Anyone who has a number of trees or shrubs in their garden will know the time that it can take to prune and maintain them through the year. Cutting back the fast growing branches can seem to take a lifetime, just to need doing again within a couple of months! A pruning saw is a great solution for anyone that is working with branches too large to be cut with secateurs but small enough to be manageable.
A pruning saw is much easier to work with as they are smaller, lighter, and don’t put excessive strain on the wrists and hands by requiring a twisting or squeezing motion. Simply run the sharp teeth of the saw back and forth over the branch to cut through it easily. This makes a pruning saw perfect for for trees, shrubs and hedges which need pruning, when the branches are between around 4 or 5 inches in diameter.
There are lots of pruning saws to choose from and you only want to be working with the best as you would be surprised quite how often you will use them – so here are the key things that you need to consider!
Best Pick – Spear and Jackson 4948PS
- Pruning saw which is ideal for cutting living green branches up to 90 mm (3.5) in diameter
- 245 mm (9.6) blade, seven points per Inch, ultra sharp precision ground teeth
- Chrome plated blade for rust resistance, non slip handle grip for safer use
- Blade folds into handle for safe storage and locks in both the open and closed position
- Grow Your Own 2022 Great British Growing Award Winners
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
There are always going to be times of year when it is best to cut back the branches and shrubs in your garden – this is usually around mid autumn or at the start of spring before the new growth starts – but this information could leave you in a bit of a rush to purchase a pruning saw. If that is the case then look no further for all the essential information that you need!
Types of Pruning Saw
The first decision that you need to make is based on the type of pruning saw that you are wanting. There are three main types that you will be able to choose from starting with a handheld pruning saw. These are going to be your smallest options so are perfect for those easy to reach branches or if you are working in more confined spaces. We also like the portability that is offered by the handheld options, they are perfectly sized to be able to travel around the garden with you (or even to different locations) so that they are ready and waiting for you as soon as you need them!
Your slightly larger option is going to be a pole pruning saw, which is essentially just a pruning saw on the end of a large pole! These are slightly more awkward to work with and move around to different places due to their length, but they are by far the safest and most convenient way to work with branches that are higher out of reach! We particularly like pole pruning saws that come with an extendable pole, as this will allow them to become more compact when they are not in use, but also to be adjusted to size when you are using them!
Lastly, you will find the larger, more commercial pruning saws. These often come on a pole or arm instead, but are quite a bit bigger and stronger than more general models. This is going to come with a price tag so is usually only suitable for much bigger homes with a lot more branches to get through!
Powered Pruning Saw
Most pruning saws are going to be manual models which allow you the control and flexibility to get the job done by hand. These models will be relatively cheap, light and compact to work with, so are perfect for most jobs that you are wanting to complete. However, for bigger jobs, or anyone that struggles with arthritis or shoulder pain, it may be that a powered pruning saw is the better option for you!
A powered pruning saw is going to be similar in size to a handheld pruning saw – although admittedly slightly larger!). They work using a battery powered motor which simply moves the blade back and forth on a runner. This clever machinery uses this movement, and the sharpness of the blade, to then cut through thicker branches – whilst you do relatively little work! These are obviously going to come at an additional expense but they definitely get the job done quicker!
Best Budget – Flora Guard
- PREMIUN STEEL: The folding saw is made of High Carbon Steel, featuring super sharp teeth for more aggressive and faster cutting.
- PORTABLE, SUITABLE FOR A VARIETY OF SCENES:This tool is great for gardening, pruning, camping, clearing trails, hiking, tree trimming.
- PREMIUM ERGONOMIC COMFORT HANDLE:This folding soft handles are made from fine TPR, ergonomic design reduces hand and arm fatigue while working.
- MULTI PURPOSE & TOUGH:Fully tested, this rugged folding saw can be used as a pruner for garden pruning, sawing fence posts and other diy wood cutting, plastic saw, camping kit equipment, survival gear kit, hiking wilderness accessory. High quality outdoor tool is a perfect addition and best for cutting small or large tree branches, campers firewood, dry or green wood. It will saw through with ease.
- GREAT GIFT: Durable top-quality and good looking, this hand saw serves as a perfect gift for gardening lover.
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Pruning Saw Blade
A pruning saw blade is going to be different in size to that of a standard saw, as it is often going to be smaller and thinner – but this doesn’t mean that it won’t be effective in getting the job done! The strength of the materials that are used means that they are more than capable of being able to cut through a wide range of branch types and sizes! The most commonly used material is steel, which is strong, durable and will also be easy to clean. There are different types of steel that you will be able to choose from, but we would definitely say that carbon steel and chrome-plated steel are going to be the strongest options! These will be able to get through all softwoods and most hardwoods too. However, if you know that you are tackling a particularly big job or some really strong hardwoods then look out for alloy metals which are by far the strongest material choices if you are looking for the best!
Once you have chosen the right material for your blade, your next decision is the shape of blade that you want! Pruning saw blades are designed either straight or curved and there are benefits to both! Straight blades make it much easier for you to access different places and angles so they are perfect for trees and bushes that are more established and thicker! They are also going to be marginally easier in terms of storage but we wouldn’t say this is a substantial enough difference to affect your purchase choice! However, there are also many benefits to the curved blades. We particularly like them because they follow the shape of the branch so flow much easier over the branch and can cut a wider diameter of the branch at the same time, reducing the amount of effort that you are going to have to put in!
The final aspect to check is the length of the blade. A longer blade is obviously going to make it much easier for you to work with thicker branches, however they do have the downside of being harder to reach into more difficult places! We would recommend looking for a blade length of around 25cm as this is going to allow you to work with most average sized branches!
Pruning Saw Handle
The handle of a pruning saw is going to massively impact on how easy it is to work with and how comfortable it is to use. Look at the size of the handle and also the weight distribution through the handle – you need a big enough handle to allow for now just your hand but also gardening gloves too. The best pruning saws will have even weight distribution between the blade and the handle. We would definitely recommend looking out for handles that are at least 15/20cm in length as this will give space for you to grip the handle however works for you!
Many of the best pruning saw handles will be made out of plastic – which is fine providing the plastic is strong and heavy duty! The main issue with this is that some plastic handles won’t be able to “handle” the tougher jobs and this could lead to cracks forming around the joints between the blade and the handle! To avoid this, look out for metal handles that have a plastic surround as these will be better up to the task of dealing with the strain! We also particularly like handles that have a silicone or rubber coating as these are going to increase the comfort and reduce any friction when you are working!
Additional Features for Pruning Saws
By now we are hoping that we have helped you decide on the size and type of pruning saw that you are looking for! However, there are many more different features that make the best pruning saw and we have gone into more detail on these below to help you find the right pruning saw for you!
Replaceable blade
Most pruning saws are going to be designed in a way that allows you to replace the blade. This makes it much easier to remove the blade when you are sharpening it, or to replace it when it is past the point of sharpening! Look out for pruning saws that are going to come with replacement blades to save yourself money, or at least with screws that make it easy to replace the blade when you get one!
Blade teeth
The teeth on your blade are basically going to determine how easy it is to cut through each branch and the amount of time it takes to get the job done. The best way to judge this is to check the “teeth per inch” – obviously the more teeth you have per inch of blade the easier the cut is going to be. It is also important to check the direction and style of the teeth – some will stop you from cutting in a backwards and forwards motion, restricting you to only cutting in one direction. Although this is technically the accurate way to use a saw, it can increase the time it takes to do the job!
Safety Features
Pruning saws are incredibly sharp tools so could cause accidents, so it is important to consider what safety features they have taken into consideration to protect against this. The main thing that manufacturers will do is provide a safety case which the blade can be secured into to stop any cuts or accidents between jobs!
However, sometimes even this won’t be enough if your pruning saw gets into the wrong hands! This may mean that you need to look out for a locking mechanism. This will literally lock the blade away when the saw is not in use so is a fantastic option for if you have young children!
Extras
- Left-handed pruning saw – If you are left handed then you will be used to finding that tools aren’t suitable for you! This could also be the case with a pruning saw depending on the model that you are looking at so make sure to check!
- Weight – If you have a number of jobs to complete then make sure to check the weight of your pruning saw. A lighter saw is going to be easier to work with and reduce fatigue on bigger jobs. We found that lighter models tended to be around 600 grams.
- Belt hook – If you are working with a number of tools on a bigger job then look out for a safety case that comes with a belt hook that will allow you to transport your saw easily between jobs!
Best of the Rest
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- ✅【High Strength Blades】 NOTE: Please read the manual and be careful before first use, as one blade cames pre-fitted. Mossy Oak pruning saw blades are made of 65Mn and 58Cr-V and sharp for smooth, fast and clear sawing. Diverse sharp teeth (5 TPI/11TPI/18 TPI), coated for less friction & resistance with each pull for quicker sawing
- ✅【Multi-Purpose Utility】 Featuring triple-cut razor sharp teeth, the folding hand saw can easily cuts wood, tree, bone(use metal blade) and plastic, non-ferrous metal, be a great help in the bush for trail maintenance or while camping or constructing shelter
- ✅【Soft Solid Handle】 Ergonomic slip-resistant comfort grip handle features with TPR rubber coated. The proper size can work with any hand size. The rugged razor tooth blade remains stable during strong pulls resulting in accurate cuts
- ✅【Secure Lock】 Lock System prevents the blade from accidental close during use. Push the green button and fold the saw blade, store it in your pocket when it's idle. Before putting into use, take the folding saw out from the sheath, open and stretch the saw blade and lock it
- ✅【Nylon Pouch 】 Nylon sheath in the package, can hold hand saw and 2 additional replaced blades as well, easy and safe to carry multi-purpose tool for utility job.Take different blades for REAL WORK of wood, bone, plastic according to the actual situation
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- [ 3 SAW POSITIONS ] - This garden axe allows you to use 3 different saw positions for comfortable and effortless sawing in all angles. Simply release the lock and slightly move the blade until it clicks
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Alternative Options
Pruning saws are fantastic tools, but they are only on the small side, so it may be that you are thinking you need a little more oomph and strength to get through some larger branches. If this is the case then why not consider a chainsaw instead, which will be able to cut through much larger branches with ease.
Another option would be a reciprocating saw. These have much less power than a standard chainsaw, but can be used for cutting through branches when you need a little support rather than putting all of the effort in yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pruning saws come with a warranty?
Yes! If you purchase a good quality pruning saw then it will definitely come with a warranty! The warranties that we found varied quite considerably from as little as 12 months up to lifetime warranties. However, most were in the range of around 5 years!
Can I use a pruning saw on green branches?
Technically yes – if you have a pruning saw then they can be used to cut through young, green branches. However, we would always recommend using secateurs where possible as this will create a neater cut which is important for the health and continued growth of the branch.
How often should I change my pruning saw blade?
The amount that you are using your pruning saw and the woods that you are working with are going to impact on how often you will need to change the blade of your pruning saw. Most steel blades are going to be able to tackle around 2 hours of consistent work before they need replacing. This may not sound like a lot but it’s longer than you think as you definitely aren’t going to be cutting one branch for 2 hours!
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