First Impressions:
On first receiving the pruning shears I was reasonably impressed with the first appearances which is of good solid construction and with the rubber handles giving a good grip. They aren't really moulded or shaped in any way but still felt comfortable and well balanced in the hand.
Packaging:
I thought the packaging could have offered more help for new or inexperienced gardeners, perhaps with some basic tips on pruning (I know it's a big subject). I also thought some indication of the cutting capacity of the pruners would have been helpful. I have to say I am not a great fan of the totally sealed plastic packaging for two reasons, firstly it doesn't give anyone browsing the product the chance to see how the product feels/operates and secondly it really is very difficult to get open (maybe from a safety perspective there is no other option though).
Locking Mechanism:
The locking mechansim seemed rather unusual and although it does work it seems to be flawed. Even from new if one takes hold of the handles and rattles them back and forth in the locked position I found after 10 to 15 quick but not forceful movements the lock usually sprung open. Being made of plastic it seems that a little wear and tear might well make this even easier.
In Use:
My first use was to dead head some roses. Unfortunately the cut was very poor and ragged. After a little investigation I discovered that despite the blade being extremely sharp there is far too much play between the blades. I could get a 2mm gap between the tips of the blades.
I did also try using them to prune a small willow tree. In this case the cut seemed more satisfactory, perhaps because the wood and bark is vey soft. They were cutting branches a little over 1/2" with ease.
Summary:
So although the pruners have some good points, i.e. comfortable handles and sturdy construction I feel they are let down by a poor cut and a locking mechanism that may well not stand the test of time.
Kind Regards
Paul.
