Pruning Saw recommendations

Looking back through older threads, it’s been a while since preferences/recommendations for pruning saws have been a topic.
I find myself in the market for a new one… the cheap, but very effective made-in-China one I’ve been using for a number of years has finally crapped out… the locking mechanism is broken. So… let’s hear of your faves. (I’ll be most interested in a folding, lock-blade type, but open to considering others.).

2 Likes

Corona is a good value but I don’t like the plastic handle. If I were doing a lot of sawing I’d spend the money on a Silky - the little one I have is very nice, but too small for much work. Fits pocket and hand well, cuts very, very cleanly.

2 Likes

My favorite saw
but it’s expensive.

6 Likes

Yah. Silky
Bought one last year , it’s great !

2 Likes

Money no object. Sorta.
No, I’m not up for a $1000 saw, but I’d go $100+ for a good one but don’t mind $30, if it gets the job done.
I have a Black & Decker, much like the no-name one that just broke, but it was dull right off the rack.

1 Like

I’m sure e-bay or amazon has chinese knockoffs of the above or the switch blade you wanted. I’m in the market for a pole saw myself.

I’ve gotten to where I consider whether there’s anybody to leave something to when I buy it. If I knew that one of my grands or such would want it I’d buy something pretty dern good, but given that I have no idea what they’re going to end up doing I try to get something serviceable, affordable, and so on. I don’t buy Snap-on tools but I do buy good Craftsman sockets and combination wrenches, for example. And I try to buy something well-made and simple rather than something loaded with features but less carefully built. And I’m not afraid of second hand!

The silky I got is not a folder , so won’t fit in your back pocket.
They do make folders.
I used a wheeler saw for a day , I liked it . And replaceable blades for four dollars and change.
Oesco has a good selection of saws…

Bought an 8-inch, 10.5 ft length Kobalt electric chain polesaw at Lowes last fall. Has worked well limbing up several hundred 20 yr old pecans & walnuts in my orchard and a riparian bufferstrip planting. Most of those had never been pruned, so it’s had a good workout.
Hate to think about having attempted that with my old manual pole pruner/saw.

3 Likes

Not sure if its the best idea but I’m going to get a brushless cordless reciprocating saw for next years pruning. I have a fold up saw and while the teeth feel very sharp it’s just a pain to use on anything more than a one or two branches. I just end up muscling the ~1" branches with some dirt cheap black and decker bypass loppers.

Thinking of getting this one in particular since I already have the batteries & chargers: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-Compact-One-Handed-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-PSBRS01B/313438684

1 Like

I was looking at getting a regular pole saw. The electric I assumed would be weak. Listening to you has me wanting one now. How much branch can it cut? At least 6 inches?

Mine has an 8-inch bar. I’ve been really surprised at how well it has worked. Don’t know that I’ve taken off anything larger than about 4 inches, but it has gone through everything I’ve tried, with less effort than with the wife’s 12-inch gas chainsaw - and I can reach much higher - though I’ve not yet used it at its full length… haven’t needed to insert the middle 3-ft or so piece yet; supposed to be able to reach 14.5 ft easily.
With the 24V rechargable battery, it’s pretty much at full power until it suddenly stops. Then you have to recharge… but I’m usually ready to take a break by the time it’s exhausted its charge. Guess you could get a second battery if you’re a glutton for punishment.

1 Like

I have a Silky Gomtaro Pro 300 that I like.

I think I paid $70 for the Zubat Silky saw.

There is too many “Silky’s”? Zubat, Golbat, Bigboy, Littleboy, Uglyboy, etc. My head is spinning.

Can anyone recommend one that can cut 1 inch fig limbs/cuttings FINELY?

The Silky Gomtaro Pro 300 has fine teeth and is reasonably sized. It gives a nice smooth cut and should be in the $70-75 price range. Silky blades can be replaced, albeit @ 2/3’s the price of the original saw.

Silky Gomtaro Prosentai 300 is hard to beat. It has coarse teeth near the handle and fine teeth for the last few inches so you can make a clean end cut or zip off thin limbs.

1 Like

My opinion is to go cordless with the pole and the reciprocating saw. The two of these have handled almost all my needs. My needs are small so these tools might not be adequate for your task.

@dimitri_7a
Don’t forget to pick up one of these Diablo/Freud pruning saw blades. They have wide gullets and do a good job cutting through live wood. They come in 9 and 12" versions. I picked up a 9" at HD a few years ago and it’s worked well with my Ridgid multi-tool with the reciprocating saw attachment.
Diablo Pruning Blade

I just saw a video of a mini chainsaw , battery powered , about the size of a drill.
Looks really handy.
I am thinking pruning tool and cutting bamboo here.
Many makes / models on line.
Anyone have one ?
Recommendations ?
Something like these…
https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Chainsaw/s?k=Mini+Chainsaw&rh=p_72%3A2661618011&dc&qid=1620824028&rnid=2661617011&ref=sr_nr_p_72_1

2 Likes