Looking after your secateurs

[4Shoes]

So it is time to prune the fruit trees. My secateurs have been mistreated all year - all 3 sets - so have just had the winter service.

The common advice is to use a wet stone, but given that there is a wee disk preventing disassembly (I don't have a replacement circlip today), a quick rub with a file has been completed.


The advice is to ensure your secateurs are sterile. I've just been cleaning beer kit, so the secateurs are all soaking in VWP for the moment.

When pruning, advice is to clean blade between cuts.

What products / solutions do you use

a. To clean your secateurs ?
b. To wipe down the Blade in use?

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Wire wool for the blades to get rid of residue, then a wet stone to sharpen the blade, I am lucky in the respect that most of my secateurs either were awarded as presents or I picked up from work and are all Joseph Bentley's with the oak handles (Apart from the cheapie"s I leave in the shed on the allotment) and are so comfortable to use, so the handles get sanded and rubbed down in linseed!

I then pop the blades in a little glass of white vinegar to sterilise!

Works a treat!

[4Shoes]

Wire wool for the blades to get rid of residue, then a wet stone to sharpen the blade, I am lucky in the respect that most of my secateurs either were awarded as presents or I picked up from work and are all Joseph Bentley's with the oak handles (Apart from the cheapie"s I leave in the shed on the allotment) and are so comfortable to use, so the handles get sanded and rubbed down in linseed!

I then pop the blades in a little glass of white vinegar to sterilise!

Works a treat!

D0 you use a paper towel soaked with Vinegar to wipe blade as you prune?


One site mentioned dilute bleech. HMO does not buy the stuff. Not good for tank

[Aberdeenplotter]

Mine are Felco. Had them for over 20 years and used them for work. They've been sharpened using an oilstone only a handful of times and I've never needed to repace a blade, Expensive but as they say, you get what you pay for. I've never sterilised them although they get a spray with WD40 occasionally and a wipe with a rag.

[bario1]

Mine are Falco too, had them a couple of years, never had more than a rub on my jumper in terms of cleaning....

[Bren In Pots]

I've never sterilised them although they get a spray with WD40 occasionally and a wipe with a rag.

That's all I do with my secateurs and i've never had a problem with them.

[Lardman]

I clean my felcos with baby wipes - not because they're shockingly expensive but they really do remove muck very well. I've tried hand sharpening them a few times after disassembly but I think I do more damage to the edge than good.

[sparrow100]

I always sterilise my secateurs, usually with surgical spirit. One of my fruit trees has something nastyish and I don't want to spread it. I've got a sharpening stone, which passes over the blade a few times a year and I oil them fairly regularly. Only take them apart and clean properly once a year because I never remember to bring them home.

[Scarlet]

I use Felco no2. I use a bit of WD 40 and the occasional bit of fine wire wool to get the grime off. I've sharpened them on a stone a couple of times...I've had mine nearly 20years. They need a repair now though as the plastic on the handles are getting worn through. Worth every penny.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

D0 you use a paper towel soaked with Vinegar to wipe blade as you prune?


One site mentioned dilute bleech. HMO does not buy the stuff. Not good for tank

Wouldn't dream of using bleach, to me that is a chemical!

In between pruning one plant to another I tend to give the blades a quick wipe with an alcohol Injuiced tissue, the likes you find in a first aid box

[SarrissUK]

I use a pair from Asda that cost me £3. I don't sterilise them, but they do occassionally get a wipe against my trousers lol They've lasted me three years now I think, so that's good value to me! They're as new too!

[4Shoes]

For a moment there I thought I must have dreamt that you should clean blade between plants. Not sure if it was Monty but was a reputable source. As I say, I'm about to prune the fruit trees (Apple & pear) and bushes.


I've got quite a few trees and perhaps should treat them better now they are a few years old. The Fruit bushes I'm not so bothered about. They tend to grow quite quickly.

[SarrissUK]

No I think you're absolutely right 4Shoes, that is what's recommended - I am sure I've heard that too. But I never do, as I don't have anything that could sterilise them. But then none of my trees seem to have anything wrong with them, so maybe that's why I don't feel the need.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I use Felco no2. I use a bit of WD 40 and the occasional bit of fine wire wool to get the grime off. I've sharpened them on a stone a couple of times...I've had mine nearly 20years. They need a repair now though as the plastic on the handles are getting worn through. Worth every penny.

The plastic on the handles of mine is starting to show signs of wear as well but if push comes to shove I'll just give them a good wrapping with insulating tape

[Scarlet]

I've considered sending off for repair? I've heard they come back like brand new.