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  Show and Tell: Garden Shears

  Posted by Jenny, administration - February 02, 2012

  At Speck Design we revel in the process of transforming a concept into a physical product that makes its way into the marketplace.  We also appreciate the design features of products we use on a daily basis.  As part of our weekly show-and-tell blog series, we talk about some of our favorite everyday products, sharing insight into likeable features, how the product stands out compared to similar products, and which improvements could be made to the product from a design, engineering, and user experience stand point.

  I own a large collection of pruning shears and happen to love my grandfather’s 40-year-old shears the best.  They have proven to be the most effective, even in this day in age.  I have all sorts of various pruning supplies and still rely on my hand-me-down shears for the best results.

  PRODUCT: Pruning shears and loppers

  DESCRIPTION:

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  1. Old-time shears:  My grandfather’s shears consist of a dark curved blade with a red handle.  They were always attached to his hip whenever I saw him.  Now I rely on them as much as he did.  Thank goodness for the Ace hardware guy that sharpens them for me!

  2. Wood-handled loppers (Large handled shears with strong cutting ability): These babies were my go to after a neighborhood child got lost in my bamboo hedge. Don’t worry, the child’s ok, thanks to my loppers.  About half way through trimming and rounding the bamboo, the loppers bent and are sadly unfixable.

  3. Heavy-duty nodules with black handle: My husband bought me these biggens to replace my old ones. They have proven to be just as durable as they look.  Their design and grooves make them perfect for the bigger jobs I tackle with my 10 fruit trees.

  4. Red-handled flat edge blade: They keep my trees from bleeding and spreading infections to the surrounding plant life.

  5. Bonsai clippers: They are the best tools for precise cutting and small jobs.

  LIKEABLE FEATURES: I like all of my shears, except for the wooden handled ones that  failed me when the job got too tough.  My grandfather’s shears are tried and true and are still the most reliable for getting the job done and done right.  Although the locking latch is broken, they still do the job.  I just have to be a little more careful after sharpening. I have yet to find hand shears that possess their strength and durability.

  DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS: There is nothing worse than the phone ringing and you needing to put down your shears only to never find them again.  I think that all shears should come in bright colors, like neon yellow so that you can always find them amongst the tree and bush clippings.  Another great addition would be having a hole in the blade to help better store them on a hook in the shed. I do not practice this, although I should.  I wish that the shears were made out of a material that would keep them sharper longer.

  *Side note: To keep your hand shears clean after use, store them blade side down in a bucket of dry clean sand.  This, from what I have been told, is an inexpensive way to sanatize them after use.