Why you should trust this review
I prune four apple trees, two pear trees, and roughly 40 ft of shrub border every late winter and again mid-summer. I have run the Fiskars 28 inch through both prune cycles of 2025 and 2026 plus the routine summer trim work between.
How we tested
- Cut clean-pass count on 1.25 and 1.5 inch live wood across apple, maple, and dogwood.
- Edge retention checked at the end of each pruning session for chips and dullness.
- One-handed squeeze force measured against a calibrated grip strength meter.
- Handle comfort across a 60 minute continuous pruning session.
- Rust check after wet-season storage in an unheated shed.
Who should buy this lopper
Buy the Fiskars 28-inch if:
- You prune fruit trees or shrubs more than twice a year.
- You want a tool that lasts a decade.
- You need 28 inch reach to skip the ladder on mid-canopy work.
Skip this lopper if:
- You only prune once a year for 20 minutes total.
- You need 1.75 inch live wood cut capacity, in which case the Fiskars 32 inch is the right step up.
Cut quality and capacity
The PowerGear2 mechanism is the reason this lopper is the right pick. On 1.5 inch apple wood the blade closed in one full squeeze with no bind. Cuts were clean and at the correct collar angle which matters for tree health.
Edge retention and rust resistance
After two full pruning seasons the blade still cuts paper cleanly without a touch-up. The coated steel has resisted the sap staining that pits cheaper loppers within months. The pivot bolt has stayed tight without retightening.
Handle comfort and reach
The 28 inch composite handles are stiff under load and comfortable across hour-long sessions. At 2.6 lb the unit is heavier than non-geared loppers but the leverage advantage more than offsets the weight when you actually cut something.
Value
At $36 the Fiskars 78656935J 28-Inch Bypass Lopper is the right Garden & Outdoor in 2026.
Fiskars 78656935J 28-Inch PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Length | Cut | Weight | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars 78656935J 28-Inch | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 28 in | 1.5 in | 2.6 lb | $36 | Top Pick |
| Corona ComfortGEL Lopper | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 27 in | 1.5 in | 2.4 lb | $42 | Editor's Choice |
| Fiskars 32-Inch Bypass | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 32 in | 1.75 in | 2.9 lb | $49 | Best for Tall Trees |
| Generic No-Name 22-Inch | ★★★☆☆ 3.3 | 22 in | 1 in | 1.9 lb | $19 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Length | 28 inches |
| Max cut | 1.5 inch diameter live wood |
| Blade | Hardened, rust-resistant coated steel |
| Mechanism | PowerGear2 compound action |
| Handle | Fiberglass-reinforced composite |
| Weight | 2.6 lb |
| Warranty | Lifetime tool |
Should you buy the Fiskars 78656935J 28-Inch PowerGear2 Bypass Lopper?
The Fiskars 78656935J is the bypass lopper I recommend to anyone pruning more than a few times a year. The PowerGear2 mechanism multiplies cutting force so 1.5 inch live branches cut cleanly with a one-handed squeeze, the hardened steel blade kept a sharp edge across two seasons of fruit tree work, and the lifetime warranty backs the tool seriously. Long 28 inch reach saves the ladder on most pruning passes.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Fiskars 28-inch cut 1.5 inch live branches?+
Yes cleanly across the entire blade contact in one squeeze. We tested on apple, maple, and dogwood live branches between 1.25 and 1.5 inch diameter and all cut through without bind. Dead seasoned wood at the same diameter is harder and needs a saw.
How does PowerGear2 compare to standard loppers?+
PowerGear2 multiplies your hand force through a compound linkage so the cutting effort feels about a third of a regular lopper at the same branch diameter. The trade is roughly 0.4 lb of extra weight versus a non-geared lopper of the same size.
Does the blade stay sharp?+
Yes for at least two seasons in our test. The hardened coated steel resisted the sap stains and minor edge nicks that dull cheaper loppers fast. A 5 minute touch-up with a diamond file restores a hair-shaving edge as needed.
Is 28 inches the right length?+
For most homeowners yes. It reaches into the canopy of fruit trees and shrubs without a ladder for branches up to about 8 ft high with normal arm extension. If you have mature trees with 10+ ft branches, the Fiskars 32 inch version is the better buy.
📅 Update log
- May 14, 2026Refreshed pricing and re-checked edge condition after a second season of fruit tree pruning.
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Alex Patel
Alex Patel writes for The Tested Hub.