Black & Decker 4 Inch Grass Shear

A compact, cordless finisher for neat edges and tight spots

I reached for this 4-inch grass shear on a weekend cleanup where a string trimmer felt like overkill. Narrow edges along a brick walkway, tufts around a birdbath pedestal, and grass creeping into a flower bed are exactly where a small, scissor-style shear shines. After a few sessions, it’s clear this tool is purpose-built for finesse, not brute force.

Design, weight, and controls

At 2.3 pounds and just over 11.5 inches long, the shear is easy to handle one-handed and nimble in tight quarters. The balance is slightly nose-forward, which actually helps stabilize the blade when skimming along edging stones or bed borders. The grip is rubberized enough to feel secure without being tacky, and the compact profile makes it simple to weave between plantings without trampling anything.

The control layout uses a two-stage safety: a thumb safety you must hold while squeezing the trigger. It does its job—preventing accidental starts—but it isn’t the most comfortable arrangement. On long runs or awkward angles, keeping both engaged can feel fussy. I learned to shift my thumb position and take shorter passes to avoid hand fatigue. It’s workable, just not elegant.

There’s a small LED battery indicator. Don’t expect a multi-bar fuel gauge; it’s a simple status light that helps you know when it’s charging and when it’s ready.

Cutting performance

For what it is—a 4-inch shear blade powered by a 3.6V battery—it cuts cleanly and predictably through lawn grass and soft groundcovers. The steel blade has a protective coating that seems to resist sap and corrosion; after a few hours of use, it still looked sharp and free of gummed-up residue with only minimal cleaning.

In use, I got best results with a shallow angle, letting the blade ride lightly above the soil or paving surface. Along stones and edging blocks, it produces a tidy line you just can’t get with a mower. Around posts and in-between clumps of perennials, it’s precise enough to cut the grass without nicking tender stems—exactly the niche where this tool earns its keep.

Where it struggles is predictable: anything woody, stiff, or above light-stemmed thickness. If you poke it into small, woody sprouts or dead twigs, the blade will stall. There’s stall protection to save the motor, and backing out resets things quickly, but it’s a reminder that this is a grass finisher, not a mini hedge trimmer. Keep it in soft material and it hums along.

One practical note: the blade shoe and latch mechanism need to be fully seated. If you rush a blade change or don’t click the latch home, a sudden snag on a twig can jolt it loose. Once I made a habit of double-clicking that latch, I didn’t have repeat issues.

Runtime, charging, and battery chemistry

Power comes from a 3.6V, 1.5Ah NiCd pack. Runtime depends on how thick and damp the grass is, but on typical lawn edging and bed touch-ups I could cover two small beds and a run of edging—call it a couple dozen minutes of intermittent cutting—before noticing a slowdown. Under heavier or wetter growth, that time shrinks. When the speed droops, it’s time to recharge; pushing past the slowdown only heats the motor and dulls the experience.

Charging is straightforward with the included charger. From fully drained, my recharge times landed around “overnight.” NiCd chemistry isn’t as forgiving or energy-dense as modern lithium-ion cells. It self-discharges more quickly and prefers to be topped up. I had the best results charging soon after use and leaving it on the charger so it was ready the next time I grabbed it. If you’re coming from lithium tools, the battery behavior here will feel dated—but it’s serviceable for a light-duty, occasional-use tool.

Noise, vibration, and user experience

Noise is closer to an electric toothbrush on steroids than a string trimmer. Early-morning or HOA-sensitive yards will appreciate that. Vibration is low and consistent; the scissor action doesn’t buzz your hand numb, even on longer runs. Because there’s no flying debris like with a line trimmer, cleanup is easier and you can work closer to delicate plants without fear of whipping leaves to shreds.

The 4-inch blade width is a double-edged sword—great for precision, not ideal for speed. If you need to knock back an entire strip of overgrown turf along a fence, it’ll do it, but it’s slow compared to a larger tool. For detail work, it’s exactly the right size.

Durability and upkeep

The blade steel and the high-performance coating have held up well so far. A quick wipe-down and a few drops of light machine oil on the teeth keep it cutting smoothly and help prevent sap build-up. The tool-free blade removal is straightforward, making it easy to clean and dry the assembly after damp work so the coating can actually do its job.

The housing is sturdy enough for garden use but still plastic. Don’t treat it like a pry bar. If you hit something solid—a rock in mulch, a buried sprinkler head, or a woody stem—back out and reassess. For longevity, keep it in its lane: grass and soft groundcovers.

The two-year limited warranty is a welcome bit of assurance for a budget-friendly cordless tool, especially given the older battery chemistry.

Where it fits in a yard toolkit

This shear occupies a specific, useful niche:
- Finishing edges after mowing where a string trimmer would scar brick or stone
- Trimming grass around posts, birdbaths, and raised beds
- Touching up pathways and stepping stones
- Grooming low, soft groundcovers without chewing them up

It’s not the right pick for shaping hedges, tackling woody perennials, or clearing heavy overgrowth. For that, a shrub trimmer, hedge trimmer, or a line trimmer with a guard is better suited.

If your outdoor routine includes regular, light touch-ups—and you value precision over speed—this little shear makes sense. If you want one tool to do it all, you’ll be frustrated by its limits.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact; easy one-handed control
• Clean, precise cuts on grass and soft groundcovers
• Quieter and tidier than a string trimmer for delicate areas
• Tool-free blade access simplifies cleaning
• Simple LED status and a sensible two-year warranty

Cons

• Two-stage safety is awkward during long or angled cuts
• NiCd battery chemistry brings modest runtime and self-discharge
• Stalls on woody stems; not suited for any hedge work
• Narrow blade limits productivity over larger areas
• Blade latch needs to be fully seated to avoid surprises

The bottom line

I’d recommend this 4-inch grass shear for gardeners who prioritize detail work and want a lightweight, grab-and-go tool for fine edging and tight spaces. It’s genuinely useful where bigger tools feel clumsy. The cutting performance on grass is clean, the form factor is easy to live with, and the low noise profile is a bonus.

There are trade-offs. The safety interlock could be more ergonomic, and the NiCd pack won’t win any runtime awards. If you expect lithium-grade endurance or plan to push into woody material, you’ll be disappointed. But used as intended—finishing edges, tidying around obstacles, and grooming soft plantings—it’s a capable, affordable addition to a small-yard toolkit. That’s why it earns my recommendation, with the clear caveat that it’s a specialist, not a do-it-all trimmer.