My first pair of clippers were Craftsmen.. Probably from around 1975.. I've still got them out in the garage and oil them up every once in awhile to keep them from freezing up. Occasionally I'll need to cut something down that way and don't want to go all the way back up to the house to get my good ones. They're in need of sharpening, but they served me well.. I got my first Felcos a few years later, and have three pair of them.. I never thought anything or anyone could pry those Felcos out of my hands, but for the detailed pruning I do, the ARS are better. I also have their long-reach pruners, which I use on the Wisteria and other hard to reach spots. Their folding saw has held up a little bit better (sharp-wise) than the felco or Samurai (?). The Japanese are just making better pruning tools than anyone else right now. I covet this ladder:
http://www.niwaki.com/store/en...
