Very disappointing
When these arrived I was impressed by their feel and action and thought if the handles were red instead of black they'd look identical to Felco No.2 secateurs. Comparing them to photographs of Felcos, very slight differences became clear - the step in the closing catch, the fit of the plastic handles, the toothed nut is pressed steel rather than a machined part, the alloy casting by the top blade isn't quite the same shape and so on. The differences seemed so slight that I even briefly wondered if they were actually a cheaper version made by Felco but branded Wilkinson?
This thought was soon dispelled when I used them because they just don't cut very well.
Dry or dead woody twigs/thin branches are ok but green living twigs/branches are often not cut cleanly, leaving the cut off part still attached by a strip of bark at the bottom of the cut.
However, thinner bits like Cordyline and Yucca leaves, palm fronds etc. are the real issue, the same problem but moreso - they're not cut but squashed between the blades and the secateurs jam shut, both hands are needed to open them and the top blade is stuck inside the leaf as it's bent and cut into it from end to end instead of top to bottom.
I should say that if I just use the end quarter of the blade tips they do cut properly but this is awkward and impractical and besides, I shouldn't have to do this.
I tried cutting lots of twigs and branches into little bits in case they needed breaking in to remove any high spots, no difference and I also tried adjusting the blades but one notch tighter on the toothed nut and they're jammed shut when the safety catch is released.
The plastic parts are getting brittle and the rubber grips are cracking on my old Wilkinson secateurs which have served me well for some 15 years so I bought these with high hopes but sorry, I have to say they're very disappointing and a complete waste of money.
I give them one star because there isn't an option to give no stars at all - if they don't cut then they're no use.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New