Fiskars Traditional Bypass Pruning Shears

• Ideal for cutting stems and light branches
• Fully hardened, precision-ground steel blade stays sharp, even through heavy use
• Low-friction coating helps blade glide through wood, prevents the blades from gumming up with sap and debris and helps the blades resist rust
• Maximum cutting capacity: 5/8 inch diamater
• Lifetime warranty

Is it time again to tame the garden? If so, these coated pruning shears are ready to tackle the job. The cambered, beveled blade is made of non-stick high carbon steel so it cuts smoothly and easily. Shears feature an ambidextrous lock, sap groove, enclosed spring, and dual layer comfort grips.<P>Fiskars is a global company with manufacturing locations all over the world, including several places in the US. The 9109 Bypass Pruner is made in China. Many of Fiskars' blades are stainless steel. The blade on the 9109 is a coated, high carbon steel blade.

                                    

By Rissa

I like these a lot -- I bought them last May to cut back our lilac and forsythia bushes which hadn't been pruned in several years. The shears cut easily through both thick and thin stems, you can even cut several thin branches at once. I've since used them on average of once a week to cut and trim back tree branches and saplings as well as roses and other bushes. Fwiw, they do tend to do better on green or growing wood than on dead branches. As another reviewer noted, the foam handle covers can slide off but I glued mine back on and haven't had any problems since. The blades are easy to keep clean and the lock keeps them locked even if you say, toss them on the grass or a chair. Note, these aren't for pruning large tree branches or tough, thick bushes but they're great for basic pruning.

By Gary Peterson

I've owned about a half dozen pruning shears over the years. I've never worn any out. Mostly I lose or misplace them and then I buy a replacement. About 2 1/2 years ago I was picking up some new tools in a garden shop and I bought a pair of Fiskars pruning shears. I'd never heard of the brand, but the clerk assured me that Fiskars made good garden tools. (I might add that Fiskars was about the only brand the shop sold.) Well, I purchased the Fiskars pruning shears and a Fiskars lopper and I've been very satisfied with these particular garden tools, much more so than other brands I've owned.

The Fiskars Pruning Shears are somewhat crude in appearance but they're ruggedly built and maintain a sharp cutting edge. I've put these shears to a lot of use and they've yet to be sharpened. Plus, the blades seem to be absolutely stiff and don't bend under forceful use. I can cut green limbs up to about 3/4" with these. I'd say this is the best pruning shears I can remember using, certainly much better than the last two brands. I can't help notice "Made in U S A" stamped on one side of the tool. I hope this is still true.

Gary Peterson

By Alexis Stull

I was very surprised by the durability and strength these little shears have. I was able to cut through items at least a 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick with no problem. We just purchased a house so these came in handy in pruning back many things that had become overgrown. Seem to be holding up well, but would definitely repurchase if needed!

By William A. Baute

The spring in this pruner broke after quite a bit of use; I don't recall when we purchased it. I emailed Fiskars asking for a replacement spring. Within a week an entirely new tool arrived in my mailbox!

When they say "lifetime guarantee", this company really means it! Outstanding customer service!

By Abby Benjamin

These are great garden shears. I have had them for several months now, and the finish has held up (granted I have kept them in the garage, not outdoors all season). I have had other brands in the past begin rusting in the garage over winter. Its always a disappointment to take them out in the spring and find damaged tools. With spring finally arriving, I have recently taken them out of the tool bench and they are in the same condition as when I bought them, despite use in the fall to clean up the yard. These are great for trimming back small branches of overhanging trees or pruning shrubs or plants. I'd highly recommend these or anything from the Fiskars Garden Tool line based on my experience.

By Sarah Boss

I was very happy with these pruning shears. I bought them to prune my raspberry and blackberry plants in the winter before the warm weather hits. I also used them to cut back some weed trees that are starting to pop up (not sure what they are actually called, my siblings and I called them "choke cherry trees" growing up but I am 99.9% sure that's not their real name). It cut through everything effortlessly and was super easy to use. The locking mechanism worked well. I'm excited for spring to come so I can use them more often and clean up my garden beds!

By Stoney

> Just about the perfect pruning shears.
> Cuts cleanly through branches up to about 1/2", albeit that takes a strong grip.
> If your grip is weak, or you want to cut thicker branches I suggest short loppers such as Fiskars 15 Inch PowerGear Super Pruner/Lopper (7972) or ratcheting pruning shears such as Power Drive Ratchet Pruning Shears - Ideal Garden Hedge & Tree Clippers - Ratcheting Hand Secateurs and Tree Pruners Provide More Cutting Power Than Conventional Anvil Pruning Hand Tools and Garden Scissors
> For easiest and longest use, keep the blades dry and oiled. WD-40 spray is the easiest method
> Eventually (years or hundreds of uses) the (top) blade will get loose and the pruner will not cut so well. Just tighten the upper bolt, test, tighten some more, etc. until the blades close tightly, but the blades will still open when you release your grip
> CONS: I find only one shortcoming I can find is that there is no easy way to attach a lanyard---so, no easy way to hang the pruning shears from a hook---or with a carabineer from a belt loop.

PRUNERS vs LOPPERS
> Normally, pruners are best for stems and branches up to ⅜" diameter, and loppers are best for branches greater than ¾" diameter. In between, other consideration come into play.
> Pruners are used 1-handed, loppers are used 2-handed. If you need to hold a stem or branch while you cut, or you want to collect the cut stems as you work, a pruner is your best choice. Loppers are less tiring if you are cutting alot of thick stems, particularly if you have a weak grip for some reason. Loppers (particularly extendable handle loppers) give you far more reach, so that you don’t have to bend over, or resort to a ladder. The reach can also help protect you from the thorns of roses, etc.

OTHER DESIGN OPTIONS: Unless you have a specific reason to choose another design, pruning shears should be simple and anvil in design. The choices are more complex for loppers.
BYPASS vs ANVIL: Bypass pruners are analogous to scissors, with two blades which move past one another. Anvil pruners are analogous to a cleaver and cutting board, with 1 blade and an anvil to which the blade cuts. Bypass pruners usually cut more cleanly with less crushing, which is usually better for the plant. Anvil loppers may not easily cut completely through very fibrous stems.
SIMPLE vs COMPOUND, GEARED, or RACHET: Geared, compound, and rachet designs give you more leverage, but that usually is not desirable in pruning shears—but either requiring you to open the shears wider, or squeeze them multiple times to cut through a stem. For small or easily-cut stems, simple pruning shears are easier and less tiring to use.

Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my reviews of loppers for details on how to choose among lopper designs.

By Zuplar

Very good quality product. Then again most of Fiskars products are, that is part of the reason I purchased them, brand recognition. I've cut some fairly large branches and it just slices right through them. Makes trimming my bushes a lot easier, and I prefer to do it by hand then with a hedge trimmer. I've found that if you do them every month by hand they always look good and it's less work. Just my 2 cents.

By The Artist

Love these pruning shears. I have ridiculous arthritis but can use this without any problem. Keep in mind that they're made for pruning - not for cutting down trees. Perfect for trimming rose bushes and other bushes or cutting flowers. I have had no problem with the locking system as some people had mentioned.

By The House Detective

Nice shears...I use these. My wife uses the expensive ones. For future designs, I suggest that the color of the handles be changed to yellow to help prevent them from being thrown away (camoflaged with leaves, etc.).