We've been using an old set of loppers for years, and I really struggle with branches that have any thickness to them. We've done a lot of pruning lately and even removed some large shrubs, and there has been a whole lot of cutting going on here. We went to the garden center the other day, and I picked up a new pair of compound action loppers. What an amazing difference! I feel so strong now, lol. The brand was Terra Verde Splash, and I'm sure I should have done some research/comparison shopping, but I didn't. I acknowledge that these were somewhat of an impulse purchase, although something that had been in the back of my mind for awhile. Anyway, I'm in love!