On the 18th September we received an email from a loyal customer of over 30 years – meet Mr Jim Price from California, near San Francisco in Sonoma, USA.
Jim messaged and updated that he purchased a pair of the Betakut by-pass gardening shears in California back in the late 80’s. After many years of use (30 plus!), and a period where they were lost for a number of them, Jim enquired about replacement parts seeking to bring his beloved shears back to life.
We were touched by Jim’s story and his kind words, which inspired us to share them. Jim wrote…
“I purchased these wonderful shears from the Thornhill Nursery located in the Montclair District of Oakland, California where I lived prior to moving to Sonoma. The Old Thornhill Nursery has changed their business model and no longer have a brick and mortar store and only sells products over the internet. My attempts to find other nurseries that carry your Betakut products have been fruitless, so I assume Betakut is no longer doing business in the US (a lot has changed over 30 years!)
These Betakut shears really are a wonderful garden tool! I would hate to have to recycle them. The forged steel and geometry of the tool is amazing! They are very strong and fit nicely in your hand. I had actually lost this tool in my garden for about five years and only recently recovered them after doing extensive digging in my beds.
I hope I can make them my favourite garden tool again! Given their appearance, they appear to have been forged from the same mould as your current Model 866-865 OLD GARDEN (with the wooden handles) [also shear 803B, with comfort grip and leather closing loop].
I would like to bring these shears back to life, I’d have a very hard time parting with these beloved shears. At this time I’m using a pair of Felco’s (No.2) that are a good shear. Probably the best I’ve found here in Northern California. They are cast of aluminium, but they just don’t have the strength and feel of the Betakuts. As mentioned, the forged steel and geometry and how they fit the hand is something that has not been duplicated to my opinion.
I’m a person who likes to support artisan makers of quality stuff (be it artisan winemakers, bakers, crafts persons, local farmers and businesses) who take pride in their work and whose works stand the test of time on life’s journey. When I first contacted you I did not hold out much hope but thought it’s was worth a try. After all, it is just one pair of shears in a country Betakut is no longer active. It would be understandable. So, I’m touched by your concern and help.
It somehow gives me hope and faith in our collective humanity. I’ve learned what I value most about my life is the journey. Thanks for making this one interesting and memorable!”.
With the incredible amount of time that has passed, this particular model is no longer being forged and so regrettably we could not provide the replacement parts.
However, the Betakut team were all heartened by Jim sharing his story. So, as the next best solution, we located the latest secateur in the Betakut range which is the closest model to the late 80’s product (on the blade size and geometry) to send on to Jim.
By-Pass garden shear (Old Garden range)
Other products which follow similar geometry shape to Jim’s heroic shears are, 803B (with comfort grip and leather closing loop), 803B (with leather close loop) and 802-1 (with rear safety catch).
Secateur Art. 803B-23 (with leather loop)
Jim’s historic pair of shears, with their 30 something years of service, have indeed stood the test of time, they have done their job and can be gracefully retired; celebrated for the years of garden pruning completed and the joy they have brought their owner for over three decades!
Jim – ‘Keep enjoying your garden pruning and long may it continue to be a part of your life journey...’
The Betakut team
