Felco Classic Manual Hand Pruner #F-2

As a Christmas Tree farmer, my pruner is my primary tool. This pruner is a workhorse and the only one that any of our employees will use. In fact, I've never seen another Christmas Tree farmer use anything else. The price means nothing to me, as I've been using the same pruner for many years. Only the blade is changed.

Like most, I hesitated before spending this much on a pruner. Over time, however, I've tossed away so many cheaper models that, in retrospect I would have been better off financially and less frustrated had I bought the Felco to begin with.

The test of a pruner is in its cut. These cut through fairly heavy branches quite easily and without spreading the blades and jamming, which is what ALL the cheaper pruners do. The second consideration is comfort. Felco deals with that by offering the same basic pruner in several models, including one for smaller hands. I find this model comfortable and I wear a medium men's glove. I do wear gloves when pruning, by the way. Anyone who does not, regardless of the pruner make or model, is inviting blisters!

These pruners will rust. There are as many rust-preventive products on the market as leaves on your trees, but what you really want for outdoor tools is a non-drying product. I use Fluid Film, which is lanolin-based. Rust Prevention: Fluid Film Spray 11.75 oz.

Take care of these and you will have them for a long time. Mine are on their 4th season and still cut almost like new with the original blades. They get wiped down, sprayed down, and put away at the end of each day's use.

The best part is the locking nut that adjusts the blade tension. Other pruners' adjusting nut will "float" making it difficult to have consistent cuts. I have pruned acres of grape vines with these and will use no other pruner. It is high quality that cuts clean and lasts a long time.

If gardening is a true passion for you, don't think twice about the price on these pruners -- they are worth every penny. I have easily spent $40 on less-than-amazing pruners in the past year. . . as long as you clean off the Felco pruners after using (I wipe them off with a damp towel, then dry, and then I use WD-40 to prevent rust), they will last you a long time.

I checked several web sites - including Felco - and got the same pruner here much cheaper. These pruners are top notch.....will last several years, if not decades, if you take care of them.