Most hedge shears are built for one job: flattening a long run of privet in a straight line. The Burgon & Ball Precision Shear was built for the bits in between, the curves round a topiary ball, the tight corner where a box hedge meets a path, the wayward shoot poking out where nothing else will reach. Its highly pointed blades let you work into detail that a standard shear simply skates past, so you get the crisp finish without switching to secateurs every five minutes.
At 750g it's genuinely light in the hand. That matters more than it sounds. A lot of hedge trimming is really an exercise in shoulder endurance, and a shear this light means you can keep going along a run of hedge without your forearm filing a complaint halfway through.
Built for the long stretch, not just the first ten minutes
The handles are aluminium alloy, which is where most of that weight saving comes from, wrapped in grey rubber grips that stay comfortable through a full session. Cushion stops sit between the handles to absorb the jolt of each cut, so your wrists aren't taking the impact directly every time the blades meet. It's a small addition that makes a noticeable difference once you're a hundred cuts in.
The action itself is smooth rather than stiff, which keeps the rhythm of trimming steady instead of forcing you to muscle each snip through. There's also a slight built-in angle between the blades and the handles, designed specifically to make trimming flat hedge tops and sides easier, so you're not having to bend awkwardly or hold your wrists at an unnatural angle just to keep the blades flush with the surface.
The blades themselves
Razor sharp straight out of the box, with an 18cm blade length that's substantial enough for proper hedge work but still manageable for detail trimming. The pointed tip is the real distinguishing feature here, letting you get into gaps and corners that a rounded or blunt-tipped shear would simply bridge over. Overall length comes in at 65cm, giving you enough reach to work a hedge top without stooping, while still keeping the tool controllable for close, careful cuts.
RHS endorsed
This shear carries the RHS endorsement, which means it's been assessed against the Royal Horticultural Society's standards for garden tools. It's not a marketing flourish, it's a genuine signal that the design and build have been looked at by people who know what a hedge shear actually needs to do.
Who this suits
If your garden has topiary, box balls, tightly clipped edges, or any hedge with a bit of personality rather than a dead straight run, this is the shear that will save you the most time. It also earns its keep as the tool you reach for when the main hedge trimmer has done the bulk of the work and what's left is finishing detail. Allotment holders with boundary hedges, gardeners maintaining formal shapes, and anyone who's tired of secateurs cramping their hand halfway through a job will all get proper use out of it.
Looking after it
A wipe down after use and an occasional light oiling of the blades and pivot will keep the action smooth and the edge keen for a long time. Aluminium handles won't rust, but the steel blades still benefit from being kept dry and lightly oiled between uses, particularly if they're stored anywhere damp like a shed or coldframe.
1 x Burgon & Ball Precision Shear
Key Features:
Super-lightweight 750g aluminium alloy handles
Razor sharp, highly pointed blades for precision work
18cm blade length, 65cm overall length
Grey rubber grips with cushion stops to reduce jarring
Whisper smooth cutting action
Slight blade-to-handle angle for easier trimming of flat hedge surfaces
RHS endorsed
Key uses
Shaping and trimming topiary and box balls
Precision trimming of shrubs and hedges
Detail work in corners and tight gaps other shears can't reach
Finishing work after a hedge trimmer has done the main cut
We love this one for the jobs other shears just can't manage. If you've ever tried to shape a box ball or square off a corner with a standard hedge shear, you'll know the frustration of blades that are too blunt-nosed to get in close. The pointed tip on this one solves that, and at 750g it doesn't turn a long trimming session into an arm workout either.
About Burgon and Ball
Tradition, craftsmanship and tools built to last
At AllotMate Essentials, we are proud to stock Burgon & Ball, one of Britain’s most respected garden tool makers. Founded in Sheffield in 1730, Burgon & Ball has been working with steel for nearly 300 years. That heritage matters, because generations of experience are what make their tools some of the very best you can buy.
Rooted in Sheffield’s world renowned steel making history, Burgon & Ball combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques. Every tool is thoughtfully designed and expertly made, using carefully selected steels to deliver strength, durability and comfort in use. It is this deep understanding of steel that gives Burgon & Ball tools their exceptional balance, reliability and long life in the garden.
Quality is not just a promise, it is recognised and trusted. Many Burgon & Ball tools are endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, an accolade awarded only to products that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. For gardeners, this means tools you can depend on season after season.
Alongside their classic garden tools, Burgon & Ball also collaborates with designers to create beautifully made accessories that blend practicality with timeless style. From allotment essentials to thoughtful gardening gifts, their products reflect a genuine love of gardening and a commitment to doing things properly.
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