Precise Clean Cuts with the Fiskars Bypass Lopper
Written: Jun 13 '04 (Updated Jun 13 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Teflon-coated cutting blade is sharp, precision cutting, comfort grip handles
Cons: Replacement blade difficult to find
The Bottom Line: I’m pruning the Bottom Line to encourage new growth.
|
|
|
| dlstewart's Full Review: Fiskars Power-Lever Fiberglass Bypass Lopper 9158 |
I do a lot of yard work, and the Fiskars Bypass Loppers – model # 9158 help me tame the yard. I’ve owned other brands of cutting products, but Fiskars always delivers continuous quality.
Description
I purchased these loppers last year. The photo on this Epinions page shows the handles in black. My Fiskars Bypass Loppers (model # 9158) have orange handles with charcoal-gray comfort grips at the end.
The loppers measure 31" long from the cutting head tip to the bottom of the handles. The metal cutting head is 7 1/4" long with the C-shaped hook 2 1/2" long and the Teflon-coated blade 2 1/2" long. Attaching the cutting head to the handles are two 3" long silver metal pieces that form the top of the handles. Where the hands grip the handles are charcoal-gray comfort grips 5 3/4" long and 1 1/4" diameter. The total length of the handles is 23 3/4".
When the lopper handles are closed, they have a handle spread of 11". The handles open to a width of 50". The cutting mouth opens 2" wide.
The handles are constructed of fiberglass, and the cutting head is high carbon steel. Fiskars says the blade is engineered to stay sharp longer, and that the fiberglass handles provide high strength and low weight.
These Fiskars Bypass Loppers also have PowerLever action. The card that came with my loppers says the “patented lever action reduces your cutting effort by 50%”. Yet, I’ve seen websites that say the cutting effort is reduced by 35%. (All I know is that the loppers easily cut wood, and my hands don’t suffer from using them.)
My Experiences
I find these loppers simple to use. It’s just like working a large pair of scissors, except two hands are required.
Fiskars calls the handle grips a “dual layer comfort grip”. There is little give to the material covering the handles. The material is smooth, yet it also offers traction and a comfortable grip. The loppers are easy to hold, and the grip helps prevent hand slippage.
The Fiskars Bypass Loppers have a 2" cutting capacity and have easily handled every task I’ve asked of them. With the Teflon-coated blade, these cutters resist rust. The blade has remained sharp to produce a clean cut where I want to prune. The C-shaped hook gathers the wood close to the pivot point where a better cut is achieved.
When I purchased these loppers, I immediately set to trimming deadwood from some trees that were overdue for maintenance. This spring I removed dead branches from the blueberry bushes. The squirrels managed to plant a few acorns that were rapidly growing into mighty oaks behind some bushes ... against the foundation of the house. Out they came. Yesterday, I pruned deadwood from the enormous rue plant in my herb garden.
These loppers easily slice through 1" and 1 1/2" branches. To use a cliche, these cutters act just like a hot knife passing through butter. Easy. I’ve also cut 2" diameter branches, and the loppers do a great job. The thicker branches, though, particularly if the wood is hard, require a bit more muscle to cut. Still, I found it easy to do ... just a bit more effort is required.
Another additional benefit to the C-shaped hook is that it is easy to use the loppers to grab branches. When a branch is cut, it falls to the ground. Sometimes the branch falls in a difficult-to-reach spot. Simply extend the cutters toward the fallen branch, open the C-shaped hook, and gently close the loppers around the branch and pull the branch toward you. The loppers make a great arm extension. And, I admit, sometimes when I’m exhausted from a day of yard work, I don’t want to bend over to pick up branches. Okay, call me lazy. But it’s a nice convenience.
Care & Storage
Fiskars recommends the blades be oiled regularly. Also, the card that came with my loppers says that the cutting blade is replaceable, though I’ve never seen a replacement blade advertised anywhere. I store these loppers on a shelving unit in the garage.
The manufacturer states to do the following if you desire to sharpen the blade of these loppers: “Sharpen only the beveled side of the cutting blade. Do not sharpen the flat side of the cutting blade, or any part of the opposing blade because you will create a space between the blades that will prevent their clean, scissorlike cutting action.”
Purchasing & Warranty
I bought the Fiskars Bypass Loppers at my local Home Depot for about $25.00 last year. The Home Depot website is currently offering these loppers for $29.97.
“This product is warranted to the original purchaser. Defective products will be repaired or replaced free of charge when sent postage paid with proof of purchase. Normal wear on blades, damage due to abuse, mishandling, or unauthorized repair is not covered.”
Summary
I am very happy with the Fiskars Bypass Loppers. They are easy to use and allow me to precisely cut where I want to prune. The blade is sharp, producing a smooth, clean cut. Also, the comfort handles are easy on my hands. These loppers are a great addition to my gardening tools. I highly recommend them.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Fiskars, Inc.
Lawn & Garden Division
780 Carolina Street
Sauk City, WI 53583
Toll-free Phone: 800-500-4849
Please read my other reviews:
Rubbermaid Big Max Storage Shed
Rubbermaid Tool Tower
Step 2 Grass Hopper Wheeled Garden Stool / Cart
Craftsman 3-Drawer Portable Toolbox
Rubbermaid Jumbo 50-Gallon Roughtote
Sharp Calculator -- Solar with Battery Backup
Belkin UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Cramer Stop-Step Aluminum Ladder
Cook’s Garden (online store)
Johnny’s Selected Seeds (online store)
Park Seed (online store)
Dutch Gardens (online store)
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.