Pruning Saws FAQ
When do I need a pruning saw instead of loppers?
Use a pruning saw for branches too thick for loppers to cut cleanly, generally larger limbs where the saw's teeth cut through wood that loppers would crush or jam on. Loppers handle smaller branches with a clean scissor action; the saw takes over when diameter exceeds their capacity. The branch size determines which tool makes the clean cut.
What is the difference between a folding and fixed pruning saw?
Folding pruning saws close into the handle for safe carry, convenient for climbing and field work where the saw is carried between cuts. Fixed-blade saws offer more rigidity and cutting power for heavier work. Folding saws suit portability and carrying aloft; fixed blades suit sustained ground cutting. Both use the aggressive teeth that pruning work needs.
Why do pruning saws cut on the pull stroke?
Many pruning saws cut on the pull stroke because pulling keeps the thin blade in tension and tracking straight, giving control and efficient cutting in green wood without binding. This design suits the overhead and awkward-angle cuts pruning often requires. The pull-cut action lets you draw the saw through a branch with control rather than pushing a blade that could buckle.
What blade length pruning saw do I need?
Blade length should match the branch sizes you cut: longer blades handle larger limbs and reach deeper, while shorter blades give control for smaller cuts and tight spaces. Curved blades suit overhead and pulling cuts. Match the saw to your typical branch diameter, since an undersized blade struggles on large limbs and an oversized one is unwieldy for small cuts.
How do I maintain a pruning saw?
Keep the blade clean and free of sap and pitch, which gum up the teeth and slow cutting, and protect the teeth from damage. Most pruning saw blades are replaced rather than sharpened, since their hardened teeth are difficult to file. Cleaning the blade and replacing it when it dulls keeps the saw cutting efficiently through green wood.
Can pruning saws be ordered for a crew?
Yes. Pruning saws are stocked in quantities for outfitting a crew with volume pricing by quote, along with replacement blades. Crews doing regular pruning and tree work benefit from quality saws and keeping spare blades on hand, since a sharp saw cuts cleanly and a dull blade slows the work and stresses the cut.
