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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I just purchased some new shears at Costco - they are Felco knock-offs, and have Kirkland written on the blade. It would be hard to tell the two brands apart from 5 feet away. Same red handles, same 'works',...  and they cut well.

You get two pair for $25. One is standard sized shears - I think the same as Felco 8s, and one with smaller blades that Felco used to call women's clippers. They also come with an extra blade and spring for each, and a sharpener.

I have no idea how long or well they hold up, but it seems like a good deal and I decided to give them a try.
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fespo

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Must only be a "in store only" item. I can not find them on their web site.  Where are they made? Thanks Frank
HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I bought a pair to give a try last summer.  My worker broke the blade on one but I don't really know how.  I have Bhaco and Felco and he hasn't broke the blade on either of those and he's used those more, but no telling what he may have been doing.  Bhaco are my favorite.  The locking mechanism on Felco is a nuisance as it always locks by itself when being used.  Another worker who worked off-season pruning wine grapes also said he thought the same and look his locking lever off.
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fespo
Must only be a "in store only" item. I can not find them on their web site.  Where are they made? Thanks Frank


They are made in Taiwan. Amazon carries them for $25, but with an additional $6.50 shipping. I just looked and there are some on ebay, but for more $.


Of course real Felcos are the best IMO. I've used those for years and years and still have 4 pair with some showing their age. Lost a 5th pair, sniff. But can you ever have too many pairs? Thankfully never had trouble with their locking mechanisms, but one did have a bad spring. Around here it would be hard to find a new pair of Felcos for less than $50.
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TONYSAC

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Hey Gina good find do you have an item number for them?
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Garden city park, Long Island NY 11040 Zone 7b : 5 to 10 (F) (Nassau) FIGS4FUN1@aol.com Im here to help Crazy80z28 on Ebay
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TONYSAC
Hey Gina good find do you have an item number for them?


935202

:)
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Does it say what the biggest recommended branch size is?  Looks like 1/2" to me.  Way too small.
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padsfan

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
These are the best I have used by far:

Taia Secateur (hand pruner)

We dare to make this statement:
“The TAIA secateurs are without equal.
They are specially designed to cope with heavy duty chores.
They’re the choice of landscapers, grove owners, horticulturists, botanical gardens.
They are the standard in the grape vineyards in Italy. ”

 

Here’s why:
- Eliminate replacement blades.
- Cuts clean everytime.
- Large heavy duty bolt prevents wobble.
- Cuts larger branches other pruners were not designed to do.
- Virtually impossible to abuse the TAIA secateur.
- Mens and ladies models available.
- Can prepare air-layers faster than conventional methods.

Need we say more! Makes the perfect gift for any occasion

Regular price $45 +$5 S&H

For further details, contact: Maurice (305) 554-1333 or Email: chino228@aol.com
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TONYSAC

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Thanks Gina.
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Anthony
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hungryjack

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Quote:
Originally Posted by padsfan

- Virtually impossible to abuse the TAIA secateu


Makes me want to buy a pair
and test out that statement :-)
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
Does it say what the biggest recommended branch size is?  Looks like 1/2" to me.  Way too small.


I was out 'playing' with them earlier. The larger one seems to be the same size as my Felco 8s. Cutting a 1/2 inch branch was no problem for me. Maybe I'm just stronger than you. ;)

If I'm pruning anything much larger, I usually use lopers or a saw anyway.

The smaller pair would be more for pruning things like roses, though I find the length of the blade isn't as important as sharpness and hand strength.

I'm sure there are many better pairs of shears out there - I have some myself. But... these cost $12.50 each, which in my book is a great deal. I've only used these briefly, but I'm quite impressed with them. I have no clue how they will hold up over time, but Costco does stand behind their products better than most stores.
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BronxFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
A.M. Leonard has an extensive product line of horticultural pruners and saws...all brands.

Frank
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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
I have the TAIA secateur.  Maurice is quite a salesman, IMO, but I still like them for some tasks, especially when prepping pomegranate cuttings (removing thorns and side branchs.  My thoughts:

Pros:
Almost always a very clean cut
Does not damage bark/cambium layer (bypass pruners do damage the cutting but I always prune with the anvil on the portion being discarded/removed)
Arrives with very sharp blades.  I cut my thumb checking out the sharpness when they arrived! LOL
Makes a nice snapping sound when finishing a cut, giving you the confidence the job is done.

Cons:
By far, the worse ergonomics of any pruners I have ever tried.
Cut is not flat, it is slightly pointed
Cannot cut as thick of a branch, curved designs are best for that (the more curve the better)
May be difficult to sharpen and keep edges perfectly straight which is critical for proper cutting with this design
Wide head difficult to get into tight spots for pruning.

A friend of mine likes these a lot and says they are the best, but acknowledges my ergonomics complaint.  He got them at A. M. Leonard where both reviews are 5 star: http://www.amleo.com/leonard-double-cut-pruner-1-5%252f8in-blades-8-1%252f4in-overall/p/ART17/
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Harvey - Correia Farms
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DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
No matter which shears you have, dull shears will not work as well as sharpened ones.  The new property we bought has 30+ years of overgrown trees, shrubs and vines which JD is systematically ripping out and trying to tame.  He has used many brands of pruning shears, loppers, and hedge clippers, and watched some guys he hired to help use an electric grinder to sharpen their chain saws. 

So my big job was to search the internet to find out how to do this, and I was amazed at what I found!  Try googling "How to sharpen garden tools with a grinder" and you get all kinds of advice on using grinding stones, files and electric grinders.  You tube has tons of videos.

JD has wanted his electric hedge pruners sharpened for years, but can't find any place that will do that.  Who knew it's easy to do yourself!!  Axes and shovels also work better when sharpened!

Suzi

Also, just so you know, we aren't destroying everything.  We are even rescuing some things like a beautiful flowering dying Wisteria in a container, and a dying blood orange.  Under the overgrown mess, JD found a really good hand trowel that I can use, and and odd low metal container that I can use for mixing potting soils.  Our main purpose of ripping out useless plants is to replace with grape vines, figs, olive trees, citrus, berries, macadamias, avocados, and beautiful landscaping flowers and plants as well.

He came eye to eye with a rat, who stared at him, then ran!
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ForeverFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
   I have always had a thing, all my working life, for "quality" tools...I'm sure that in many cases I have paid more than I should have, but whether its mechanic's tools or gardening tools I have always tried to go for, what I feel, are the best quality tools.  I have been using a pair of Felco 2 hand pruners and just love them, but I'm sure the knock off's work just as well.  But that's just me...   :)
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paulandirene

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 

Gina, we are of the same mindset....I was at Costco (ABQ  420 N Renaissance Blvd ) about 10 days ago....saw it on my way in the door, and bought it.


I was in the West Side ABQ store last night and didn't see it [but it was after an 11 hour workday, so I wasn't very observant as it was]


According to this page, they are warehouse only:

http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201303?pg=106#pg106

 
Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarveyC
I bought a pair to give a try last summer.  My worker broke the blade on one but I don't really know how. 


Last year Costco sold Fiskars brand for their pruning shears, at least in my local Costco. These are very different. I'd never seen them before yesterday, and I visit their gardening section whenever I go there. In the link Paulandirene posted just above, they are listed as a 'new item'.

These shears would likely not appeal to those who are only interested in buying pricey name brands, but then that was not the point of starting this thread. :)
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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Gina, the Felco knock-offs are what I bought last year. I saw them in all 3 Costcos near me. I cerainly recognize the difference since I own Felco's as well. Bhaco are my all-around favorite. I do a lot of pruning so am always looking to try something new that I think looks good.
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BronxFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Bonsai pruners cut clean, and leave little crushed, plant material as a result.  Even green wood is cleanly cut.  Expensive, but I had my bonsai pruners for 25 years, and it's still sharp, and does a clean job.  For larger branches, try a bonsai pruning saw with a long thin blade.  They cut on the PULL stroke, so the blade is under tension, and doesn't buckle like the lousy designed, Western saws.  I prune larger branches with the saw, and clean up the cut with the pruners.  Scars heal very quickly.  I dust the open cuts with powdered cinnamon, which kills off any pathogens.  It smells good too.

Frank
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
You're lucky that your local costcos get things before everyone else. :)

I love good pruners. My favorite has been my Felco 13s - love the longer handles. They are a bit more awkward to carry around however. My next favorite are the Felco 8s - which the costco knock-offs mimic. Then with maybe the Felco 2 and 6 tied. And I can't stand anything with a moving handle or blade, including vegetable peelers.

Haven't yet tried the Bahcos, but I think I'm done spending big bucks on things I tend to mistreat or lose (that's why I have so many, lol).
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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
A local vineyard/orchard supply house (really doing most business with grape growers in the Lodi, CA area) carry the Bhaco but I noticed in the past couple of years that they carry a Chinese knock-off of these.  I'm trying a pear of those but they seem a little less rigid.  My first Bhaco were purchased at an irrigation supply business for an extremely good price of less than $20 maybe 10 years ago.  I think they must have been on clearance.  I wish I had bought five.  I drove over them with a tractor and the replacements cost much more, maybe $40-$50.  For me, with about six acres of chestnuts and pomegranates and now some figs, and constantly pruning various hobby plants, I think it's a small price to pay to get the tool that you think gets the job done the best.  I probably use that as an excuse to an excess.
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
I have no doubt you're stronger than I am.   :)  I was wondering what the largest branch diameter that will fit all the way in is.
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BahcoDavid

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
I bought a package of these shears and the larger one just broke a blade at 14 cuts of about a 1/2 inch Thompson Grape Vineyard Vines.  I tried the same equivalent of my Bahco P1-20T which is a $25 to $35 dlls hand pruner with Xylan Blade and I was able to cut up to 50 vines until I decided that I had enough of cutting the neighbors vineyards vines.  

Thanks for the tip of these Kirkland Shears but they are 100% only for light yardwork use.  

David 

Bahco

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strudeldog

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
My Costco now has these for $14.97 so if you like them at $25 should love them now. I picked up a set earlier in the year and they are ok, but I prefer my Felco and my Bahco. The larger pair lost it's edge almost 1st use when blades hit. I probably abuse pruners as I tackle pretty large caliber and the force caused the cutting edges to hit. But for 2 decent pruners each with a replacement blade and spring and a sharpner I can accept a  lower tolerance in construction quality control at this price . Never be forced to chew a roadside cutting again, at this price keep a pair in each vehicle.
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ascpete

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
Not from Costco, but a Felco 2 Knock off (can use Felco OEM parts). Well built from Harbor Freight, $13.00 regular price, and they always have coupons. I have made over 1000 cuts 3/4 inch and less (and several dozen 1 inch caliper), still sharp, no blade damage or wear.
HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
I like the Costco ones for my employee, he is a bit tough on tools.  Fortunately, they come with extra blades because he's broken them.  David above must have found us by picking up my comment about the Bahco pruners I've really enjoyed using.  So far, I think they are the best out there although I'd like to try the Japanese ARS ones since they appear to be a quality product.  For heavy use, I'll take quality over price any day.  If my Costco has them for on clearance I may pick up another set.  I think when the price ends in .97 that indicates it is a clearance item so it will vary by store and be temporary.
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Dieseler

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Pruner at Martins .
All in fun .

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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Martin, if your fig trees ever get tall enough to need a pole pruner like that, you might want to look into getting an ARS cut and hold pruner as it might also be useful for picking fruit.  As it cuts it holds onto one side of what you've cut instead of letting it drop.  Useful for collecting scions of various trees as well.
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