An in-line valve, particularly suited for use with a domestic garden hose, comprises a valve body, preferably made of two press-fitted-pin mating parts. A shuttle moves linearly within the bore of the valve body when force is applied to tabs which project through openings in the valve body. The end of the shuttle sealingly engages and disengages with a plug that is centered within the bore. The plug comprises struts and fins, configured for good flow characteristics. The combination of cross section of the shuttle relative to the bore, and the fits and properties of O-ring seals, are critical for easy manual operation of the valve.