Black Decker 17 Inch Electric Hedge Trimmer By John Gugie on Oct 03, 2007 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

This is Black & Decker 17-inch Electric Hedge Trimmer, Model # TR1700. It trims hedges, bushes, and small shrubbery. It's good for small shrubbery but not large plants. It has a short handle, so you have little reach beyond your own arm length.

The design is compact and lightweight at under five pounds, making this product easy to use without getting tired. The body is made of a light-weight but very hard and durable plastic.

It has two handles - the large one in back and another in the middle for two-handed use for better control.

The blades are 17 inches long and made of rust-resistant steel that stay sharp longer.

The motor is an adequate 2.4 Amps that generates 3,300 cutting strokes per minute. It can cut shrubbery up to 3/8-inch thick. It cut well, however, we noticed ourselves having to go over a some parts of the hedges a few times before trim them completely. You have to move the trimmer at a slow to moderate speeds in order for smooth motion or else, you need to go over spots several times. So no swinging it back and forth like Leatherface!

It has a few safety features. There is a lock-on switch that allows continuous running. There is also a "lock-off switch," which prevents accidental starting. Finally, it has a cord retention feature that prevents it from accidentally being unplugged while in use.

It is a bit loud but not deafening.

This trimmer works well for your own average size yards with small shrubs but nothing to big. At under $30 and a 2 year warranty, this trimmer does well. If you have bigger needs, you will need another, larger model.