Tabor Tools GG12A Anvil Lopper with Compound Action

tabor tools gg12

Product Name: Tabor Tools GG12 Anvil Lopper

Product Description: The Tabor Tools GG12 Lopper is an anvil-bladed cutting tool made of hardened carbon steel. It's designed to cut woody growths through its extra leverage and compound action.

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Summary

Overall, the Tabor Tools GG12 Compound-Action Anvil Lopper can be a dependable heavy-duty cutting tool. Its ergonomic and innovative design can help you handle trimming work on dry, woody stems and making preparatory cuts for live plants.

Pros

  • Compound action makes cutting effortless
  • Has extra leverage for thicker branches
  • Non-stick blades enable longer-lasting use
  • Ergonomic handles feature non-slip ends
  • Replaceable cutting blades are available

Cons

  • Quite heavy
  • Not suitable for cutting in tight areas
  • Hollow handles

I was planning to revive a garden in my unmaintained yard. I realized I got some clearing work to do to begin with, but the task seemed tedious without the best loppers. So I thought of abandoning the project unless I could get my hands on the right gardening tools. I wish I had a Tabor Tools GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper back then. I never would have thought twice about trimming dead tree branches and eventually maintaining a revived garden.

1. Before You Buy A Lopper

Loppers are essential cutting tools for any gardener. They’re most useful for cutting dead or dying branches and pruning live plants. Loppers are the largest garden cutters, so they take care of gardening tasks that are already beyond the limits of what scissors or pruning shears can do. If you’ve been just like me several months ago, having the dilemma about clearing an old yard, then you might also be needing the assistance of the best loppers. Just as you can imagine, loppers are ideal for outdoor gardening work. Those who do indoor gardening may only have little plant stems to prune, so pruning shears or hand pruners can work best for them. Before you purchase a lopper, kindly consider the following features.

Blade Type

There are two general types of loppers based on their blades: bypass and anvil loppers. Both are essential tools for any gardener. Each type has its own set of pros and cons, so gardeners typically use the appropriate type for the gardening task of the moment. Bypass loppers are great for pruning live plants, while anvil loppers work well in cutting dry wood.

Cutting Mechanism

When classified according to their cutting mechanism, loppers have four types:

  • Compound action
  • Geared
  • Ratcheting, and
  • Ordinary or simple.

The first three types multiply the force you apply in cutting, and thereby require you less effort than ordinary loppers.

Handle Length

Lopper handles vary in length. Some products even have adjustable handles and are called telescoping loppers. Loppers with long handles can help you with trimming trees and reaching overhead areas. Nevertheless, with the added length comes the added weight, as well. Telescoping loppers, while adjustable, can also be less sturdy because of their hollow handles.

2. Tabor Tools GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper

This looper has characteristics that are quite obvious from the product name itself: the cutting mechanism is compound action and the blade is an anvil type. Claiming to be the king of loppers, it promises to cut woody growths faster and dramatically easier through its extra leverage and compound action. Its hardened carbon-steel blade also promises to stay sharp even with heavy use. True enough, this anvil lopper can definitely help if you are looking to prune large and tough branches of up to 2” in diameter and make cut-to-length and preparatory cuts. Take note that you have to use bypass loppers to make final, clean cuts in live plants to allow for quick healing. Pros

  • Compound action makes cutting effortless
  • Has extra leverage for thicker branches
  • Non-stick blades enable longer-lasting use
  • Ergonomic handles feature non-slip ends
  • Replaceable cutting blades are available

Cons

  • Quite heavy
  • Not suitable for cutting in tight areas
  • Hollow handles

3. GG12 Anvil Lopper’s Features & Benefits

As an anvil lopper, the GG12 has one cutting upper blade and a lower blade called anvil. The anvil basically acts like a cutting board upon which the upper blade, like a knife, rests itself through the cut. Unlike bypass loppers with blades that cut like scissors—”passing by” each other—anvil loppers cut as if they’re “chopping” off the material. Bypass loppers are therefore more suitable for clean, plant-safe cuts with live and tender plants. Anvil loppers, on the other hand, are designed to do either preparatory cuts (which are then finished off with bypass loppers) in live plants, or chop dry, dying or dead woody branches to your desired lengths. While the GG12 has these limitations by virtue of its blade type, its design is nonetheless innovative. When used according to its specifications, this compound action lopper can make clean, smooth and quick cuts.

Anvil Mechanism

Tabor Tools’ GG12 Lopper has, in fact, a wide anvil for added branch support. While a typical anvil lopper can easily crush a tree bark, the GG12 lopper prevents bark damage. In case you’re worried about bruising your live plants, this lopper will make clean cuts for you even if you still don’t have bypass loppers to finish the cut.

Non-Stick Upper Blade

The GG12 Lopper has coated blades. Its sharp and narrow upper blade has a non-stick carbon coating that allows not only for clean cutting but also for longer-lasting use. If you maintain the blade by regularly applying oil on it, you’re most likely going to keep the lopper in good condition for years. Like any anvil lopper, the GG12 has one cutting (upper) blade and an anvil (which serves as a cutting board). While made to last with its non-stick coating, the GG12 Anvil Lopper’s blades are also replaceable in case of wear and tear.

Compound Action Power

This compound-action lopper has multiple pivot points that work together to multiply the force you apply on it, to as much as three times. With an efficiency this high, the lopper is particularly beneficial for those who have less arm strength. In other words, you only have to apply minimal effort to cut through a branch.

Ergonomic Design

The non-slip ends of this anvil lopper make handling manageable. GG12 also has special forefinger support, which gives you quite a comfortable grip on the handles. This means it can be easier to use than typical loppers, despite the weight. Even the elderly can find the lopper just convenient to handle when chopping off thick branches.

Long Handles for Extra Leverage

With 30-inches of handle length, the GG12 Anvil Lopper gives a gardener more leverage. Extra leverage means less effort in cutting thick branches. With the lopper’s generous handle length, you can also reach higher tree branches. It might feel a little heavy as you lift it, but once you strike out for a cut, the task is done in a snap. The lopper’s ease of use really becomes helpful if you have a lot of trees and shrubs to prune in your garden.

4. Users Have High Praises for the GG12 Lopper

I scoured the internet and found lots of positive user reviews for the GG12 lopper. Below are some pieces of evidence that show how the GG12 Compound Action Lopper fulfills its promises for most users.

Strong Build

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This user is saying that the GG12 anvil lopper has a strong build and can cut cleanly with less effort required. To the user, it’s quite dependable.

Endures Demanding Work

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Another user agrees about the GG12 being dependable. In other words, it can hold up if you demand heavy-duty work from it.

Bang for the Buck

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Well, let’s just say that the GG12 can be on the higher end of the budget, but at least one user says it’s worth the price.

Easy Even for the Elderly

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In this user’s opinion, you could say that the GG12 anvil lopper can be suitable even for those with weakened hands. All in all, these satisfied customers are saying that while the Tabor Tools GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper may be relatively expensive, it’s worth every cent for its strong build, clean cuts, durability, and even ease-of-use.

5. Other Loppers You Might Like

While the GG12  performs pretty well in most of its users’ hands, there are unarguably other options that can also take up the challenge. Meanwhile, some other loppers make the better option simply because of the main purpose for which they were designed. Here are some alternatives you might like to consider:

Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass Loppers

One obvious difference between Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass Loppers and the GG12 is the blade. In case you’re looking to trim live plants and want to cut through them with minimal risk of bruising, this might be the option for you. Meanwhile, there’s a downside to this lopper. With it, you can only cut branches of up to 1.5” thick. That’s already good enough for rose bushes, though. So, if you’re onto flower gardening, the Fiskars bypass loppers might be good enough for you.

Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass LoppersTabor Tools GG12A Compound Action Anvil Lopper
Length28”30”
BladeBypassAnvil
Maximum Thickness Cut1.5”2”
MechanismSimpleCompound Action
PriceCheck price hereCheck price here

Again, take note that bypass loppers are generally meant for live, softwood cuttings. Anvil loppers, on the other hand, work best when used for hardwood plants, and especially those with dry, dead branches. Interested? Check out the Fiskars 28-Inch Bypass Loppers here.

Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper

If you’re looking for a lopper with almost the same purpose and mechanism as the GG12 but is likely at the lower end of the budget, you might opt for the Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper. The cutting mechanism and overall design are closely similar to the GG12 Anvil Lopper. Although slightly longer, the Corona lopper has a lower maximum cutting capacity than that of Tabor Tools. These compromises probably account for the lopper’s affordability.

Corona Compound Action Anvil LopperTabor Tools GG12A Compound Action Anvil Lopper
Length32”30”
BladeAnvilAnvil
Maximum Thickness Cut1.5”2”
MechanismGearedCompound Action
PriceCheck price hereCheck price here

Interested? Check out the Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper here.

Conclusion: The GG12 Anvil Lopper Is Dependable

Overall, the Tabor Tools GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper is a dependable gardening tool. It can handle trimming work with high efficiency due to its innovative design and solid build. Its anvil-type blades are suitable for cutting dry, woody stems and making preparatory cuts for live plants (before finishing them with bypass loppers). If you’re looking for a well-built, ergonomic and efficient cutting tool, check out the GG12 Compound Action Anvil Lopper here. It may be the appropriate gardening tool for your heavy-duty gardening tasks.