I make my willow and poplar cuttings with the bottom end cut at a slant so that my help (kids) can put the right end in the pot. I do several thousand of these. Cutting the slant end often results in the last flap of bark bending and shredding instead of cutting. Straight cuts aren't a problem. I thought it was my pruners, but this is happening with the new pair I received at Christmas. It's doing no better than the ratty 7 buck ones that I sharpened and oiled.

Is there a better way to make slant cuts?