It works. Others grizzle about the flimsy blade, and it DOES require a bit of getting used to, especially if you get it jammed when the branch starts to flex. But a bit of trial and error soon sorts it out. Adjusting the angle of the cut enabled me to use it for light pruning to provide browsing material for my goats, but it has also coped well with storm damaged branches of four to five inches width. It's light and easy to use and so much easier than carrying a petrol driven pole saw.