I'm [my wrists and elbows] are getting fed up of hours of pruning with ordinary secateurs. I, like a lot of you, often spend considerable time using secateurs, whether it be for rose pruning, pollarding or just general shrub and tree maintenance. I'm thinking of investing in some battery operated shears.
The choice of shears online is wide, as is the price range! The genuine professional ones are out of my price range, that is £500+. However, there are shears at £20-£250ish and quite honestly they almost look the same! I was hoping to find a recognisable brand amongst the choice, but I can't seem to find one. I have seen the power-assist secateurs by Bosch, but I'm really looking for the trigger-operated shears.
Before I take the plunge with Hu Wan Do Chi's finest, does anyone actually have any experience, or even better a recommendation, for a decent one of these gizmos to make my life easier!
Thank you.
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A client bought us a pair of the Bosch ones, becasue she thought them invaluable. Positives - they charge using a standard phone USB connection. They do occasionally get used on those stalks that are too big for standard felcos but do not require a pruning saw - and they work well. The battery seems to last a fair while - and can be charged between jobs in the van.
Negatives: The blade is not (as far as I can see) replaceable. They are big and heavy and not really suitable for putting in a pocket.
I might see if I can try a pair out. I seem to recall Robert Dyas have a Bosch display stand where you can pick some up. The non replaceable blade seems to be a running theme with the cheaper options.
Looked into this myself (makita) but decided only financially viable if doing orchard contracting. I found the weight and power lead off putting too.
Have opted for left and right handed secateurs, and the twisty handle ones as well if there's loads of pencil thick stuff to do.
Literally day 1 of left and right handed today, can't say I'm as quick yet but spreads the load and I'll improve with my left over the year. Found the twisty handles amazing when I have tennis elbow or other repetitive strain injury.
The ones I was looking at had onboard batteries as opposed to belt/harness batteries. I'm willing to spend the money if it saves my body!
I've tried going lefty, but it takes a bit of getting used to, I've got some LH Felcos somewhere so I must dig them out and maybe that will improve things. I tried the swivel handles years ago and they seemed daft at the time, now my body is showing some signs of wear they may not be a bad idea!
Mother in law got me the twisty felcos years ago and I likewise laughed at them, then I had tennis elbow and tried them out and not looked back since. Still use fixed ones the majority of the time but ideal for water shoots etc.
I thought the weight of onboard batteries would be equal or more strain to snipping. An expensive punt.
Indeed, ideally I'd want to pick one up to see how it felt. The weight doesn't seem to be a problem for my elbow, it's the squeezing action that causes discomfort. Another weapon in the armoury would be useful, I'd probably just reserve it for the slightly tougher jobs like pollarding and thicker hedges etc. save my elbow and snips for the more delicate jobs like rose pruning.
The Bosch have an on board battery. Re the standard Felcis, the 7 with the twisty handle, sharpened at least weekly copes with an awful lot
i am a big fan of the twisty handled felcos as well, i had a set of bosch powered secateurs years ago, as it seemed a cool gadget, maybe models have improved now but i found the action of the blade resetting itself after each cut intolerably slow, so they only got used once
Those rolly handle felco's, are great at preventing hand strain. I use my right handed ones in both hands. You can get long handle felco's for bigger cuts you,with can use two hands, felco 13's I think.
For those bigger cut's I keep a pair of baco pruning loppers near by or a folding silky saw.
Also worth while doing hand tendon stretches regularly.
Since getting the left handed rolly ones I've found there is very little difference apart from the catch being on the other side.
Also have a folding saw (bahco laplander) was disappointed with the large tooth size of the felco folding saw, the stihl one is cheaper and the same. I much prefer the bahco, locks shut and open and finer cut. Had a conversation yesterday about how little loppers get used and decided it was because they didn't fit on a belt/pocket.
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