Tools and Where To Get Them for Propagation

This knife is currently on sale on eBay - it is a vintage knife with the correct shape - it even has a thumb rest (the curved portion of the blade close the wooden case)! The wood case is gorgeous; one could be proud to possess a knife like this for life. This is a very classy knife and if I needed another knife... search for 'Vintage Solingen Grafting Knife.' You can find less expensive knifes that are just as useful, just don't get a 'cheap' knife.

These are suggestions of where you might find the tools you need at a good price, this is not an endorsement of one or the other. I have found good prices (with good service too) on eBay. It has also gone the other way. The choice is yours.


Suppliers:

A.M. Leonard (AKA The Gardeners Edge) www.gardenersedge.com
The Felco Store, www.FelcoStore.com
Frost Proof (good prices) www.frostproof.com
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply www.groworganic.com
Lee Valley Tools www.leevalley.com
Kinsman and Company www.kinsman.com


Pruners:

Felco #8 (#9 for left handed folks)
Felco #6, if you have smaller hands
Felco #2 for a less expensive pruner
Corona Grape Shears are handy to have even with a pair of Felcos

Knives:

I don’t have a brand preference, but I do like a knife that has the slight extension on the back of the blade as a bark slipping tool. Swiss Army Knives make a good inexpensive one. You can find some beautiful antique grafting knives on eBay every so often for a good price (see photo above). There are some new grafting knives on eBay (orange plastic body) that are not acceptable – they are sharp and can be used, but the blade locking is not sufficient and therefore they are extremely unsafe. Most folks get a cut sooner or later, no need to invite trouble.

In addition, when grafting, you’ll need several other supplies – like grafting rubbers, or wax or other supplies depending on the type of grafting you want to do; for the course, these are supplied.

Also, please attend each meeting with a wooden pencil and a Sharpie of your own.

Bring your tools to every class meeting.