Thank you so much for the link. 
I have gone through several ARS VS pruners over the years in my business and have never had a single instance of any movement of the grips. We use these pruners continuously for over 6 months of they year. That suggests to me that yours are counterfeit.
Filing the metal may lead to opening up too easily, which is dangerous if you keep them in your pocket. Murky is correct that normal use quickly loosens up the mechanism. I hope you were cautious, I overdid it when I used a file to loosen a particularly tight ARS pruner about 10 years ago. If they open up in your pocket you run the risk of getting a gash on your hand when reaching for them.
Incidentally, the newer model has a more complicated fulcrum bolt system similar to the one Felco has used for decades now. I don’t think the change will matter to most people. It takes a tremendous amount of use before the blades become loose at the fulcrum and need to be tightened even with the old system. I assume it takes even longer with the new one. I have both and they work the same way as pruners.
Ope sorry, I was referring to the Okatsune secateurs, not ARS. The ARS I’ve seen have a more molded handle, which I’d assume would negate any issue with the grips moving upward. The white side on the Okatsune is mostly straight, which does allow the grip to travel up the handle just a smidge (usually with some effort). It’s only been an issue for me once in the 3 years I’ve used them, but it did cause a temporary issue with not being able to easily close the lock since the grip was crowding the spring. I moved it back down and haven’t had any other issue. I agree with you that I’d be hesitant to modify the lock due to risk of them opening in a pocket.
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2nd this recommendation. I’ve had mine for 4+ years. They’re patinated from being left out in the elements but still make crisp, clean cuts. Very good quality for a good price.
