The best hand shears for hedge trimming Best all-rounder Joint winners: ARS KR-1000, £81.47, and Fiskars Power Gear (also voted Best Lightweight pair, see category 3). These smart lightweight ARS aluminium shears (780g) are new for 2013, with angled precision blades, rubber bumpers to reduce stress and replaceable blades. From Sorbus International (01373 475540). Tester comments: "Everyone thought these were great. One tester described them as a dream to cut with. Easy to use, you can position your hands not just at the bottom of the handles but also at the top, for lighter cutting. They are light, felt very strong, very precise, easy to use and good for accurate cutting and for long periods. Ideal when trimming large areas of yew, as they were light and it was easy to move around the hedge.