I would like to thank everyone for their recommendations for hand pruning shear.

I went to Home Depot and Lowes today - I needed to get them today (Christmas Eve!!!) and prune it a bit because we are suppose to get up to 3" of snow on Christmas!  I know it's only 3" but I did not want to chance the ends getting damaged before I get the cuttings.

Anyway, Home depot has Fiskars brand and several models - not the power gear, which would have been nice.  I was disappointed they only had one brand.  I bought the More Comfortable bypass pruner with 3/4" capacity for $13.97.  They said I could return if I didn't like them.

I then went to Lowes.  They also had Fiskars AND they had Corona.  I purchased the Dual Cut bypass pruner - Less Effort with Patented Power Zone with 1" capacity for $24.98.  They had another model for $21.98 - that might have been the 3/4".  I figured for another few bucks I could get a better pruner.

So, I got home and tried them out!  The Fiskars handle doesn't open as wide as the Corona - but the handles themselves are larger.  Glenn liked them, he said they felt good in his hand, I thought they were too big - I have smaller hands than him - what a surprise LOL. - plus the package says they are designed for medium to large hands.  I did not look at the package closely in the store so I did not notice that. The Corona felt much better in my hand - not as bulky.  Also the Fiskars spring mechanism is in the customary place - since I don't know the technical term for this place I will call it the crotch, while the Corona spring mechanism is internal at the base of the blades.  The are both designed for right or left hand use. 

Out at the tree!!  On smaller cuts - 1/2" or so they were equal in cutting - still the Corona was easier in my hand.  On larger cuts maybe 5/8" I could tell the Fiskars were at their limit, and I had to give it a little extra umph to it.  I tried a larger cut, maybe 3/4" or a bit more and the Fiskars couldn't do it - even with 2 hands.  I tried with the Corona and could do it with 2 hands fairly easily, one hand would have been a stretch for me.

Just to be clear about my personal strength, I am not a little itty bitty thing - I have worked in bakeries for 30 years in production - making everything from cookies to wedding cakes, bread to truffles.  It is hard work that requires stamina and physical strength, I can still lift 50# bags of flour - although I don't like to LOL. 

My conclusion is to choose the Corona.  They are lighter, smaller handles so my hand will not get fatigued using them, and they can cut a bigger branch.

Thanks again for the suggestions - I just wish I was able to try the others also.

Jo-Ann,

Thanks for starting the thread about the pruners. Thanks to everybody who put in great info, now I have options as well on new pruners that I didn't even know existed. I have a ratcheting anvil style no name brand that I bought through Cabelas years ago for bowhunting, I use it in the yard way more than the field and it's a little tired.

Merry Christmas

Good post Jo-Ann, I'll be needing some pruners this summer and this info will help.

Thank you!!  Glad I could start a helpful conversation!

Years ago, when I was a novice bonsai-grower, I purchased a Japanese pruner made specifically for bonsai work.  The pruners look like a toe nail clipper on steroids. 

The pruners make flush, clean, cuts, and because the cutters come together at an angle, you can get into places that would be awkward with regular pruners.  The nipping action with the razor sharp blades, never crushes the wood...soft, or, hard.  I have had mine for over 20 years, and they still cut as if they were new.  They also come in different sizes for cutting smaller and larger branches.  Any place selling bonsai tools will have them.  Don't buy the cheap, crappy-quality versions, or the cutting jaws will bend out of alignment, and will not cut clean.  Over the course of your lifetime, the investment will come to just a few cents/year.

By the way....bonsai tool suppliers also sell root-hooks.  I have found these tools to be a "must have" when doing root work on figs.  They do a great job untangling the tight root-ball that figs develop, and the tool does it without ripping away the roots.  It's like having a giant, one-tooth "comb".  It also cuts the cursing, and swearing by at least 50%...a very good thing in my case. : )


Just some thoughts.


Frank



EDIT....
The pruners are called "Concave Branch Pruners"   Stone Lantern Bonsai Supplies has the pruners, and the root hooks.  Also, take a look at he very slim, branch saws with the special long, tapered blades...for getting into those hard-to-reach places.  The saws work on the pull stroke, so the blade stays stiff, and doesn't buckle like a Western style saw.