We get a lot of emails from our readers. One question often asked is: Which brand of pruning shears does Mike 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.
Okay, let’s 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 [Amazon]. (BP stands for bypass pruner.)
A pair of Corona 3160 bypass pruners [Amazon] 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 to be resharpened as needed.
The slanted head allows for ergonomic cutting by eliminating the need to constantly hold your wrist at an angle. The non-slip rubber handle is red. It’s 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).
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.
I work as a gardener at Ashton Gardens in Lehi Utah. . A 55 acre beautiful oasis in the desert of stately beautiful gardens and also the biggest man made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere. I am responsible for the rose garden there and believe me these pruners are the only ones we use!
My son talked me into buying a 4 wheel Gorilla cart w/ 600 lb. payload. I’ll never recommend a wheel barrow again!
You say in video 3130 favorite of yours, but above that you recommend 3160 Coronas, just would like to know the difference between the two???
I believe the 3130’s are a bit smaller and I like them better for most pruning.
Hey, Mike–FYI, I got a gift certificate to an online gardening store for my birthday (8/6) and by coincidence chose the Corona 3160 bypass pruners as part of my haul. VERY happy with this tool and can second your recommendation 100 percent. Thanks!
MIKE, i use the same kind of hand pruners you do, the quality in the new ones just aint the same ,, i bought 3 pair and not one would hook closed, they still work ok, but hurtful to carry around as they dont hook closed.. thank you for the tips
I have 4 pairs of pruners, and probably do more pruning than most homeowners. My favorite by far is Tabor S821A (made in Israel), since 2015-07 and still cutting well. Second favorite is a Craftsman (made in Italy), since 1998 and still going strong. The Craftsman is similar to Corona. I prefer the Tabor, it’s lighter, quieter, has a more comfortable handle and softer spring.
I like corona, but I love EZ Kut pink rachet pruners – VERY comfortable, cuts thicker branches with ease – can cut for hours without making my hands hurt — just google EZ Kut — they also come with a lifetime guarantee ) which they do honor (had to replace a spring after many years)
Felco 5 is the best i do 500 to 600 wreaths a year buy online
I have used the Corona bypass shears in the past, for many years, actually wore them out. Really. That was back when I worked in a retail/wholesale nursery. A few years ago I happened across a local commercial nursery/ag supply shop and found the Felco #9 (that’s lefthand, the #2 is righthand) for a very reasonable price. I can personally recommend both, but I know for sure the Corona shears will last a long, long time in a very satisfactory way. And, yes, I would buy another pair if needed.. Thanks, Mike, for some more good practical advice.
You’re welcome Bob.
When my shears are being used. I do not store them with the spring compressed, I feel if I did the spring would loose it’s strength from being under constant load. Am I over thinking this?
Henry,
Maybe not, I don’t see weak springs but broken springs.
Thank you
I agree I have had my Corona for years!
Your link doesn’t work. But I found the shears:
http://coronatoolsusa.com/bp-3160-classic-cut-bypass-pruner-3-4-in.html
Thank you Andrea!
Thank you so much. I was looking for a place to reply and enter the contest till I learned there were over 600 entries! This is really helpful since my old pruning shears have gone kaput. I’d never considered that there was a good product. I will check them out.
I’ve been using these same ones for 5 yrs now and I love them. I’ve not had to replace the blade because I use my pocket sharpener whenever needed. I like them so much that I invested in a pair of the large Loppers and they were worth every dime after that last Ice Storm!!
You are my gardening GURU Mike. I follow your advice 90% of the time.
I tried the CORONA product . Brought them back to the store the next day. I must have had a bad unit . I will try them once again, based on this report.
Thank you for your continuing excellent information.
Cea Fulco
Cea,
They are good shears and my wife is really fussy about pruning shears. She like’s Corona shears a lot.
catch have shears that are guaranteed for life. and they sharpen them for free all you pay is the postage
CUTCO
MIL,
Are the Cutco you mention the same as the kitchen scissors ?
I have the kitchen scissors and they can cut through a penny but not sure how you would handle them for cutting plants, etc.
Thanks,
Odile
I use a number of different kinds of Corona shears depending on the job. If you live near the coast like I do, you have to regularly spray the shears with WD40 or they rust. Apart from that, I have tried Fishers and other sand there is no real comparison. Corona shears work right, every time.
I also have the same pruners and swear by them. The only problem I have with them is the grip. If I am pruning for more than an hour straight the center of my palm gets pretty sore.
Mike I have tried them all. My wife is French and over there I tried a Bahco Ergo Bypass Pruner PX-M2
I am in love with the comfort and probably will never use another kind. My wife has a left handed model.
I have used these pruners and love them. The problem I have is with them getting gummy and dull. What is thte best way to clean the pruner blades after each use?
Ruth
As far as cleaning, I take over the counter Rubbing Alcohol to clean them. And each time you jump from Plant to plant to prune them,Clean them so you do not transfer any disease that one plant might have? I just pour a little on paper towel and wipe the blades.
Truth is I’ve been at this growing thing since 1976 if not before. I don’t clean my pruning shears, I don’t wipe them down with rubbing alcohol, I have thousands and thousands of beautiful plants. Never cleaned a pair of pruning shears in my life. Do I sharpen them? Occasionally.
That’s great, but have you ever pruned a diseased plant and kept pruning other plants and it never spread into the other plant? so you can just prune away with no worries? Thank you
Chaz,
I do prune away with no worries. Most plant pests are specific to certain kinds of plants and if you have them all in group as any nursery does, it will spread all on it’s own. But in all these years I’ve never had a serious pest problems. Small pest problems, but nothing to get excited about.
Lol. You go Mike
I agree. Too much paranoia over things sometimes, that are unnecessary and just waste time. I like that you said that because the same for me. If I see a diseased plant, well maybe then I would sterilize the pruners but other than that, I feel it’s a time waster.
Try fine steel wool or a Brillo pad. Use care not to use it on the cutting end of the blade.
Rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush. You should be cleaning them daily to not spread any infection.
Mike, can’t tell you how much I look forward to your emails & videos.. (Also, your personality is terrific!) I have both pair of the Coronas; older model like yours, with the “spring” showing &
the newer version of the same model with a “slide” locking mechanism. I use them hard & only bought the 2nd pair because the originals weren’t sharp anymore. The problem is with “me”, when trying to sharpen/hone them apparently I am not doing it right? Ok, I am of the female gender & was never taught how to hold a hammer, paintbrush, etc., but, I can read & I am “teachable”. Could you please advise the easiest & most successful way to sharpen these pruners (or any other garden tool) ? The videos online are complicated, involve many steps & special grinding wheels, oil, etc. Thanking you in advance, Debbie J.
Deborah,
I keep my pruning shears sharp by simply nailing a strip of emery cloth (hardware store) to a piece of 1″ by 2″ wood then simply dress the sharp edge of the shears against the emery cloth. Only sharpen the tapered edge of the blade and simply “clean up” the non tapered edge and the anvil side of the blade. Yeah, yeah I know. These aren’t anvil shears, but I think folks know what I’m talking about. If I remember I’ll do a video, I thought I had already.
Thanks, Mike, I’ve been wondering about this very subject just lately! I’ve been following your emailed hints and tips for some time now and find them very helpful. Thank you very much.
Ditto all those positive remarks about Corona. At 76 I’m still using the old pair I had way back in the eighties when I was in the business. You just can’t beat them…….. and the only problem I’ve ever had is how to keep from dropping and losing them!
charley, lancing, tn
Charley, I have to agree with you especially the part about losing them. I should take up wearing bib overalls with pockets .
Dear Mike,
Regarding the pruning shears I have a suggestion : if the handles are made in yellow it will be easier to find them. This is my experience. Thanks for your fantastic program. WILLY/Belgium.
Hi Willy. Put a strip of yellow tape over the red handles for great visibility!
I have a spray can of Day-Glo orange paint which i spray on all parts except the blades, springs, and the places i place my hands. I do this for ALL tools i take out into the fields. Day-Glo orange shows up under chopped of branches, brush and grass better than any other color i’ve used.
I have used Felco, Fiskar, ARS, and a number of other pruners over the years. I have used anvil, ratchet, and bypass pruners. I am a Master Gardener (just trying to lend some credibility, here, to my comments). Each pruner style has its place and use, and fans of one brand or another tend to be very loyal to it….many a discussion has been held on Felco vs Corona . I use my pruners almost daily. My family sometimes buy other pruners for me as gifts. But, you know what? I always come beck to the Corona. It is my go-to pruner. The same ones Mike is promoting here. I’ve tried the rest, I stick to the best. 🙂
how can I buy your books as I am in India ? Can I get them on Amazon India?
Joseph Sequeira
Joseph,
Easy Plant Propagation is available on Amazon, or you can contact [email protected] and she can help you with other products. I think my Backyard Growing System will be available again for a short time.
Mike – how do you keep the pruners from cutting a hole in your pocket?! Not only my pants but also my tool belt pockets are all cut up from my pruners.
As you can see in the photo, he puts them in his bib pocket with the blade point sticking up, not downwards into the cloth. But you could also get a leather holster for your hand pruners. I got a Craftsman leather holster at Sears for only about $5.00 that I keep my Corona shears in.
“Mike does not get a kickback from Corona”…… well. I think he’s nuts Not To. This is a big membership. A word from Mike and guess what, Corona sells hundreds of pruners overnight.
And they tell two friends, and They tell two friends and so on and so on, (like the old Breck Shampoo commercial said). At the very least they should be sponsors of the site, maybe place an ad to offset the costs of running the main site, and Mike nor Mikes nursery should never have to pay for another pair of Corona’s again. That’s the cheapest and best quality advertising Corona will ever get. Quality referals make companies millions, thay are happy to break off a piece of that for those who help them do that. . Right Mike? Like you didn’t know that. Why am I talking. Get Dustin on it.
Well, you’re right. I don’t get a kick back nor have they ever sent me a free pair of shears. They should, but that’s not why I recommend the product. I recommend the product because it’s the best I’ve found.
The squeaky recommender gets the commission.
I know this post is a couple of years old, but did you know about the Amazon Affiliate program? You just put a link to any Amazon products on your website posts and anytime anyone clicks through and buys it, you would get a little $$ kickback. Since you are already endorsing them, you might as well benefit from it too! ?
Tiffany,
I am aware of their affiliate program, actually belong to the program, rarely ever post affiliate links. Go figure.
No I think he has more credibility by not taking money for what he says. Thank you Mike! Money is a scourge. Turns us into snatching savages.
I have used pruning shears like that model since 1977 have two pair thay are great.
worked on a christmasd tree farm back then.
have an anvil pair also that is 40 years old and it still cuts great.
in the video you are recommending Corona 3130, but in the accompanying text you recommending 3160?
Have never tried these shears, however, Corona makes a great long reach pruner that I love. Unfortunately, the tiny screws holding the blades often come loose and if not found, Corona does not carry them. Have tried several hardware stores for replacements and no luck. Seems Corona should make these readily available. It’s kind of expensive to buy another pruner just because the screws are not available! Still, it is a great product for us “short” members.
Also, with the following you have, it would behoove Corona to make you a good deal to have these available to your members at a reduced price and a little extra for you. You are always passing on good products to us and you surely deserve a monetary reward!
Is it 3130 as per the video or 3160 as per the text?
Both are great! 3130 is 1/2 inch and 3160 is 3/4 inch
Thanks for the advice Mike. I’ve tried quite a few pair and the ones with the plastic parts continue to fail just when you need them the most. I’ll be out searching for those Corona’s!
If you can’t find them locally Amazon sells them
Thank you for your recommendation Mike. Can you get these bypass cutters at any big box store, or do you have to go to a hardware store?
Your choice on where to buy them! Almost everyone with a garden center has them. If not, shop somewhere else!
For the occasional pruner, like me, I recommend ratchet pruners all the way.
I’ve had the same Corona pruner for over ten years. It’s had a lot of use and even survived a garage fire-just needed new grip cushions. It makes a clean cut on everything from small, thin stems to 1/2 inch plus hardwood branches. I sharpen it at the start of each season and a add little oil/WD40 coating for winter storage. This pruner is my favorite!
Thanx, Mike
Same one that I use – cant go wrong with those!
Thank you Mike! I have needed a good pair of pruning shears all summer and never knew what to buy. Just yesterday I almost threw the shears across the yard, they kept sticking. I just ordered a pair from Amazon but they were 3180, I believe they cut up to an inch in diameter. I hope they are as good as yours. Thanks again.
Pat
Mike I bought the Conora’s 2 yrs ago and the closing clip broke off and i didn’t keep receipt. This year i bought 2 ARS bpp’s. 1 rotating and 1 non-rotating handles. Both aprox $50/pair on line. The rotating pair slips out-of-my hand too much so i use the non-rotating pruners. What an improvement! Both pair are razor sharp [they will give you a nasty cut] and keep a cutting edge longer than any other brands i’ve tried. If i added up the $ i’ve spent on trying other brand mid-level pruners over the years, i could have bought 4 pair of ARS and you can get replacement parts for them.
Corona, I believe, carries a lifetime warranty. I sent back a pair a couple of years ago that I had used for a LONG time, many years. I had no receipt. I explained my issue and circumstance. I asked them to repair them. Instead, in a couple of weeks they sent me a brand new pair. You may want to try contacting Corona….cheaper than buying an ARS. I personally do not like the rotating handle on the ARS pruners — a design I am sure they copied from Felco. On their “signature” pruner, I don’t like the latch mechanism and I don’t like the way the spring works. My wife complains the ARS are too big for her hands. But, you see, someone who likes ARS or Felco over Corona could bash Corona, too! That’s the nature of gardeners’ pruners — each gardener loves the one that works and fits best for them and will defend them as the best. 🙂