The 5 Best Pruning Saws – [Top Reviews & Rankings]

Pruning is one of the essentials of gardening. It helps to get rid of unwanted foliage and also keeps your garden visually appealing.

You will need to use the right tool to prune. So when buying a pruning saw, it’s not just about any saw, but one that will provide the best value and results.

There are a number of important aspects you will need to consider to make your purchase decision. First is safety. Like most garden tools, saws have sharp blades and can cause serious damage.

You should always pick something that will be safe to handle. You also need to look at the saw teeth type, as this is a major factor that determines how efficient a tool it will be (Source).

The handle is another part that you have to decide on. All in all, a great pruning saw isn’t exactly hard to pick and it isn’t completely an easy choice either.

What Is A Pruning Saw?

A pruning saw is a handy tool that allows you to trim trees, bushes, shrubs and plants. They are portable, easy to store and take up little space in a home garage.

Pruning saws are a step up from a lopping saw, or “lopper” that functions by removing small branches with a single swing of the tool. Typical tree branch cutting tools focus on a sharp blade, portability and an ergonomic handle.

The handle is an important factor in choosing the right pruning saw. With a secure grip, you can make powerful and controlled cuts. A soft grip can provide comfort and ease of use for tough jobs.

For small, routine projects, pruning shears are perfect for trimming bushes, plants and small branches. If you are removing medium-size branches that are inaccessible and difficult to reach, a lopper is an excellent choice.

What Does a Pruning Saw Do?

When a job involves branches that are more than 2-inches in diameter, a pruning saw is the most practical option.

The blade size of a branch saw tool can range from a small 4-inch saw to mid-range 15-inch pruning saw. On the far end of the spectrum are massive 26-inch saws that are used by arborists and serious tree trimmers.

Tooth blade pruning saws cut on the pull and push strokes. This functionality gets the job done quickly and efficiently. Some pruning saws give you the ability to make overhand and undercuts.

A well-made pruning saw provides clean cuts and is easy-to-use. For those who do not possess much personal strength, it’s hard, sharp blade will do all of the work for you.

The key to choosing the right tool is determining the size and spectrum of the job you are trying to accomplish.

How Much Do Pruning Saws Cost?

Quality tools for cutting tree branches help make yard maintenance fast and easy. Electric or gas-powered saws help you get the job done faster. However, a pruning saw is an efficient hand tool at an economic price.

The quality of the pruning saw handle and blade affect the price point. Some of the best electric tree pruning saws cost as much as $350. However, you can buy a low-range pruning hand saw for less than $25. This tool can handle most yard jobs for the average gardener or hobbyist.

Finding the right tool for cutting branches can be daunting. Hence, to skip all the time-consuming research, here is a list of top-rated tree pruning saws you should consider.

Comparing The Best Pruning Saws

1. Fiskars Power Tooth – Best Overall

If you believe in big names (which is a sign of quality), then this pruning saw is something for you. The Fiskars Power Tooth is one of the best folding pruning saws on the market. Fiskars is a name you can totally trust to deliver quality and rightly so too. This tree pruning saw has all the basics you need a saw to have.

The PowerTooth foldable saw is not only strong and durable but it is also very much affordable. Probably one of the best priced you will find out there, yet without compromising quality. A small length of 7 inches means this saw is just big enough to fit into your pocket without jutting out while you work.

The plastic handle provides great grip and it tops it up with a razor sharp blade. This Fiskars saw is guaranteed to make your gardening work a lot easier. It also has a locking mechanism that keeps the blade open while you work.

2. Silky 270-33 with Zubat Blade – The Samurai Pruning Sword

This is a high-quality gardening tool that is not only efficient but also stylish. It works perfectly on all (or almost all) types and sizes of branches. With a guarantee of making your work as stress-free as possible.

It is a standard 13 inches (330 mm) long, although smaller size options of 9 inches and 10 inches are available. The blade is slightly curved giving it a pretty sleek look. A chrome plated blade also means greater resistant to rust and a “Silky MIRAI-ME” teeth design gives the blade extra sharpness.

You won’t also have to worry about carrying it with you while you work. This curved pruning saw comes with its own sheath that you can simply attach to your belt as you go. It is by all standards highly efficient and durable and an overall great choice. Especially if you hope to be doing some heavy pruning.

3. Corona Clipper (RS 7265) – The Perfect Gardening Companion

The Corona brand is not a new name to anyone conversant with buying gardening tools. So there is almost no question at all about the quality of this product. The Corona RS 7265 is suited more for cutting through small and average sized branches.

The 10 inches hand pruning saw features a sharp replaceable blade with a 3-dimensional cutting edge that has been grounded with a whetstone. This saw is lightweight making it easy to carry around in your pocket. The blade hinge screws are also replaceable.

It has a locking mechanism for keeping the blade locked in place while you work. And it also has a handy grip and cuts faster than most hand saws. Price is also not an issue whilst at the same time, durability is not compromised. No wonder Corona saws are among the top folding saws, with impressive features that make it worth buying.

4. The Tabor Tools’ Pruner Saw – Sturdy and Durable

This is one of the best pruning saws you can find out there. It is sturdy and very durable with a guarantee of optimum performance for a very long time. It is also very strong and can handle branch thickness of up to 4 inches.

The tabor tool pruning saw has a rust-resistant and friction free blade that is convenient for both simple as well as heavy duty gardening. It also comes with a scabbard that makes carrying the saw around quite easy.

This saw is also safety guaranteed. Its unobtrusive lock helps keep the blade in place and prevents accidental cuts. A non-slip ergonomic grip also provides extra safety. It is also easy to carry about with a weight of just 4 ounces.

5. The Lanier Hand Pruning Saw – The Ideal Gardening Tool

This foldable pruning saw is the perfect tool for simple and easy gardening. It has a very sharp blade that makes cutting so easy it’s almost as if you are doing nothing at all. This saw is not only effective but also quite durable as well.

Despite the sharp blade you don’t have to worry about safety as this blade you can keep the blade folded when not in use. It is a perfect tool not just for gardening but can also make an excellent addition to your survival pack on a hiking or camping trip. It is also lightweight and easy to carry.

The saw is likewise perfect for gardening. This applies regardless if you’re fatigued or you’re a senio. It has an ergonomic handle shaped in a way that can be handled with both hands if needed.

It is an ideal tool both for gardening and for other outdoor tasks. Examples are use as a hunting knife or part of your kit for a camping trip.

Top Pruning Saw Brands

Fiskars

Fiskars is one of the oldest tool-making companies in the world. Since 1649, they have manufactured tools for consumer homes and gardens. This company is the largest business operating in Finland.

Fiskars tools are durable, valuable, and come with a lifetime warranty. They are available in over 100 countries in the world.

Although they are known for their orange-handled scissors, they have developed a full line of products for yard care and home improvement. They have created some of the best pruning tools on the market. The Fiskars pruning saw is a top-rated tool on Amazon.

Silky

Silky saws are produced in Ono Japan. Since the early 1900’s, they have designed fine cutlery that is known for endurance and efficiency. Silky boasts that they create the most innovative saws that none can match. Their product line has a limited lifetime warranty that covers factory defects in material and workmanship.

Within the United States, Silky saws are distributed by Sherill Incorporated. This company is the lead manufacturer of sought after arborist tools.

Corona

Corona, Inc. is a one-hundred-year old company that manufactures and distributes tools in the U.S. In their early years, their tool refining process was engineered by local blacksmiths who forged quality steel products for the citrus industry.

To this day, Corona is one of the leading manufacturers of top-quality professional pruning tools for those who desire professional results. Currently, they make a wide variety of landscaping tools that include pruners, shears, saws, shovels, rakes and more. Whether it’s small shears or a tree branch saws, Corona pruning tools will get the job done.

Tabor Tools

In comparison to century old tool companies, Tabor Tools is the new kid in town. In 1982, they began creating tools for professional agriculturists and home gardeners.

Their products focus on design and functionality. Tabor Tools’ red and black appearance makes their tools easily recognizable. They offer a customer service guarantee that gives careful attention to fixing problems fast and efficiently.

Lanier

Lanier Garden Tools are distributed online by Amazon and Walmart. They offer a Five-Year Warranty on their tools.

Lanier products are perfect for the hobbyist and amateur gardener. Aluminum and high carbon steel are utilized in creating tools that last longer and stay sharp. These ergonomic gardening tools are sold at a low cost and deliver standard quality.

Things You Must Know Before Buying a Pruning Saw

Perhaps, one of the first and most important things to note when buying a pruning saw is that there is a wide variety of pruning saws available.

All you have to do is pick from them. Though, obviously they don’t all serve the same purpose, and you’ll have to pick based on your needs.

Differences in shape, curvature and even sizes exist based on specific purposes that each saw serves.  These common types include:

1. Pole Pruner

A pole pruner isn’t just a regular pruning saw. It is attached to a handheld pole thus making it easier to reach further to higher branches, out of reach. Their jaws are also shaped differently to make up for the reduced cutting strength.

A major factor to consider when choosing a pole pruner is the weight. A lightweight pruner is a better choice as it will be easier to hold on a pole.

Many pole pruners offer telescoping poles, allowing you to reach higher and farther. A lightweight pruning head will help you maintain control, even when the tool extends beyond 6-feet in length.

2. Handheld Pruning Saw

The handheld pruning saw is by far the commonest of all saws and it’s used both for indoor and outdoor gardening work. It is suitable for both small and thick branches. After that, it is portable which makes it easy to carry and also easy to store when not in use.

3. Straight Blade Pruning Saw

Just as the name implies the major highlights of this type of pruning saws is that they have straight blades. Although most of the time, this is not the same with the handles. The handle is usually curved rather than straight like the blades.

This serves a good purpose as a curved handle means better grip. Straight blade saws are recommended for light jobs.

4. Curved Blade Pruning Saw

These blade types are recommended for heavy duty gardening. The curvature of the blade makes the saw extra tough and makes cutting with them a lot easier. Thus curved blade pruning saws are suitable both for small branches and for the bigger ones as well.

These are just the various types of saws available to you in the market. Each one used in a particular manner and fit for a particular task. Still, there are other important things to look out for, which includes:

5. Weight & Size of the Saw

This is perhaps the most important thing to look out for. The size and weight of your saw will determine how much it can handle. Well, of course, it will have a huge difference if compared to power tools, like plunge routers (here), for instance. But different models of pruning saws vary in size and weight too.

You will need to put to serious consideration the height length and thickness of the branches you will be pruning. This will help determine what type of pruning saw you should go for.

Generally speaking (or writing), most pruning saws are designed to handle average thicknesses of up to 5 inches. If you won’t be doing any heavy lifting, then a simple quality product is just what you need. But if you want to do some heavy duty gardening—then you should ask for models that can easily manage such tasks.

Also, be sure to put yourself into consideration. You don’t want to buy something you won’t be comfortable to use because it is too heavy. So check that out too before paying.

6. Blade Sharpness

Of course, using a blunt blade means much more energy will be exerted to finish your task. Although there is really no way to guarantee this at the point of purchase—consulting with others that have bought similar products about how sharp it is can be a viable solution.

Check reviews and see what others have to say about the sharpness of the blades before buying it. Another good question to ask is whether you will be able to sharpen the blade when it goes blunt.

7. Safety

Pruning saws are sharp, really sharp, so for your safety, you need to consider the product’s safety. This is more important if you have kids or animals around. Foldable saws, preferably with a locking mechanism, guarantee safety to a large extent.

You should also confirm if the saw has a sheath, which will ensure your safety. At the same time, it also makes pruning saws easy to carry about. Still, do take extra precautions while using the saw. This is because no matter of safety mechanism can keep you safe if you handle a sharp object carelessly.

It’s easier to control the pruning saw if you are standing close to the branch you are cutting. Refrain from overreaching, especially when standing on a ladder.

Wearing heavy-duty gloves will help prevent accidental injuries when coming in contact with the saw blade. Arborists often wear hard hats and goggles to prevent injury from falling branches or debris.

Ready To Buy The Best Pruning Saw?

A good pruning saw is an essential gardening tool and can also double for some extra tasks. They go well as part of your camping trip survival kit.

When picking out a pruning saw, you must always keep in mind basic things like safety, how often it will be used and how heavy the tasks you need it to fulfill will be.

Price is a big determining factor but you should never compromise safety or quality for cheap prices.

You can get a pruning saw for yourself that will not only be efficient but will be both handy and durable. You just need to follow the rules and you will find something that suits you out of the many options out there.

Get to know more tools with our best lists, which include today’s top options for power tools, like dry cut metal saws (click here) and lapidary trim saws (click here).