There are a lot of opinions out there about which tool to use when cutting and arranging flowers. Floral shears, knives, Bonsai scissors, clippers, everyone has their favorite. Regardless of what tool you choose, it must be sharp. When working with flowers, it is very important that you are making a clean cut and thus not damaging the stems.
I received a pair of Bonsai scissors from a floral class I attended. Although very pretty, I wasn't a fan. The metal handles are hard on your hand, and because there is no spring action, your hand has to both open and close the scissors. I know, isn't that how scissors are supposed to work? But it became tiresome after working on a large arrangement. Just my opinion. :-)
Floral clippers are what most of my workshop participants choose to use. They are easy to manage, and I would suggest them for beginner arrangers.
These are Skakagen Florist Scissors, which are the preferred tool of famous florist Jeff Leatham of the Four Season's George V Paris Hotel. I don't own a pair so can't comment, but I would love to try them sometime.
So which tool do I use? A Swiss Army knife. Two reasons: first, I find it quicker to make arrangements since you don't have to put the knife down and, second, it is easier on your hand and arm. If you are a professional florist using a clipper all day, the constant squeezing can cause problems with wrists and elbows.
