Pruning saws How to buy

Which type of pruning saw do I need?

Cutting a branch with a pruning saw

For occasional pruning, a folding saw with up to 150mm blade should be fine

For occasional pruning a folding saw with a blade length up to about 150mm should be perfectly adequate.

If you have a lot of pruning to do each year, for example several large fruit trees, a saw with a fixed handle with a blade up to 300mm would be a better choice. For safety make sure it comes with a blade guard or preferably a sheath you can attach to your belt.

If you have larger trees to fell or logs to saw up for fire wood, a bow saw might be a good investment.

Which features should I look out for when choosing?

Folding mechanism

The blade folds into the handle when not in use. The blade locks in the open position and sometimes the closed position too and is released by a thumb catch.

Two-way blade

Some blades cut on the pull stroke only – making them easier to use above shoulder height, others cut on both push and pull stroke.

Blade guard

This is a strip of plastic that clips over the teeth when it is being stored or carried about.

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Which? works for you