[silver swan]

Hi All,

Can anyone advise me please on the best way to sharpen secateurs? To date I've been buying cheapo Tesco versions (at end of season silly prices) but have some garden vouchers so am thinking of up-grading to Felcos. If I did, obviously would want to 'look after' them. But not sure about best way of keeping them super sharp? Are Felco's worth it come to that?

Cheers Folks.   

[bloomer]

i garden for a living

felco's will last a long time and do a great job i wouldn't use anything else for day to day pruning.

as for sharpening a good quality stone used on the outside edge only will keep them razor sharp.

[silver swan]

Thank you Bloomer,

Why outside edge only and what makes a good quality stone? (Brand/size?)

 

[Anke]

I have only one pair of secateurs - Felco's No 2 - Used for about 10years now. last year every day though (branches for the goats), and now they are in need of sharpening.

Have also got a second pair (of cheaper ones) in the car for opportunistic branches (mainly brambles) on the school run... they are already showing a bit of wear... but will do.

If you use them regularly - Felco's is the answer.

[bloomer]

cant help on brands

i have an old stone i have had forever

on bypass secateurs the outside edge is bevelled and the inside is flat so as to scrape for want of a better word past the opposite jaw.

if you sharpen the inside you ruin the effect

[little blue]

bloomer, do you oil or WD40 yours?
 (cant afford felcos just yet, am keeping the others going as long as possible.... )

[bloomer]

mine are used every day so dont need oiling :-)

occasionally after a few weeks non use my non felco long handled loppers (cheep as chips as i either lose or trash them usually) will need a squirt of wd40 as they tend to seize up.

i dont like proper oil as they end up all gunky...

[silver swan]

Thanks for that Bloomer.

I'm quite good at cleaning all my tools after use but wonder why it's not necessary to clean secateurs if you use them every day - don't they get a sap build up that needs cleaning off, (even my cheapies get a wipe down) or am I creating work for myself??

Cheers.   

[bloomer]

sorry i wasn't clear they get wiped etc just not oiled i find the oil allows dirt and stuff to stick and makes it worse as its what i do alot i wipe the blades a fair bit but thats what work trousers are for :-)

[silver swan]

Ahh, I see. That's what my OH old pants are for!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (better stop here..................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[little blue]

no, I dont oil mine, just WD
they are quite abused, to be honest!

[Blonde]

Hi All,

Can anyone advise me please on the best way to sharpen secateurs? To date I've been buying cheapo Tesco versions (at end of season silly prices) but have some garden vouchers so am thinking of up-grading to Felcos. If I did, obviously would want to 'look after' them. But not sure about best way of keeping them super sharp? Are Felco's worth it come to that?

Cheers Folks.  

Generally the secateurs come with as small stone and that is what is used to sharpen them.

[bloomer]

not here they dont

that would be sensible but not how we get them supplied

[little blue]

;  no they dont.
but keep your eye out in pound shops' gardening .... thats where I got my 2 whet stones from!