Rumor has it there’s a secret password to freely get inside each arboretum, conservatory, and botanical yard in america.
We hyperlink to distributors that will provide help to uncover related merchandise. Inside the event you purchase from positively one amongst our hyperlinks, we’d earn a cost.
It’s solely spoken in a hushed whisper, nonetheless appropriate correct proper right here, appropriate now, you’re going to be taught that password in print for the primary time ever.
That password is: Felco F-2.
Okay, you acquire me. There’s not a secret password. Nevertheless when there was one, you would possibly guess your backside greenback that it actually is perhaps Felco F-2.
So far as pruners go, there is not any utterly totally different alternative for the start, excessive, or skilled gardener. These items could also be utilized for cuts as so much as 1 inch in diameter, nonetheless are nonetheless articulate sufficient to prune roses.
What you’re about to be taught isn’t a formulated draft put collectively after a mere weeklong, hands-on overview of those pruners. Any variety of web websites can inform you about their stable aluminum developing and dependable sturdiness.
In its place, this it is a firsthand account of an individual beating the hell out of his work units day by day as an skilled landscaper and gardener.
Now, let’s get to it.
Your Introduction to the Felco F-2
I obtained my first pair of Felco F-2 pruners in November of 2016. The preliminary work I put them by was intense, nonetheless it was fairly customary for landscaping work.
I pruned branches correct proper right here and tree limbs overhanging driveways there, snipped just a few objects of wire for journey decorations (the F-2 has a built-in and wise wire cutter), and cut back some dried out perennials.
One amongst my first programs as a landscaper was {{{that a}}} good gardener takes care of their units. So, as widespread observe, I handled my pruners like they have been a fragile doll.
Felco F-2 Typical Handbook Hand Pruners
Think about my shock after I seen a coworker utilizing his F-2s as a hammer, banging all through the pressure pin on a grass rake! My look of concern was met with a shrug, and I tentatively started utilizing my very private pair as a light-duty hammer too.
I’ve used my pair of pruners in such a vogue that it voids any potential guarantee: driving bamboo stakes into the underside, pins into place (like these on a grass rake), and opening an excessive amount of beer bottles (it took me some time to search out out that one out).
By the Christmas season, after I pruned 1000’s of branches from sticky, sappy Christmas timber, the F-2s under no circumstances hiccupped. Even when the blade and anvil of the pruners would get gunked up from sap, they nonetheless administered crisp and clear cuts.
As New 12 months’s acquired proper right here and went, I positioned my pruners close to my work boots and gave them a much-needed leisure till spring acquired proper right here.
The Exact Try
As of this writing, it’s been precisely 171 days on account of the landscaping and gardening season formally started in Philadelphia, and I’ve put my pruners by 172 days of absolute hell.
Think about the same old punishment a gardener’s units are put by in an on a regular basis yard: there are perennials to chop as soon as extra, timber to teach, roses to prune, stakes to chop, and cord to trim. Now think about performing that kind of labor for 50 hours every week and the toll it takes on the gadget!
My trusty Felco gadget has actually been at my side, alongside for the entire journey. Critically, I really actually really feel like I’m a cowboy inserting away my six-shooter after I holster my pruners. (Inside the event you much like the look, Felco holsters are furthermore accessible on Amazon).
They’ve pruned by 1000’s of branches and stems, and solely require some very main upkeep.
The F-2 breaks down into 12 objects very merely, and is probably reassembled shortly. It’s bought with a particular key that could be utilized to handle the strain on two of the screws, whereas the last word remaining bolt is properly adjusted with a ½-inch wrench.
I’ve used a little bit of little little bit of metal wool and oil to clean the blade and metallic elements of built-up gunk, then sharpened the blade as shortly as every week utilizing an on a regular basis whetstone. By the week and between pruning jobs, I exploit isopropyl alcohol to clean the blade and anvil.
Alright, since we’re being trustworthy correct proper right here… I’ve positively voided any potential guarantee that Felco offers.
My pruners have been used as a hammer, used with out regard to precipitation, dropped from excessive heights and used to chop swaths of grasses and lilyturf, sliced by thick-gauge wire, opened baggage of soil and mulch, and cracked open an excessive amount of beers.
The Felco F-2s have confirmed themselves to be a pruner able to dealing with an incredible workload reliably and with none fault. Throw in some main upkeep and sharpening practices, and likewise you’ve bought your self a yard gadget price its weight in saffron.
Nonetheless Wait, There’s Extra!
I didn’t inform you the place I bought my pruners, did I?
The F-2s have a reasonably hefty price ticket for a hand gadget, regarding the an equivalent as a dinner for 2 at your frequent restaurant.
After transferring to Philadelphia, I merely couldn’t afford to purchase this very important gadget.
Fortuitously for me, a coworker occurred to have a second pair. So he gave them to me, “trying to find the mannequin new man,” as he talked about. And he instructed me the story of the place he discovered them.
This coworker was strolling on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia when he seen a pair of Felco F-2s mendacity on the street. Inside the event you aren’t acquainted with Philadelphia, think about your self a townie now that you just understand Germantown Avenue is little doubt one of many intently trafficked streets all through the metropolis.
Typical F-2 Pruners from Felco, accessible on Amazon
So he picked them up and disregarded the worst of the damage and launched them residence, throwing them on a shelf in his storage. After which, after just a few years of sitting and ready, he gave these dangerous boys to me.
These have been beat up after I obtained them, scuffed and scratched and clearly correctly worn. They incurred damage on a intently trafficked road in one in every of many important populated cities in america. After which, these pruners have been ruthlessly examined and worn-in for the above-described 171 days.
They usually’re nonetheless kicking ass.
The F-2 clearly stands out as a workhorse all through the yard, able to finely pruning roses after which taking one-inch limbs and branches off of that crabapple that’s getting crowded over the driveway.
And all of the whereas, it is best to take advantage of them to hammer in stakes, beat in rake pins, and cut back wire in your journey wishes… and all that with solely a bit main upkeep.
The subsequent time you go to an arboretum, conservatory, or botanical yard, whispering “Felco F-2” won’t forestall the value of admission. Nonetheless it’s going to undoubtedly earn you a understanding nod and present of respect from anyone working there.
You’ll not want all that the Felco F-2 can present, nonetheless the Felco F-2 can present for all the objects your yard wishes.
A closing uncover: When this textual content material was written, my Felco F-2s have been used helpful prune 60 American boxwoods for a consumer. That is my official thumbs up.
Have you ever ever ever used your Felco F-2s to the an equivalent success? What’s your favourite tip for family pruner use? Inform us about it all through the options!
Footage by Matt Suwak, © Ask the Consultants, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for extra particulars. Extra product footage by means of Felco.