The hand held secateurs or pruning shears have two handles, with the lower area of the handle (1) further away from the body connected to the upper arm or shoulder of the user e.g. by means of a flexible tension band or cord (3) which can be guided at the end of the handle (2) lying on the thumb. ADVANTAGE - When cutting e.g. vines. As soon as the cutting force becomes too uncomfortable on the hand, the arm is stretched out and the force on the outer handle is taken over by the tension connection (3) between the handle and shoulder.