4008269 EZ Kut Extending Pole G1 Ratcheting Lopper

I bought this eight months back, after using a couple of other variants on the same design, made by other mfrs. This time, I paid a premium because of the lifetime warranty. And I'm here to tell you: if you're thinking this warranty means you're not going to have to spend more money to get back a working lopper, then you are too optimistic (as I was). I thought product-replacement support would be similar to Amazon Prime for other products that die young, but NO. Mfr wants you to send the loppers back at your expense - not just, say, a photo of a broken lopper - here's what they say on their website: "...send us your tool along with a check or money order to cover postage and handling ( $7.95 for pruner / $17.95 for lopper). " So at the lowest postal rate, since you're going to be on the hook for a round-trip, you'd thus have close to $40 sunk into that "free replacement" pair.And even at that, they're NOT promising a new pair - they will repair or replace them, at their option.I only found out about the above extra costs and crappy policy when I had one "outer" handle telescope out and come completely OFF the loppers, somehow. Working up in the rough, I didn't then think much about how this could be anything but a "send back" situation. Only later, thinking about how they must be built, I found that I could fairly easily "bump" the detached handle back into place (eg using a block of wood on the handle end, axially, which seemed to snap it back into place.) So I'm OK for now, but when these really DO fail, in terms of cost-effective replacement, well, they're scrap metal.Another less-than-happy thing: mine have green trim, as if designed to camouflage them amongst cut branches and leaves once I've put them down. Why, oh why, would any designer DO that? Give me neon orange any day!As to actual workings, these do as well or better than the others I've owned, though it's the first "shear" type, vs "anvil" designs that I've used.As to usage, there's something that I don't think they tell you - though I can't recall whether there were any instructions to begin with - but it's NOT intuitive: to get these to ratchet properly, you DON'T try to move both handles, as you'd expect (in the manner of scissors, pliers, or any similar "squeezing" tool). Instead, get the blade (black) to sink into your branch with to take the first "bite," then try to leave the black side embedded, and only move the OTHER handle away from the center (not both handles) to get the ratchet to take you to the next leverage point. Moving both handles often or always causes the ratchet not to add to your leverage, or to do so unpredictably.

These aren't bad. They cut pretty well, but I do have some difficulty in cutting the bigger limbs. I read a lot of reviews before I purchased these and some people were saying how easy it was to cut through larger limbs (2"-3"). I don't think it was as easy as some were saying, or the limbs they were cutting weren't 2"-3". Another thing I read in the reviews was the handles wouldn't stay locked and they would move. I also find this true, but nothing too annoying. This is the first pair of ratcheting loppers I have owned and used, so I'm not an expert on these, but I do own a landscaping service and I have trimmed a lot of shrubs and trees. These are pretty sturdy. They don't feel cheap in your hands. I will continue to use them as my main loppers.

I've worn out other loppers before so I almost didn't buy this one with the "lifetime" blade warranty (yea-sure). However, it was the ability to extend the handles that helped me to decide to buy it. Extending the handles was so easy - twist then lock. I spent a couple of hours on a ladder cutting branches on some tall (2-story) ficus trees growing in our dog run. I was amazed at the ease and size of the branches I was able to cut holding this tool over my head. While I still need some practice with my feet on the ground using the ratcheting feature I suspect it will come in very handy. I am currently only giving it four stars because I don't yet have feedback on the "lifetime warranty" as my tool is brand new. Ultimately with plenty of use the blade will wear out and I will "test" the warranty.Update: Dec 2013I am so impressed with the quality of this lopper. Months later the blades are still fantastically sharp and I enjoy using it.

My previous ratcheting loppers broke some time ago, so I was delighted to find this replacement. The ratchet function makes pruning through 1-2" branches easy and quick, unlike regular loppers which require a lot more strength, and don't cope well with larger cuts. These also cut well through smaller pieces. I thought the extendible handles would be a good addition, but in practice it is the most annoying part of this product; the handles twist to extend, and I find myself constantly loosening the handles when making regular cuts, so having to stop to tighten them up again. I garden professionally, so the product is used on a regular basis.

I have a LOT of brush clearing to do and I bought this because the reviews said that it would cut 3 inch branches. Even with the handles extended, it does not cut a thick of trees, vines and roots as the other one I have, a Fiscars, I think it is. The Fiscars cuts bigger limbs with less work.I've used this tool for a while now and it is working better than it did initially when I wrote the first review. I've been using it without the handles being extended and it is cutting pretty well. I don't know why it is working better, maybe I'm building up more muscles.

Seriously good loppers. A lot of online research went into the buying decision, and we're very pleased with them. They are a tad heavy in front, but the aluminum handles keep the overall weight manageable. My 10 year old daughter was able to ratchet her way through some pretty big branches with these. You won't be disappointed. The reviewer who said they broke, I don't know what the heck they were doing because I can't see how that would happen with the way these are constructed, unless you were trying to just muscle them through a thick hardwood branch in one stroke, without using the ratcheting. Even then.. Maybe they got a bad unit. I'd request a refund under warranty in that situation. These look to be made to last a very long time, with reasonable care and maintenance. They are maybe 10 or 15 bucks more than cheaper options, but we've learned over the years that what grandpa said is true. "Never buy cheap tools."Highly recommended.