Hannah looks at some hand-held cutting tools to help you decide which ones are right for you and your garden. Subscribe 🔔 http://ab.co/GA-subscribe

* A sickle is a cutting tool with a curved blade, like a miniature scythe. This smaller version is designed to be used parallel to the ground. It’s especially useful for cutting down grasses, weeds or harvesting grains. Wearing gloves to keep your hands safe, grab a handful of grass in one hand and cut through the base of the stems with the sickle, held in the other hand. Always cut away from your legs!

* A hori-hori knife, designed in Japan, is an all-in-one digging, weeding, cutting and planting tool – a bit like a narrow trowel with sharp edges. It’s a great option for a small patch or if you have limited storage space. It’s very sharp, so wear gloves, keep limbs and fingers out of the way, and store in a carry holder.

* A foldable pruning saw is a tool that’s hard to beat if you grow a lot of fruit trees or woody shrubs. It’s great for stems that are too thick for secateurs and loppers but don’t need a chainsaw. Most saws only cut on the pull draw so move slowly and don’t try to rush it.

Maintenance:
To maintain all these tools, all blades need to be properly cleaned after every use – this prolongs the life of the tool as well as ensuring diseases aren’t spread between plants. Remove dirt and bark with an old toothbrush or scrubber (while wearing gloves). Wipe down with diluted methylated spirits or detergent.

Finally, wipe over with some vegetable oil for rust protection.
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