ARS HS-KR1000 Professional Hedge Shears

Well made and durable. Replacement blades are also available. I use these to do spring pruning on my many rose bushes. Very sharp and will stay sharp if cared for properly. (I use these only for my roses, in order to keep them sharp. I have Corona shears that I use for pruning my woody shrubs.). The finish resists rust, but you should clean the blades with alcohol after use and then oil lightly before storing. (Be careful because the blades are VERY sharp.) This serves two purposes: to disinfect the blades and to prevent rust. (I wax the blades with car wax, starting when they are brand new. This makes them easier to clean. But the alcohol will strip the wax, so you have to reapply each time you clean them. ). I also store them inside the house because of the humidity.

These shears are not super heavy duty. They ARE lightweight, sharp, and well-made. If you are trying to decide between these and the ARS K-800 shears https://www.amazon.com/ARS-2-Inch-Hedge-Shears-K-800/dp/B0009XAHK6/, get these. I've owned both and the ARS KR-1000 shears are better for several reasons: * Replaceable blades. Buy a spare set when you buy these so that you aren't looking for them later. * Better handle design. The K-800 shears have a plastic handle which mates up to a metal tang which only runs a short distance into the handle. Mine failed a lot sooner than it should have. In contrast, the KR-1000 handle is a continuous lightweight piece of metal which only uses plastic to reinforce the interior part of the handle. They're satisfying to use and they just work. If I was doing hedge clipping for hours a day, I'd want something electric, but for small jobs these are very nice. The resins from the hedges can gum them up. I've found that WD-40 a plastic scrubbing pad does wonders for cleaning them up when this is a problem.

Like: Really beautiful tool in looks and function. It comes with a sheath which is also really nice. It is incredibly sharp, light and easy to use. It is easy to store. Don't like: well, if it were 50% cheaper I'm sure I'd like that, but this pair of clippers is well worth it to make quick work of my vines and other shrubby growth. I do recommend taking good care of the cutting edge by cleaning and oiling (I use WD40) after each use. LOVE LOVE LOVE ARS tools. Nothing else compares to ease of use for smaller hands. I use it primarily on leafy growth and very small twiggy things, NOT anything larger than 1/8". It might handle it but its best use is to clip down hedges. Hence: hedge clipper.

The only thing I do not like is the accompanying literature is in Japanese which I cannot read. I would think that I can figure out how to use a pair of hedge trimmers but, still, there might be some little nuance in the care or use of this product that could be important or useful to know. It did seem that the blades were just a little shorter than some of the shears I have used in the past. That was not an issue. The blades are long enough to do the job. My suggestion is if they are not going to print a section of the brochure in English, then have a web page where purchasers can go to read and download this information. These clippers are really sharp and they are light. My guess is the handles are made of a magnesium aluminum alloy. I thought that not having the heft of old-style trimmers might affect the way they cut. It does not. One reviewer was distressed that the blades oxidized and turned dark. At 70 years old, I am old enough to remember when most blades were not stainless steel but were carbon steel and they would darken or even rust if poorly cared for. Those of us who know blades will tell you that the quality of the steel is much more important than the type of steel. These blades are quality steel and I am impressed by the way they perform. These clippers are very well made. I like them. I am going to keep them. If you have just a little trimming to do, buy cheaper shears. If you have a moderate or somewhat larger quantity of trimming, these will do the job for you. If you have a large amount of trimming to do, get a gas-powered trimmer. I am not doing this as a business so time-saving is not a huge priority. Besides, I need the exercise. The world has gotten so lazy. I laugh at my neighbors that have 1/2 an acre of grass to mow and buy riding lawn mowers. Then think they need a gym membership to get some exercise.

Best clippers I have ever used. Well balanced and light. Effortless cutting and thin enough blades for precision placement. Also very good for just regular hedge shaping. These garden tools are the best.

With winter now essentially here in the northeast and these having taken (a ridiculous) 1 1/2 months from time of order to arrive (I was willing to wait as opposed to canceling the order as I purchased during a a short window with a particularly excellent price), I can't offer much yet about the functionality as it's not the optimal time to trim hedges, but I can offer that I've taken a close look and they're very sharp and I appreciate that they're constructed so all parts can, if need be, be replaced. That said, my impression is that they're on the "daintier" side, by which I mean I believe they're more optimized and intended for hedges with thinner growth, and likely would struggle (or rapidly dull the blades) trying to aim for thicker hedge growth, where I'll continue to use heavier-duty shears or a lopper. I anticipate that when the appropriate point in the growing season arrives for their use, they'll be an excellent addition to the stable of shrub trimming tools.

These clippers are amazing! I ordered them from Japan and have been stoked and so pleased since they arrived. I’m a former landscaping and I spend a lot of time in my garden and these are my ansolute favorite clippers ever! Super sharp! Strong, highly quality construction so they’re super durable and cut like a dream. Perfect for small to medium bushes, hedges, plants, etc. they increase my efficiency and make my garden look unbelievable! Highly recommended for anyone looking for the very best gardening clippers/shears.

I've been using the KR-1000 for over 20 years. These are truly amazing. Light weight, replaceable blades, sturdy construction that balances perfectly in your hand. The blades are like scissors and are VERY sharp, giving you a clean cut. Combined with light weight and perfect balance, they are a joy to use. And the results are quite satisfying!