Last updated on January 27th, 2022
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Felco Secateurs Review
Felco secateurs are appreciated by novice and professional gardeners alike. They are renowned for being the best in the world. The Swiss-made pruners are built from only the highest quality materials, including forged metal alloy and hardened steel for superior strength.
Their range of secateurs are a true ‘lifelong gardening tool’ and they even come with a lifetime warranty. With over 20 different models to choose from, there is more choice than any other manufacturer, however, with so much choice it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
Rather than confuse you with the full range of Felco secateurs, we have looked at the most popular models to help you choose the right one for you.
The Felco Range
Felco has three groups of secateurs, firstly you have the essential range which is their ‘budget range’, these include the Felco 160S and 160L. Basically, the ‘S’ model stands for small (for those with smaller hands) and the ‘L’ stands for large (for those with larger hands). We won’t really go into the budget range but you can see them by clicking here.
Next, there is a basic range that is aimed at amateur gardeners who appreciate quality and for professional gardeners alike. These are by far the most popular and include the best selling No 2 model. They are made to the highest standards from only the best materials.
Finally, they have an ergonomic range that is suitable for gardeners who are left-handed or have smaller hands. These can be better for gardeners who suffer from arthritis. They incorporate ergonomic handles and some even rotate in your hand.
The Best Felco Secateurs
Below we look at seven models from the basic and ergonomic range. If you are looking for a new pair of secateurs then read on to see which ones are suitable for you.
1. Felco Model 2
The Felco Model 2 is the best selling out of all the Felco secateurs. Loved by amateur and professional gardeners alike, the handles are made from a forged metal alloy that makes them very strong, lightweight and they are covered by a rubber shock absorber. The cutting top blade, bottom anvil blade and adjustable centre bolt are made from hardened steel. This ensures they are very strong and the blade very sharp, they can also be sharpened with the Felco sharpener. The blade has a wire-cutting notch and a sap groove to help prevent jamming.
- Cutting diameter: 25mm / 1 inch
- Not suitable for people with smaller hands
- Lightweight: 240g
Who is it ideal for? Ideal for amateurs and professional gardeners alike, the Felco model 2 is perfect and that is why it has proved to be the best selling pair of secateurs. It is also the original and has been able to withstand the test of time. The Felco Model 2 also comes with a lifetime guarantee and all parts can be replaced with spare parts. However, it may not be suitable if you have smaller hands.
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Read next: Best secateurs.
2. Felco l83 Model 5
Part of the basic range, the handles are made from solid steel ensuring that they are very strong. The bypass blades are very sharp, making them ideal for cutting fresh green growth, creating a nice clean cut. The blade is made from hardened steel and is replaceable although it can be sharpened. Ideal for the home gardener and built to last, however, they may not be quite so suitable for professional gardeners who do lots of pruning. Comes at a great price, especially for those not wanting to pay quite as much as other models demand.
- Cutting diameter: 25mm / 1 inch
- Ideal for those with larger hands
- Heavier than some models weighs 310g
Who is it ideal for? Ideal for home gardeners, however, may not be as suitable for professionals and intensive use.
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Read next: Best ratchet secateurs.
3. Felco Model 6
Part of the ergonomic range, these are lighter at only 210g and smaller than the best selling ‘Felco No 2 model’ that amateurs and professional gardeners all love. The handles are made from forged aluminium, making them lightweight, and more importantly very strong. The cutting and anvil blade are made from hardened steel, providing a very precise cut.
- Cutting diameter: 30mm / 0.79inch
- Ideal for those with smaller hands
- Weight: 210g
Who is it ideal for? Ideal for amateur and professional gardeners. It is a good alternative to the Model 2 for those who have smaller hands where the Felco Model 2 may not be suitable. Same quality materials and lifetime guarantee. Slightly smaller cutting diametre but suitable for most pruning jobs.
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4. Felco Model 7
The Felco model 7 is made for professional gardeners and horticulturalists and has been designed with this in mind. As with all Felco secateurs, the quality is of the best quality, the coated rubber handles help to reduce impact when cutting and the bottom rotating swivel handle helps prevent tendinitis and inflammation by spreading the pruning force across all your fingers. The handles are designed so that pruning takes 30% less effort and this helps to protect your hands when doing intensive pruning, which many gardeners often do.
The handles are made from forged aluminium steel and the cutting blade and centre nut, which is adjustable, is made from hardened steel. As with the others, these also come with a lifetime guarantee.
Who is it ideal for? If you are a professional gardener or horticulturist then these are for you, of course, amateur gardeners will also appreciate the swivel handle feature. If you do lots of pruning then using these secateurs will be a big advantage. The only downside is they may not be suitable if you have smaller hands.
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5. Felco Model 8
These Felco secateurs are the same as model 7, but minus the rotating handle, some gardeners dislike the rotating handles so these have been designed with a new ergonomic handle to help reduce the pressure to your hand and stop them sliding which also makes them easier to use. The handles are made with the same forged aluminium handles and the anvil blades are made from hardened steel. They feature a wire-cutting notch and sap groove to prevent sticking when in use.
Who is it ideal for? If you do excessive pruning or are a professional gardener but can’t get used to the rotating handles then these may be what you are looking for. They have all the features and quality Felco are known for and come with a lifetime guarantee.
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6. Felco Model 10
Another model designed with professionals in mind. These are the same as the Felco model 7 with the rotating handle, meaning pruning takes 30% less effort and helps to prevent tendinitis and inflammation by spreading the force across all your fingers.
What makes them different is they are designed for left-handed gardeners. A quality set of secateurs with left-handed gardeners in mind. Made from all the same quality materials as offered with the other models.
Who is it ideal for? Designed for professional gardeners who are left-handed and do intensive pruning for long periods of time.
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7. Felco Model 12
These more compact secateurs are designed with smaller hands in mind and they feature the same rotating handle that helps to prevent tendinitis and inflammation that is often caused by intensive pruning. The blade is more compact, meaning pruning closer to the trunk is easier. Again the handles are made from forged aluminium and the cutting blades are made from hardened steel. Also has a wire-cutting notch and sap groove.
Who is it ideal for? Ideal for gardeners and professionals who do intensive pruning but have smaller hands and can find it difficult to use other slightly larger models.
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Conclusion
Felco secateurs are, without a doubt, the best available on the market. All models are made from high-quality materials, this includes forged metal alloy used for the handles and hardened steel used for the cutting blades, as well as rubber handles to protect your hands. They all have wire-cutting notch and sap groves to help prevent jamming when in use.
Recommended for most gardeners – Most gardeners, whether professional or amateurs will find that model 2 does the job well.
Recommended for most gardeners with smaller hands – However, for people with smaller hands, you may be better purchasing the model 6 that has been designed with this in mind.
Recommended for professional gardeners – If you are a professional gardener and do excessive pruning for long periods of time and want to take advantage of the swivel handle design with has many benefits then model 7 is the better option. If you are left-handed then you will need the Felco model 10 secateurs. If you have smaller hands and find the model 7 too large you would be better off selecting the model 12.
If you are a professional gardener and don’t want the rotating handle (which some people don’t) then model 6 should be what you are looking for.
1 Comment
Fantastic to be able to choose what is the best choice for us 2.
we have had a No.5 for 8 years now and I can never get to use it! so I want a one that suits my 80 years and weakening wrists to be able to continueing on gardening at full speed.
My only thought is ,why are the best so darned dear??
Thanking You most sincerely,
Ron Watson.
P.S.If you have a pensioners discount I would be most interested in the Model !2.(Australia)