When was the last time they were sharpened?

So far the best pruners I have used is this one from Okatsune. It is Japanese and they know how to make a durable sharp tool. Keep it clean regularly and it will last for ever. The one I linked is the 7" version and good for small hands. My wife bought it for me and later decided that it belongs to her tool bag :(

I have used others from Corona and Fiskars and they eventually are no good. Both Corona and Fiskars have a forged line of pruners and they are better than the others in their line-up. But are more expensive also. For a little more you can get the Okatsune and you will be thrilled how clean the cuts are.

Fiskars has a lifetime warranty that you may consider. They replaced (no questions asked) one of my early USA made pruner with a newer cheap looking Chinese version. All I needed to do was send them a photo of the old one.

They probably haven’t been sharpened this decade...I was just going to sharpen them, but they’re my father in laws, so I have to give them back when I move. I should invest in my own.

Thsnks for the info, Tropicofcancer. I’ll look into those you mentioned.

I've also heard the higher end Felco's are pretty nice. All the people at my local nurseries use them and swear by them.

You can go to Big Lots or any type of discount store to buy pruners like those pictured. The care you give them is going to make a difference in how well they perform by keeping them rust free and sharp like your kitchen knives. I have my husband sharpen mine occasionally.

I love my Felco F7.

https://www.theprunerwarehouse.com/felco-7-ergonomic-pruner.html

My nursery just sharpened my pruners but I will be replacing them soon with some Felco's for sure. I have no excuse if you saw my kitchen knives you would know why lol. I have a bunch of high end Japanese knives of all different types.

Another Felco fan here.

I take the disposable route, my current ones are from Amazon, I think I paid about $15 for them https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CULCL62/

Does anyone have a trick in preventing them from rusting? That's the problem with all my nice pruners(

Nick, you should then also look at the Japanese high end pruners. Check out Niwaki's website. They have their own Niwaki brand and market Okatsune and Tobisho brands. Some of the Tobisho and Okatsune ones are available on ebay and amazon in US. Once I had opportunity to use a Tobisho at our local bonsai club and it was truly impressive. The other reputable japanese manufaturer is ARS. For example this pruner on amazon. Okatsune has the hardest steel of all (Rockwell: 60-61).

Mike, I apply boiled linseed oil on my pruners and/or knives.

Don’t leave them outside like I always do!! Argh.

I spritz them (and all my other tools) with WD40, then wipe them with a rag. Providing I do a proper clean up and not get called away by something else and just leave them lying where I last used them. That happens pretty often :-) Then it's time for the steel wool and the WD40!!