Secateurs and loppers are handy pruning tools, but for thicker branches, a pruning saw is the tool for the job. The last resort before you need a chainsaw, a pruning saw has a toothed blade capable of cutting branches 5cm thick and above, and many different shapes and sizes are available, from compact folding saws that fit in the pocket to long, straight, fixed blades that need a holster to keep them safe. All have a high-carbon steel blade, and many have been designed to cut a particular type or thickness of wood. As a rule of thumb, the longer the blade, the thicker the wood it can cut, but the strength of the blade, the sharpness of the teeth and how long they stay sharp, as well as grip and comfort, will all affect how easily and well a saw will cut.
If you’re pruning smaller branches, take a look at our reviews of the best secateurs , best electric secateurs and the best loppers and for help clearing up see our test of the best shredders, best wood-splitting axes and best wheelbarrows.
Best pruning saws at a glance
- Best folding saw for performance (2025): Stiga folding pruning saw
- Best fixed straight saw: ARS CAM24 PRO pruning saw
- Best folding saw: ARS PM-21 folding pruning saw
- Best folding saw for high use: Silky Gomboy curve professional pruning saw
- Best fixed curved saw: Felco 640 pruning saw
- Best compact folding saw: Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw
Our expertise
We reviewed a range of the most popular pruning saws, putting them through their paces on woody branches and stems to bring you a list of the best pruning saws. Each saw has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to ease of handling, cutting ability, maintenance and value for money. Each pruning saw has scored a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.
Jump to:
- Best pruning saws
- Best of the rest pruning saws
- Pruning saw features explained
- How to choose a pruning saw
- How to use a pruning saw safely
- How we tested pruning saws
In every review, we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best pruning saws below:
Best pruning saws
Stiga folding pruning saw
RRP: £19.99
Our rating: 5 out of 5
Available from B&Q
Pros
- Blade made from high-carbon manganese steel (65Mn)
- Teflon coating on the blade reduces friction and eases cleaning
- Extra-grip handle boosts control and reduces fatigue
- Bright yellow design makes the saw easy to spot
Cons
- Long length may prove challenging to manoeuvre in between branches
From the outset, this saw feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hand, despite its 25cm high-carbon steel blade. The curved blade has triple-ground teeth and is made of 65Mn steel, which is tougher than other knife steel and has similar hardness due to the high amount of manganese in the composition. The handle has a defined grip area, which encourages you to hold it in the correct place for optimal cutting, while the bright yellow would make it easy to spot amongst debris. The blade folds neatly into the 32cm handle, locking securely in position whether closed or open. The handle also features a hole in the end, ready for a handy lanyard.
The Teflon-coated blade cuts cleanly and with little friction, making light and easy work of both live and dead wood. Although the longer length could prove challenging to manoeuvre in some situations, the saw is slender and proved easy to use when pruning a dense shrub. With a five-year warranty, no plastic packaging and a quality finish, this pruning saw is a good choice for the keen gardener with plenty of regular woody pruning to do. For all these reasons, we awarded this tool a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for performance.
Buy from B&Q
ARS CAM24 PRO pruning saw
RRP: £48.86
Our rating: 5 out of 5
Pros
- Very light and comfortable
- Long strong blade
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently
- Handy holster for safety
- Replacement parts available
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for Best fixed straight saw, this light, comfortable pruning saw easily cuts even thick, dense wood. The high carbon steel blade has a chrome plating for durability and impulse-hardened teeth, so they stay sharp for longer. It cuts on the pull stroke, and the handle has a rubber grip and is hooked to stop the hand slipping, even when applying pressure. Best for cutting wood that’s level with the user. All parts are replaceable, it comes with a handy holster, and it has a lifetime warranty.
Read the full ARS CAM 24 PRO review
Buy the ARS CAM 24 PRO from Tooled up, Amazon and Sorbus
ARS PM-21 folding pruning saw
RRP: £38.95
Our rating: 5 out of 5
Available from Amazon, Sorbus and Tooled-Up
Pros
- Very light and comfortable
- Cuts easily and cleanly
- Replacement parts available
- Choice of cutting angles
This light, simple saw was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for Best folding saw. There’s a chrome-plated carbon steel blade and impulse-hardened teeth, which will stay sharp for longer. It’s made from aluminium and has a shaped rubber grip handle that fits comfortably in the hand as you work. This tool is light, comfortable, and easy to use, cutting effortlessly through even thick, dense wood. Every single part is replaceable, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Read the full ARS PM-21 folding saw review and watch our Best Buy video to see why the ARS PM-21 folding saw was awarded BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy status.
View Green Video on the source website Latest Deals
Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding saw
RRP:£47.39
Our rating: 4.8/5
Available from Amazon, Silky Fox and Crocus
Pros
- Cuts smoothly and very easily
- Excellent quality, durable materials
- Comfortable grip, low-vibration handle
- Replacement blade available
- Long, curved blade gives good access and reach
Cons
- Expensive
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best folding saw for high use, this Silky saw is very well made with excellent quality materials. Although expensive, it is well worth the price for frequent use. The long, slightly curved blade makes pruning disproportionately easier than with a shorter saw, and it gives good reach, allowing you to get into dense shrubs and awkward spots. The materials are durable, with the teeth set into the blade to give a smooth cut with the least resistance, and the blade folds and secures into the handle easily.
The handle is shaped for grip and to sit comfortably in the hand, and has a micro-textured rubber coating that ensures good grip even when wet. It’s also sufficiently long to use two-handed if a bit more oomph is needed, or when one arm starts to tire. The handle has an ‘eye’ on the end for hanging up for easy storage, and the saw also comes with a plastic case that can be buckled onto a belt. Its bright yellow colour makes it easy to spot if you put the saw down for clearing prunings, but it is also rather large and could get in the way. Replacement blades are available, but they’re pricey at £29.94.
Read the full Silky Gomboy Curve Professional pruning saw review.
Felco 640 pruning saw
RRP: £65.99
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Available from Amazon and Felco
Pros
- Very light and comfortable
- Cuts easily and cleanly
- Replacement parts and repair service are available
- Choice of cutting angles
Cons
- Expensive compared with others of similar quality
This high-quality pruning saw won a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for Best fixed curved saw, and it is a joy to use. The high-carbon steel blade has a chrome plating to help prevent corrosion and impulse-hardened teeth, and it cuts cleanly and precisely. The curved handle is hooked with a rubber grip, and it feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand. With a holster and belt hook for easy carrying, it also has a velcro strap which wraps comfortably around the leg for added security. Capable of tackling even the toughest wood, this saw is a great investment if you have lots of trees and shrubs to look after. It comes with a lifetime warranty, and replacement parts and a repair service are available.
Read the full Felco 640 pruning saw review
Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw
RRP: £29.50
Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
Available from Amazon, Garden Machinery Direct and Stihl
Pros
- Comfortable and light
- Compact and portable
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently
- Replacement blade available
Cons
- Small cutting width
- Safety catch stiff
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for Best compact saw, this light, comfortable pruning saw has a curved, chrome-plated Japanese steel blade with a cutting width of 65mm. It’s surprisingly sharp and strong with no clogging or sticking, and it folds in and out of the handle with the help of a plastic button. The shaped handle has well-placed rubber grips that cushion the hand well, and our only complaint is the stiffness of the safety catch, although this does loosen up with time. The saw is compact and neat and ideal for sticking in a pocket when you go out into the garden. It comes with a two-year warranty.
Read the full Stihl PR16 Handycut pruning saw review
Best of the rest
Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:
Kent & Stowe Turbo folding saw
RRP: £14.99
Our rating: 3.5 out of 5
Available from Amazon and Marshalls
Pros
- Carbon steel blade
- Sharp triple-ground teeth give efficient cutting of wet and green wood
- Pocket-sized – 14cm length blade folds into an 18cm length handle
- Rubber comfort grip handle
Cons
- Hard work to cut larger branches
- Darker colours could get lost in debris
This pocket-sized pruning saw, with its tough 14cm carbon steel blade and ridged rubber grip handle, is both comfortable and nicely balanced despite its small size. When folded, the saw is only 18cm long, and the locking mechanism secures the blade when folded or in use. The handle has a moulded hole, which is ideal for a lanyard and for hanging the saw in the shed.
The blade features triple-ground teeth, and the good grip on the handle makes it efficient at cutting through green or wood up to 5cm in diameter, although it is better suited to smaller branches. It has a five-year warranty, and the compact size makes it a great choice for those with smaller hands or a smaller garden.
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp small folding pruning saw
RRP: £17.99
Our rating: 3.75 out of 5
Available from Amazon
Pros
- Carbon steel blade for strength and lasting sharpness
- Hollow-ground blade with seven points per inch, ultra-sharp precision-ground teeth
- Non-slip comfort curved ‘pistol-grip’ style handle with thumb pad
- 10-year guarantee
Cons
- Some materials feel cheap
A mid-sized option, this pruning saw features an 18cm carbon steel blade that folds into a 25cm handle. With a nicely curved, ‘pistol-grip’ style handle with a ribbed grip and a moulded thumb pad, it feels very comfortable and secure in the hand. The handle also features a hole for fitting a lanyard. The blade locks safely in both the open and closed positions.
When pruning, it is comfortable to use and a good size for most tasks, although some effort is required, and the cut action is not as smooth as one would hope. With a generous 10-year guarantee and being keenly priced, this pruning saw would suit the budget-conscious gardener.
Buy from Amazon
Ames folding pruning saw
RRP: £19.99
Our rating: 4.75 out of 5
Available from B&Q
Pros
- 15-year guarantee
- SK5 carbon steel blade with 7 teeth per inch or TPI
- PTFE coated for smooth cutting, rust resistance and lasting sharpness
- A non-slip, ergonomic handle provides grip and comfort
- The blades lock in an open and closed position for safe handling and storage
Cons
- Darker colours might get lost in debris
With its curved non-slip handle and thumb pad, the Ames folding pruning saw is comfortable in the hand and in use. It features a nylon-fibre handle with a good tactile grip and a handy hole for a lanyard, as well as an SK5 carbon steel blade. The 21cm blade is PTFE-coated for smooth cutting, rust resistance and lasting sharpness, and certainly cuts through both live and dead wood smoothly and with little effort.
The blade folds nicely into the 26cm handle and can be securely locked in either the open or closed position for safe handling and storage. With a 15-year warranty, this is a good option for the keen gardener needing a mid-sized pruning saw with a long warranty.
Buy from B&Q
Darlac Sabre Tooth folding saw
RRP: £21.99
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Crocus, B&Q and Amazon
Pros
- Makes good clean cuts
- Locks open and closed
- Replacement blade available
Cons
- Blade catches on the handle when closing
The straight blade on this folding saw is made from carbon steel with a rust-resistant chrome coating and is strong, sturdy, and sharp with a 90mm cutting width. The soft rubber grip handle is comfortable and hooked to prevent your hand slipping, and the blade folds in and out, locking in place both ways for safety. However, you do need to make sure you guide the blade into the handle when closing, otherwise it tends to catch on the handle and, over time, will scuff the rubber. Replacement blades are available at an additional cost. This pruning saw is ideal if you only have a few trees and shrubs, and would prefer to replace the blade rather than buy a new pruning saw. This tool comes with a lifetime warranty.
Wilkinson Sword Turbo folding saw
RRP: £24.99
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Amazon and Wilkinson Sword
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Comfortable and light
- Cuts cleanly
Cons
- No replacement blade available
- No rust-resistant coating
This compact folding saw has a curved blade made from Japanese steel and triple-ground teeth that cut cleanly on the pull stroke. The comfortable handle has a soft rubber grip covering, and it’s hooked to stop the hand slipping in use. A gripped, plastic safety catch on the top of the handle locks the blade both open and closed; however, the blade catches on the handle as it closes, scuffing the rubber, so you need to make sure you guide the blade into the handle when locking it in place. A handy size for slipping into your pocket, this saw comes with a 10-year warranty.
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp large folding pruning saw
RRP: £30.49
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Amazon and Toolstop
Pros
- Feels sturdy
- Good safety features
- Cuts smoothly and cleanly
Cons
- No replacement blade available
- Unwieldy and large to carry
This is one of the largest pruning saws in the group we tested, measuring 60cm in length, but it feels sturdy to use. It’s comfortable, thanks to a soft grip handle that’s curved to prevent your hand from slipping in use. The safety button is easy to use, unlocking the blade to open or close it, and it also locks in the halfway position, which stops fingers from accidentally catching on the blade. The straight blade is made from SK5 carbon steel and chrome-plated for lasting sharpness, rust resistance, and durability. It also has precision-ground teeth for a smooth, clean cut, which comfortably tackle branches up to 90mm wide. In the top price range of the group we tested, it comes with just a 10-year warranty compared to others, which have a lifetime warranty. However, it’s a sturdy saw that cuts well, has good safety features and is ideal for cutting living, green wood.
Corona Max RazorTOOTH 35.5cm pruning saw
RRP: £40.99
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Amazon and Burgon and Ball
Pros
- Strong and sturdy
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently
- Wide cutting width
Cons
- No blade guard or holster
- No replacement blade available
A fixed pruning saw with a long, curved SK5 carbon steel blade that has chrome plating and impulse hardened teeth, this saw cuts even thick, dense wood cleanly and smoothly. The shaped, ergonomic handle has rubber grips for the fingers and thumb, is curved to prevent the hand slipping when cutting, and it feels comfortable and light in use. Although the saw comes in a cardboard case, it unfortunately doesn’t have a holster or cover for the blade, which could be an issue when carrying it and in storage. Ideal for medium and larger branches, this saw is available in a variety of sizes and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Niwaki GR210 folding saw
RRP: £39.00
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Crocus and Niwaki
Pros
- Light and well-balanced
- Choice of cutting angle
- Replacement blade available
Cons
- Handle uncomfortable
- Blade needed tightening for safety
Packaged in a neat cardboard box and cotton bag, this simple pruning saw has a straight, narrow blade made from SK4 carbon steel. It has been impulse hardened to ensure the teeth stay sharp for longer and a maximum cutting width of 70mm. It cuts well, tackling dense wood smoothly, and the saw feels light and well-balanced in use. The handle has a chunky, ribbed rubber grip, which testers found became a bit uncomfortable after time and a safety button on the top allows the blade to fold in and out of the handle. When the blade is open, it locks in place, but not when it’s closed; in our test, the blade was quite loose when closed inside the handle and prone to falling out easily, which felt quite dangerous. Fortunately, this was rectified by tightening the large screw on the handle. It’s a great-looking piece of kit that’s easy to use. Plus, replacement blades and a leather holster are available. It comes with a two-year warranty.
Felco 621 pruning saw
RRP: £59.99
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Available from Amazon and World of Felco
Pros
- Light and well-balanced
- Cuts well
- Replacement parts available
Cons
- The handle is not as comfortable as some
This well-balanced saw has a fixed, straight blade made from high-carbon steel with a chrome plating to prevent corrosion and a cutting width of 80mm. The teeth have been impulse hardened to help them stay sharp for longer, and they cut smoothly and easily. The hooked handle helps the hand stay in place when cutting and has a rubber grip to prevent slipping, but compared to other saws that we tested, it felt less comfortable in use. It comes with a holster and belt hook for safe carrying, replacement parts and a repair service are available, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Silky Pocketboy
RRP: £39.34
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Available from Amazon
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Compact and comfortable
- Folds easily with 2 cutting positions
- Replacement blade available
Cons
- Expensive for the size and type of work
- Only suits light work
- Blade comes unfastened on occasion
This compact folding saw has a straight blade made from Japanese steel that’s chrome plated to resist rust and for easy cleaning, and teeth that are impulse hardened for harder, longer wear. It’s designed to cut on the pull stroke. The comfortable handle has a micro-textured, rubber grip and is shaped so it can be held securely. It folds into the rubber handle simply and easily with a press-down metal fastener and has two cutting positions, although it did come out of its fastening on several occasions during use. This saw is small and easy to slip into your pocket, so keep it close to your hand when needed. The handle has an ‘eye’ on the end for hanging up to store, and it also comes with a plastic case that can be hooked onto a belt. It’s good for light pruning, but it’s expensive for its size and usage. A limited lifetime warranty covers errors in materials or construction, but not wear and tear from use.
B&Q Magnusson 330mm pruning saw
RRP: £18.00
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Available from B&Q
Pros
- Light and comfortable
- Hand protection
- Cuts smoothly on most wood
Cons
- Slip-on blade guard only
- Takes up room in storage
With a fixed straight blade made from SK5 carbon steel, this super-safe saw has a rubber grip handle with a hand guard that protects the fingers. It cuts smoothly and feels light and comfortable to use, but the blade guard is just a simple slip-on cover in transparent plastic that could be easily lost. However, it’s great value and has a handy hanging hook so you can store this rather large saw safely out of the way.
Pruning saw features explained
Blade: Typically high-carbon steel and curved or straight, fixed or folding. Many have a chrome or anti-rust plating. Most are hardened, so teeth stay sharp for longer.
Teeth: Usually triple-ground, making them sharp and effective. A saw usually cuts on the pull, or occasionally the push, or even both. The pull stroke needs the least effort.
Hanging hole: Handy for storing your saw safely when not in use.
Hook: A useful design feature, this hooked-shape part at the end of the handle prevents your hand from slipping off the saw as you’re cutting.
Safety catch: Most folding saws have a push-button lock that should be easily reached by the thumb. The blade should lock into place for use, but many also lock closed into the handle for safety. Some also lock halfway down.
How to choose a pruning saw
Before you buy, think about the following:
- Blade strength. Pruning saw blades are typically high-carbon steel, which has either been quench or impulse hardened to increase strength and help teeth stay sharp. Although all types of blades will cut well at first, impulse-hardened blades and teeth will stay sharper for longer, so if you have a lot of pruning to do, look for saws strengthened this way. Carbon steel rusts unless it has a protective coating or chrome plating, so check for this, too, before you buy.
- Handle. Pruning saws are designed to be used with one hand, so many have an ergonomically shaped handle for comfort and all should have a non-slip grip, usually rubber or TRP plastic, to give optimum control of the saw. Some have a hand guard to protect the fingers. Look for a saw with a hooked shape to the end of the handle, which will help prevent the hand from slipping off the saw as you’re cutting.
- What you’re cutting. The size of branches you’re cutting, as well as their position, can dictate the size of the saw you need and the shape of its blade. Check that the blade length and cutting width are suitable for the job, and bear in mind that a straight blade is designed for making comfortable cuts between your shoulders and waist, while a curved blade is best for cuts above head height or below your waist. However, if you only want to buy one saw, choose the blade right for the majority of cuts you’ll make or opt for a saw with a straight blade. This will offer the most comfortable and safe cutting position, whatever you’re cutting.
- Is it safe? Compact folding blades are great for tucking safely in the pocket, but ensure the push button safety lock is easily reachable by the thumb and that it locks the blade in place. If it doesn’t lock closed, check that the blade stays securely in the handle and that it can be tightened if it becomes loose. Some saws also lock halfway down as an extra precaution. Fixed blades should have a carry holster or a blade cover to keep sharp teeth out of the way when not in use. After use, a hanging hole on the end of the handle is handy for storing your saw safely away.
- Will it last? Some saws have replacement blades and other parts available, which will help extend their life. However, these can sometimes cost almost as much as a new saw, so check prices before you buy. There are speciality files to sharpen saw teeth, but as these are often angled, this can be tricky and is best done by a professional. Some brands also offer a repair service for a small fee.
How to use a pruning saw safely
Saws are extremely sharp, so always wear sturdy gloves. If pruning above head height wear safety glasses and avoid standing on ladders to prune as you need to be stable and positioned comfortably to cut safely. Always choose the right blade for the job – a curved blade is best when cutting above your head.
How we tested pruning saws
We tested a range of folding and fixed saws with both curved and straight blades, putting them through their paces on the types of woody branches and stems that need pruning throughout the year. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:
- Handling. Looked at comfort, weight, balance and grip, including features like a hooked handle, how well the saw folds and safety features.
- Cutting. Focused on blade shape and material, cutting width and efficiency, and smoothness and precision of cut.
- Maintenance. Assessed the strength and sharpness of the blade, any hardening and protective features and whether replacement parts or a repair service were available.
- Value for Money. Considered all of the above, plus any special features, RRP and warranty.
For more information on our testing process, see How we Review
This review was last updated in October 2025. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.
