Can't go wrong with a Felco model. The #7 is very easy on the hand for long pruning sessions.

Here is a link that might be useful: try this one out....

I bought these as a gift, and wound up keeping them! They exert force in an ergonomic fashion because of the angle,and the rotating handle prevents wrist fatigue. They are WONDERFUL!!And worth every penny.just be sure you don't LOSE them!

$62?!!! I would have to strap them to my wrist. I lose pruners about every year but I'm getting better.

They are cheaper on amazon.com.

Wouldn't ya know it, but my hubby found my old ones the other day. So much for that Mother's Day idea! I will definitely have to check the Felcos out in person, even if I have to get them for myself!
Thanks!
Pam

Well, Pam, if you want the Cadillac of hand pruners, get a Florian. I bought my first pair at a garden show. They are expensive but will last years. They have a lifetime guarantee that allows you to send them back with a small amount of money and get a new pair. I just did that after years and years. All their cutting implements cut through stuff like butter. Mine are the ratchet style because I don't have a lot of strength in my hands. Many people like the typical by-pass pruners, but most of my cutters are ratchet. Here is a web site for you to look at:

http://www.floriantools.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RP-701&Category_Code=florian_tools

I use the Felco #10. Designed for left handers. The #7 is the right handed model. The bottom handle rotates in your grip and greatly releives strain when doing a great deal of pruning. In my previous life I did commercial landscape maintenance and would often prune for 8 or 10 hours a day for a week. (think crape myrtles)

Expensive but worth the money!

I vote for Felco. I just wish I knew how to change the blade.

Ok, I'll confess that I just use the cheap Corona brand ones from Home Depot. None of my plants seem to suffer from being clipped with such inferior clippers .... :) That way when I lose them or leave them out too long, I haven't ruined a major investment. Cause I do that.

I've order from these guys with success.

http://www.felcostore.com/pruners.jsp