Fans of Felco

Just arrived in the post ... another birthday gift, this time from my sister. A set of Felco no 4 secateurs. Now anyone who knows anything about gardening equipment knows these are the King/Queen/democratically elected president of the secateur world, as used by "pro" gardeners in their droves.

They seem to be very well constructed, and according to Felco, "Every Felco secateur is subjected to more than 100 quality control processes before leaving the manufacturer", which certainly sounds impressive.

I have some very fine Black and Decker ones that have never let me down, but tend to lose their sharp edge rather quickly, and some cheapo secateurs that usually end up doing all the horrible jobs like snipping up slugs, but I have never invested in a Felco before. Now I just want a leather "holster" so I don't leave them lying around all over the place while I am in the garden.

I'll report back on how I find them. Interesting to note there's a tree surgeon on the Amazon reviews page for these secateurs who swears by them, saying confidently "there is no alternative to Felco" ... we shall see!

Comments

[john curtin]

Believe me ....you'll never look back! Get the holster for the real pro look as well. I also bought a small Felco sharpening stone which keeps them nice and sharp. A wash and a drop of oil know and again is all they need. Wouldn't be without them!

[Simon Kirby]

Hi Jane. I reckon Felco are what they say. I've just acquired myself a pair: I'd borrowed my wife's pair - she's a professional gardener - and I thought I'd managed to lose them somewhere on the allotment so I had to buy her another pair. But then she found them the other day, down the side of my armchair! So I get to keep the old pair. A 2-Felco family, cool hey.

Simon

[lilymarlene]

A friend of mine has used them for years and swears 'by' them. He was helping me sort out my wisteria.....and cut himself badly....then swore 'at' them! Beware, they are very sharp!

[Matron]

Isn't it wonderful to find the right tool for the job? I am in love with my hand trowel from Burgon & Ball - just so ergonomically perfect.

[Chris (HikeWales.co.uk)]

If you do use the holster, you can simply 'wet-form' it to mould to the shape of the Felco's and give a very snug fit. First, wrap your Felco's in cling film to protect them. Pop you leather holster under a warm tap for about 5-10 seconds and put the wrapped secateurs into it. Use your fingers to push the leather around the shape of the secateurs - it will magically retain the close fitting shape and is very therapeutic to do! Leave it overnight with the secateurs in the holster, them take them out and leave the leather to dry. If you like, you can treat the holster with dubbin or even shoe polish, to help waterproof it. A wet formed holster looks fab and is very secure.

[Jane Perrone]

ooh Chris, that sounds great! Must now get around to buying the holster ...

[Natalie El-Barrawi]

Enjoy using the lovely Felco's but wether you have a hot-drop forged leather holster(didn't 70's teenagers do something similar with skinnyjeans sitting in a bath)or you just pop it into your lotty bag do have a routine or a place it always lives. Having run over a much loved tool with the lawn mower because I put it down in a strange place(aargh the terrible crunching) I know you will be really upset if you lose it or waste valuable lotty time searching for it.

[Chris - Hikewales.co.uk]

I have had a couple of people contact me for a photo of the wet-formed holster. I have posted 3 here!
http://tinyurl.com/2e5pm3
CHris

[Lisa]

I love my Felcos... have had them about 6 years now and they don't let me down. I don't have the holster, but you've got me considering one (and a Stetson to match?!).