Comments on: Felco F-8 Classic Pruner with Comfortable Ergonomic Design

By: Banyan

Banyan — Sun, 30 May 2010 19:14:27 +0000

I bought my #8 pruner over 25 years ago when I began a commercial nursery. I've had them ever since and use them every day. I've replaced the spring twice and the blade once. I worked mostly with bamboo for 15 or so years and all I had to do with these is sharpen them with a file every month or so. Bamboo is notorious for dulling blades since the culms have such a high mineral content.

I'd give this 5 stars except I agree with others that the lock could be just a tad better. I tend to brush it with the inner side of my thumb joint which will lock the shears when you don't intend to do so.

If you go to a commercial nursery or a serious plant place like an arboretum, you'll be hard pressed to find anything but Felco pruners.

By: David Bisbee

David Bisbee — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:04:21 +0000

The only thing I can say that isn’t perfect about this product is that the locking device could be redesigned to be more user friendly. I lost my first pair, great house warming present, I probably tossed them in the trash with my clippings. After buying three different pairs from Home depot I finally broke down and purchased these replacements (at only $15.00 more than the cheap ones), they are awesome and make yard trimming easy!

By: "jon"

"jon" — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:29:46 +0000

Once upon a time I had a classic #2 Felco that I scored for free due to it needing a new blade and spring. Less than $15 gave me the industry standard for high quality pruners. That pair mysteriously disappeared about 4 years ago. They were terrific! Since then I’ve accumulated a few more pruners from Corona, Fiskars, and A.M. Leonard. The A.M. Leonard ones are similar to the #2 Felcos but made in Italy. Recently I was given a “bonus” from my boss to buy a set of Felco pruners, so I picked up a #8 and it is great! I do a lot of pruning on the job, and the ergonomic shape blows the AM Leo and #2 Felcos out of the water. Much more comfortable to hold and use – more or less like an extension of your arm, or that your hand was meant to hold them. Felco fit and finish is impeccable, and the best part is that parts are readily available for this potentially lifelong tool, more so than any other brand out there of which I am aware. The steel is also excellent on the blades. Take proper care of this tool and it will last and last.

By: Kersi Von Zerububbel

Kersi Von Zerububbel — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:03:38 +0000

Falco’s F-8 was all I expected it to be and more. After going through a number of box store pruners I finally relented and bought this one. The price is steep but it’s worth every penny.

The ergonomic design and high quality steel makes this a lifetime tool. Also one can disassemble the blades for sharpening and cleaning. There is one design flaw. The lever that is supposed to hold the pruner in the closed position often slips unless it is closed just right. But this is a minor flaw.

By: Joseph McIntyre

Joseph McIntyre — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:05:01 +0000

Felco has a justifiable reputation for making outstanding pruners. Their entire line is worthy of consideration (lefty's rejoice, they make pruners designed for you!). The F-8 is their ergonomic redesign of their original F-2 (and the same pruner as the F-7, which has a rotating handle). The curves in the handle make this pruner significantly easier to work--particularly if you have 50 roses to prune! Felco's blade is sharp and its cuts are precise and clean. Felco tools are made to last and it is easy to replace all the parts that wear on this tool. At the time of this review, Amazon's price was the best (by far) that I found online.

This is a tool, however, that you may benefit from handling in one of your local stores. A good garden store should carry the entire Felco line and you may find that another model better fits your hand (or budget, Felco does offer a discount model, the 400).

5 stars for value, quality, durability, and performance.