Abstract: A pruning shear of the hook style or pass-by type wherein the crossed levers are pivoted in combination with a power element for absorbing the impact generated upon the completion of the severing function as the shear is moving in shear closing direction. The shear has a cutting blade, a hook type blade, a yoke shaped upper handle straddling the two blades, a lower handle integral with the cutting blade, a leaf spring biasing the two handles to opened position, and a power element wherein a contained or restricted force producing material of rubber or like elastomeric form is deformable as a damping mechanism for absorbing the impact as momentarily sustained when the work engaged between the blades is finally and fully severed.