A pruning saw is one of the most popular gardening hand tools. These hand saws make light work of removing branches that are within or just out of arms reach.
A quality pruning saw can be a gardener’s best friend, helping to get rid of dead or diseased wood, shape plants or even remove plants entirely.
Below are some of Australia’s best pruning saws as well as a buyers guide to help you find a pruning saw to suit your gardening needs.
1. WilFiks Razor Sharp Folding Saw (Top Pick)
This 7″ compact Folding Saw from WilFiks is durable, sharp and perfect for use in the garden. The small size and non-slip rubber grip make it comfortable to hold and easy to manoeuvre. It’s also a great option for hiking and camping thanks to its lightweight, portability and reliability.
This saw blade has 3 cutting surfaces allowing it to cut up to 50% faster than a traditional handsaw. The blade is hardened steel which makes it quick and easy to slice through branches.
This hand saw folds down to 8.5″ and locks into place in the closed and open positions making it safe and easy to store and use. It also has a hanging hole so it can be hung up out of the way. This pruning saw is low maintenance and long-lasting.
What We Like:
- Compact size
- Hardened steel blade
- Non-slip grip
What We Don’t Like:
- Could be sharper
2. Silky Professional Series BIGBOY 2000 Folding Hand Saw
This lightweight folding hand saw has a large blade to make light work of trimming, pruning and all of your gardening needs. These Silky BigBoy hand saws can handle larger jobs with precision and ease.
The 14 1/5 inch curved blade is rust-resistant, hard chrome-plated and low angle. It has non-set MIRAI-ME impulse-hardened, teeth which are ideal for cutting green or dried wood. The blade can be opened to 2 positions for in-line or flush cutting.
The aluminium handle has a non-slip rubber grip to ensure you have complete control of the pruning saw. The long blade of this folding saw provides extended reach and makes it one of the best pruning options for larger cutting jobs.
What We Like:
- Large curved blade
- Sturdy aluminium handle
- Great for handling larger jobs
What We Don’t Like:
- There is no locking mechanism when the saw is closed
3. Felco 16cm Folding Pull-Stroke Pruning Saw
The Felco 600 is a quality pruning saw that makes cutting through wood effortless. The concave shape and saw teeth setting ensure no sap or sawdust clog up the blade.
This saw can be folded and placed in your pocket or backpack when not in use. It’s a convenient option that offers durability and high-performance results.
The sharp blade is able to cut through small and large branches so can be used for heavy-duty tasks too. The ergonomic handle makes all the difference as it is comfortable, easy to grip and suitable for left and right handers.
The blade locking system on the Felco 600 ensures this pruning saw can be safely stored away when not in use.
What We Like:
- High quality
- Easy to use
- Comfortable for left and right handed use
What We Don’t Like:
- Replacement blades are expensive
4. Corona 7-Inch Curved Blade Folding Saw
This 7″ folding saw blade is great for professional or personal use. It is designed to cut through small to medium sized branches and makes each cut cleaner and faster than conventional saws.
The handle feels secure and is comfortable enough for prolonged use so is perfect for spending the day pruning the garden.
The curved blade is made from high carbon Japanese SK5 steel making it durable and long-lasting. The impulse-hardened teeth are 3 sided for added efficiency.
The blade also has a hard chrome layer to reduce friction when cutting and prevent rust from forming. When not in use, the saw folds away to make transport and storage safe.
What We Like:
- Sharp curved blade
- Best for small – medium branches
- Durable and long-lasting
What We Don’t Like:
- Some teeth are still exposed when the saw is folded closed
5. Silky F-180 180mm Folding Saw
The Silky F-180 Folding Sawk is a lightweight, pocket saw best for light pruning and gardening. It’s a great all-round option for outdoor projects.
The 7.5″ blade opens to two positions to allow flush cuts. It has a large tooth configuration to reduce resistance and provide results with minimum friction.
The teeth have been heated and hardened to ensure they stay sharp for a long time. The hard chrome plating also ensures the pruning saw is durable and resistant to rust.
What We Like:
- Lightweight
- Compact size
- Best for light pruning
What We Don’t Like:
- No closed locking mechanism
6. Bahco 350mm Fixed Pruning Saw
This pruning saw from Bahco is a great option for working for home gardeners. The curved blade is durable and lightweight.
The blade is 14 inches and has 6 teeth per inch. This saw can be used with a 25mm extension pole for those hard to reach branches or it can be used handheld.
The plastic handle is shaped to avoid slipping and helps you keep control of the saw at all times. The blade is hardpoint which lasts considerably longer than standard blades.
What We Like:
- Value for money
- Can be used with an extension pole
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like:
- Handle is made from plastic
7. Opinel No 12 Folding Pruning Saw
This small saw from Opinel is best for use in the garden and for outdoor activities such as hiking. At just 12cm, this blade is handy and efficient. It is best for cutting branches under 8cm in diameter.
The blade on this hand saw is carbon steel and it has an anti-corrosion coating to ensure high quality and protection against corrosion.
The blade has 2 rows of teeth and the handle is made from beech which looks great and feels good to hold. This pruning saw also has a safety ring so you can lock the blade open or closed.
What We Like:
- Wooden handle
- Carbon Steel blade
- Safety ring
What We Don’t Like:
- Blade can’t be sharpened or replaced
Pruning Saw Buyer’s Guide
The best pruning saw makes cutting branches easy, they are designed to be able to cut through hardwood and help you control plant growth in the garden.
You will find a range of curved and straight blade pruning saws, each with a secure handle.
It can be difficult to compare types and styles of pruning saws as many of them look similar in size and shape.
Finding the best pruning saw for your needs can be a challenge, use this buying guide to help narrow down the choice.
Types of Pruning Saws
- Manual Pruning Saw – this is a non-folding pruning saw that is best for standard garden pruning.
- Folding Saws – a folding pruning saw is great for all-round use, they can be folded to a compact size and put into a pocket or bag which is convenient for use on the go or taking on a hiking trip. If you have limited storage space or you want the saw blade to be folded away when not in use, look for a folding saw.
- Electric Pruning Saw – an electric saw is best suited to handling heavy duty cutting and large tree branches.
- Pole Saw – a pole pruning saw is a pruning saw on an extension pole, it allows you to reach branches that are higher in trees. Pole saws that use sturdy, lightweight materials such as a fiberglass pole are the easiest to hold and control. A pole saw has its advantages, including stability and safety. It’s safer than trying to cut tree limbs or complete pruning tasks from a ladder.
Straight vs Curved Blades
Straight – pruning saws with a straight blade are best suited to cutting larger branches. A straight blade is good for cutting branches between waist-shoulder height but is more awkward for anything above or below those points.
Curved – curved blades are best for smaller branches and are very popular for home garden use. A curved blade makes it easier to saw something that is higher up (above your head) or lower down (below your waist).
Why are pruning saws curved? A curved blade helps to give you extra cutting power with each stroke. The blade hooks into the wood and is easier to pull compared to a straight blade. It’s generally less effort to cut branches with a curved blade.
Important Features
When comparing products and brands, consider the following features:
Handle
The pruning saws handle should be ergonomically designed with an easy, comfortable grip. A rubber handle is the most common option when it comes to grip material but you will also find silicone, wooden and plastic options too.
Some handles are designed to be used by right and left handed users while others only suit right-handed users, this is mostly due to the angle and shape of the handle or the location of the operable lock (on folding saws) so keep this in mind when choosing between different options.
Most pruning saw handles will feature a hook at the bottom that prevents your hand from slipping while in use.
Blade Material
The most common blade materials are:
- Steel
- Carbon
- Chrome-plated
The blade will usually be hardened through either quench hardening or impulse hardening. A hardened blade will help razor teeth stay sharp for a longer time. It is also common for the blade to have some kind of coating over it to help prevent corrosion, rust and premature wear and tear.
The length of the blade varies considerably, the length options tend to start from around 6″. The blade size you choose will largely depend on the largest diameter branch you think you will be cutting. Keep this in mind when choosing a pruning saw.
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Tooth Design
Most pruning saws have triple ground teeth which are sharp and reduce cutting time. Take a look at how the teeth are positioned as you can get pull-only, push-only or saws that work in both directions. Pulling tends to be more powerful than pushing so if you are going to get a one-directional saw, choose pull-only.
The number of teeth per inch is also an important factor. The advantage of a saw with more teeth is that it provides a smoother cut. Fewer teeth can produce quicker results but will usually mean more material is removed with a rougher cut. If the aesthetics of the cut is an important factor, choose one with more teeth. As a general rule, finer teeth are great for hardwood while coarser teeth are better suited to fresh and softwood.
Maintenance
The best pruning saws require very little maintenance. If the pruner saw picks up sap, make sure you clean it after use so it is ready to be used again.
If you do not maintain your pruning tools they will lose their efficiency and even simple pruning jobs will become harder to carry out. Make sure you follow the manufactures care advice.
Safety
It’s important to take care when sawing as the sharpness of the blade can easily cause injury. Keep a lookout for products that include safety features, these will not only help keep you safe but will also make storing and transporting the saw safer too.
- Safety lock – if you are looking for a folding saw, find one that has a safety lock. The lock will make sure it stays closed when it is folded away and will lock it into position when it’s open so you can apply pressure without the saw moving.
- Blade Cover – the saw should come with a blade cover. This should be a good fit and be easy to take on and off without needing to touch the saw teeth.
- Hooked handle – this will help prevent your hand from slipping off the handle when sawing.
