Bypass vs Anvil: What's the Difference?

Not all shears are built the same. The two main blade designs—bypass and anvil—behave differently. Here's what you need to know.

**Bypass blades** (like Diamond Cut Co shears) have two sharp blades that pass by each other, like scissors. They produce clean, precise cuts ideal for detailed trimming. The scissor-like action minimizes crushing and gives you control over the cut.

**Anvil blades** have one sharp blade that closes against a flat anvil surface. They're good for cutting through thick, woody stems but can crush softer material. The cut tends to be less precise for fine work.

**Why bypass for trimming?** Precision trimming requires clean, controlled cuts without crushing. Bypass design delivers that—you get a sharp, flat cut with minimal damage to surrounding material. That's why all Diamond Cut Co tools use bypass blades.