Customer Reviews

Black & Decker HS1010 Hedge Hog 20-Inch 2.8-AMP Dual Action Hedge Trimmer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I am a retired quality control manager and impatient with tools that don't work. I returned this hedge trimmer after using it one half hour to cut tender new growth less than 1/8 inch diameter. As you sweep the trimmer bar across the hedge, the branches bend while the blade chews away at them. Many looked like they were torn off. It's bad for the hedge and hard work as you have to go back over and over the same place.
I gritted my teeth and bought a Little Wonder 19 inch elecric hedge trimmer that cost three times as much, but it is a joy to use--the branches fall away, cut cleanly.

I agree with two out of three of the other reviews. The Hedge hog runs smooth, but does not cut small growth. It just smashes them, and leaves the stem hanging on the bush. This is probably due to the very short (1/8") cutting blades. I don't like to be negative, but just wanted to alert others to this problem. I bought a Black&Decker HT-2000 with the old fashioned large blades, and it works great.

After buying the cordless CHT500 last month, and being disappointed,I bought the HS1010. It is a great timmer. Much more convenient on-off switch and I like the continuous run feature, It really does cut 5/8 branches without hesitation (of course it's brand new) I trimmed my hedge and bushes in 1/3 the time as my cordless one or my antique single acting trimmer and it didn't wear me out. Buy it!

This double action hedge trimmer is no better than one I bought 20 years ago. (And Quit using after half a season). The reason for the displeasure is that it does not cut the branches off cleanly, it chews or nibbles at them until some of them fall off. As with all their other models the blade moves much too fast. The double action models only add to the problem.

Last summer I used a German manufactured hedge trimmer that operated much slower. It had llolypop shaped tines that actually held the branches forcing them into the blades rather than away. This trimmer worked with ease and cut branches of all sizes on hedges and various types of bushes and ornamental trees. Unfortunately this unit was a European model that operated on 220 volts and they do not manufacture a 110 volt model for export.

I had never owned or used a hedge trimmer before. My first try with this tool was on a 30' line of 5' tall boxwoods which had grown unhindered for at least five years. After a short time of getting accustomed to it, I found the trimmer easy to use, though had to be always careful about keeping the cord away from the cutters. It was light enough and strong enough to do this medium-duty job well in about 2 hours. I'm glad that I did not get one with a shorter blade, and glad I got the dual action type. Only quibbles so far are that it seemed rather loud (however, no previous experience for comparison), and it was too easy to accidentally switch off because when holding it I could not avoid having a finger right over the trigger. Still, overall I'm satisfied.

I am very happy with this tool, and I was really surprise what a nice job it does in trimming the bushes around the house, without any effort.

I have to agree with the other ratings for the Hedge Hog, it does chew the branches off of the bushes. The main reson I purchased it is to get the thicker branches that my old trimmer will not cut.

A nice little machine, but the plug keeps coming out. A 50 cent piece of plastic would fix that. Even after someone telling me about it, I forgot. When it stopped all of a sudden, the only thing I could think of was that I had tripped a fuse. I went downstairs, but none were tripped. Then I remembered about the cord. It had moved out only about a half inch, so it did not look unplugged. Probably had to re-insert it 20 times during a one hour trimming session. That is my only complaint.

For years I struggled to trim the hedge that borders one segment of my property. I wore out a couple of cheap B&D 18 inch single action trimmers. Older and tired of the clatter, I bought a twenty inch double action Craftsman trimmer, on sale at a local Sears store. It did the job reasonably well and with tolerable noise and vibration but wore out after three years. I found this B&D at a good price at Amazon. It is a lot lighter than its predecessor, has better balance, and seems to cut faster. The trigger lock works fine as does the cord retainer.

I am 74 years old and not particularly strong but I have no trouble trimming a 30x6x2 foot privet hedge. I does tend to mangle some tender shoots but with a job this big this is the least of my worries. Affordable, light, durable, and fast-cutting. That's all I really care about.

Cuts (really doesn't cut) rather chews off the shrubs and leaves a brown stem sticking out of what has been cut. They have a engineering problem with this tool. Contacted B & D by Email but received no response.