Handtools for Trail Work

Tools for Brushing

Lopping and Pruning Shears

Photo of a man using lopping shears on tree branches.
Lopping shears allow branches to be cut
cleanly and flush with tree trunks.

Lopping and pruning shears are similar in design and use, although lopping shears have longer handles to improve reach, and gear drives to increase leverage for thicker stems. Cutting edges vary, but generally one blade binds and cuts a stem against an anvil or beveled hook. We recommend the hook and blade shear for overhead cuts because the curved blades transfer the weight of the shears to the limb. Quality shears have rust- resistant steel blades. Handles are wood or aluminum. Handles range from 26 to 36 inches long. Limbs up to 3 inches can be cut with shears.

Image of lopping shears.

Image of hook and anvil blades with labels on the cutting blade, and hook on the hook blade and labels on the cutting blade and anvil on the anvil blade.
Hook and anvil cutting blades.

Image of a lopping shears with the cutting edge and the hook.
Lopping shears

Transport shears with the blades closed. Grip the tool on one handle just behind the blade and carry it by your side. Clean moisture and sap from blades after use. Keep metal parts lightly oiled to prevent rust. Frequently check nuts and bolts for tightness, and always carry replacements in the field.

To sharpen, spread the handles apart, resting one or both ends on a flat surface. Use a mill bastard file on the cutting blade only; neither hooks nor anvils are sharpened. Maintain factory bevels while filing toward the cutting edge. Use a whetstone to remove the wire edge.

Image showing the sharpening of a lopping shears.
Sharpening lopping shears.

Examples:

Image of a heavy-duty lopping shears.
Heavy-duty lopping shears are ideal for the forester.
They have ash handles, make a 3-inch diameter cut,
and are 37½ inches long. Weight is 5½ pounds.

Image of a forester heavy-duty brush cutter.
"Forester" heavy-duty brush cutters make a 2-inch diameter
cut for heavy-duty jobs--hardwood, deadwood, branches, or brush.
The rugged steel construction is even strong enough to dehorn and
clip cattle. Both blades cut to reduce bark damage. The shears are 27 to
34 inches long and weigh 4 to 8 pounds.

Image of a snap-cut lopping shears.
Snap-cut professional lopping shears make a 1¾-inch diameter cut.
They are a gear-driven lopping shear with tremendous cutting
power--10 pounds force applied to the handles gives 300 pounds
of cutting power. The shears are 30 inches long and weigh 5½ lbs.