Are you looking for the best grafting shears? Read my reviews, my opinions and the guide to choosing.
If you too have a small garden, and a passion for fruit plants, then for sure you will find a truly precious ally in the grafting pliers. These scissors, in fact, are particularly suitable for making a graft in a simple and super fast way, without harming the health of the plant. The engravings, choosing a quality product, will be perfect and the same goes for the initial cut of the branch. Furthermore, as you will discover by reading my guide, the scissor in question is also particularly versatile.
Table of Contents
What is the scissors for grafts and how does it work
First of all, know that by purchasing the grafting scissors you will find a small carrying case, together with a set of blades, which will allow you to make carvings on the branches with a different shape. The tool, on the other hand, is made up of two parts: at the top is the real scissors, which will allow you to cut the top of the plant on which you will graft the branch.
In the lower part, however, there is a small piston with a special blade, in the shape of a V, and with a colored washer with a sort of track or channel, where you will have to insert the branch. Its task is obviously to shape both the branch to be grafted (known as scion), and the branch on which we will place it (the graft holder).
The purpose is very similar to that of puzzles: you have to make two opposite notches, a male and a female, which will allow the branches to fit together. You can do this by inserting branch A on one side, and then branch B on the other, so as to obtain two “pieces” to be inserted interlocking. Personally I advise you to position the branch well, to press the scissors firmly and then to pull the branch away, so as to obtain a more precise work.
Since the shape of the blade is V, you will basically get a branch with a hollow section in the center and another with a small protrusion, perfectly matching. In summary, you will be able to carry out a precise job with zero effort, and by spending a small amount, among other things, since the grafting scissors cost very little (around 25 euros).
Before going on, I would like to complete the discussion on the supply of accessories. Together with the scissors you will find, as mentioned, a set of blades with different shapes (generally there are 3) and a kit to replace them, consisting of a screwdriver and an English key. In some products, which have a higher cost, you can also find rubber bands and rolls of paraffin tape to hold the grafts in place.
Best pliers and scissors for grafting
1. KKmoon Scissors with Grafting Tool Set
If you are looking for a good grafting shears, with a really complete kit, then I recommend this product from KKmoon. In fact, the package includes, in addition to the transport bag, the 3 blades and the tools to assemble them, two rolls of paraffin tape and two packs of small and medium-sized elastic bands. In summary, you will have everything you need to make excellent grafts and to bind the shoot.
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- Template: double function
- Diameter: from 5 to 13 millimeters
- Blades: V, U and Omega
- Accessories: paraffin rolls, rubber bands, blade assembly kit
The three blades supplied are those for V, U and Omega cutting, so they will give you the possibility to make any type of grafting for branches with identical diameters. Secondly, be aware that the scissor and scissor blades were made of high carbon steel, which improves the quality of the cut, as they are stronger and therefore wear slower than non-forged steel.
What are the other features to underline? It is a multifunctional model as it also includes the shear, so you can also use it for simple pruning operations. The cut is very precise, but only if you do it on twigs with a diameter from a minimum of 5 millimeters to a maximum of 13 millimeters. Do not use it on too hard wood, because the cut will not be good and you will fray the skin.
2. Ballery Pruning and Grafting Scissors with Kit
This manual grafter is a classic double-function tool, equipped with both grafting blades and pruning shears. The package includes all the must-haves of this type of product, therefore the 3 blades (U, V, Omega), the kit with screwdriver and wrench, and the carrying case. The lower price is due to the fact that in the package you will not find the rolls of paraffin film, nor the support bands.
- Template: double function
- Diameter: from 5 to 13 millimeters
- Blades: V, U and Omega
- Accessories: blade assembly kit
As for the other features, it is practically perfect. The blades are as always in forged steel with a high carbon content, therefore quite precise and suitable for cutting not too thick twigs. The usual rule remains valid: do not use them for branches with a diameter greater than 13 mm, because you would end up opening the cuticle of the plant, with the risk that it could get sick.
The shell is made of ABS plastic and therefore impact resistant, and has a comfortable handle with an ergonomic and non-slip shape, which will help you to exert the right pressure to be able to shape the two branches. Furthermore, it is very easy to use and therefore also suitable for people who are not very familiar with grafts. It is not effective on hard wood, but this defect belongs to all scissors of this type.
3. LEADSTAR 7 PCS Garden Grafting Scissors and Shears Kit
I decided to offer you this product, which is practically identical to the previous one, both in terms of basic characteristics and as an endowment of the kit. It means that the set contains the case for the grafting scissors, the three classic blades and the tools to disassemble and assemble them, but not the paraffin rolls and the rubber bands. The price is also very similar, and in fact it represents an excellent alternative in case of unavailability of the others.
- Template: double function
- Diameter: from 5 to 13 millimeters
- Blades: V, U and Omega
- Accessories: blade assembly kit
At the cost of repeating myself, I advise you to use this tool to engrave branches with a thickness of no more than 13 millimeters, because you could encounter many difficulties and damage them. This mistake would compromise the successful rooting of the plant, which could also get sick, due to the risk of fraying of the peel. Same goes for excessively hard wood.
The handle is very comfortable and ergonomic, which allows you to apply pressure with your hand strong but not painful. After all, the purpose of these tools is to make your work less burdensome, also saving precious time. The blades are made of carbon steel (both those of the incisions and the shears), while the body is made of hard ABS plastic. Finally, the blades last long enough and hold the edge well.
4. MasterTec Professional Grafting Pliers
We abandon the sector of the scissors, and move on to that of the single function grafting machines, therefore without shears. This model from MasterTec is probably one of the best, even if it suffers from some problems common to all tools of this type. Aesthetically it resembles a stapler, and is fitted with very sharp tempered steel blades, capable of guaranteeing a clean cut.
- Template: grafter only
- Diameter: from 5 to 14 millimeters
- Blades: V, Omega and interlocking
- Accessories: blade assembly kit
Unfortunately, the blades tend to wear out quickly, but I repeat that this is a normal contraindication linked to continuous use. However, know that you can obviously buy spare blade kits, but the assembly is more complex than the scissors, because they have a slightly more “bizarre” structure. For the record, there are 3 blades: for Omega, interlocking and gem grafts.
The structure is more robust, given that instead of ABS plastic we find glass fiber, and being professional there are also metal components. Secondly, this manual grafter from Ausonia has an ergonomic handle equipped with a convenient hook, which will allow you to keep it closed when you use it, or to hang it somewhere when you are finished using it.
5. Falci 262M500P Professional Pliers for 3 Blades Grafts
The Falci is very similar to the Ausonia, therefore it shares both the advantages and the disadvantages. If you use them continuously, the blades will tend to lose their edge quickly, so you’ll have to replace them with a new kit. On the other hand, as long as they keep their sharpness, they are really effective and guarantee you a really precise, clean and clear cut of the scion and graft holder.
- Template: grafter only
- Diameter: from 5 to 14 millimeters
- Blades: V, Omega and interlocking
- Accessories: blade assembly kit
They are excellent because, not going to ruin the cuticle, they will increase the chances that the seedling can take root in the wild. Problems arise when it is used improperly, that is to engrave branches with a diameter greater than 14 millimeters and composed of hard wood. In that case it is normal to see the peel unraveling, but you must always remember that these tools have limits.
What does the package include? As usual, you will find the kit for changing the blades and the 3 blades for making Omega, gem and interlocking grafts. Consider that, although they are more advanced tools than scissors, they are not perfect and also require a fair amount of force when pressing the handles. However, it must be said that if you want more durable tools and if you don’t need the shears, these are for you.
How to choose grafting scissors
1. Functions of the scissor
Know that not all grafting pliers are equipped with scissors, since some have only the piston to shape the twigs with the usual V shape.My advice is to opt for a tool that can be said to be truly complete, therefore equipped with both shears , or stapler. In this way you will take home an all-rounder as well as an economical tool, which you can also use during the normal pruning or thinning of fruit trees, vines and so on.
2. Professional grafting machines
Also known as grafting pliers, they do not have scissors, and cost a little more, around 30-40 euros. The machine body is made of steel instead of plastic, and they have a more powerful blade, which guarantees greater precision when engraving. In addition, the kit includes 3 special blades, for making gem, Omega and interlocking carvings. In summary, they cost more and do not have the shears, but they allow you to carry out works that you could not do with the others.
3. Type of blades
As I told you, the scissors for grafts includes a series of blades in its case. These are not spare parts (as it might seem at first), but real alternatives to the blade mounted in the tool. At this point I want to tell you a little about the characteristics of the latter, so you will understand what differentiates them.
- V-Cut: the V-shaped cutting blade is often found already mounted in the grafting pliers, and you recognize it by the presence of a less rounded and more pointed tip. This is the classic graft for lemon plants.
- U-Cut: compared to the V-Cut, the U-shaped blade is wider and has a rounded tip, therefore less pronounced.
- Omega-Cut: finally, this tip has a shape completely identical to the Greek letter of the same name. Omega grafting, to give you a concrete example, is one of the most suitable for roses and vines.
As you can see, a set of this type gives you a very versatile tool. With a cost of around 25 euros, in fact, you will give yourself a scissor that works both as a shear and as a manual V, U and Omega grafting machine.
4. Accessories supplied
In addition to the three blades, almost always present in every model of grafting scissors, as I anticipated, sometimes we can also find other extras. I refer above all to the paraffinized film and the rubber bands, which you will need to fix the graft after shaping the scion and the rooted plant. The number of rolls can change, since we can find one or two, and in addition (if the kit is complete) you will also find a couple of packages containing about thirty rubber bands, to further improve the fixing of the plant.
Finally, the wrench and the small screwdriver are used to disassemble the part that covers the blade, and to insert the others, in case you need to make a U or Omega coupling.
5. Materials and handle
Being quite cheap products, don’t expect them to be made of gold. A grafting pliers usually have a machine body made of hard ABS plastic, therefore capable of withstanding enough shocks and possible falls. Other models have a metal structure, but they cost more and to tell the truth they are also quite heavy, but the long-term resistance is clearly superior to plastics. As far as the handle of the scissors is concerned, it is almost always ergonomic, to facilitate both the pruning of the branches and the realization of the carvings.
6. Diameter and hardness of the branches
Remember that we are dealing with a real shears, therefore not suitable for pruning branches with an excessive diameter, nor for the incision of too strong or hard twigs. For your information, these luminaires are suitable for branches with a diameter of 5 to 13 millimeters. If you use them on larger diameters, pushing them to the limit of their possibilities, you will have a lot of effort and you will get an inaccurate cut, also damaging the plant, because you will end up fraying the peel (or the cuticle).
For this reason, I recommend its use only for the grafts of twigs of fruit trees, vines, roses and the like. If you use it for example to make grafts on trees that are too hard, such as jujube or walnut, you will only waste time. Finally, always remember that this tool should only be used for grafting branches with an equal diameter.
7. Blade materials
If you stay within the measures I listed above, the blade will always guarantee a clean and clean cut of the branch, avoiding damaging the cuticle. The credit goes to the use of a particularly reliable alloy such as hardened steel with a high carbon content, which also ensures a respectable blade life. It is very important to choose a manual grafter with these qualities, since the success rate and therefore the survival of the grafted seedling depend on it.
Why use scissors or pliers?
Grafting scissors help you especially when it comes to developing plants that are unlikely to be able to propagate via cutting or seed. In this case, therefore, the section of the rooted plant (known as wild) is used, and the scion is grafted there, so as to allow it to grow strong and healthy. The staplers are useful because they make an eyelet cut, to be preferred as it favors the cicatrization and the inflow of sap from the wild to the grafted plant. The combination of these elements increases the so-called engraftment rate, therefore the success of the operation.
In what period are the grafts done?
Know that the grafts are preferable to make them from January to October, depending on the plant you are going to graft. In fact, November and December are not suitable months for this type of operation. Although this is not the right place to list the suitable months for each plant, I still want to give you some concrete examples.
- January February: quince, apple and pear
- February March: apricot, cherry, plum
- March April: persimmon, fig, olive, peach
- April May: almond, citrus
- May June: apricot, persimmon, peach
- July August: vine and plum tree
- August September: citrus, cherry, vine, plum
Final remarks
Today I explained to you how to choose the best grafting shears, and I want to stress again how important it is to select a quality product, and use it only on suitable branches. If the peel of the branch is damaged, in fact, you will seriously jeopardize the survival of the plant, and you could favor the appearance of possible diseases. The welding of the two branches is also a very important phase, so having paraffin films available in the kit is certainly a plus.
