Last Updated on 13/07/2023 by Barney
The Felco model 2 secateur has long been a favourite amongst keen & professional gardeners alike. So much so, it scored top of my list of quality secateurs. Felco secateurs are balanced correctly and constructed with only the best components. If you have never owned Felco secateurs, you’re in for a treat.
Apologies for the battered appearance, these are my very own secateurs used for this Felco 2 review. These have been through 100’s of hours of pruning plants, shrubs, trees and ornamental grasses. I am still not ready to let them go!
As a professional gardener I need secateurs that stay sharp, have a smooth operation and made to the highest standard. The last thing I want when out gardening for a customer is to be let down by my secateurs.
I love the Felco No2’s, so much they have been at my side gardening professionally for 20 years. How many garden tools can claim to last 20 years, especially these days with cheap foreign imports?
Who are these secateurs for ?
The Felco model 2 pruners are designed for serious amateur & professional gardeners that appreciate quality garden tools.
The build quality on these is so good they will never fail on you. Perfect for pruning plants, shrubs, trees with medium to heavy use.
This model from Felco is made for right handed users with a medium to large sized hand.
Key Features of the Felco 2
The all important hardened steel blade
One of the features that me impresses most about these secateurs is length of time needed between sharpening.
The blade, made from heat treated hardened steel, is like it suggests, extremely hard and keeps a sharp edge way longer than cheap secateurs.
The cut is effortless, neat and precise. Exactly what you need for putting less stress on your hands and for the health of the plant being pruned. Apart from looking untidy a nasty, ragged cut could leave the plant being susceptible to disease.
Conveniently, the blade also features a wire cutting notch. This is really handy when putting up or removing climbing plant support wires. No need to have a separate wire cutter with this model.
Located on the replaceable anvil blade is the sap groove. The sap groove prevents these pruners from jamming with gooey plant sap. Again, this is something you just don’t find on many of the entry level pruners available.
Blade Micro Adjustment
Nifty little feature that hold the blade in the correct position whilst adjusting the tightness as it passes the anvil. This feature also makes replacing the blade a simple task.
Rubber Shock Absorber
If you have ever used a set of hedge shears that doesn’t have a shock absorber you will know how important this feature is for repetitive cutting.
This might look small and insignificant but it really does help in reducing stress and fatigue on your pruning hand when fully closing the secateurs.
The Iconic Red Handles
Made from forged aluminium the contours fit the hand comfortably. Being aluminium this also makes the handles rust free and light weight.
The red, non slip covering helps to locate the secateurs should you happen, like me, to be constantly putting them down and forgetting.
The covering is replaceable should you need to.
Side Mounted Safety Catch
Located on the inside of the secateurs it is easily locked into position with the thumb enabling one handed use, handy if you have one hand holding a ladder whilst pruning.
The Warranty
Lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects although in my experience you are never going to need to use it.
Important to note that all parts are replaceable which truly makes these secateurs ones that will garden happily with you for many years.
Mine, as pictured above have been in service for around 20 years and I have no desire to change them anytime soon.
Alternatives to the Felco 2
I have yet to fully put them through their paces but the Okatsune 104 is a much talked about model that has been directly compared to the Felco 2 in terms of quality and precision.
Watch this space, I will be doing a full evaluation soon. Who knows, maybe I’ll be converted?
Round up
If you have medium to large sized hands and looking for a pruner that is a pleasure to operate and will last a lifetime then these secateurs should be top of your list.
With the hardened steel blades, comfortable grip and readily available replacement parts Felco 2 secateurs will keep you happily (and comfortably) pruning for many years.
Too large for you? Check out my review of pruners for small hands.