There are three Felco secateurs you actually need to choose between if you are an arborist or a serious gardener in Sweden: Felco 2, Felco 6, and Felco 7.
The other models (Felco 5, 8, 12, Elite series) are variations of the same three basic designs. The choice comes down to three things: your hand size, how much you prune per day, and whether you have wrist problems.
We sell all three. This guide will tell you which one suits you.
Felco 2: The classic
Felco 2 is the best-selling secateur in the world. It has been around since 1948 and retains the same basic design today. Made in Switzerland, red handle, replaceable blades and springs.
Designed for medium to large hands. If your glove size is 9–11 for men, the Felco 2 will fit you.
Cuts branches up to 25 mm without complaint. Anything above that, you'll need loppers or a saw.
Weight is 240 grams. You won't notice it for the first few hours. You'll notice it after 4 hours of continuous pruning.
Price: SEK 615.
Buy it if you prune irregularly or are new to the profession. It's forgiving, cheaper than the alternatives, and lasts 20–30 years.
Felco 6: The compact
Felco 6 is the same design as Felco 2, but smaller. Shorter handles, lighter blades, more compact grip.
Designed for small to medium hands. Women's glove size 7–9 or men's glove size 8–9.
Cuts branches up to 20 mm. Less power per cut, but its compactness makes it easier to handle when you make many small cuts.
Price: SEK 611. Same as Felco 2.
Buy it if you have small hands or if you prune a lot of ornamental shrubs, roses, and fruit trees where the cuts are numerous but not thick.
Felco 7: The one with the rotating handle
Felco 7 is where Felco did something smart. The lower handle rotates. This means that when you cut, the handle rolls in your grip instead of your wrist rotating the secateur. The strain is shifted from the wrist to the fingers.
Designed for medium to large hands, like the Felco 2. But adapted for those who prune several hours daily.
The result: less wrist strain, less fatigue, less risk of tendon injuries.
The downside: it takes two weeks to get used to. The rotating handle feels strange at first. Once you're used to it, you won't want to go back.
Price: SEK 910. About 50% more expensive than Felco 2.
Buy it if you prune 4+ hours a day, every day. If you already have wrist or tendon problems. If you are a professional arborist.
Direct comparison
| Felco 2 | Felco 6 | Felco 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand size | Medium-large | Small-medium | Medium-large |
| Max branch thickness | 25 mm | 20 mm | 25 mm |
| Weight | 240 g | 215 g | 270 g |
| Rotating handle | No | No | Yes |
| Price | SEK 615 | SEK 611 | SEK 910 |
| Best for | All-round, generalist | Small hands, fine cuts | Full-day pruning |
Felco 6 Elite: Is it worth SEK 1,050?
Felco 6 Elite is the same secateur as Felco 6 but with an F-Tech coating on the blade, leather grip, and red stitching.
The F-Tech coating reduces friction against the blade. Sap sticks less, making the secateur easier to keep clean. It's a genuinely practical advantage, not just aesthetic.
The leather grip is more comfortable over time and molds to the hand.
Is it worth an extra SEK 440 over the Felco 6? If you prune daily and appreciate a handcrafted feel: yes. If you are price-conscious: no, the Felco 6 is sufficient.
What if you already have wrist problems?
Then go straight for the Felco 7. The rotating handle is not a gimmick; it's a biomechanical advantage that demonstrably reduces strain. We have sold Felco 7 to arborists and fruit growers who had started to experience problems and could not go back to the Felco 2 after switching.
If you have really serious hand problems: Felco 822+ battery-powered professional secateur. It costs SEK 21,000, but you don't need to press at all. That's an entirely different product category.
Spare parts
All three share the same spare parts within the Felco system. The blade is replaced (around SEK 200 depending on the model), the spring is replaced (Felco spring 2/11 fits all three), and the anvil blade is replaced.
A Felco secateur is built to last 20–30 years. When the blade is dull, you replace it. When the spring has lost its tension, you replace it. The secateur itself is the same secateur after 25 years as it was on day one.
Conclusion
Felco 2: the standard choice. All-round. Medium to large hands.
Felco 6: for those with small hands or when making many fine cuts.
Felco 7: for those who prune all day and want to spare their wrists.
Felco 6 Elite: the luxury version if you're willing to pay for it.
Questions? Get in touch. We have all three in the field and can provide concrete feedback based on what you do.