Fiskars Power Gear Pruners – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

More power with less effort



The PowerGear technology employed with those pruners optimizes cutting power, enabling the user to tackle thicker stems effortlessly, whilst reducing strain on wrists.

The rotating handle does take a little getting use to but once that has happened, about five minutes after you have started using it, you wonder how you ever have managed with any other kind of pruner.

The large bypass pruner that I got with the Press Pack at the Garden Press Event 2010, and which I had wanted to do a review on for months now, can cut, according to the information, stems up to 20mm in diameter and as that is given for green wood and I have managed to cut dead wood – though for that anvil pruners should, rightly be used – the cutting power is tremendous.

The pruners cut effortlessly through the given size and that nigh on even in dead wood and this style definitely could become the choice for the serious gardener and professional.

The PowerGear pruners are somewhat chunkier than most conventional ones and hence might not, as easily, be accommodated in belt holsters, I am afraid, but that is just a little side comment. Maybe Fiskars could design a belt holster specifically for the PowerGear range.

A very well designed Bypass Pruner that has really got some power.

A very interesting thing is the little screw at the PowerGear handle area that allows for adjusting the opening width. Something that could be handy for some size hands, pardon the pun.

Made in Finland.

© 2010

Royal Forestry Society warning on Lyme disease

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Just in time for tick season the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) has produced a new fact sheet designed to prevent forestry workers and members of the public visiting forests and woodlands getting Lyme disease. The move is seen as particularly important because the disease is becoming more common and the symptoms can be severe.

The disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria transferred from infected wildlife to humans, through a tick bite. In the UK the disease is usually carried by lxodes ricinus – known as the sheep, deer or woodland tick.

The disease starts as a rash, but can lead to meningitis, facial palsy, nerve damage and arthritis. It can be treated by antibiotics, but if left undiagnosed complicated treatment may be needed. In the United States fatalities have been reported resultant from Lyme Disease.

Simple measures, such as wearing appropriate clothing or cleaning boots after use, can help reduce the incidence of the disease.

RFS chief executive Dr John Jackson said: “Lyme disease is a major problem in Europe and North America. Although it is still relatively uncommon in this country, there have been 6,000 cases since 1999 and numbers are steadily increasing.”

The ticks are particularly active in late spring, early summer and autumn. Not all areas are infected, but the New Forest, South Downs, Thetford Forest, North York Moors, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands are regarded as high risk areas.

One should, however, regardless, consider all areas as potentially dangerous as there is no guarantee, same as with the no-see-um midge, that infected insects do not colonize other areas.

The Ticks and Lyme Disease factsheet can be downloaded from the RFS website www.rfs.org.

© 2010

Bahco 396-JS folding (pruning) saw – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Bahco 396 folding pruning saws are made in a range of toothings nowadays.

I have had this sample now in professional use for nigh on a year and it took that long because I wanted to have a comparison with the competition, e.g. Felco's version of such saws.

While the Felco brand's saw works very well too the Bahco saw is faster and that in both green and dry wood.

The blade of the saw is replaceable, as is the Felco version, and has Hard Point teeth and extra space in gullet for faster cutting in thicker green branches and the sideground blade gives a totally smooth section surface.

The handle is a strong two-component plastic one with comfortable grip. Safety lock acts both in opened and closed position.

The Bahco 396 range of folding pruning saws, of which one was here under review, definitely could and should be the #1 choice for the professional gardener, tree surgeon and groundsman. In many instances this saw even beats a bow saw hands down.

© 2010