Sticky Secateurs

I treated myself to a new pair of Felco's this year - Classic no 2's. They were fine for a few cuts, but then they started to stick. I stopped and cleaned the blades, started pruning again and after a few cuts they were sticking.
It's been many years since I had new secateurs so I can't remember if this is just something you need to work through. Lost the receipt so can't return them. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

I give mine a squirt of WD40 or similar from time to time.
Could be sticky sap perhaps.

 

I use lard & Mr Lumphammer to do the fine adjustment.

Worked with the strimmer & the laptop.

 

I too suffer from 'sticky secateurs syndrome'. When my Felcos do this I usually suspect some kind of sap on the blades as pete says, but I've also found that lubricating the spring between the handles can help, as this can get a bit stiff.

 

If the adjustment is fine, I go for WD40, a spot of 3-in-1 oil (even cooking oil at a pinch) or, in the absence of anything else, washing up liquid.

 

If you use a pair of high quality Anvil Secateurs you avoid the problem all together. I too have experienced Felco secateurs sticking in prolonged use.
I have Rolcut secateurs, over 50 years old and they still work perfectly! and about three years ago I bought some superb Anvil secateurs, brand name Original Loewe from Germany. - the wesite of this company is www.original-loewe.de

 

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone - they are now well and truely broken in and liberally covered in WD40.

 

Thats great Bluequin, but what about the secateurs

Joking apart, thanks for taking time to give the feed back, always welcome

 

I'm just a little concerned at the repeated recommendation for liberal use of WD40 - good stuff alright, and fine on the springs or pivot bolt, but best to keep it off the blades - just read the Cautions on the WD40 can!!

 

What does it say ?

 

Avoid the bypass they tend to crush whatever you are pruning bypass (felcos) really cut , agree with others oil and clean and then no problems , should use clean tools all the time

 

All types of secateur 'crush' to a certain extent. There is practically no difference in the performance of good quality and properly sharpened, by-pass and anvil. The old, no longer available, true parrot bill type made the cleanest cut, as both blades were equally sharpened, but they were easily damaged, so have fallen out of favour. Remember that the by-pass and the anvil are intended for different pruning. The former for live and softer growth, the latter for thick or dead wood. The best idea is of course to invest in a good pair of each type.

 

My Felco's do it and it drives me INSANE :gaagh: