Bypass vs. anvil pruners — which should I buy?

Across the reviewers we read, bypass pruners are the default recommendation for live green wood, roses, and most general garden work because the two blades slice past each other for a clean cut that heals well. Anvil pruners (a single blade pressing onto a flat surface) are better suited to dead, dry wood but can crush living stems, which is why specialist gardening communities almost always steer first-time buyers to bypass.