Fiskars has a pair of pruners designed for small hands. I am a man with small hands (some say four hands) and I have a pair of these ergonomically designed pruners and dearly love them. They are very easy to open and close. Google Fiskars.

Kathy - if you want to try mine out before you buy you are welcome, just let me know

I love my #7s! That rotating handle really reduces the aches and pains. Mine is the left handed model.

I had a pair of #8's but think I want the rotating handle. I abused mine (I know bad girl) and they are now rusted and incredibly dull. I lost the key, and replacing the damaged parts (handlecover is cracked and rusted parts) is almost as much as buying a new pair. I have had mine for about 10 years, so I know the brand is good and can't believe they have lasted this long with as poorly as I treated them. I am deciding between the #7 or #12, and would like to see them both to be sure if anyone knows who sells them locally. Otherwise, does anyone have the #12's? It says they are for smaller hands, but I am not sure if they might not cut as large a diameter as the #7's. Barb which do you have? I think we have discussed the small hands thing re: gloves right? And where did your husband get the felco's? (I think you told me they were a Christmas gift)

I can't believe I called Pike's and Scottsdale Farms and neither carries them.

They rusted? Must not use stainless steel in construction. I have more than half-dozen pair of hand pruners, but my favorite one's are 2 pair of Craftsman(Sears) that have lasted through more than 40 years of use and abuse! There is no rust, even though I have left them out in the elements for days or weeks. They have a sealed lubricant reservoir that keeps them working for more than a year. The only maintenance reqired is frequent cleaning and an occasional sharpening. Of course, they don't make pruners like that any more, but I would check to see what they have to offer. Their products are usually manufactured by one of the well known brand names and often to tighter specifications.
Rb

Well, guess I jusmped the gun-- DH didn't like the idea of me spending another $40+ on new pruners so he did some serious cleaning on mine and actually got the rust off and sharpened them so I guess I underestimated the power of some steel wool and WD-40. So I guess I'll hold off on the new pruners after all. But thanks anyway. Guess Felco pruners are more resiliant than I realized. Can't say they are good as new but they will defintiely work for a while longer at least.