Post by Fractal on Sept 24, 2020 3:07:45 GMT
Here's a thing. I seem to have been collecting a few different types of secateur/pruner over the last few months, lockdown earlier this year (for me) has a lot to answer for!
Felco, a Swiss brand that I've had... forever and for good reason, they're reliable and solid. Replaceable parts too not offered with the others. Carbon steel blade and aluminium handles and blade bracing.
Okatsune, a Japanese brand, lighter in weight and a more direct action without buffering (unlike the Felco). Carbon steel also so they need cleaning and oiling regularly or they will start rusting (eventually), especially if you leave them outside.
Opinel, the French brand. A renowned knife maker, they have only recently started making (currently one model) secateurs. Lightest of the bunch and typically for the French, slightly quirky. Stainless steel blades. Hidden internal spring and a wooden upper handle.
I expected there to be a difference in comfort between the three yet all three feel great in the hand. I could use any of them for hours without a problem.
The springs vary in their "springy-ness". Okatsune being the strongest. This might be tiresome on the hands for some, especially smaller hands and over an extended period of use though a smaller 101 model is offered too which would help (mine being the largest 104).
Felco are in the middle with I'd say a perfect strength spring. They are spot on.
Opinel is adequate though very lightly sprung. Probably great for smaller hands or as ladies secateurs. If well oiled, they won't be a problem.
Cutting ability. Felco and Okatsune seem very much on par with perhaps Okatsune just edging it (literally!).
Opinel are still sharp and cut well but the blades dont open quite as wide so tackling that ever so slightly larger twig might be just a cut too far. To be honest though, isn't this when a pruning saw or loppers take over anyway?...
Looks, definitely the chic Opinel. Felco not far behind with Okatsune trailing. Not bad but definitely the plain Jane here. Arbitrary really but looks are important.
Much less arbitrary is cost. These models are all in the same ball park.
Opinel are between £42 and £46 depending on supplier.
Felco, mine are the no. 11 model which when new are between £40 and £50 depending on supplier..
The Okatsune 104's are around £45.
I think I'll cop out in summarising and put the Okatsune and Felco in joint first place. I love the direct feel of the Okatsune and the carbon steel blade keeps its edge superbly without the need to sharpen too often. The Felco are still great though and as I say, I've used them forever. The Opinel are still good, though I think they need another model in their range to take on the other two on a more level footing.
ADDENDUM: forgot to mention the locking mechanism for each brand.
The little swivel lock on the Felco can be fiddly to operate with your thumb, especially with gloves on. It can also stick sometimes.
The Okatsune have a nice chunky flip lock at the base which you can (once mastered) rub against you to operate one handed (with satisfying clunk).
The Opinel has a three position slider for lock, part open and fully open. The part open is for light dead heading which is quite clever as there's less hand stress.
Funnily enough, partly to justify buying them, I'm currently using the Opinel for everything and I'm finding them a pleasure to use. They tackle everything I've thrown at them!
Felco, a Swiss brand that I've had... forever and for good reason, they're reliable and solid. Replaceable parts too not offered with the others. Carbon steel blade and aluminium handles and blade bracing.
Okatsune, a Japanese brand, lighter in weight and a more direct action without buffering (unlike the Felco). Carbon steel also so they need cleaning and oiling regularly or they will start rusting (eventually), especially if you leave them outside.
Opinel, the French brand. A renowned knife maker, they have only recently started making (currently one model) secateurs. Lightest of the bunch and typically for the French, slightly quirky. Stainless steel blades. Hidden internal spring and a wooden upper handle.
I expected there to be a difference in comfort between the three yet all three feel great in the hand. I could use any of them for hours without a problem.
The springs vary in their "springy-ness". Okatsune being the strongest. This might be tiresome on the hands for some, especially smaller hands and over an extended period of use though a smaller 101 model is offered too which would help (mine being the largest 104).
Felco are in the middle with I'd say a perfect strength spring. They are spot on.
Opinel is adequate though very lightly sprung. Probably great for smaller hands or as ladies secateurs. If well oiled, they won't be a problem.
Cutting ability. Felco and Okatsune seem very much on par with perhaps Okatsune just edging it (literally!).
Opinel are still sharp and cut well but the blades dont open quite as wide so tackling that ever so slightly larger twig might be just a cut too far. To be honest though, isn't this when a pruning saw or loppers take over anyway?...
Looks, definitely the chic Opinel. Felco not far behind with Okatsune trailing. Not bad but definitely the plain Jane here. Arbitrary really but looks are important.
Much less arbitrary is cost. These models are all in the same ball park.
Opinel are between £42 and £46 depending on supplier.
Felco, mine are the no. 11 model which when new are between £40 and £50 depending on supplier..
The Okatsune 104's are around £45.
I think I'll cop out in summarising and put the Okatsune and Felco in joint first place. I love the direct feel of the Okatsune and the carbon steel blade keeps its edge superbly without the need to sharpen too often. The Felco are still great though and as I say, I've used them forever. The Opinel are still good, though I think they need another model in their range to take on the other two on a more level footing.
ADDENDUM: forgot to mention the locking mechanism for each brand.
The little swivel lock on the Felco can be fiddly to operate with your thumb, especially with gloves on. It can also stick sometimes.
The Okatsune have a nice chunky flip lock at the base which you can (once mastered) rub against you to operate one handed (with satisfying clunk).
The Opinel has a three position slider for lock, part open and fully open. The part open is for light dead heading which is quite clever as there's less hand stress.
Funnily enough, partly to justify buying them, I'm currently using the Opinel for everything and I'm finding them a pleasure to use. They tackle everything I've thrown at them!