As a landscaper and gardener for my clients, I’m always keeping an eye out for new products that might make my work easier and last through the heavy daily use. I’ve been doing this job for close to two decades now, so over that time I’ve invested in good quality tools to take care of everyone’s property. But there’s one tool that has proven so helpful, it has a permanent spot in my work bag. That tool is my trusty Fiskars bypass pruning shears. Today, I will review it in detail after thorough usage.
I first came across these 5/8” bypass pruners about 5 years ago while wandering the gardening aisle at the hardware store down the road. What caught my attention was their simple yet comfortable design – lightweight but sturdy steel built with a handle that looked easy to hold even during long pruning sessions. Since cheaper pairs I had used before wore out quickly, I was willing to spend a bit more if it meant something that would last and be precise. At around $20, I figured the Fiskars were a low-risk way to see if they’d work well for me.
I had no idea then how much I would like these shears and how they would become my go-to pruners for everything but the toughest jobs. After 5 years of using them regularly as part of taking care of landscapes, I can confidently say the Fiskars bypass pruners are one of the best gardening purchases I’ve made. Here are some of the main reasons they’ve earned a space in my work bag.
Clean, Accurate Cuts
It’s important for pruning tools to make cuts precisely since sloppy cuts can damage plants or leave jagged edges that make them prone to diseases and such. The 5/8 inch bypass blades on the Fiskars shears to slice through branches of a similar thickness with laser-like accuracy. Even after years of regular use, they’ve kept their sharp factory edge and continue gliding through woody stems with ease.
This level of sharpness and accuracy is no doubt helped by Fiskars’ non-stick blade coating. Unlike uncoated steel, the low-friction surface allows the blades to glide smoothly through branches without gumming up or sticking. This precision is a major time-saver when maintaining large landscapes, as I don’t have to wrestle with dull or sticky tools. A clean cut also promotes the plant’s natural healing process.
Durability Built to Last
As a professional gardener, my tools face punishing conditions, unlike most homeowner kits. They’re regularly exposed to rain, sun, dirt, debris, and exhaustive daily use. While cheaper pruners may last a season or two, I need gear that can stand up to the rigors of my job for years on end without fraying.
The all-steel build of the Fiskars shears has proven exceptionally durable. After heavy seasonal use for half a decade with no sign of slowing, the blades still hold their edge while the grip and hinges function as smoothly as the day I bought them. Not a single part has required replacement or repair during that time. The solid construction feels like it could easily outlast another decade of rigorous professional use without breaking a sweat.
I’ve seen many other brands of pruners crack, warp, or develop creaky hinges after just a year or two in my continuous-use environs. The fact that these shears are going as strong as the day I took them out of the package speaks volumes about their reliability and longevity. For both residential and commercial landscaping needs, I’m confident the upfront investment in Fiskars will save money long-term.
Comfort for Hours of Use
As anyone who has spent hours pruning knows, hand fatigue can quickly set in if using a tool with an awkward or improperly contoured grip. Especially during busy seasons when long days are the norm, an ergonomic design is paramount for hand health and productivity.
Right out of the box, I was impressed by how naturally the Fiskars bypass pruning shears fit in my hands. The curved design flows with the hand’s natural contours, allowing a full range of motion without stressing the joints or muscles. Even after pruning for hours on end, my hands stayed loose and nimble thanks to the comfortable hold.
This ergonomic focus is no doubt why Fiskars’ designs have won numerous awards from arthritis and hand therapy organizations. As someone who spends his career on his feet with tools in hand, minimized fatigue from an effective design is hugely important for longevity in this demanding field. After testing many other pruners over the years, none come close to Fiskars for hand comfort during lengthy sessions.
Self-Cleaning Design
A major annoyance with pruning shears is how easily the narrow blades can become gummed up with sap during cuts. This sticky buildup forces frequent cleaning breaks to scrape off debris, and sap the tool’s efficiency. For a busy pro, every wasted minute is money out of pocket.
Fiskars designed their 5/8” bypass pruners with this in mind, incorporating a clever sap groove along the blades’ spine. This trough catches and guides away sticky residue during cuts, keeping the edge clear and cutting fast. Combined with the non-stick coating, the blades stay pristinely clean even after heavy use on sappy trees and shrubs.
No longer do I have to pause every few cuts to scrape off the debris. The self-cleaning design allows me to maintain a steady workflow for extended periods without interruption. Not only does this save me valuable time over a full workday compared to other pruners, but it also reduces hand fatigue by keeping cuts swift and smooth. For any landscaper, that level of operational efficiency is well worth the initial investment.
Putting the Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears to the Test
As I’ve come to rely on my Fiskars bypass pruners over the years, I was eager to put them through rigorous real-world testing on a variety of pruning jobs. To truly evaluate their performance in diverse conditions, I selected three very different plant types common to my region – rose bushes, fruit trees, and evergreen hedges. Each presents unique challenges, so seeing how the shears handled each would be an excellent gauge of their versatility and durability.
#Pruning Roses
Roses are always the first plants I tackle each spring, so they seemed the logical place to start. After a long winter, the thick canes had become tangled and overgrown. I went in with the shears, easily making clean cuts through the woody stems. The sharp blades sliced through multiple canes with each squeeze, allowing me to work quickly yet precisely. Even tangled areas were no match for the narrow design slipping easily between branches.
Impressively, not a single cut required any sawing or jagged tears like inferior pruners often leave. Cleaning them performed as promised – no gumming or sticking occurred even on the sappy canes. By the time an hour had passed in the rose beds, I hadn’t stopped once for cleaning whereas other tools always need frequent scrubbing. Their self-cleaning sap groove kept the blades in peak form from start to finish.
#Pruning Blackberry Fruit Trees
Emboldened by the roses, I moved on to my fruit trees – specifically pruning back some overgrown brambles of blackberry canes. Their thicker woody stems normally put a strain on blades, yet the Fiskars sliced through like butter. Again, not a smear of sap anywhere even after an extended session under the hot sun. Any concerns about durability vanished – the tools showed no sign of tiring even after such rigorous work.
#Pruning Overgrown Hedge
My final test involved extensive pruning back of overgrown hedge rows – a chore that usually fatigues hands quickly. However, the ergonomic design lived up to its reputation, keeping discomfort at bay during the multi-hour job. Their lightweight body moved nimbly yet was stout enough for heavy shearing. Not once did I struggle with stiffness or soreness like usual, allowing my focus to remain sharp throughout.
By day’s end, I was incredibly impressed. Not only had the Fiskars 5/8” pruners proven equal to each pruning task, but they’d also excelled with ease – no clogging, effortless control, and nary a hint of wear. Most impressively, their edge stayed true despite cutting vastly different plant textures from delicate rose stems to woody blackberry canes. And despite continuous use that morning, they felt just as new at closing time.
A perfect evaluation would involve long-term monitoring, so I made sure to note how each area fared as seasons changed. The roses burst forth more vibrant than before, free of unhealthy canes. Fruit production on the trees multiplied tenfold with improved airflow. The hedges maintained an elegant silhouette all summer long. Those precise starting cuts had set each landscape up for optimum health and appearance – a testament to the Fiskars’ precision.
Now several months later as autumn arrived, I checked in once more on the tools and plants. Incredibly, not a speck of rust had degraded those steel blades even after a wet summer outdoors. Meantime, the landscapes remained as thriving as ever – a true testament to the healing cuts left by such sharp shears. Fiskars built them to perform beautifully year-round, season after season, further solidifying their place in my permanent toolkit. After such comprehensive real-world trials, these pruners have certainly proven themselves masters of any pruning task!
Exceptional Customer Service
While I’ve thankfully not needed to use it myself yet, I take comfort in knowing the Fiskars products come with a lifetime warranty to stand behind their tools’ build quality. Should any part fail down the line, they guarantee free repairs or replacements.
Fiskars prides itself on standout customer service, and interacting with its representatives reaffirms its commitment to satisfying users for life. Agents are knowledgeable about product details, willing to troubleshoot any potential issues, and quick to resolve concerns – a refreshing change from some other companies.
Landscaping involves pushing the limits of tools daily, so backing products this comprehensively gives me peace of mind. It shows Fiskars values building relationships, not just one-time sales. Their products may cost a bit more upfront, but the durability, ergonomics, and lifetime support more than makeup for it in the long run.
Potential Drawbacks
The one potential downside I’ve noticed over the years of heavy use is that the pivot point where the blades meet can occasionally accumulate some gunk if not cleaned regularly. Being out in the elements every day, it’s inevitable that some dirt or debris will work its way in there no matter how well these are maintained.
I’ve found that if I don’t wipe that area down and apply a tiny bit of lubricant after long stretches, the blades can start to feel a touch stiffer when squeezing. A quick clean usually takes care of it, but it’s something to be aware of for those also doing this work in messy conditions every day. Thankfully, some simple maintenance prevents it from becoming a real issue.
Verdict
After a true lifetime of testing in my demanding landscape operations, I can say the Fiskars bypass pruning shears have far surpassed my expectations as a must-have tool. Their sharp precision, rugged construction, effortless ergonomics, and intelligent design details collectively elevate productivity compared to any other pruners I’ve tried. The sheer longevity and hassle-free performance have more than proven their value over multiple seasons of use.
At this point, I wouldn’t consider using any other bypass pruning shears for my business or personal gardening needs. These Fiskars 5/8” pruners have become the gold standard by which I judge all other options. Whether you’re a pro like myself or an avid home gardener, I wholeheartedly recommend the Fiskars bypass pruners for their unmatched quality, comfort, and reliability that will serve you for years to come. They’ve certainly earned their permanent place in my toolkit – I look forward to them lasting at least another great season if not a lifetime of pruning ahead!
Michael has been in the landscaping world for over 15 years. After obtaining his arborist certification, he dedicated himself to sharing his immense knowledge about plants, trees, and their proper care. Pruning is Michael’s passion. He’s spent decades mastering techniques for timing, methods, and tools. Michael takes great joy in ensuring others learn to maintain beautiful, healthy gardens, and landscapes. Whether through guides, tutorials, or advice, his goal is to equip homeowners and professionals with pruning expertise.
When it comes to choosing the right equipment, Michael is also incredibly knowledgeable. He has used countless pruning tools to discover the most durable, high-quality options. Michael understands what works best in the field. His in-depth comparisons will save you time and money by finding the perfect shears, loppers, trimmers, or saws.
With great respect for horticulture and sustainability, Michael is committed to educating communities. By sharing the insights gained over a lifetime around greenery, he empowers people to steward the planet’s verdant spaces responsibly. Nature is his true passion, and Michael aims to foster others’ love of the living world through his writings.
