Wait, 18 years?! And zero rejects on the bend on your first try at 47? That is nuts, I have watched guys half your age fail that thing three times and walk out looking like they just saw a ghost. Slowing your travel speed down on the root is such a small thing on paper but it changes everything when you actually feel it click, so good on you for sticking with it that long. For the wind on outdoor tie-ins, I have seen old timers build a little shield out of scrap and clamp it near the joint, or just bump the heat a touch and keep a tighter arc so the puddle does not get pushed around. Also dragging a leather glove behind the puddle helps block gusts more than you would think. Honestly though, congrats, that cert is no joke and Local 110 is a solid hall.

My favorite part is how you needed a forgotten pair of pruners to discover your $120 ones were basically just expensive hand jewelry. Eight years of loyalty and a five dollar tool from a hardware store in Austin had to teach you that lesson. I bet your fancy pruners are sitting in the truck right now feeling real betrayed. The blade thing makes total sense though, aggressive cut and harder steel beats a big price tag every time. Been there with other gear, the cheap stuff sometimes just works better for the job you actually do.