The first product to exploit the possibilities of hard and soft technology, that is, the binding of soft plastics to harder plastics or other materials. On a practical level, the 500 dark grey bumps provide a significant grip advantage. At that of formal language, the articulation of hard and soft material introduced a significant shift in the material vocabulary of the category. 

The sliding mechanism exploited the panel switch’s potential to combine functions. The plus’ ‘switch-within-switch’ controls first the shear head, then extending and subsequently activating the trimmer.