If there’s one thing every gardener needs, it’s a good pair of pruning shears. These garden essentials are small enough to fit in your hand and allow you to trim, cut and shape outdoor plants with precision and ease. We tested 11 pairs of these handy trimming tools and one pair stood out for its performance and longevity: the Felco pruners.
These Felco 2 pruning shears are universal shear and can be used on everything from fresh cut flowers to dead branches. Our testers were impressed by their intuitiveness, ergonomics and performance, deeming them a worthy splurge. Here’s everything you need to know about the Felco pruners.
What Are Felco Pruners?
After their release in 1948, the Swiss-made Felco 2 pruning shears quickly became a gardening shed staple. Professional and amateur gardeners alike appreciate the ergonomics, precision and durability of these universal shears.
The Felco pruners feature an ergonomic form and contoured finger grips for safety and comfort. They measure 8.25-inches long, have a 6.5-inch handle spread and are rated for large hands.They’re equipped with an angled anvil blade made from hardened steel and have a cutting diameter of .98 inches.
There is also have a tiny notch toward the base of the blade designed for wire-cutting and a micro-metric setting mechanism which allows easy adjustment of the cutting head.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
Felco 2 Pruners
Swiss-made Felco pruners feature an ergonomic form with contoured finger grips and a curved anvil blade.
Felco Pruners Features
Left-handed Compatibility
According to the brand’s website, these Felco pruners are designed for right-handed users. However, our testers determined that they can be used by both right- and left-handed gardeners.
Wire Cutting Capabilities
A tiny notch is located toward the base of blade for wire-cutting. It worked excellently, according to our testers.
Micro-metric Setting Mechanism
The micro-metric setting mechanism allows easy adjustment of the cutting head precisely to your own requirements. At first, our testers were unable to find any information detailing the proper way to make adjustments. They eventually found out there’s a gear on the side which can be adjusted using a wrench and can help realign the blades if one gets crooked. There is also a small tool included for changing the blade.
How We Tested It
Associate product testers Sheri Kaz and Dylan Fischer were especially excited to put these Felco pruners to the test after receiving a glowing recommendation from Sheri’s local forester, Dennis Fermenich.
“My city forester only recommends the Felco 2,” says Kaz. “In 30 years, he has replaced the spring and the blade. He assures me that the blade stays sharp with an occasional swipe on a sharpening stone and adjustments can be made between the blades to keep the cut clean,” she says.
Kaz and Fischer began the testing process by noting the pruners’ weight, measurements and callout features. Once they wrapped up their observations, our team took these Felco pruners into Sheri’s backyard for testing. They gathered three sizes of wooden dowels, three sizes of deadwood branches and stems and three sizes of greenwood branches and stems, including cherry wood and an asparagus plant.
The first test was with a series of 0.25-inch stems. Sheri, whose hand is an inch shorter than Dylan’s, cut through a dowel, greenwood stem and deadwood branch with her right hand. The pruners provided a clean cut and Sheri found them easy to operate. On a scale of 1 through 5, Sheri gave the Felco pruners a 3 for the amount of force required. “This one wasn’t as easy to cut with as we thought it would be,” she says.
Sheri opted to pass the pruners onto Dylan for the remainder of the tests, since she says she has less hand and grip strength. Dylan, who is left-handed, cut through a 0.5-inch dowel, green cherrywood stem and deadwood branch. “This was painful on the half-inch dowel,” explains Sheri. “Dylan had to give up and reposition and undercut it to get the blades to fully cut through. However, on the real deadwood branch we used that was close to half an inch, the shears cut through it easily.”
For the final test, Dylan used the pruners to cut through a 0.75-inch dowel, deadwood branch and asparagus. He notes that it sliced cleanly through asparagus like hot butter but it did not cut through the dowel or deadwood.
After cutting a variety of stems, our team agreed that the tension on this shear felt good. They also noted that it works nicely and springs back with little effort when cutting small and green stems. However, anything beyond 0.5-inch thickness will likely require the use of two hands and some extra force.
Pros
- Good tension
- Easy to operate
- Makes clean, precise cuts
- Can be used with left and right hands
- Lifetime warranty
- Replaceable parts
Cons
- Tougher to use on stems and branches a half-inch thick or thicker
Why You Should Trust Us
AtFamily Handyman, our goal is to help you shop for quality products with confidence. This is especially true for gardening tools which help you can keep the outside of your home as beautiful as the inside. Our editors and testers have years of experience testing hundreds of products including electric pruning shears and pruning saws.
Our product testing experts on the product testing team spent 45 hours closely examining 11 pruners, including these Felco pruners. We performed 14 tests on each pair and collected roughly 300 data points overall.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Felco 2 and the 11?
The Felco 11 has an anvil blade that is attached with screws, making it easy to replace. The blade on the Felco 2 is attached with rivets, making it harderthough not impossibleto replace
Are all Felco pruners made in Switzerland?
Yes, Felco pruners are made in Switzerland. Additionally, 76% of Felco’s suppliers are located in Switzerland, with 17% of their suppliers are in Europe and only 7% outside Europe.
What is the best Felco for a vineyard?
Felco has a collection of pruners tailored for vineyards. The Felco 6, 12, 14 and 15 are included in this collection.
What Other Reviewers Had To Say
The Felco 2 pruners have over 11,550 five-star reviews on Amazon. Overall, customers are impressed by their quality, comfort, design and value.
Amazon user Jan Eric Welch calls these Felco pruners the best they’ve ever owned. “The Felco 2 Hand Pruner is by far the best I have ever owned. The quality is absolutely unparalleled; it cuts through anything with ease and has yet to dull, even after extensive use,” writes Welch. “The precision and durability of these pruners are unmatched, making every pruning task a breeze. Im so impressed with them that Ive bought more to give as gifts. If youre looking for top-tier pruning shears, these are the ones to get. Highly recommended!”
NotThatGuy, another verified Amazon user, insists that the Felco pruners live up to the hype. “So far I am loving these. The grip feels natural in my hand and they cut through small trees, thick old rose bushes, roots and everything in between as if it were nothing,” he writes. “The lock will take a little getting used to but that’s not a real complaint…Instead of buying a new pair of cheapies every season…just spend the extra money and get a pair that may indeed last you the rest of your life.”
And SajLib assures prospective buyers that the Felco pruners are worth every penny. “Compared to other brands I’ve used before, this Felco pruner is not as hard on my old hand. It seems slimmer, sturdier, stronger, and more effective at cutting small limbs. Small, yes, but bigger than I would’ve dared with the cheaper counterparts I’ve used in the past,” they write.
“For bigger limbs, I use my lopper,” they write. “The blades haven’t bent, separated or dulled. Only time will tell, but I strongly suspect I’m in for a really good quality, long term relationship with these hand held shears. Oh! And, I love that they’re red. Looks aren’t everything, of course, but it sure makes them easier to find every time I forget where I laid them as I’m working.”
Felco 2 vs. Felco 31 Pruners
Kaz and Fischer tested two Felco pruners: the Felco 2 and the Felco 31 pruners. Both Felco pruners have a cutting diameter of .98 inches, are rated for large hands and are equipped with a steel anvil blade. During testing, both pruners consistently made clean cuts on greenwood and deadwood up to 0.5-inches. However, the Felco 2 had cleaner cuts across the board.
According to our testers, the Felco 31 consistently left slight indents underneath the cut line. When cutting 0.5-inch stems, Kaz and Fischer referred to the cut quality as “just fine.” In addition to the indents that were left below the cut lines, our testers found a small amount of tearing on the green cherry branch, too.
During testing, our team described the Felco 2’s cuts as clean, excellent and like butter. Of the two pruners, we recommend the Felco 2 as the better choice.
Final Verdict
The Felco pruners are a great choice for anyone who values durability and longevity.“The Felco 2 comes with a lifetime warranty and offers a replacement for every single part imaginable. Although it’s a bit more of a cost upfront, you will ultimately save money in the long-run if you’re serious about taking care of it,” says Dylan.
Where to Buy Felco Pruners
Felco pruners are available at a variety of retailers including Amazon, The Home Depot and Walmart. They cost about $70 on average, though we’ve seen the price range from about $60 to $80. These pruners also have a lifetime warranty.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
Felco 2 Pruners
The Felco 2 pruners come with a lifetime warranty and offers a replacement for every single part, making them a smart buy.
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