Felco Pruners?

[Kenneth D. Schillinger]

I am in need of some new pruning shears, and have been thinking about ordering some "Filcos" because of all the good things I have heard about them. Is it true, Are they worth the money, of should I just buy some "Coronas"? All of the stores im my area are out of stock, and won't be getting them in until next spring. Well, I need to do a winter pruning, so I need to buy them this fall; go figure. It seems as though all of the stores ran out of the #2 first. Does anyone know what size is most common / useful? All comments appreciated, Ken..

[Frankhartx]

There are a number of good pruners--look for one with racheting action-this type supplies much more power with smaller effort.There are many mail order suppliers--you have a computer and access to the internet --do a search for garden supplies or pruners or garden tools etc

[Jan Flora]

I bought Felco #8's and a scabbard in, gee, 1976 or so. I've never needed or wanted another pair of snips since. (My botany class took a field trip to the Berkeley Botanical Garden and we noticed that *all* of the gardeners there were using Felcos, so I bought some. They're great.)

I think there are some new ergonomic designs out, but buy Felco brand. You'll love 'em.

Jan

[omi]

I use a Felco and I think it's great. But I have also used others and they were okay too. I believe I am taking better care of my Felco and am less likely to lose it like I did the others because of the higher price (Not sure if this qualifies as a good reason for buying the Felco). -Olin

[John]

"Milt" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

I have owned Sears "Crapsman" shears and you are correct you have to continually take them back. I purchased Felcos in 94 and have never had any problems, they are worth the additional cost. J

[Jan Flora]

Snap-On Tools has the same guarantee for mechanics tools. They cost more for good reason -- they're better tools. You can work with them all day long, every day and they're a pleasure to work with. Crapsman tools aren't good to work with extensively, but they'll get the job done.

I buy Craftsman tools when it's stuff that I won't use often.

If you're going to spend *many* hours with a specific tool in your hand, buy good tools. If you just need to use something now & then, go ahead and buy cheap stuff, but don't come whining to me when the tool breaks and you get hurt because it failed, and you drew blood. BTDT. That's why I buy good tools.

I have *enough* scars on my hands and arms from cheap tools right now. Don't need any more, thankyouverymuch.

Jan

[Kenneth D. Schillinger]

Thanks for all of your input. The day before yesterday I gave in and ordered the Felco #7 pruners With rotating handles. The rotating handle part sounds weird, but all whom wrote said that they were easy to get used to. I ordered them from:

they had not only the best price, but they carry all the replacement parts. The price was $18.00 less than local pricing even after paying shipping. I still might have gone with the local seller, however they weren't willing to offer a return if I didn't like the pruners. Hopefully they will arrive in time to do a little summer pruning to open the canopy of some of my apple trees. Regards, Ken.

Jan Flora wrote:

[Larry Blanchard]

You're right if you have an old pair. But the newer ones are marked that the actual cutting jaws are not warranteed for life. Only if something else fails can you take them back.

[Angela Dougherty]

Congratulations on buying a tool that will give you amazing function and performance along with comfort, and dare I say, pleasure. Last summer I bought Felco 10 (the lefty version of the 7) and have reduced many an overgrown shrub to sticks. My husband was so impressed, he bought the

1. I also got replacement blades & springs at a closeout sale, but haven't needed them. I would recommend a honing/sharpening stone and oil to keep everything sharp and rust-free, and they will last forever.

Enjoy! Angela

[Kenneth D. Schillinger]

You said you have the lefty version and your husband has the righty version. I am somewhat ambidextrous when pruning; it's going to be interesting to see how the rotating handles perform in an "offhand application" Waiting open handed, Ken..

Angela Dougherty wrote:

[Dan Musicant]

:I am in need of some new pruning shears, and have been thinking about :ordering some "Filcos" because of all the good things I have heard about :them. :Is it true, Are they worth the money, of should I just buy some "Coronas"? :All of the stores im my area are out of stock, and won't be getting them :in until next spring. Well, I need to do a winter pruning, so I need to :buy them this fall; go figure. It seems as though all of the stores ran :out of the #2 first. Does anyone know what size is most common / useful? :All comments appreciated, Ken..

I just bought myself the #2, and it's pretty nice. New, of course, it's real sharp. The handles are bright orange, so you aren't as apt to lose or forget and leave it in the yard. I've seen cheap Chinese knock offs and bought one but the spring popped off and I never found it. I put on another spring, but it's really not in the same class as the Felco.

[Dan Musicant]

:I've owned Corona's in the past, and while they are more acceptable than a :"cheapo" brand, they are nowhere as good as a Felco. I've got the Felco #7, :with the rotating handle, and it is well worth the money. It fits neatly in :my hand, the handle lessens stress on my hand and wrist, and the blade cuts :surely and cleanly. I think that in the long run, you save money with :Felco's, because they last much longer. I used to wear out a pair of :pruners, or even two, each year, but my Felco's are on their fourth year :now. I've had to replace the spring, for just a few bucks; all the parts :are replaceable if needed. I do take a few minutes each winter to sharpen :the blades with a hand stone. : :Get the holster while you're at it. I felt like an incredible garden geek :the first couple of times I hooked it on, but now it's second nature when I :go out to garden, and I like having the pruners handy at all times.

Where I bought my #2 Felco I didn't notice holsters. That sounds like a very good idea. They did have spare springs and they had a small sharpening stone with a triangular cross section for around $12. I paid about $52 for my #2. Don't know if that's a good or crummy price, but considering the tenor of the store, I have to wonder if I didn't pay too much. I guess so, looking at the first link below.

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