Pruners


Felco #7 Bypass Pruner: Product Review


If you’re looking for a perfect bypass pruner that offers long-lasting cutting power and comfort, the Felco #7 Bypass Pruner belongs in your garden shed. Created with Swiss precision, the pruner offers excellent craftmanship and high-quality materials, making it an ideal investment. While not inexpensive, the pruner performed fabulously for more than two decades of use in my career as an arborist—without any replacement parts needed. The rotating handle provides comfort for users who make Continue Reading


Corona Branch & Stem Bypass Pruner (BP 4180): Product Review


The Corona Branch & Stem bypass pruner is lightweight, durable, has nice tight tolerances and good fit and finish. The ergonomic handle design makes the tool comfortable to hold and the angled cutting head is terrific for getting into tight spots. The cutting blade is razor sharp and cleaves its way through extremely hard wood with ease, although the bumper could use some improvement. Plus, Corona offers replacement parts for everything except the handles. Put Continue Reading


A.M. Leonard Ergonomic Bypass Pruner (#1234): Product Review


If you’re in the market for a quality bypass hand pruner at a competitive price, then the A.M. Leonard Ergonomic Bypass Pruner (model #1234) is a definite contender. You’re not going to get the highest quality or features of the most expensive competitors, but what you will get is a pruner that if taken care of properly will likely last a lifetime. It makes excellent pruning cuts, is very comfortable to hold, and reaches into Continue Reading


Corona Leaf & Stem Micro Snip (FS 3214D): Product Review


I found these small, lightweight snips more useful than I had expected. With extremely sharp stainless steel blades that cut up to 3/8-inch stems and slip-free ComfortGEL® handles, you’re sure to find many small tasks in the garden that will be made easier by using the Leaf & Stem Micro Snips. And they’re not just for outdoor use, which makes them an even more handy tool to have. Continue Reading


Corona DualLINK with ComfortGEL Bypass Pruner (PB 4314): Product Review


This pruner does exactly what Corona says it will do -cut through ¾ inch stems and branches with ease. The DualLINK technology acts as a compound action lever to increase power, and the ComfortGEL handles act as a bumper to reduce hand fatigue. It's well-made from quality materials, has sharp, high carbon steel blades, the lock works well, and the non-slip handles are comfortable to hold. All in all, it's an excellent bypass pruner that Continue Reading


Corona RatchetCUT Anvil Pruner (RP 4224): Product Review


This ratcheting anvil pruner has a lot going for it, with non-slip ComfortGEL® grips, a very sharp carbon steel blade and the cutting power of a ratchet mechanism. It makes incredibly precise pruning cuts in live wood with no damage to the remaining bark. The only quibble I have is the locking mechanism and its tendency to pinch when the pruner is held in the left hand. Outside of this, the pruner is well worth Continue Reading


Corona Adjustable Grip Bypass Pruner: Product Review


The Corona Adjustable Grip bypass pruner is an innovative product that adjusts to fit different hand sizes and fits both small and large hands very well. It has excellent fit and finishes, a reliable locking mechanism, soft comfortable grips, and an easy-to-maneuver angled cutting head, although the bumpers don’t cushion as well as they should when making larger cuts. It cuts cleanly up to ¾ inches (not the 7/8 inches claimed on the packaging). For Continue Reading


Black & Decker Cordless Pruner (#BD1168): Product Review


This cordless, rechargeable pruner promises to make pruning easier for those with limited grip strength or arthritis, and those who do a lot of pruning. However, we found that those with larger hands thought it was comfortable to use, but gardeners with smaller hands and those with arthritis or little grip strength had trouble with it. It has limited utility as it won’t cut through anything thicker than ½ inch (and that’s only in softer Continue Reading


Melnor Talon Bypass Pruner (83270): Product Review


At only $9.97, the Melnor Talon bypass pruner is a perfect example of “you get what you pay for.” It works but it has some quality issues (burrs form on the cutting blade), it cuts through only ¾-inch branches (rather than the claimed 1 inch), and it pinches your hands with each cut. If you have large hands and a limited budget, this pruner may work for you. If you have small hands, give it Continue Reading


Corona FlexDIAL with ComfortGEL Grips Bypass Pruner (BP 4214): Product Review


The Corona FlexDIAL with ComfortGEL¨ grips bypass pruner (BP4214) has a unique adjustment system (the FlexDIAL) that adjusts handle width (and cutting capacity) for those with different size hands. It initially made clean cuts through material up to ¾ inches while in the highest width setting (it will only cut ¼ inch stems while in the "small hands" position). However, the cutting blade quickly burred and developed a flat spot making it unusable. Its unclear whether this is Continue Reading


Troy-Bilt Comfort Plus Bypass Pruner (RR 4000): Product Review


You may have to adjust the blade tension before using this ergonomically designed bypass pruner. Be aware that you’ll need a Torx or star drive screwdriver or key wrench to do that. Once adjusted, the pruner makes beautiful cuts in ¾ material – but not the 1 inch that it claims – is comfortable to hold, has tough German steel blades, and an integrated bumper that dampens shock. Continue Reading


A.M. Leonard ART17 Double Cut Pruner: Product Review


This is a quality pruner that doesn't skimp on materials and workmanship. It's sturdy, comfortable and makes clean cuts in woody stems and branches. The few very minor drawbacks are a handle locking mechanism that could get in the way of the two handles closing, the fact that it only cuts through ¾ inch wood (rather than the 1 inch diameter claimed) and that it’s intended for woody stems only. Continue Reading