Recommendations for decent secateurs

I've jumped ship and been wooed by Okatsune, and they are my new love.

http://kgarden.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/okatsune-secateurs-and-snips/

£23 from Amazon (and thus quite a bit cheaper than Felcos), shipped from Japan and arrived in 5 days

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001Y54F88/

 

You might like to take a look here @merleworld.

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/secateurs-which-type.53570/

It's all but a year ago since I bought the Wolf Garten secateurs and I think they're useless! They have no strength in them at all and the blades tend to part when given a bit more pressure to cut through, even on reasonably soft rose stems. The blades are all but blunt now too and not giving a clean cut. I'm disappointed to say the least and will be investing in more in the not to distant future.

 

FC......I think the problem may be with the by-pass blades on such a lightweight body. The secateurs I had before, also by-pass lasted many years, I must have had them fifteen years or more. They were Wilkinson Sword and in all the time I had them never needed to sharpen the blades. I'm definitely going to have a re-think on what to buy next and whether to try an anvil type instead.

 

Thanks Sheal.

I've got the bypass secateurs and they are fine so far.

The same can't be said of the lawn edge iron with detachable handle I bought - every time you put any pressure on it, the handle where it joins the tool bows so it's not very sturdy.

 

Shiney, I have only one type of secateurs anything else I use loppers on.

 

My view has not changed ... if you are going to lose them regularly, or abuse them by using them to open cans of paint and cut wire!, or if you have very little pruning work to do then buy the cheapest you can. Don't spend more than a £fiver.

If you are going to spend £15+ anyway then buy a decent pair for £25-35 and they will last you a lifetime. The only ones that I see professional gardeners discussing and recommending, and swearing by, are Felco and Okatsune. Those that have used both seem to favour Okatsune, but they are much less well known over here than Felco - Okatsune are cheaper too

The opinion of someone who has only used one brand, but has had them a long time, is of course valuable, but my mind is swayed by folk who have used other brands and have a comparison point.

Whatever you buy get a holster (or a toolbelt) too. Felcos spring open easily, possibly others too (not Okatsune though) and can do you a mischief if they are in your pocket when you bend down!!, or at the least will make holes in your pockets and then you'll lose other things!

For example here is a discussion thread from a gardening professional's forum:
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/best-secateurs

 

Have a look at these - high quality German engineering and a little less expensive than Felco.

Link: https://www.qualitygardentools.com/hand-tools/secateurs/lowe-secateurs/viewcategory

 

The satisfying sound of Okatsune secateurs cutting branches

 

Spear & Jackson one is quite nice too. Very similar shape to Felco 2 and comes with leather case. Sharp & cuts well. The best thing about this is the price = quarter of the Felco 2. Brand new and delivered to the door from eBay seller.

 

They look identical to Felco to me (including the gizmo for locking the spindle etc.) so hard to imagine that they aren't Feclo's rebadged? I think unlikely that S&J would want to risk their reputation by entering into a passing-off legal battle with Felco!

So if cheap (and IF rebadged Felcos ) then they are going to be well worth the price

 

Got it for £10 plus postage £3. The blade is a Japanese SK steel razor sharp.