Author Topic: What's your choice for a medium, lightweight bypass lopping shear, 20" or 30"?  (Read 2772 times)

Mark in Texas

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Recent back surgeries, getting older, etc. has slowed me down so am looking for high quality lopping shears to replace some heavy big box loppers I carry in the back of my Gator.  Any one familiar with Tabor?  Am looking to prune branches around 1" or so with a lightweight bypass lopper.  Either the 20" or 30". https://www.amazon.com/Tabor-Tools-Professional-1-25-Inch-Capacity/dp/B010OETMLO/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1492273839&sr=1-1&keywords=lopping%2Bshears&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&th=1

Mark

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Look into Vaca Shears. That's what the citrus workers use in CA for the lemon tree pruning. Big box shear blades are made of butter.

A family member of mine who worked in the citrus fields tried to use an expensive pair of coronas. After a day of citrus pruning, the blade was a mangled blob of steel. The vacas lasted the entire pruning season and didn't even need a sharpen.
Jeff  :-)

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http://www.oescoinc.com/hand-tools/loppers/castellari-m80-professional-anvil-lopper.html
anything from this co. is fantastic my workers love them very light

ScottR

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Vaca shears are nice looking and light, nice tip Jeff, thanks been looking myself for another good shear 8)

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The thing to look for on the shears (in addition to being light :-) is the hardness of the blade. The ones you'll find at the big box stores (and the Tabor) will be made of soft stainless and won't hold up to moderate use. The vacas aren't stainless, which is precisely what you want, because it's a harder steel.  Just be careful not to leave them outside in a humid climate like FL or TX.
Jeff  :-)

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I've never used this brand, but it sounds awesome: 1.6 pounds, high carbon steel, and lever action: http://www.sfequip.com/vesco-by-pass-branch-cutter/
Jeff  :-)

Samu

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Seems that VACA tools are backed by the availability of parts, in case you need to do repair on your favorite tools: I like this very much...just like the good old days!  :)

Jeff, I wish I knew about this long time ago...btw, I like your philosophy, that you "tend to buy tools for life"...Yes, it's rewarding and satisfying to be able to use your favorite tools for a long time, and in knowing that you can always make it functional, due to those parts availability. Kind of remind me when I used to always buy stuffs from Sears...

Thanks for sharing!
Sam

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Great topic. I wish I had known about the Corona pruners and loppers back in the day when I purchased mine...I have never been happy with them. Time for a change! Thanks and good luck to all. Chris
-Chris

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- Rob

Mark in Texas

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The thing to look for on the shears (in addition to being light :-) is the hardness of the blade. The ones you'll find at the big box stores (and the Tabor) will be made of soft stainless and won't hold up to moderate use. The vacas aren't stainless, which is precisely what you want, because it's a harder steel.  Just be careful not to leave them outside in a humid climate like FL or TX.

Will look into them.  I have 2 Felco's which I sharpen for the light work.  Other trimming tools are a gas chain saw, extension/pole electric chain saw, rechargeable Ryobi reciprocating saw with pruning blade. 

If you don't have a WorkSharp, you aint living folks!  it will put a knife edge on a lopping shear or kitchen knife....anything you throw at it.

Weighed the cheap Corona 30" loppers - 4 lbs.!

Thanks!
« Last Edit: April 16, 2017, 09:04:04 AM by Mark in Texas »

Mark in Texas

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Yeah, you do buy tools for life. I mentioned the WorkSharp tool.  I can't count on both hands the crap sharpeners I bought over the years.

I've also broken many a cheap spading fork turning heavy soils.  Finally broke down and got a Spear & Jackson fork, Sheffield, England. Luv this thing.

Mark in Texas

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I have used these with very good success.

https://www.amazon.com/ARS-LPB-30M-Orchard-Lopper/dp/B00HWWUYYG

Sold!  Best bang for the buck.  Don't want to spend over $100 for something I'll use infrequently that sits in the bed of a JD Gator. Will need to keep the blades oiled too.  http://gardeningproductsreview.com/ars-orchard-loppers-lpb-30m-review/

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The american made vaca is probably as good (or better?) for less money: http://www.sfequip.com/vaca-vine-shears-5800-classic-series/

ARS are nice, but part of the money is import.

I've used a pair of vacas for 16 years.

I have used these with very good success.

https://www.amazon.com/ARS-LPB-30M-Orchard-Lopper/dp/B00HWWUYYG

Sold!  Best bang for the buck.  Don't want to spend over $100 for something I'll use infrequently that sits in the bed of a JD Gator. Will need to keep the blades oiled too.  http://gardeningproductsreview.com/ars-orchard-loppers-lpb-30m-review/
Jeff  :-)

Mark in Texas

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The american made vaca is probably as good (or better?) for less money: http://www.sfequip.com/vaca-vine-shears-5800-classic-series/

ARS are nice, but part of the money is import.

I've used a pair of vacas for 16 years.

$20 for shipping though.   >:(