16
December | 2022
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YOUR GUIDE TO
BOTANICAL CUTTING
TOOLS
By Tonneli Grüetter
SNIPS
Often mistaken for pruners, these lightweight
trimmers are prized for their maneuverability. The
best pairs are both durable and comfortable in the hand.
Look for a model with sharp pointed blades and spring-loaded
handles, to ensure clean cuts.
When to use them: Delicate and soft stemmed fl owers such as sweet
peas, Ranunculus and Scabiosa.
Brand we love: ARS, founded in Japan in 1876, makes exceptional lightweight snips.
Try this model: ARS SE45 Floral Shears — $30.20
LOPPERS
A longtime
favorite of
landscapers,
loppers are equally
useful to fl orists. These tools
feature long handles, for extra leverage,
and strong bypass-style blades, similar to
pruners and scissors.
When to use them: When branches are thick
and woody, loppers are the perfect tool.
Decorative branches, dogwood
and Magnolia are all examples of
stems loppers should be used on.
Brands we love: Fiskars is widely
available and offers loppers in
many sizes to suit your comfort
as a designer.
Try this model: Fiskars PowerGear
®
Super
Pruner/Lopper — $38.99
WIRE CUTTERS
These dedicated tools are modifi ed forms of pliers,
designed to create clean cuts on wire and featuring
two contoured handles.
When to use them: From wire-edge ribbon to
paddle wire and even wired faux fl ower stems,
an excellent pair of wire cutters is essential to
avoid the temptation of using expensive shears and
snips, causing big-time damage to
their specialized blades.
Brands we love: Smithers-Oasis
North America/Oasis Floral
Products creates wire cutters and
other tools designed specifi cally
for the performance and
durability that professional
fl orists need.
Try this model: OASIS
®
Wire Cutter — $20.50
Sharp
