Cheryl - I've had to toss really cheap pruners (imitation plastic, I'm sure) but these pruners managed to survive a winter in the garden only because I didn't realize I left them behind. When I found them I used WD40 and it worked like a charm. So now I have three pair - no waiting. I don't view them as "disposable", more like inexpensive and worth it. I have several Felco and Fiskars but they are all too big for my average hands.
