Wilkinson Sword Shears

Here we go again, another product produced by Wilkinson Sword I purchased recently to add to the catalogue of gardening equipment I've collected. With two short stainless steel handles this product is more suited to the pruning of bushes, trees and shrubs at height and is not suited to the cutting of grass or other low set vegetation. The 'Telescopic Hand Shear' is one of those pieces of garden equipment every shed should have, as it is probably the most useful in taking care of wildly out-growing plantation in your garden!

As well as the products stainless steel handles being able to resist moisture and therefore rust, they are also lined with plastic hand guards at the top to help users grip easily when gardening. I find these very beneficial, but just as with the longer version shears I reviewed earlier, operating the tool with gardening gloves is not helped by the hand guards. The hand guards are probably the weakest part of the product, being made from a softer material, but they really are still very strong and will last a long time before tearing or slipping from the structure they protect.

The blades themselves came ready sharpened and therefore ready to use straight away. They were also well protected in the packaging which the product arrived in. Made from chromed steel, the blades are high strength and will chop through most weeds and branches well (...up to a thickness of around 7cm I found).
The leverage you acquire from the linear-based handles is excellent, allowing the full force of your arms to power the snapping of vegetation without hindrance. The several pieces which connect the blades to the handles also provide the product with strength and stability. As a whole then, the material components of this product make it extremely durable and long-lasting.

I find the way in which the shears are set up helps you to chop branches more easily. When fully closed, there is a more than sufficient gap remaining between the handles for two hands to sit un-squished. Similarly, the motion of closing and opening the device under load (...the chopping of branches) is made easier by the products smooth hinges and extra sharp blades, helping the shears to chop with reduced resistance.

Maintaining the blades can be a hassle, as they will eventually need sharpening, perhaps every 6-months if used on a regular basis. This usually means sending the product off to a compliant store which could well set you back £5-£15. The alternative is to sharpen them (...along with all your other equipment) yourself, but this puts at risk the smooth operation of the shears as many will find it difficult to achieve a factory finish without the proper tools.

Overall, I believe these shears are so vital to the collection of garden equipment you own. Not just standard short handled shears in general, but the Wilkinson Sword's version, as they are affordable, durable and reliable. They are also constructed from a small range of strong, long-lasting materials which have been tried and tested in the proper fashion. 9/10 product recommended to all keen gardeners!