Pruners-are yours tuned to maximize performance?

Authors: P.W. Hall, E.G. Mason
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1988, Issue N.Z.J.For. 33(2) 1988, pp 19-22, Aug 1988
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

Abstract: The design of a pruner determines its ease of use. Pruners of four brands, some as the unmodified design and some with modified blades and/or handles, were compared for their efficiency. The force required by each tool to cut 16-, 23-, or 41-mm-wide water-saturated dowelling was measured by a load cell in the laboratory. Results indicated that careful grinding of the pruner heads reduces the thickness of the blades and markedly increases cutting efficiency. Modified Hit pruners performed the best. Pruner brands varied considerably in their gape and durability: overall, Hit pruners with modified blades were best.