Garden tools

[Newyorkjk]

Hello, I have had RA for 30 years and really struggling now with pain in my hands which is making gardening difficult. Can anyone recommend any secateurs which might make my life easier? Does anyone know if there are any produced especially for RA sufferers? I would appreciate any advice. Many thanks

[helixhelix]

I use felco No7 rolling handle ones or burgon and ball rachet secateurs. Neither for very long at a time, and I swap so not doing same movement for too long.

And keep them sharp! Makes a huged difference.

[sylvi]

You can get secateurs that can hold round your hand. They have a handle that spins round. Go on Amazon and see what they have got on there.xxx

[Hopeful1]

I am not sure about secateurs but I find tools from peta-uk.com

helpful.

[KittyJ]

I’m not able to do alot of gardening but i potter about and use ratchet secateurs as the pressure needed to operate them is less than other types. Ask around if anyone has any you could borrow to try out before you buy.

[Hidden]

Hi. I know what you mean. I love gardening and have poor strength in my hands. My Rheumatologist told me to put wrist splints on when gardening and it adds to my strength. It does work particularly when I remember! Loppers seem to be better than secateurs and I go through a lot of secatures because they are not made like they used to be. If they stick I struggle to put them right but gardening is something I like to do so it's trial and error.

[cyberbarn]

I will definitely reiterate what Helix says, keep them sharp!

My son has taking up the hobby of sharping blades and restoring old gardening tools, and the difference a sharp blade makes, whether it is secateurs, shears, bill hooks or sickles, is amazing. He even sharpened my Gardening Chap's loppers and he said what a difference it made, and he is a professional gardener.

And although I wouldn't call him a tool, my Gardening Chap is the best thing I have when my hands are bad. And he has secateurs that cut through brambles like a knife cutting butter as they have been sharpened by my son!

[SueBaker]

I have rechargeable ones, from Amazon, I just press a trigger and the blades close. They are great for roses, wouldn't do for branches or anything like that but they do save a lot of pain!

[Newyorkjk in reply to SueBaker]

Hi Sue, they sound very interesting, have they got a name?

[oldtimer2]

Both my (adult) children gave me battery operated secateurs some time ago. Quite honestedly, I don't find them easy to use. The grip is big and they are heavier than normal secateurs. I can only use them for short periods, even shorter than using normal secateurs.

I think the answer is to vary the tasks in the garden - change what you do frequently, after ten minutes or so - and to wear supports covered with gardening gloves - in the summer just the gloves are usually sufficient. I bought many tools which have been adapted for use for disabled users and do find that they help.

[Hidden]

I wear splints when I garden and this makes the world of difference. Neo-G are the best for me.

Wilko is fine for tools. They are much cheaper and no loss of quality.

Sharpening also works a treat😂

[AgedCrone]

Have a look at Kuhn Ripon on QVC…817877 You can get them home and try them for 60 days…then get a full refund if they don’t suit you.

Of course it depends on how weak your hands are…llwith these I find the hardest part is closing them when you have finished using them!

[Braecoon]

Grumpy Gardener tools also sold by QVC are excellent choice for gardeners and you can fully try them out for 60 days and return in used state if no use to you (no questions asked), just cost of return postage. Happy gardening xx

[nomoreheels]

I’ve had a few over the years but my favourites have to be Darlac. Mine are all ratchet, I have the Super Classic, Dual Action & Compact Snips. I'm just missing some bypass secateurs, might just drop hints! I also have their ratchet loppers. Buying cheap doesn’t work with garden tools, not if you want them to serve you any length of time so be prepared to pay for quality, without going ott.

Something I’ve been impressed with, a birthday present last year, is the Roamwild Multi Digger Hand Trowel. Works very well with weak hands.

Take good care of your tools, wash them each time you use them, look after the blades (oiling them periodically) & keep them sharp & they should last a good while.

[whitedog]

I got a pair of Fiskars P92 PowerGear. They're rolling handle bypass secateurs and really nice to hold. Think they come in different sizes - I got the small.

[snotts]

A kneeling stool has been a garden game changer for me - they aren't super expensive either. This kind of thing google.com/search?q=gardeni...