How to Sharpen Felco Pruners for Optimal Cutting Performance

Felco pruners are some of the most popular secateurs used by gardeners and landscapers. Their high-quality Swiss craftsmanship makes them precise cutting tools that can last for years with proper maintenance. However, even the best pruners will eventually dull with frequent use. Learning how to properly sharpen your Felco pruners is an essential skill for keeping them in peak cutting condition.

In this comprehensive guide we will walk through the entire process of sharpening Felco pruners step-by-step. From understanding why sharp blades matter to different sharpening techniques you’ll have all the information needed to refresh your pruners. With sharp Felco pruners, you can achieve clean, healthy cuts that promote vigorous growth in your plants and trees.

Why It’s Important to Keep Felco Pruners Sharp

Before diving into the how-to it’s helpful to understand why sharp pruners really matter for your gardening success. Here are some of the key benefits

• Precision cuts Sharp blades allow you to make accurate cuts exactly where you want them without crushing or tearing plant tissues

• Prevents disease: The clean slicing action of a sharp blade seals tissues faster than crushing from a dull blade. This minimizes exposure and infection risk.

• Faster healing: similarly, the clean cuts from sharp pruners enable plants to callous over and close wounds faster than jagged tears.

• Easier cutting: You’ll exert far less effort and hand fatigue when cutting with sharp pruners. This enhances efficiency and prevents joint strain.

• Prolongs tool life: Regular sharpening also extends the lifespan of your investment in quality pruners like Felco.

Now that you know why sharpening matters, let’s go over the necessary steps to maintain razor-sharp pruners.

How to Sharpen Felco Pruners in 5 Steps

Sharpening Felco pruners involves a straightforward process that takes 10-15 minutes. With a few specialized tools, you can refresh the cutting edge in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Disassemble the Pruners

Felco pruners are designed to be taken apart for thorough cleaning and sharpening. Start by:

• Removing the screw holding the blade and handle together.

• Detaching the two halves of the handles from each other.

• Removing the spring and any other small components.

Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for detailed disassembly directions specific to your Felco model. Lay out the pieces neatly in order.

Step 2: Clean the Blades and Components

Before sharpening, thoroughly clean the blades and all pruner parts with soap and water. You can also use a wire brush, steel wool, or Felco cleaning spray to scrub away residue.

Proper cleaning removes sap, dirt, and rust that can interfere with sharpening. Dry all pieces completely after cleaning.

Step 3: Sharpen the Cutting Blade

Now comes the most important part – refreshing the cutting edge itself. You have several options for how to sharpen the blade:

• Whetstone: Use a coarse grit whetstone at a 23° angle, just like the original factory bevel. Finish with a finer stone.

• Diamond file: Diamond coating files quickly restore a razor edge and won’t wear down like stones.

• Felco sharpener: Purpose-made sharpeners like the Felco 905 have guides to recreate the exact 23° sharpening angle.

Focus pressure along the beveled side of the blade. Sharpen until you feel a burr on the opposite side of the blade. Then flip the blade over and sharpen a few strokes on that side to remove the burr and polish the edge. The blade should easily slice paper when done.

Step 4: Lubricate the Joint

Before reassembling, apply a high-quality lightweight machine oil or spray lubricant to the spring, screw, rivet, and rotating joint. This prevents rust and maintains smooth action.

Avoid getting oil on the handles where it can make your grip slippery.

Step 5: Reassemble Pruners

The last step is to reassemble all the pruner pieces in reverse order. Tighten the screw and test the cutting action to ensure proper alignment. Your sharpened Felco pruners are now ready for pruning tasks once again!

Sharpening Tips and Tricks

Follow these additional pointers to get the most out of sharpening your Felco pruners:

• Sharpen frequently: Don’t wait until blades are utterly dull. Frequent quick touch-ups take less time than fixing very dull blades.

• Strop regularly: Use a leather strop daily or weekly to realign and polish the edge between full sharpenings.

• Replace parts: Swap out any heavily worn rivets, screws, or springs to keep pruners functioning smoothly.

• Store properly: Keep pruners in a protective sheath or holder when not in use to prevent damage.

Answering Common Felco Sharpening Questions

New to sharpening pruners? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How often should Felco pruners be sharpened?

Ideally, sharpen Felco pruners before each major pruning session or at least twice yearly. More frequent light sharpening is better than letting them get very dull.

What sharpening angle should be used on Felco pruners?

Felco recommends using the same 23° sharpening angle as the original factory edge bevel. Their sharpening jigs are preset for this angle.

Can Felco pruners be sharpened without taking them apart?

Yes, small sharpening stones can sometimes fit in the gap while assembled. But taking them apart allows for more thorough sharpening of every edge surface.

What’s the best way to maintain Felco pruners over time?

Proper maintenance involves regularly sharpening, cleaning, lubricating, and replacing worn parts as needed. Avoid honing at the wrong angles or using abrasives that damage the blade.

Enjoy Effortless Pruning with Sharp Felco Pruners

Sharpening your Felco pruners takes just a few minutes but makes a huge difference in your pruning experience. With sharp, well-maintained blades, you can cut branches cleanly and accurately without hand strain. Your plants will thank you too!