If you have some trees in your compound then you know just how valuable they are to you.

From attracting some birds and other wildlife to the compound to beautifying the place and holding the soil together, it is not easy to summarize the advantages of having trees.

But, as attractive as trees might be they take a lot of work to keep them looking good and healthy. And it is because of this reason that you need to get a pruning saw.

Punning saws are handy when dealing with thick tree branches that not even the best pruning loppers or pruning shears can handle. Also, they are the best for the hard to reach branches.

However, pruning saws come in various types. And pruning saw types from different brands will vary in everything from the blade length and handle design to the tooth configuration.

The many options can make it a little hard to pick the right one for you. But, in this piece we look at the main types of pruning saws, review some of the best and also provide some handy buying tips to help make your choice easy.

Types of Pruning Saws

As you shop for the best pruning saw, the first and probably the most important thing is to understand that there are different types.

These types will differ in not only the appearance but also on their suitable applications. And the four most common types are handheld pruning saw, straight blade pruning saw, curved blade saw and pole saw.

#1. Handheld Pruning Saw

The handheld pruning saw is the most common type of the four and it is what most homeowners will use for pruning both indoors and outdoors.

As the name suggests this is typically a small pruning saw that will in most cases have a straight or slightly curved blade. And although it can cut thick branches, it is best for use when dealing with small or thinner ones.

Handheld pruning saws are quite versatile and they will be useful when dealing with both trees and flowers.

For many homeowners, it is the only pruning saw that they will use when dealing with low lying branches and most other pruning applications in and outside the house. It is also the most portable and easiest to store as most will also come with a scabbard or will have a folding design.

#2. Straight Blade Pruning Saw

These pruning saws are the best when dealing with green wood and sap. And although their blade is straight the handles are usually curved.

One of the most distinctive features is the fact that the curved handle looks like a pistol grip and is also highly comfortable.

#3. Curved Blade Saw

You can use curved blade saws for both small and huge branches, but they can be a little awkward and will take more time to get used to when using them on the larger ones.

#4. Pole Pruning Saw

The length of these saws means that they have reduced cutting power. However, they make up for this with a much stronger jaw that requires less effort to cut.

10 Best Pruning Saws - Reviews

Choosing a pruning saw is not always easy as there are various types and different brands in the market. But whether you are dealing with thick or thin branches and light of heavy pruning, there is something out there for you. Below we compare 10 of the best-using factors like bade type and length and teeth configuration to help you pick the best pruning saw.

Editor's Rating: (4.4 / 5)

The EverSaw 8-inch pruning saw comes with a durable steel blade with a 9 TPI tooth configuration and it will be great for use in the garden and for pruning small branches.

Witt this handheld pruning saw you also get an ergonomic and slip-resistant handle that will keep it firm and comfortable in your hand when sawing. And the blade will fold into the handle fully for easy storage.

The rugged 8-inch blade will cut into a variety of material including plastic and bone and so it will be a great multipurpose tool to add to your toolkit.

Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)

If you prefer the smooth cutting action of curved blades here is a relatively affordable one for you. It is one of the cheapest items on our pruning saw reviews but it still cuts well.

This curved pruning saw will come with some highly efficient 3-sided razor teeth that will be ideal for cutting smaller branches that are between 5 and 6 inches thick.

The teeth on this blade are impulse hardened to make them some of the hardest on our list. And the pruning saw also comes with an ergonomic and comfortable co-molded handle.

With this fantastic pruning saw, the blade is easy to latch which helps to prevent injuries when not in use. And it is also replaceable to ensure you get to use this saw for many years.

Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)

Travol 14-inch pruning saw comes with one of the longest blades on our list and so you can be confident of getting longer strokes and smoother cuts.

It is one of the best hand saws for cutting trees thanks to the heavy duty blade that is curved for effortless cutting and trimming. This blade combines with the sturdy and comfortable pistol style grip to make cuts faster and easier for you.

This pruning saw will cut branches that are up to 8 inches thick which makes it great for medium and heavy-duty pruning tasks.

Storing it is also easy as it comes with a tough sheath and a convenient hanging hole.

Editor's Rating: (4.9 / 5)

When you want something that will help you cut bigger materials than what many regular folding saws can handle, here is a great choice for you.

This saw comes with a tough and heavy-duty 14-inch blade that will cut into both dry and green wood with ease. And the handle is a thicker and stronger aluminum material that is also non-slip to provide a secure grip.

Although this is one of the priciest and bulkiest folding saws on our list, it is worth it. It will not only help you with pruning but also with various other applications such as trimming and construction.

Editor's Rating: (4.9 / 5)

Any pruning saw with Japanese steel blade will always be high quality and long-lasting. And although the high-quality Japanese steel is what makes the Silky 143-18 a great pruning saw, there is still much more to it.

It is a compact and lightweight saw that will be easy to carry in your pocket and the 7-inch blade will be suitable for various applications. And besides, from pruning small branches, you can use this saw for lawn or garden care and for hunting and other outdoor activities.

Other things that make this a fantastic pruning saw include the 2-position locking angles for safety and secure rubberized handle that provides a firm and comfortable grip.

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

This 7.7-inch folding pruning saw by Flora Guard is the most affordable on our list and also on the market. And you will hardly find the same quality at a lower price.

The relatively cheap pruning saw comes with a fully-hardened steel blade that is quite durable and an ergonomic solid grip handle that will keep it comfortable and secure in your hand.

There is also a convenient safety lock that involves 2-stage locking to prevent injuries. Also, you get to choose from three color options if aesthetics matter to you.

Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)

If you are looking for a tough saw for cutting branches and do not want to spend a lot of cash the Tabor Tools TTS25A folding saw will work well for you.

The saw combines an 8-inch blade with a rugged grip handle to provide a versatile tool that you can also use for other things like clearing trails beside from pruning.

It uses a locking system that makes it easy to open and close with the handle functioning as a scabbard and sheath for the blade. And it comes in a bright red and black color combination that makes it easy to spot anywhere.

Editor's Rating: (4.8 / 5)

If you do not mind spending a few extra dollars on your tree cutting hand saw, the Silky Zubat 13-inch saw will impress you. And it is also one of the toughest and most durable on our list thanks to the high-grade Japanese steel.

The pruning saw has a full tang blade for greater stability when cutting and to eliminate the risk of breaking.

And besides from the high-quality Japanese steel, all the other materials like washers and screws are also high quality enough to ensure a secure handle connection.

The handle provides a non-slip grip to keep the saw firm and comfortable on the hand. And you also get a professional style scabbard with this pruning that has unique loops for leg straps.

Editor's Rating: (4.4 / 5)

With the longest blade on our list, the Corona RS 7510 will be the perfect choice when you want to cut thick branches with a diameter of between 9 and 10 inches.

It is the best saw for cutting tree branches that are thicker than what regular pruning saw can handle. And it is also comfortable to use thanks to the ergonomic co-molded handle with a pistol grip.

The high carbon Japanese steel blade is tough and highly durable and it has some focused impulse hardened blade teeth that are also triple ground to create three multi-faceted angles that maximize efficiency and wood removal.

Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)

The unique curve on the handle gives this pruning saw quite a unique look and also makes it easy and more comfortable to hold.

But, the tough 13-inch blade is still what makes the cuts and it comes with some impulse hardened teeth that are super sharp when you get it.

The rugged handle on this blade will also include some finger grooves that make it easy to get a comfortable and secure grip.

This pruning saw comes with a tough scabbard that will be handy for storage when not in use.

And the contrasting colors on the handle not only improve the aesthetic appeal but will also make the pruning saw easy to locate.

The first step in buying a pruning saw is to first determine the type that you want from the four main types. And the kind of pruning (type and thickness of branches) you want to do should help you with this.

But, even if you decide on the type you still need to pick one from the many brands out there. Although the many options can make things a little confusing, you should be able to get a good pruning saw if you consider the following factors.

1. Blade Length                      

Blade length is always one of the first factors to consider when buying a pruning saw despite the type that you prefer to buy.

The longer the blade the better as you will get additional reach. Also, longer blades have a larger cutting capacity and they will be less likely to pull out in the middle of a cut.

With longer pruning saws blades you also get longer strokes which in turn lead to smoother cutting and a more ergonomically friendly saw.

On the other hand, shorter blades tend to be more affordable, easier to control and will also take up less space which makes them convenient to store.

Pruning saws will on average have blades that range between 5 and 20 inches in length and whatever you pick depends on the intended purpose. For example, longer blades will be great for thicker and harder branches.

2. Handle

The handle is an important part of the blade as it is where you will hold it. The quality and size of the handle will influence the performance of the pruning saw as you cannot make good cuts if the handle is not comfortable enough.

There are many handle material to pick from with rubber, wood, and plastic being the most common. All these handles materials can be comfortable enough depending on how they are made.

And regardless of what you prefer you should make sure that the handle is large enough to fit your hand, it is non-slip and can absorb the shock that comes from sawing branches to ensure comfort.

3. Tooth

The teeth on the saw's blade are what will be doing the actual cutting or what will come into contact with the materials and so you cannot overlook them.

When it comes to the saw teeth you will need to consider two vital things which are tooth per inch (TPI) and the size. But, the two are closely related because the size of the teeth determines the TPI.

Overall you can classify the teeth size into four types which are fine, medium teeth, large teeth, and extra-large teeth.

Fine teeth saws have a TPI of up to 11 and they will be great for making fine cuts on hardwoods. The medium teeth saws with 8.5 TPI provide cleaner cuts for softer woods while the large 6 TPI saws are great for general pruning as they cut faster and more aggressively.

The extra large teeth saws have a TPI of 5.5 and they are what you get on the slightly curved pruning blade. These pruning saws will also cut faster and more aggressively than most other types.

4. Durability

A pruning saw is one of the tools that you might end up using a lot if you have lots of plants around the home. And so it is important to go for something durable.

When it comes to the durability the material of the blade is the most important factor to consider. While there are many options to pick from, tough materials like tempered steel and high carbon Japanese steel are always the best.

But, also do not ignore durability of the handle. And regardless of whether you choose rubber, plastic or wood handles you should make sure that the material is high-quality and the handle has a sturdy enough construction.

5. Weight

The weight of the saw will influence both the ease of handling and cutting. The types and thickness if branches that you intend to cut will determine the right saw weight for you.

Heavy-duty models are the best when dealing with thicker and tougher branches as the weight of the saw also helps to drive the blade into the material. But, make sure that you are able to handle the weight of any pruning saw that you pick.

Conclusion

A pruning saw is an essential tool that every homeowner with a few trees and other plants around the compound must have as it helps to keep the plants healthy and attractive.

Choosing the best saw for cutting branches is not always easy as pruning saws will come in various types and from many brands.

This piece highlights the differences between the main pruning saw types and their applications and also highlight some important points to keep in mind when shopping for one of these saws.

By considering these factors which include blade type and length, tooth configuration and handle, and with our reviews to give you some idea on what to buy, you should have an easier time getting the best pruning saw for your trees.