JEOutdoors ZEM Bypass Pruning Shears – High Carbon Steel Blade

The JEOutdoors ZEM pruning shears are a solid everyday tool for keeping on top of deadheading, shaping shrubs, and trimming light growth around the garden. They handle stems and branches up to three-quarter inch in diameter, making them well suited to roses, herbaceous plants, soft woody stems, and general tidying where a heavier lopper would be overkill.

The bypass blade is made from high carbon alloy steel with an anti-rust treatment, so it should hold a clean, sharp edge through regular use and cope reasonably well with the damp conditions that come with UK gardening. The spring-loaded mechanism means the shears open automatically after each cut, which takes a fair amount of strain off the hand over a long session, and the safety lock clicks easily into place when you need to put them down or pop them in a pocket.

The handles are shaped from hard PC plastic with a wood-effect finish, giving a firm and reasonably comfortable grip. They suit gardeners who want a reliable, no-fuss pair of pruners for routine maintenance without spending a great deal. It's also worth noting that the spring is included as a spare in the box, which is a thoughtful touch given it's often the first part to need replacing on a well-used pair of shears.