Sooner or later every gardener will have the need to trim thick or woody stems. A good pruner is one of the most invaluable tools in your tool bag.
Features to consider:
- Comfort of grip
- Cutting diameter
- Ease of repair
- One-handed locking/unlocking
- Non-stick Blades
- Price value
1. Corona "Classic" Bypass Pruner
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Corona is a respected name among professional gardeners. These "classic" pruners have replaceable, sharpenable heat-treated blades. I’ve recently been seeing Corona replacement parts popping up in all the local hardware stores, which makes it more convenient. This model is available in ˝", 3/4" and 1" cutting capacity.
2. Felco #8 Pruner
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Felco pruners, popular with professionals, come in several sizes. The Number 8s are popular with home gardeners because of their angled blade, which improves lever action and cutting power. Blades are not riveted, making the blades and all other parts easily serviced. For a left-handed version of the same pruner, choose the Felco #9. 
3. Fiskars® Powergear By-Pass Pruner
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Powergears are designed to minimize muscle strain and are great for gardeners with limited grip strength. The steel blade has a 3/4" cutting capacity. They're the #1 in scissors and their garden tools carry over that quality.
4. Fiskars® Loop Handle Bypass Pruner
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Here’s another clever design from Fiskars that aims to be more comfortable to use. The scissor-like grip is nice, not just for gardener’s with hand trouble, but also for anyone doing a lot of repetitive pruning. The upper grip is cushioned, to lessen blisters. The lower handle is looped to give better control. Cuts up to 5/8".
