Thanks for taking your time to read our information on the best long handled shears, that are currently available on the UK market. People searching for these can either be referring to actual lawn shears or edging shears. They are different products designed to do slightly different things:
- Long handled lawn shears: - these are designed to be able to cut grass along edges where grass may meet a wall or a fence, or hedge etc
- Long handled edging shears: - these are designed to cut the actual edges of lawns to keep them looking really neat and tidy.
In the UK, there are currently two big sellers:
- Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Lawn Shears
- Spear & Jackson 4870RS Razorsharp Edging Shears
Lawn Shears vs Edging Shears
An image of both types will really help show the difference, and we have shown two images below.
Long Handled Lawn Shears
Long Handled Edging Shears
You can see from these two images that lawn shears are designed to sit flat on the lawn. Edging shears are a different shape and used for cutting the edges of lawns around borders. They are as you can see two different tools for two different jobs.
Just below we have shown the best of each type.
1. Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Lawn Shears
92% buyer satisfaction based on 3,000+ online buyer reviews
These are the best selling long handled lawn shears and are the biggest sellers in the UK.
These have 9" (230mm) blades which are made from carbon steel and coated with PTFE to prevent rust and also from wet grass sticking to them.
The handles are made from aluminium and the handles have non-slip grips
These are 112 cms long (44") so a comfortable height for most users
Buyers said the blades are very sharp and can quickly tidy up and cut your lawns.
2. Spear & Jackson 4900RSS Edging Shears
90% buyer satisfaction based on 3,000+ online buyer reviews
These are the best selling long handled edging shears and are the biggest sellers in the UK.
These have 9" (230mm) blades which are made from carbon steel and are chrome plated.
The handles are made from tubular steel and the handles have non-slip soft grips
These are 99cms long (39") so a comfortable height for most users
Buyers said the blades are very sharp and are ideal for edging around borders and beds.
General Buying Advice
There are a few important things to know when thinking about buying this type of product. Many people buy these without really thinking it through. The vast majority of UK people will use a lawnmower to cut their lawns. They are then left with small areas of their lawn that still need tidying up.
Usually these are around flower beds, borders and up against the side of walls or sheds. You will also find areas around shrubs or the bases of trees. These are typically areas where the lawnmower can not reach.
Some buyers will use a strimmer to do that, but these can be quite messy. They will certainly remove the grass but it does go everywhere. That is why some buyers will use shears for the tidy up. You can of course buy hand shears to do this and they are usually a cheaper option.
The disadvantage of those is that you will have to bend down to use them. When you are young and fit that is not a big problem, but as you get older, then back and knee issues can certainly get in the way. This is when long handled shears can really make a difference.
These can be useful, but these also have their disadvantages.
Disadvantages of Long Handled Shears
As mentioned these are a good choice for neat cutting. Their main disadvantage is they can be a little heavy especially if used for a long time. For trimming around shrubs, trees etc it usually doesn't take that long. The edges of lawns can take longer so just be aware that these shears can start to get heavy.
Another disadvantage is that they do need a little maintenance. You will need to clean them after each use to help protect the blades. They will also need a little oil around the hinges 2-3 times a year. They also need to be stored carefully somewhere dry.
