In 2002 I received my first “Felco 2” bypass pruners as a gift.
I knew right away that these pruners and I would age gracefully together and still today, about 15 years later the Felco 2 is still my favorite pruner. They were such a smooth precise quality tool.
As it turned out, they were designed for a larger hand. Because they were awesome, I held onto them for dear life and even though they weren’t “my size” I made them work. No, I did not make my hands bigger, but they did get stronger.
If you have small hands or your grip strength is not the best you may want to try Felco 160s for someone with smaller hands. Or for medium sized hands The Felco 6 is for you. (See link below for a model designed for small and medium hands.)
In my experience the Felco 2 can be used left or right handed, I am somewhat ambidextrous, you may experience a different outcome. But to all you lefties out there have no fear the Felco company loves you. There are four left handed models available. So if you are left handed or only have a left hand you Felco has a pruner for you. Felco 9, Felco 10, Felco 16 and Felco 17 are designed just for the left handed. I am surrounded by lefties I know the struggle is real.
I also have the Felco 20 loppers and the Felco 600 folding pull-stroke saw. I have had them for well over 10 years. The Felco website says the saw is made in South Korea, it looks a little different than mine. I am not sure if my saw is Swiss made or what but it has never failed me and I use it to its full potential almost everyday. I don’t really use the loppers too much. I use the loppers for making cuts just out of reach when I don’t want to get something to climb on.
Before being introduced to Felco in 2002 I was using Corona Bypass pruners and they were great. And the price was great that I had several pairs. They cost about $16 and lasted me about 6 months to a year. That is no poor reflection on Corona. I go a little nuts in the garden. I make a lot of cuts. More times than not they were being used in the rain or just after the rain and I hardly ever wiped them off or sprayed them with WD40.
If you are a casual gardener the Coronas are great. If you spend most of your free time with clippers in your hand it is time for a switch. In my opinion, Felco makes some of the very best garden tools. My Felco Pruners over perform, if there is such a thing. The Felco website says these pruners are rated to cut branches 25mm, I easily cut 35mm with these on most types of wood. Felco makes 25 models of hand pruners. There are hoof pruners too. Felco Swiss made quality and precision is the best money can buy. Well worth the investment.
Products used and mentioned in this post about gardening tools:
Small hands ***(Felco 160S for small hands)****
Medium Hands ***(Felco 6 for medium hands)***
Large Hands ***(Felco 2 for Large hands)*** I have small hands but these are the ones I use.
Corona bypass pruners