Skie, if we're talking pruners, I have a recommendation. I have carpal tunnel, so I frequently look to the Arthritis Foundation recommendations when choosing tools. These pruners received their Ease of Use Award. Disclaimer: I loved them so much that now I sell them. I wouldn't have brought tools up, but you did first! ;-)
They're by Fiskars and they're part of the PowerGear series. I prefer the ones with the Titanium bypass blades because they are precise for blooms but strong enough for the thickest canes. The Titanium stays sharp much longer than most blades and also won't rust, which is good because I'm a careless gardener. I forgetfully leave my tools out in the rain way too often! Other companies do offer bypass pruners with Titanium blades, but the PowerGear technology is patented. I haven't seen it used by other companies (yet).
