Last Updated on June 7, 2023
Every craftsman has a set of basic tools they work with, and floral designers are no exception. Here's a list of the floral design tools you should own.
Every Floral Designer Needs These 7 Floral Design Tools
Whether you are a budding newbie or an avid DIYer who loves working with flowers, these are the essential tools that a professional floral designer uses daily.
Like any profession, you need the proper tools to do the job right. It’s no different in the floral business.
To create professional-looking floral designs for any occasion, check out our list of must-have tools.
Floral Knife
In my extensive experience in floral design, one tool has proven itself invaluable time and time again – a straight-bladed floral knife.
I’ve found the Victorinox floral knife, with its 4′ blade, ideal for precision cutting, ensuring each stem and leaf is sliced cleanly and accurately. If you’re serious about your work in floral design, this type of knife should be a staple in your toolkit.
The blade is impressively sharp and robust, with a length of 55 mm. The knife also features a 100 mm nylon handle, providing a comfortable grip and excellent control that makes my design work both more efficient and more enjoyable.
It has never failed me, even when dealing with the hardiest of branches, stems, and foliage.
What impresses me most about this knife is its durability. Manufactured with the finest materials, it’s a tool that will withstand countless floral arrangements. It’s not just a one-off purchase, but a long-term investment that will serve you for years.
Feedback from other users of this knife mirrors my own positive experiences. The blade sharpness, the comfortable grip, and the overall manageable size are frequently highlighted in reviews. It’s not just a tool; it’s a companion that will accompany you on your floral design journey.
In my professional experience, if you’re looking to elevate your floral designs, a straight-bladed Victorinox floral knife is the optimal choice. It offers everything you need in terms of performance, quality, and durability, ensuring your floral arrangements are always a notch above the rest.
Scissors
Every floral designer needs a good pair of scissors. I have several general-purpose scissors pairs and several for ribbon use only.
For me, one particular pair of fabric scissors has proven to be exceptional in terms of performance and resilience.
The Fiskars RazorEdge Fabric Scissors are not merely dependable – they are my go-to shear.
Thanks to their razor-sharp, hardened stainless-steel blades, they’ve sliced effortlessly through all kinds of materials, from the most delicate silk ribbon to the thickest layers of fabric.
The ergonomic handle that fits comfortably in the hand. They may initially seem a tad heavier than typical scissors, but believe me, the trade-off for superior quality and comfort is unquestionably worthwhile.
If you prioritize longevity in your tools like I do, these scissors come with a full lifetime warranty, reflecting their durability. They are robustly built, and able to endure the demands of daily use in our design room.
When it comes to getting good value for your money, these shears are a sound investment. While you might run across cheaper alternatives, none can match the performance, comfort, and durability that these shears offer.
If you are serious about floral design and need a tool that can keep pace with your creativity while delivering comfort and efficiency, the Fiskars RazorEdge Fabric Scissors should be your first choice. I’ve got several pairs in my toolbox.
Knife and Scissors Sharpener
I consider a good sharpener essential next to a good floral knife and scissors. It’s the only way to keep or get your blades back into tip-top shape after use.
I’m more obsessed with keeping my knives sharp than most people, but you’ll understand why if you’ve ever worked with a dull blade.
I recommend using separate sharpeners for knives and scissors, as each has different blade angles.
Wire Cutters
If you working with heavier gauge floral wire, you’ll need a good wire cutter. You can use scissors for cutting a piece of wired ribbon or fine bullion wire, but I use a wire cutter for anything thicker or tougher.
Fresh Flower Shears
Fresh flower shears or a bunch cutter are must-have items. We use these daily, primarily when cutting and processing flowers, so they get plenty of use. I’d suggest keeping a few replacement compression springs on hand. I pick them up at my local hardware store.
Ratchet Shears
When cutting thicker branches or woody-stemmed flowers, ratchet shears make the job easy. You won’t use them every day, but when you need something stronger than a standard bunch cutter, you’ll be glad you have a pair handy.
Foliage and Thorn Stripper
While not the most critical item on this list, it’s a good idea to keep a thorn stripper handy. I use a metal rose stripper for removing the thorns from rose stems, but for the foliage on other flowers, I strip it by hand. Using a rubber stripper or wearing garden gloves is a good idea if you have sensitive skin.
Jewelry Plier
I know this post only mentions 7 essential tools, but after the past prom season, I’m adding this one to my list.
Today’s wedding floral design requires designers to be able to craft custom wire armatures for bouquets, as well as flat wire cuffs for corsages and other decorative wire embellishments. To accomplish this, a high-quality jewelry plier is an absolute must-have tool.
I have used a needle-nose plier for a long time, but I’ve switched to a jewelry plier for finer wire work. In my experience, it does a better job than my trusty needle-nose plier.
Where To Find The Floral Design Tools You Need
The floral design tools mentioned in this article are available at wholesale floral sites. Not all of these sites, however, sell to the general public. For your reference, I’ve linked to several good options here, and the ones we own and use in the shop on my Amazon floral tools and supplies page.
So What’s The Bottom Line?
Floral design is a very creative profession. There are lots of different tools that can help you create beautiful floral designs.
While I’ve listed the tools that I consider to be essential, I could add other specialized tools to this list, like a floral foam knife, a glue gun or hot glue pot, a pruning saw, or a hot knife for cutting styrofoam. The list goes on and on.
Depending on the floral design work you plan to do, any of these might be a valuable addition to your arsenal.
But I think the tools I listed and how to use them properly are all you need to become a productive and successful floral designer.
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