I was wondering if anyone has a favorite pair they use and what brand, size etc,  I had my large trees done by a pro about 2 years ago, and a neighbor took down the large post oak branch that was hanging over my yard.

I have a pair of loppers, but they do need sharpening - the are OK for the lagustrum hedge, but I don't want to use them on the fig tree when I send cuttings out.

Especially to the women, do you prefer a small hand held or a larger lopper or something else?

http://www.sears.com/black-decker-2-pc-pruning-combo-pack/p-07123539000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I have them and they both work awesome.

As with most things in life, I have found that having the right tool for the job is important (this is especially true when doing root work).  I have three sizes of sheers, along with loppers, a reciprocating saw and a chainsaw (not all for fig work).  My smallest pruners are a pair of bypass pruners for up to 1/4" limbs from Ace Hardware.  It has a lifetime warranty which I use often.  It needs to be replaced with something different/better.  Middle sized is for up to 1/2" limbs from Fiskar.  It did great out of the package, but seems to have lost its sharpness early.  Larger pair is also the oldest and is for limbs up to 3/4" (I think) from Fiskar.  This pair has done everything I've asked it to do without losing too much of it's sharpness.  Overall, I prefer the bypass pruners.  I think they give a smoother cut.

Many professionals swear by the Felco pruners.  I will pony up the extra money for one the next time I buy a pair to see if it lives up to the hoopla.

Felco pruners are the best I have ever owned. There is all differnt kinds and sizes. You can get replacement parts with no problem. You pay a good price, but well worth it.

i use 15" anvil lopper. fiskars powergear works very nice for me. clean cut everytime. 

Love my Felco #8. Had one pair for over 30 years.

For hand pruning I use Felco #2 pruners.  For larger work I us Fiskars loppers with 28" handels.(more than enough for any job.)

I got the felco 2 and they work great. I bought the Felco 5 for someone and when I tried them they work just as well as the higher priced no 2. The no. 5 costs about $22 less at felco store.com. You're supposed to oil them with 3 in 1 oil but I haven't of around to doing that and they still cut well.

slingha, pay once. buy quality. to each there own, thats what makes the world go round.

Thanks for all of the replies!  That's a good range too!

I still love and prefer the age old corona clippers. Have tried my share of different ones over the years.

There are two basic categories, the bypass and the anvil.

I still like the bypass style, and the corona is the most natural fit in my hand.

I adore my Felco hand pruners and love pruning with them. I cannot imagine using anything else. If I were to lose mine, I would pony up for another pair - and I'm extremely frugal.

I like these pruners that use a replaceable razor blade. I bought a set of them from Sears back in 90's to cut nylon strips at a business,but they work well as pruners too.

http://www.ronantools.com/pruner-plus-302

To those who haven't specified a model # - do you have one?  I think I will get a Christmas present for myself!

Fespo,

I've had my Fiskars for 5 years now. I sharpen them yearly and they are just great. For something I use with frequency(a car, my home, etc) you can't replace quality with quantity. If it comes to something I use a few times a year, I'll buy the 20 dollar ones and maintain them.

Slingha, I understand what you are saying now, but before, no way. Now for your "For the price of afelco pruner, I could buy new Fiskars yearly "  no way!!!! Plus  I use my Felco's daily in the summer.

Jo-Ann, if you are interested  in Felco go here

http://www.felco.com/felco/pages/category.page?name=110%20SECATEURS%20A%201%20MAIN

Felco 8 has a swivel bottom handle which makes it fit ones hand better.

Good thread, Jo-Ann!  I just copied and pasted the entire thread for JD.  He never goes to forums.  BUT if we get the go on the short sale property we offered on, we will need serious pruning, loping shears!  The home was owned by a lady who passed 2 years ago, and she watered, but nothing got pruned. 



Serious overgrowth!!

Suzi

I have a pair of Felcos, but I think that Fiskars power gear would be best for you. I bought a pair for a friend with arthritis when they came out a few years ago. They really are easier on the hands. http://www2.fiskars.com/Shop-Products/PowerGear/PowerGear-Bypass-Pruner2#.UNh2TCHA8uo

I use the Felco 2, 8 and 13. But the #2 is the one that I use 99% of the time.

Navid.

For loppers, i love my Florian ratcheting lopper. It makes pruning fatter branches effortless. Also, the pole pruners work great. I've had mine for over 20 years and never sharpened them and they work fine still. I had my 70 year old relative try it and she pruned some big palm trees with no problem.

Fignatic,

What is the name brand of your pole pruner?

Suzi

Pole pruner is also Florian. Hope you get that property.

I use a variety of pruning shears a lot.  I have a Felco set which I like but I think the fact that the locking mechanism engages on its own so often is a big PITA.  I do a lot of pruning with about 500 chestnut trees 140 pomegranate trees, and 15 fig trees and another 30 or so fruit trees plus another 300 potted trees.  Anything that becomes a nuisance like this locking mechanism results in me putting it aside.  So, my favorite hand pruners are Bhaco brand which are about the same price.  Their handles are much more ergonomic, the best of many that I've tried.  I have seen them at a couple of farm supply places and haven't bothered to see what they are online.  I think I paid a prett low price for my first set but I ran over them with a tractor or something and when I bought another set I saw that they were pretty pricey like the Felco.  But they are easily worth he price to me.  I tried another design that Cliff England recently posted that he really likes and it's an interesting design but the handles have such poor ergonomics that I really can't recommend them (forget the name right now and I'm not at home, made in Italy and being carried by AM Leonard).  For large pruning shears I use a Vaca brand which work well, about the same as the better models of Corona.  Little things like the bumper design are important for heavy use.  I've got ones with 36" aluminum handles.  Pruning figs are pretty easy big chestnut pruning is tougher so it's more important to go with quality if use is heavy.

I have a worker who has worked for me and he bought Felco pruners when everyone else on a large vineyard pruning crew were using them.  I told him about the nuisance of the locking mechanism and he agreed and said he took his off the first day on that job.  He agreed he liked my Bhaco better FWIW.