Figoro is known for its high-quality pruning shears. This guide covers their design, effective usage, and essential maintenance practices.
Understanding Figoro Pruning Shears
Figoro pruning shears are made from robust materials, often high-carbon steel blades, which maintain a sharp edge for clean, precise cuts. Some models may also incorporate a titanium coating, which enhances durability and corrosion resistance while reducing friction during cutting.
Ergonomic handles, often made from lightweight materials like drop-forged aluminum, prioritize user comfort. They are designed to fit the hand, reducing strain and ensuring a secure grip even in damp conditions.
Figoro offers different types of pruning shears to suit various gardening needs. Bypass pruners operate with two blades that glide past each other like scissors, making them ideal for clean cuts on living plant material such as green stems, small twigs, and flowers. Anvil pruners feature a single sharp blade that cuts against a flat surface, providing significant cutting power for tougher, dead, or woody material. Additionally, some Figoro pruners might incorporate a ratcheting mechanism, which allows for cutting thicker branches in stages, reducing the effort required for the gardener.
Proper Use of Figoro Pruners
Proper use of Figoro pruning shears involves understanding correct cutting techniques. When pruning live branches, position the bypass pruner so the sharp blade is closest to the plant’s main stem or branch, ensuring a clean cut that promotes rapid healing. It is recommended to cut just above a bud that faces away from the plant’s center, directing new growth outward and preventing an unsightly stub that could invite disease.
Making angled cuts, typically around 45 degrees, on branches helps water run off the wound, reducing the risk of fungal infections that can occur if water pools on a flat cut surface. For larger branches, particularly those over three-quarters of an inch in diameter, it is advisable to use loppers or a pruning saw rather than forcing a hand pruner, which can damage the tool’s blades or the plant.
Safety is important when using pruning shears. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses to shield eyes from flying debris and sturdy gardening gloves to protect hands. Before making a cut, be aware of hand and finger placement to prevent accidental injury. Regularly inspecting the pruners for sharpness and proper function before each use also contributes to safer and more effective pruning.
Caring for Your Figoro Pruners
Consistent maintenance preserves the effectiveness and extends the lifespan of Figoro pruning shears. After each use, remove any sap, dirt, or plant debris from the blades and moving parts, as sticky residue can hinder performance and promote rust. A wire brush or stiff cloth can be used for this initial cleaning.
Disinfecting the blades helps prevent the spread of plant diseases from one plant to another. This can be achieved by wiping the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol (at least 70% isopropyl alcohol) or a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). If using bleach, rinse the tools with clean water afterward to prevent corrosion. Allowing the pruners to air dry completely before storage is also important to deter rust formation.
Sharpening the blades regularly ensures clean cuts and reduces strain on the tool and the user. For bypass pruners, focus sharpening on the beveled edge of the cutting blade, maintaining the original angle, typically around 22.5 degrees. A diamond sharpener or sharpening stone can be used, with a few passes often sufficient to restore sharpness. After sharpening, remove any burr that forms on the flat side of the blade by gently rubbing it flat against the sharpening tool.
Once clean and sharp, apply a thin layer of lubricating oil, such as mineral oil or specialized clipper oil, to the blades and the hinge mechanism. This lubrication reduces friction, prevents rust, and keeps the tool operating smoothly. Store Figoro pruners in a dry location, perhaps with a blade cover, to protect them from moisture and potential damage.