Hand Pruner Recommendations
Equipment
Anyone have suggestions for a good quality set of hand pruners? Something like in the pic. Open to ratcheting or by-pass type. I have 3-4 different ones, these are Gerber brand I believe. They hey all kinda suck for one reason or another IMO
I have a few little hand saws like this as well, seems like I’m generally more satisfied with them, I’ve got a Corona and a couple Silky that are nice. But the hand pruners always seem to disappoint.
Cost really isn’t a concern (assuming no diamonds or gold). They would be more for day hunt type set-ups when I prune and hunt. I’ve got bigger more robust tools for setting up and seasonal clearing of stands etc. Looking for something to carry in a small pocket for quick lighter duty use.
Thanks for any ideas. —Jim
Fiskars seem decent to me and not too expensive. Those Gerber saws do suck and I have several.
Fiskars stuff is generally good and most if not all the hand tools have lifetime warranty. I have several of their products and zero complaints about those.
A buddy of mine that did landscaping gave me a set of Felco bypass clippers about 25 years ago. I like and use them regularly and have never changed the blades. Not sure what model my old ones are, but they are similar to the F-2's they currently offer.
Stihl makes a good one been using it for years.....
I’ve got a pair of the Felco F-2s. I’ve only had them for one season, but so far they’ve been pretty flawless. Not a lot of miles on them, but they seem to be noticeably better than any of the others I’ve had over the years.
Only downside is, you can’t get them in Valo….
We have 30 apple trees, 3 pear, 3 plum. We prune shooting lanes as well. We also make Christmas wreaths and porch pots. We have purchased and used many. We now only use Felco F-2. Best in our uses.
I have used all of them. The only one I use now is the Milwaukee M18 trimmers. The pole unit with the saw, and the pruner attachment is just outstanding.
Pat- I think there may be something wrong with mine…
I do really like the Milwaukee battery stuff. But I’m more specifically thinking for use in quick one-time set up type stuffs like run and gun (bow) turkey hunting type scenario. Just something I can carry in my pocket or small pack.
I’ve got some Fiskar stuff, seems to me to be exactly the same as the Gerber stuff, possibly same company? Looks like those Felco may be what I’m looking for. But more suggestions certainly welcome.
—Jim
Felco not telco Dang autocorrect
Corona Razor TOOTH 10-in Steel Folding Pruning Saw
Been pretty happy with this one. It's a 10" folding saw but still packable. Love being able to use two hands for bigger stuff. Even topped an 8" peach tree with it. One pull takes off a 1.5" limb no problem.
I've taken advantage of the Lifetime Warranty on long handled Fiskars pruners, easy Company to deal with, no issues about replacement.
Freeman, First, I can't believe I'm telling someone with your nickname to buy quality tools.
Corona is the way to go...and not their cheapie. Then for a Saw, Corona is good buy Silky is better. That Silky 180 with the additional bone blade is fantastic and lasts a really long time without sharpening.
We use the big Silky on jobs and it cuts almost as fast a chain saw.
Felco Swiss made ,work awesome
Another Felco F-2 user…….these are the best pruners I have used so far. As for a folding hand saw, I use a Wicked Tree Gear.
I can recommend what not to buy. I had two Hooyman pruners & both broke within the first 10 finger sized branches. Customer service was not helpful & downright hostile. The first extendable pole saw of theirs I’ve had since they 1st came out maybe 20 years ago is still excellent. The last 5 tools of theirs I’ve bought have all fell apart with little use. Never again.
I went to a quality hand saw and have absolutely loved it. Mine is a Stihl. I’ve used ratcheting pruners I got on Amazon I’m happy with but prob not as good as a Felco.
Jim I think it has peyronies
EZ Cut pruners. I bought mine twenty years ago with the spare blade and haven't needed the spare yet.
All my nursery guys and landscape crews use Felco. Replaceable blades.
After using pruners professionally most my entire life the best ones I have used were made by ARS All my pruning crews preferred them and they lasted longer than any. I was not a Felco fan.
I'll second the EZ Kut pruners and their hands saws are also excellent.
I carry a Corona 7 inch saw and Corona Rachet Hand Pruner at my waste I believe it is a Gerber pouch. I won't use pruners anymore if they don't rachet.
Another vote for silky, I bought the pocket boy a few months ago and love it .
For treestand/ preset work I tend to use my Felco pruners - they're a bit heavier duty as well as having a larger opening.
That said, inside my turkey vest and for run-n-gun type of set ups when deer hunting I bring a pair of Stihl PP30 pruners. They're very light weight, compact, and good for anything up to about 3/4". Have had them 6 or 7 years now and they're holding up nicely, and still very sharp.
As for hand saws... I am partial to the Silky Pocketboy 130 - have multiple with straight and curved blades. After many years of using them I'm convinced there is no better compact saw on the market today.
Saw RJHunts post about the ARS pruners, googled them and I see that ARS must be making the Stihls that I suggested. The ARS 130DX looks to be the exact same pruner as the Stihl PP30.
Found the ARS on amazon for $20 vs the Stihl branded ones for $34
Stihl makes the best one I’ve used.
This model is best for “small hands” Jim… ;)
Corona saw and clippers are a little cheaper than Silky, but Silky is a better product in my opinion and insanely sharp!! Don't slip while using them!!
Hey there Jim , I have a leatherman pruner for my trim and hunt days Its compact and well built Does the job
Master baiter. Tell everyone you have a Corona and a couple Silkys, whilst including a pic of the Gerber. The 1st Gerber I had like that was actually pretty good, but the 2nd went thru about 10 branches before it was toast. Pole, hand, and mini are all Silky now. Love the 1st two, but not sure how sold I am on the Pocket Boy. It is certainly fine, but I actually broke a blade in half pretty quick and don't like how it folds in and doesn't lock.
The pruner I use is a larger variety that folds on itself. I don't think it would be a one hand for most, but it'll cut. No help on the one hand pruner, but I'm following.
Merry Christmas!
The best ones I’ve used for pruners have the flat bottom jaw on them. Embry has a set and they are amazing for small stuff. Last I seen HD or Lowe’s carries them.
I’m like others above here, the M18 saw for clearing is the only way to go especially for late winter prep.
