Me vs. Hedge trimmers ... score 0-1

I broke the hedge trimmers again last night when cutting Mum's hedge. After last years excellent 'cutting of the power cord extravanga' (I did it twice), this year we have 'trying to cut a metal pole that happenned to be in the hedge' (wah?) which bent the blade and caused the whole thing to jam solid. I don't think that this power tool was designed for me. Mum kindly said I was the only one who had problems with the trimmers because I was the only one who cut the hedge!

If I ever venture in the vicinity of a circular saw, please knock me unconcious before I get too close.

If you're wondering, I bent the blade back with the help of a small chisel, a club hammer and a vice. Nice.