How to Sharpen Felco Pruners for a Clean, Precise Cut

Felco pruners are some of the best hand pruners available, known for their durability, quality blades, and smooth cutting action. But over time, the blades will naturally dull with use, requiring sharpening to restore a precise cut. Sharpening Felco pruners properly helps extend their lifespan while making pruning tasks easier and cleaner.

In this guide we’ll look at three effective methods for sharpening Felco pruner blades at home.

Why Sharpen Felco Pruners?

With heavy use, any pruner blade will eventually lose its sharpness. Dull blades:

• Require more force to cut, tiring your hands
• Crush and tear plant tissues instead of slicing cleanly
• Increase risk of disease transmission in plants
• Can cause stems to split or splinter unsafely

Sharpening brings the blades back to a flawless, razor-edge. This:

• Allows effortless, precision pruning
• Provides a cleaner cut that heals better
• Lowers chance of spreading infections between plants
• Reduces damage to plants from crushing/tearing

Sharpening also removes nicks and dings in the blades that can hamper cutting ability Maintaining sharp blades makes pruning faster and safer for both you and your plants,

How Often to Sharpen Felco Pruners

The frequency of sharpening depends on:

• How much you use the pruners – Heavy use requires more frequent sharpening than light pruning.

• The hardness of the wood – Pruning hard woods will dull blades faster than soft growth,

• Your standards for sharpness – If you notice crushing or tearing, it’s time.

For average use on average wood hardness, aim to sharpen Felco pruners at least once per year. If you prune extensively or work on hardwoods often, sharpening a few times a year may be needed. Listen to the blades – if cuts feel forced, get those edges sharpened.

Supplies Needed to Sharpen Felco Hand Pruners

You can sharpen Felco pruners using basic items you may already own:

• Whetstone or sharpening stone – Look for a fine grit (400+ grit) stone for finishing blades. Coarse stones remove metal quicker but leave a rougher edge.

• Diamond sharpening file – Files impregnated with diamond dust make sharpening simpler. Get a fine grit version.

• Honing oil or light oil – Helps lubricate the blades as you sharpen. Vegetable, mineral or honing oils all work.

• Rag – For wiping down blades before/after sharpening.

• Gloves – Protect your hands from the sharp blades during sharpening.

Optional: Vice or clamp to securely hold the pruners while sharpening.

Method 1: Sharpen Felco Pruners with a Whetstone

Whetstones (also called sharpening stones) are rectangular blocks of abrasive material used to hone a fine, razor edge. Here is the basic process:

1. Disassemble the pruners. The screw connecting the two handles needs to be removed so blades can lie flat.

2. Clean the blades with a rag to remove sap and debris.

3. Lubricate the stone by dripping a little honing oil or light oil onto the surface.

4. Lay the beveled blade flat along the stone, keeping the original bevel angle. Apply light pressure as you slide from base to tip.

5. Repeat on the opposite side of the blade with the same number of strokes. This keeps the bevel even.

6. Use a fine grit stone and less pressure on the final passes for a polished finish.

7. Repeat steps with other blade and any nicked areas.

8. Clean and wipe down the blades, then reassemble pruners.

With practice, you’ll learn the ideal angle, pressure, and number of strokes to create the perfect edge. Regular whetstone sharpening will keep Felco pruners cutting like new.

Method 2: Use a Diamond Sharpening File

Diamond sharpening files are another fast, easy way to sharpen. The fine diamond dust coating abrades metal as you slide the blades along the surface. Here’s how to use one:

1. Disassemble the pruners first.

2. Clean off any dirt or residue from the blades with a rag.

3. Run the beveled blade edge over the diamond file at the same angle as the original bevel in smooth, even strokes. Apply light pressure.

4. Repeat for the other side of the blade, using equal strokes to keep the bevel symmetrical.

5. Focus on any nicks/dents with extra strokes to remove damaged areas.

6. Use a honing oil to lubricate the file and blades. This reduces friction and keeps blades cooler.

7. Finish with lighter pressure for a smoother, sharper edge. Wipe down blades and reassemble.

Diamond files make the process fast and foolproof. Slide blades over the file a few times whenever they need a tune-up.

Method 3: Professionally Sharpen Felco Pruners

If you don’t want to DIY it, dropoff professional sharpening is available:

• Local hardware stores – Many shops offer blade sharpening services. Remove handles if required to fit in their machines.

• Felco distributors – Official distributors can factory sharpen Felco tools. May require mailing in the blades.

• Mobile knife sharpeners – Many traveling knife sharpening businesses can handle pruner blades. Convenient if they come to you.

Professional sharpening costs $5-15 on average and provides expert blade restoration. Home sharpening is cheaper but learning to properly sharpen takes practice. Weigh convenience versus cost for your needs.

Signs Your Felco Pruners Need Sharpening

Watch for these signs it’s time to sharpen your Felco pruners:

• Requires extra effort to make cuts
• Leaves stems looking crushed/tattered instead of clean-cut
• Produces tearing or jaggedness vs smooth slicing
• Struggles cutting thicker stems
• Makes an indent in the wood before cutting

Dull blades exhibit these telltale signs of needing sharpening. If pruning feels laborious and damaging, it’s definitely time to sharpen your tools.

Restore Optimal Cutting with Proper Sharpening

Razor-sharp blades make pruning significantly easier and healthier for plants. While high-quality Felco pruners hold an edge well, regular sharpening is essential to maintain flawless performance. With a little practice using whetstones, files or professional sharpeners, you can have your Felco pruners cutting like new again. Just be sure not to put it off – once pruning feels difficult, it’s past time to sharpen!