1. Painting: Stainless steel extension poles are often used to extend the reach of paint rollers, allowing painters to access high walls or ceilings without the need for ladders or scaffolding.

2. Cleaning: They can be used to extend the reach of cleaning tools such as squeegees, brushes, or mops for cleaning windows, walls, or other hard-to-reach surfaces.

3. Photography and videography: Stainless steel extension poles are used to mount cameras or recording devices to capture aerial or elevated shots.

4. Lighting: They can be used to hang or position lighting fixtures in high or inaccessible areas, such as for outdoor events or stage productions.

Stainless steel is chosen for these poles due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and strength, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The telescoping feature allows the pole to be extended and locked at various lengths, providing versatility for different applications.

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        Hand pruners are great for trimming narrow stems and branches up to 1/2 inch in diameter, but they are generally better suited for trimming thicker branches up to 2-3 inches in diameter. Essentially, pruning shears are an improved version of pruning shears that provide greater reach and cutting force. Garden centers and online stores offer a wide selection of trimmers, many of which are known as the best trimmers for home landscaping projects.
        Some of these tools are excellent, others are average. We’ve tested several pruning shears from a variety of leading manufacturers to find out which products live up to their reputation. We, of course, put them through the wringer of trimming, pruning and pruning the trees and shrubs in the yard.
        We also reached out to tree care experts to get their opinions on specific aspects that buyers should consider before making a purchase. Then find out what to look for when purchasing this landscaping tool, and learn about the pros (and cons) we found when testing the following landscaping trimmers.
        We carefully test each set of pruning shears and analyze the results. We have found that the cutting ability of the tool and whether it is designed to cut dead wood (anvil) or new wood (bypass) is critical. We rated each pruner for performance, blade sharpness, ease of use, and durability.
        We tested each set of pruning shears on different sized branches and noted the size of the thickest branch we were comfortable cutting. While some pruning shears have a ratcheting mechanism, which is a great addition to their cutting capabilities, every pruning shear has a limit on what it can cut, depending on the width of the blade when fully open and the strength of the user. Does their maximum cutting ability require superhuman strength? Is the handle comfortable? These are just some of the factors we consider when testing each pruner.
        The pruners were also assessed for comfort, whether they had soft or non-slip handles, and whether the handles were ergonomic to maximize the user’s hand strength. We found that bending the handle slightly inward allowed us to create more leverage. Safety is also an important consideration, especially when using ratcheting pruners that lock into place with the final pull of the handle.
        We tested each of the pruning shears below to determine which type of branches they were best for pruning (dry wood or green wood) and to determine how well the handle and blade were designed. Learn how each one works to determine if it’s a good fit for your landscaping tool collection.
        The first thing we noticed when the Kings County Tools pruners arrived was their durable construction. These durable pruning shears feature steel heads and forged aluminum arms. When we first deployed the handle, the blade extended to its widest position under the chin and required four pulls on the handle to fully close. The ratcheting action of each handle pump creates more cutting pressure.
        Adjusting the telescopic handle is effortless—we simply pressed the white button on the top handle and pulled out the extension. The arms have five individually set lengths spaced about 3 inches apart, so we can lengthen them a little or extend them up to 40 inches to reach tall branches. We were able to trim branches that we previously had to stand on a ladder to reach.
        If you want the convenience of a mid-length pruner most of the time, but sometimes need a longer tool, these anvil pruners are a worthy choice. We’re impressed by the durable carbon-coated steel blade—it won’t dull or scratch even the toughest dry branches. This tool is designed to cut branches up to 2.5 inches thick. With medium pressure we can cut dead branches that are just over 2 inches in diameter, but with some extra pressure we can cut dead branches that are about 3 inches in diameter.
        Kings County Tools pruners received the “Best Overall” award for their versatility: they can be quickly extended; they have powerful cutting force and are equipped with ergonomic non-slip handles;
        For a reasonably priced lawn mower that doesn’t sacrifice performance, these Fiskars bypass pruners are a great choice. The stainless steel blades are hardened and precision ground, meaning they stay sharp for a longer period of time. The low friction coating allows the blade to cut through wood easily and reduce sap residue. We found the Fiskars pruning shears to be easy to use for trimming green branches and they cut very smoothly. We found no broken branches or jagged cuts, which make the tree more susceptible to disease.
        These 28-inch cutters are suitable for living greenery and can cut branches up to 1.5 inches thick. Shock-absorbing bumpers make the tool easier to use, and the soft handle provides additional comfort. While these pruners aren’t the lightest on the list, they still weigh a modest 2.9 pounds, making them easy to use when cutting overhead grass clippings.
        After testing, we found that the non-stick blades simply need to be wiped with a soft cloth. This is important because other bypass pruners are difficult to clean, requiring cleaning with steel wool and lubricant. All scissors used to cut fresh wood will get slightly wet and may become covered in sticky sap, so being able to wipe the blades clean is a big plus. Those looking for a quality cutting tool at an affordable price will not be disappointed with Fiskars pruners.
        These durable bypass pruners are significantly improved in performance and ergonomics. In fact, it’s the favorite brand of Kaustubh Deo, owner and CEO of Blooma Tree Experts, a Seattle-based tree care company with ISA-certified arborists and over 17 years of experience. “We recommend Felco as a brand for pruning shears and other pruning equipment because they make high-quality equipment that professionals trust,” he said.
        The hardened carbon steel blade is made in Switzerland and is designed for clean, precise cuts. Users can also sharpen the blade if necessary. Everything about these pruners speaks of quality. They are durable and all parts are replaceable, so this may be the last pruner you buy.
        The forged aluminum handle is smooth to the touch. However, this tool weighs 4.4 pounds, so it’s not for the faint of heart. These pruners are 33 inches long and can go as far as trimming taller branches. It is most convenient for us to trim branches at waist level or below. After trimming some of the top branches I started to feel some fatigue in my wrists and arms.
        The handles of these knives do not slip and have a slight inward angle, which allows you to maintain a more comfortable hand position when applying force. Built-in shock absorbers on the handle protect your hands and wrists, making them ideal for stressful and time-consuming landscaping tasks. This pruner is designed for serious arborists who make sharp, clean cuts on green wood.
        Weighing less than 1.5 pounds and measuring about 16 inches from tip to tail, this Woodland Tools pruner is the smallest and lightest model we’ve ever tested. It may not look like much, but it has proven to us that it is ideal for removing hardened and dry branches.
        We use Woodland Tools Compact Duralight pruners to remove branches from dead and fallen apple trees. It can quickly process anything that fits inside the blade, up to about 1.25 inches thick. The handle is soft and comfortable, and the short handle makes it easy to move and work among dense branches.
        The ratchet gave us mixed results: on the one hand, it helped increase cutting power when cutting tough branches, but required a wider opening of the handle to fully open the blade, which is sometimes impossible when working under the canopy. . However, for us, the benefits of the shorter handle length and increased cutting power outweigh the occasional lack of room for handle extensions.
        Although the tool does not have traditional guards to prevent the handles from impacting at the end of a cut, the unique U-shaped design provides enough separation to protect the user’s knuckles. This tool offers a lot of useful things, but sometimes we find a flaw. This is a smart choice for working with small branches in tight spaces.
        The ComfortGEL grips on these Corona trimmers are so comfortable that we didn’t even think about wearing gloves when using them. Our hands didn’t slip so we didn’t have to worry about getting blisters. The handle provides just the right amount of padding while remaining durable, and the slightly curved shape fits our hands perfectly.
        Combination pruners are great for cutting thick branches. We can easily remove unwanted branches from apple trees larger than 1.5 inches in diameter. The long aluminum arm creates plenty of leverage. The optional composite arm increases cutting force and reduces work required, while the durable steel handle provides additional power. At 3.8 pounds, Corona pruners are heavier than some of the pruners we tested, but they are not as heavy as other ratchet models.
        These knives have a narrow blade opening, making them useful for cutting hard-to-reach branches. When we first reviewed the pruning shears, we were disappointed with the plastic lever opening mechanism. Even though it’s plastic, it’s actually a bumper protector: the identical steel link at the back is the opening mechanism, so the plastic acts more like a stabilizer.
       Buy Corona Tools DualLINK secateurs at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Northern Tool + Equipment.
        These bypass pruners have large, curved heads and sharp blades. Our first impression was that the pruners would be unbalanced due to the large head size, but they only weigh 2.8 pounds. They do not have a complex mechanism, but instead have huge blades and long handles for leverage. We were able to place a 2-inch Green Queen branch between the blades and cut it right away. Oak of the same size is more durable, but workable.
        Corona Tools Extra Heavy Duty Pruning Shears are 32 inches long and are ideal for branches that reach up to your head. These handheld trimmers feature soft grip handles for a more comfortable experience, and the cutting blades can be sharpened as needed.
        A nice feature of these pruners is the steel spring buffer located in the opening mechanism, which prevents the user from clenching their hands after making a tough cut. We appreciated the bumper by putting in extra effort to cut through green branches that seemed difficult but suddenly gave way. The bumper absorbed the impact, but our hands did not.
       Buy Corona Tools Heavy Duty Pruning Shears from Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Forestry Supplies or Corona Tools.
        We initially wondered if the Tabor Tools anvil shears would be able to cut through tough, dry branches since they do not have a ratcheting action. We don’t have to worry: instead, pruners make complex cuts using a short pivot arm located at the blade’s pivot point, thereby increasing cutting force.
        The manufacturer advertises this pruner as capable of cutting dead branches up to 2 inches thick. We didn’t quite get it right, but we were able to cut dead branches off a 1.5 inch thick elm tree.
        We were very impressed with the handles on this set of pruners – they were soft and lightly padded, allowing us to apply pressure without our hands slipping. Thick 30-inch long arms allow us to increase the force on tree branches. A shock absorbing bumper would be a nice addition, but this is a good set of pruners for cutting dry wood. The Tabor Tools pruners weigh 3.5 pounds, are ideal for overhead use, and won’t cause too much wrist and arm fatigue for the average user.
        We used Spear & Jackson pruners to remove some dead willow branches that were damaged during an ice storm earlier this year. Willow is tough when dry, but the ratcheting action of these pruners increases cutting force, and with just a little pumping action we were able to cut dead branches up to 1.5 inches thick.
        These trimmers take a little getting used to; When we first deployed the handle, the blades didn’t open until the handle reached maximum extension and then the head opened. From this point on, the knife handle required four pulls to completely cut the branch. With each pump, the ratcheting action increases the cutting force on the branch until it is cut through.
        Although we’ve tested several other telescopic pruner kits, this kit was the easiest to adjust while mowing. We were able to start cutting the branch, and although the cutting head held the branch firmly, we were able to twist the base of the handle and pull to pop it out. This is a great feature for those who are starting to cut and decide they need a longer handle for more leverage. At 4.2 pounds, these pruners are quite heavy, so we had to take a few breaks, but they have a lot of cutting power.
        Climbing stairs is one of the most dangerous parts of pruning crape myrtle, holly and other trees. The Fiskars Pruning Stik pull-out tree trimmer allows you to trim branches up to a second-story window without disassembling your climbing gear. We used it to form a 20 foot tall cherry bay tree.
        The trimmer head has an articulating trimmer controlled by a sliding handle at the base of the head. The lightweight aluminum pole extends and locks from 7.9 to 12 feet, allowing most users to reach branches 15 feet or more up the tree. The pruner can handle branches up to 1.25 inches thick, and you can attach a detachable pruning blade to handle thicker branches up to 6 inches thick.
        The stick quickly and securely adjusts to any height from 7.9 to 12 feet using a lever lock. The cutting head is also adjustable 90 degrees, from line with the rod to 90 degrees, making it easy to access branches and cut them in the most convenient direction. We really appreciate how easy it is to walk past a “good” branch and selectively remove other branches higher up the tree. Unlike a tall saw, the compact cutting head of a pruning shear rarely gets caught in thick branches.
        When we need to remove larger branches, setting up the blade takes just a few seconds, with one wing nut holding the blade to the support and the other holding the blade at the desired angle. If you need to delete a branch and you don’t have access to this tool, this might be a job for a professional.
        Right out of the box, the Wolf-Garten pruning shears look impressive, with sleek gray German steel blades, sleek aluminum handles, and contrasting red handles and accents. Their cutting abilities are equally impressive.
        These premium bypass pruners open and close as smoothly as a gliding pruner – nothing gets stuck and no effort is required. They have sharp bypass blades that cut green branches easily. We were able to cut almost 1.75 inches of green branches without the blade getting stuck. That’s pretty impressive for a non-ratcheting pruner. We appreciate the protective bumpers, which prevent the handles from hitting each other and make cutting virtually vibration-free.
        If we could ask for one improvement on the Wolf-Garten pruners, it would be a different arm extension mechanism—we would prefer steel arms over plastic ones for durability. We can adjust the length of the handle by pressing the yellow lever inside and then pulling or pushing the handle to the desired length. At 3.8 pounds, these pruners aren’t the lightest pruners we’ve tested, but their pruning capabilities are excellent, and that alone makes them more expensive.
        At first glance, all pruning shears look roughly the same—they all have two elongated handles that allow you to manipulate scissor-like blades. But there are significant differences between the models.
        Secateurs are classified according to their blades and are divided into anvil and bypass types. Each type works better on different types of stems and branches.
        Anvil scissors have a grooved fixed base (anvil). They have a removable sharp blade that is pressed into a groove when cutting branches. Anvil shears are ideal for cutting dry, brittle branches and dead stems, cutting them in half with ease. They are not suitable for trimming soft green branches as they tend to crush and tear the branches instead of making clean cuts.
        Bypass pruners work in the same way as scissors: two sharp blades overlap each other to make a clean cut. Bypass pruners are best for making sharp cuts on soft green branches. But using bypass pruners to trim tough, dead branches can cause the blades to become dull or even cause dents. Choose a bypass trimmer for trimming greenery, such as trimming overgrown shrubs.
        Like many pruning shears, pruning shear blades are made of steel, but not all steel is created equal. Some pruning shears have a coating that protects the blades, preserves their edges, and makes cleaning easier.
        Nothing resists stains and rust better than stainless steel. However, it is not as strong as carbon steel and tends to bend when used on hard and dry branches. Stainless steel blades are more expensive and can be difficult to sharpen once they become dull.