On 09/05/2012 03:06 PM, Baz wrote:
I don't think there are any technological changes. And I don't think
brand matters, as long as they're sharp and close correctly on the
anvil you're good.


NT
Sorry to disagree. The brand matters very much indeed. Cheap foreign
steel is used to make and supply cheap foreign tools and are a waste of
money.
Felco I think are the best and that brand is what you need to aim for if
it is to last your lifetime. Never buy cheap tools if you need to use
them more than once or twice.
My Felco anvil secateurs cost me £30 4 or 5 years ago. A lot of money but
they have severed lots of wood when I had to break up lots of conifer
branches to get rid of.

I agree with you Baz. I have 2 Felcos, a #2 which is used for general
purpose pruning, and a #8 which I use for specialist maple pruning.
I've had the #2 for many years and the #8 (which was a gift) for a few
now, and wouldn't be without them. I expect them to last basically for
ever, and I'm pretty careful about not losing them as a result.