I saw a couple of people using a Corona clip and hold pole pruner when a group of five of us went on a white sapote (Casimiroa eduls) safari about five years ago. They worked well for collecting scionwood, holding onto the cutting after it was cut. I've toyed with the idea of getting one for myself for scionwood collection and now I'm thinking maybe of also talking myself into it for citrus harvest, especially lemons.

I spent quite a bit of time last night searching online. The Corona has too many harsh reviews for me to feel comfortable in buying it ("cheaply made", "broke on first cut", etc.). I thought I might try the ARS brand which seems to have some great reviews but most of these reviews are for types other than the ones that hold onto the cutting. There are no reviews for any of the long models on Amazon. I see a model I was considering on Gemplers (see http://www.gemplers.com/product/WEB148039/ARS-Aluminum-Telescoping-Pruning-Shears-Cut-and-hold) which I was thinking of getting, but the user said it doesn't hold very well. I believe a lot of the buyers of these are using them for pruning roses in large plantings (i.e., getting to the back row along a fence) and might be trying to use it to hold onto larger branches than what I'm looking for.

If anyone has any experience with any of these types of pruners, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks!

I have used Corona secateurs, usually a pretty good brand, ARS looks comparable.
I havent used the clip and hold, they may be slighyly lighter made than regular secateurs, but I wonder what size you would be trying to cut, to break it on the first cut ??? Too much force on the trigger, cutting too large wood ???
If possible, first inspect one at a hardware store, and see how robust the mechanism is. Sometimes only using it will really tell you how good it is.

Unfortunately, I am unable to find any of these clip and hold type of pruners at any hardware, garden, or farm supply dealers anywhere near me. If I make a purchase, it will end up being online without the benefit of putting my hands on it until it arrives.

I've used Corona lopers and also hand pruners and haven't particularly cared for them. I used Vaca lopers for many years and liked them but recently bough a pare of Hickok lopers which I like even better (Hickok apparently owns Vaca and the Hickok blade has a greater curve to it and the aluminum handles are sold vs. hollow). For hand pruners my favorite have been Bhaco for ergonomics and cutting ability. I have a pair of Felco pruners which I think are "pretty good" (ergonomics not quite as good and that locking lever constantly locks the pruner closed on me). It appears the ARS might be comparable to Bhaco so I may give them a try some day.

My intended use is to normally use these for picking fruit, cutting only small stems, or for cutting scionwood up to 3/8" in diameter. I very rarely use wood any thicker than that for grafting. I already have a Stihl pole pruner which I've sometimes used for pruning/training work which I've probably used to cut up to 3/4" in diameter with considerable effort but no damage to the tool.

I have 3 pair

2 metal / chrome plated-- (high quality)
1 plastic (sort of cheezy)

They are great if you are cutting flowers in a deep crowded-- area / bed / greenhouse

They are made by Wiss

There are over a dozen pair on e-bay right now-- most in the mid teens for $$

I finally gave up with the US brands that were having their products made in China.

I bought these: http://www.environmentalgreenproducts.com/store/ars-brand-extendable-cut-hold-pruner-c-289-pr-16253.html

and these: http://www.environmentalgreenproducts.com/store/nishigaki-brand-long-reach-fruit-picker-c-289-p-1-pr-16254.html

I prefer the fixed length Nishigaki for most picking and they are less expensive than the ARS.

Made in Japan and excellent quality. The other company that carried these was Hida Tool. I seem to recall they had a larger selection but were more expensive than Environmental Green Products.

Here is a link to them from Hida: http://www.hidatool.com/gardening/pole-pruners