2s, the original ones are 24 years old and still perfect (need sharpening though )