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Handheld Pruning Shears

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LSU

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My wife does the gardening and the pruning around our house. Gardening is very low on my list of fun things to do so I'm happy to stay out of her way and maintain the gear.

My wife needs "military" grade pruning shears because she just tears stuff up. I've bought her what I think are all the best brands but she still manages to destroy all of them every few years.

I've tried the Carona brand for her and some other types that I've bought off the shelf at HD or Lowe's.

My wife has small to medium size hands so I'm looking for something that will fit her hand. If it makes a difference, she is right handed.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
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Beerhippie

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Felco 2 for indestructible. Felco 6 for small hands--and fairly indestructible. Both available at the site above. Oddly the 6 is less expensive.

Get a belt sheath and good folding pruning saw w/Japanese pattern blade while you're at it.

All parts for Felcos are easily replaceable at reasonable prices. Blade can be easily removed for sharpening.

I've been using Felco pruners since the early '80s, quite a bit of that professionally. Still have and use my first pair of 7s.
 
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cgrutt

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Beerhippie said:
Felco 2 for indestructible. Felco 6 for small hands. Both available at the site above. Oddly the 6 is less expensive.

Get a belt sheath and good folding pruning saw w/Japanese pattern blade while you're at it.

All parts for Felcos are easily replaceable at reasonable prices. Blade can be easily removed for sharpening.

I've been using Felco pruners since the early '80s, quite a bit of that professionally. Still have and use my first pair of 7s.
Click to expand...
I had to go and look mine are 2s and they still look and function as good as new. Probably had them 15-20 years if I had to guess.
 
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RTM

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Felco and Corona are the top of my list for durability and quality.

My wife has a pair of ratchet cutters, which really lets her go wild without getting out the big 2 handed loppers. We have 4 or 5 sizes of loopers, depending on how big we are cutting.

If she's tearing up the cutters, is she trying to push them beyond their capacity, in which case a small pair of loppers might be a nice addition.
 
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Steve_P

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I've had a Felco for ~15 years; I use them a lot, no complaints. Not sure if they're worth the premium cost vs a Chinese made Fiskars, but you can buy replacement blades for Felco so you can always have a sharp set on hand.
 
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rlitman

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Beerhippie said:
Felco 2 for indestructible...
Click to expand...
Unless you're my wife that likes to leave them out in the rain. Felco didn't believe in chrome. It looks like they have some "premium special" models out there at astronomical prices, but back down to reality...Felco pruners really like to rust (maybe something in their classic alloy), and rusty blades stick in the cut. Yes, you can get replacement Felco blades (for more than cheap pruners), but who's got the time to replace rivets. We've left the 19th century a while back.

I can't say I've left my ARS pruners out in the rain, but I've never had a spot of rust on them, perhaps because the Japanese like their hard chrome (a TiN coated blade might also help). Over the past few years, I've bought several Chinese knockoffs of ARS and of Tonma style pruners for under $6 each, and I keep restocking them as the wife loses them. They feature aluminum handles (like Felco), but bolted on blades, and either a spring release (ARS) or sliding (Tonma) lock, both of which I greatly prefer to Felco's weak sauce twist-knob lock. The biggest issue I've had with this type is the bolts that hold the handle on can get loose, and when the wife doesn't tell me and the screw falls out, finding one that fits right can be a pain, since they're all metric.

It looks like right now $8 should get you something decent.

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
maybe coated for better rust resistance?
 
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Beerhippie

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rlitman said:
Unless you're my wife that likes to leave them out in the rain. Felco didn't believe in chrome. It looks like they have some "premium special" models out there at astronomical prices, but back down to reality...Felco pruners really like to rust (maybe something in their classic alloy), and rusty blades stick in the cut. Yes, you can get replacement Felco blades (for more than cheap pruners), but who's got the time to replace rivets. We've left the 19th century a while back.

I can't say I've left my ARS pruners out in the rain, but I've never had a spot of rust on them, perhaps because the Japanese like their hard chrome (a TiN coated blade might also help). Over the past few years, I've bought several Chinese knockoffs of ARS and of Tonma style pruners for under $6 each, and I keep restocking them as the wife loses them. They feature aluminum handles (like Felco), but bolted on blades, and either a spring release (ARS) or sliding (Tonma) lock, both of which I greatly prefer to Felco's weak sauce twist-knob lock. The biggest issue I've had with this type is the bolts that hold the handle on can get loose, and when the wife doesn't tell me and the screw falls out, finding one that fits right can be a pain, since they're all metric.

It looks like right now $8 should get you something decent.

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
maybe coated for better rust resistance?
Click to expand...
I've replaced the blades several times on both my 2s and 7s. No rivets involved--those are pins. The hook of the 2 does look like it uses rivets, but I've never had to replace one.

Keep the blades slathered in BLO or Fluid Film whenever you get your hands on them.

I have no idea what the Felco "twist-knob lock" is. Mine have a simple thumb lock.

ARS are also excellent, but their Felco clones are in the same price range as Felco. I've also been using ARS long-reach pruners since the '80s--also not cheap. I take care of my tools so have no comments on rust resistance.

But if your wife seriously abuses her tools, why ask about quality tools? Just buy some cheap ones you can replace without pain.
 
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woody 73

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Fun story, several years ago before covid, my wife and i did the famous garage sale run from upstate Michigan all the way to the southern states run and one day the rain was so bad everything turned to heavy thick mud; well, I left my wife for a few minutes, and I found a bucket filled with rainwater and I was knee deep in mud when I pulled out a Felco pruners. Rusty as all get out but after a good cleaning and new blades, I cherish those pruners.(y)(y)(y):)
 
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Steve_P

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rlitman said:
Unless you're my wife that likes to leave them out in the rain. Felco didn't believe in chrome. It looks like they have some "premium special" models out there at astronomical prices, but back down to reality...Felco pruners really like to rust (maybe something in their classic alloy), and rusty blades stick in the cut. Yes, you can get replacement Felco blades (for more than cheap pruners), but who's got the time to replace rivets. We've left the 19th century a while back.

I can't say I've left my ARS pruners out in the rain, but I've never had a spot of rust on them, perhaps because the Japanese like their hard chrome (a TiN coated blade might also help). Over the past few years, I've bought several Chinese knockoffs of ARS and of Tonma style pruners for under $6 each, and I keep restocking them as the wife loses them. They feature aluminum handles (like Felco), but bolted on blades, and either a spring release (ARS) or sliding (Tonma) lock, both of which I greatly prefer to Felco's weak sauce twist-knob lock. The biggest issue I've had with this type is the bolts that hold the handle on can get loose, and when the wife doesn't tell me and the screw falls out, finding one that fits right can be a pain, since they're all metric.

It looks like right now $8 should get you something decent.

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Pruning Shear, Hand Loppers SK5 Carbon Tool Steel Blade Heavy Duty Pruners Scissors Branch Cutter Tree Trimmer for Garden : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
maybe coated for better rust resistance?
Click to expand...

No rivets to replace the blade on my Felco pruner (whatever the model is), or lopper. I don't leave them outside, give the blades a squirt of WD-40 every few uses and no rust.
 
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neophyte

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gleman said:
I bought the m12 pruner and wouldn't hesitate to buy again if something happened to it.

1764682492540.png

I also use the older style Corona.

1764682730651.png
Click to expand...
I used to use that style of Corona pruner.
I later switched to a Felco 13 “hand and a half” style pruner that was too big for my hands, but the Felco despite being too large was so much more ergonomic, I would never want to go back to having to use the Corona again.
 
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LSU

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Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. I’m going to look into all of them.
 
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Aaron_W

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Corona is a good brand, but like many they have quality products and cheap stuff. They have hand pruners from $10 to $60+. The box stores tend to focus on the cheap tools, you might need to try an Ace or other independent with a good garden center or a nursery supply to find the better stuff.

I took a pruning class a few years ago, Corona and Felco were the brands the instructor recommended to students willing to spend the money. Corona has replacement parts and a lifetime warranty on their higher end products. I'm sure Felco does as well.

These are the two I use the most, the bypass pruners come in different sizes to fit small to large hands.

Corona bypass pruner Not sure exactly which model I have, 1/2", 3/4" or 1". but they are all basically the same just physically bigger or smaller.

Corona 2 handed pruner This is just a small set of loppers, but light weight with short handles. It fits nicely between full size loppers and a hand pruner, and I use it far more than my big loppers.
 
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Shiftless

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Aaron_W said:
Corona is a good brand, but like many they have quality products and cheap stuff. They have hand pruners from $10 to $60+. The box stores tend to focus on the cheap tools, you might need to try an Ace or other independent with a good garden center or a nursery supply to find the better stuff.

I took a pruning class a few years ago, Corona and Felco were the brands the instructor recommended to students willing to spend the money. Corona has replacement parts and a lifetime warranty on their higher end products. I'm sure Felco does as well.

These are the two I use the most, the bypass pruners come in different sizes to fit small to large hands.

Corona bypass pruner Not sure exactly which model I have, 1/2", 3/4" or 1". but they are all basically the same just physically bigger or smaller.

Corona 2 handed pruner This is just a small set of loppers, but light weight with short handles. It fits nicely between full size loppers and a hand pruner, and I use it far more than my big loppers.
Click to expand...
Besides my favorite Felcos, I have several Corona cutters of various sizes. They make great tools. Just avoid the el Cheapos.
 
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finn

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There have been a lot of battery electric pruners released in the past few years. I think one of the battery brands will be a future purchase for my wife after observing her struggle with hand shears Monday after we trimmed the wayward branches from the Palo Verdi tree.
 
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Shiftless

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If anyone is struggling with their hand pruners while cutting quarter to half inch thick green wood branches, you should check the sharpness of the blades. Don’t expect cutting tools to stay sharp by themselves. Get a small sharpening stone and dress the edge of the blade. It makes a big difference. Also, clean and oil your pruners regularly. It only takes a minute and the results make pruning much less of a chore.
 
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mwwusa

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I suggest you try the Harbor Freight bypass pruners, item 58787.

These are a Chinese copy of the top of the line Japanese ARS pruners for a lot less money.

The HF pruners list for $12.99 that can be discounted with 20-30% coupons when available.

The HF pruners are great. I use and enjoy them often. I frequently give them as presents to friends and they often comment how great they are.

One of the things that sets the ARS and HF pruners apart from others is the catch that holds the blades together when stored. It is far superior to the Felco catch that so many other pruners use. The Felco catch can be fiddly. The HF catch is intuitive.

I think you will enjoy them.
 

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woody 73

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Not pruning shears but rather pruning hedge clippers Corona Hs3244, that I picked up yesterday at a garage sale for $10.00.

www.dkhardware.com

Corona HS 3244 Hedge Shear, Steel Blade, Trapezoidal Handle, 9 in OAL

Buy Corona HS 3244 Hedge Shear, Steel Blade, Trapezoidal Handle, 9 in OAL online at DKHardware.com. Our Outdoor & Pets category offers a great selection of Miscellaneous Lawn & Garden products at the best price!
www.dkhardware.com www.dkhardware.com
 
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KnurledNut

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LSU said:
My wife needs "military" grade pruning shears
Click to expand...
The Cutco 1527 are extremely stout. Where these others are using thin steel blades on aluminum handles, Cutco uses a thick one piece 4116 high carbon german stainless steel for the entire tool. She may fancy the grayish purple grips too. One note, the spring is very strong, perhaps too much so for female hands. I do find a basic round wire coil spring to not get as gummy or hold moisture the way the flat springs like Felco do. The biggest con to these is price.

While I appreciate the quality of Felco, I have a couple of models from Stihl that are made in Japan and can hold their own, especially the orange handled PP10. I like the textured grip over the smooth Felco grip and the easy to operate coated lock, which is also less likely to face the rusting issues the Felcos lock do. The PP40 has ergo hard handles that are slightly angled and steel blades, no lamination. They are lightweight but strong and the thin profile can be advantageous cutting close to forks. These have a basic coil spring with a lighter action. In all, these may be the most female friendly of the bunch.
My local dealer has them in stock on the shelf, which I also find convenient.

View attachment 2451237
 
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Steve_P

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Ugh. The handle ergonomics on the Cutco look horrific. And for something like a pruner, where you're going to be using it hundreds of times in an afternoon, I'd buy anything but those, regardless of magic German steel...
 
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KnurledNut

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Steve_P said:
Ugh. The handle ergonomics on the Cutco look horrific. And for something like a pruner, where you're going to be using it hundreds of times in an afternoon, I'd buy anything but those, regardless of magic German steel...
Click to expand...
The purple ones? They feel about the same as Felco in use.
 
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