On 10/05/2014 16:42, FrankB wrote:
Been looking to buy a pair of loppers. I know I want the bypass type, but
nearly all of these come with a ratchet mechanism.I'm not keen on one of
those as it's just something extra to go wrong over time

Also if I want to take the loppers apart for sharpening purposes will it be
difficult to re-assemble if there's a ratchet mechanim involved, or is it
straightforward assuming someone here had experience of doing this as I've
no expereience of loppers with a ratchet included?




I confess I've only ever *looked* at ratchet loppers, but never bought
them because the two pairs of ratchet secateurs I've had over the years
lasted no time at all. I'm just not impressed.

However, I have a pair of ancient Fiskars *geared* loppers which are
excellent. I dread them wearing out, but they haven't yet. Must have
had them nearly 30 yrs. I work them very hard. The blade has been
changed without problem. There have been no other problems.

Increasingly, my painful hands mean I have to reach for my loppers
rather then my faithful Felco secateurs. I clean the blades every time
I use them and oil them occasionally. I highly recommend gears over
ratchet.

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay