Secateurs Servicing

[Philthy]

The blades and fittings of my Felco secateurs are rather corroded now, so a clean, precise cut is out of the question.
They need attention. A service at half the cost of a new pair makes sense.
Felco look to have their own servicing arm.
I wondered if anybody can vouch for the service, or indeed recommend another, possibly cheaper, provider?

[Scarlet]

I've had my felcos for years though I've never sent them to be serviced. (Stepdad sharpens mine ) So no help I'm afraid. This link is worth a read though. There are a few threads on secateurs ..search felco and you may be lucky.
Keep Your Felco Tools Forever

[WendyC]

Yes I've used them. Can't remember the cost but I thought it was well worth it at the time. The plastic handle covering was also tidied up where I had torn it. Very speedy too.

[Kristen]

Not the answer to your question, sorry, but I've moved from Felco to Okatsune. Lovely Japanese steel, mesmerising cutting sound!, holds its edge for what seems like for ever (I don't remember even touching-up the blade with my sharpening stone last year [I have a large garden, lots of secateur work!] ) and there is a clip on the end of the handles to lock them closed whereas the Felco rotating latch always seems to find its own way closed in the middle of working.

My only gripe with Okatsune is that the handles are not contoured (as Felco are) and my hands ride up the handles when "shearing" things.

The large Okatsune is £25, the one for small hands is a bit cheaper. (Mine came from a Japanese supplier on Amazon Marketplace)

I have sharpened my own Felcos, I found it easy enough following the videos etc. on the Felco website, but they definitely aren't "like new". Felco service is £20 I think?

Secateur Porn! here (cheaper elsewhere though):
Secateurs & Saws - Pruning Tools - Niwaki

[Kristen]

P.S. I also have the Okatsune Snips too, I think they were about £12 and are well worthwhile for cutting type pruning / deadheading of soft tissue things.

[WendyC]

I like Felcos as they make them for left handers like me.

[Madasafish]

Our two Felcoes are over thirty five years old. One has been serviced once by Felco: I just sharpen the blades annually.

I expect them to outlive me...

[Philthy]

I've used a V shaped sharpener on the blade edge and it's razor sharp, but the secateurs are crushing before they start cutting, so a bit more to do. They're rather gummed up so perhaps the handles are not coming together in one clean movement, causing the poor cutting..? Anyway.
I think the servicing route might be best. Get them cleaned up and accurate again, then vow to look after the secateurs better in future with regular maintenance.

Secateurs & Saws - Pruning Tools - Niwak

Never heard of this make before, but they do look very nice, and VERY capable. I'll stick with my Felcos for now, but you've given me a perfect birthday present for a friend later in the year (keen fruit grower and adores Japanese culture). Cheers, Kristen.