If you like plants as much as I do, you probably have a couple of lovely trees in your yard. While these trees look beautiful, they also require maintenance.
An overgrown tree lowers your curb appeal since it makes your front yard look messy and neglected. To keep up with the growth, you will need the best hand saw for cutting trees.
I could not resist but review some of the best hand saws on the market today. After testing many hand saws, I determined that the The Fiskars 393951-1001 that you can find on Amazon is the best one. It has an amazing reach and cutting ability, making it my favorite hand saw for cutting trees.
Keep on reading to find out my other top picks.
Contents
- 1 Comparison Table Of Saws For Cutting Trees And Branches
- 2 9 Of The Best Hand Saws For Cutting Trees And Branches
- 2.1 Tarvol 14″ Curved Blade Pruning Hand Saw – Best Sharpened Pruning Hand Saw
- 2.2 Mossy Oak Folding Hand Saw For Tree Pruning – Best Multi-Purpose Hand Saw
- 2.3 TABOR TOOLS 10 Inch Pruning Hand Saw – Best Value Hand Saw
- 2.4 Fiskars 7 Inch PowerTooth Folding Saw – Best Portable Hand Saw
- 2.5 Corona RazorTOOTH 10 Inch Folding Saw – Best Go-To Hand Saw
- 2.6 Sun Joe SWJ800E 8-Inch Electric Pole Chain Saw – Most Practical Pole Saw
- 2.7 Fiskars 393951-1001 Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner – Best Overall Pole Saw
- 2.8 Fiskars Garden 394631-1001 Chain Drive Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner – Pole Saw With Best Reach
- 2.9 BLACK+DECKER PHS550B 3.4 Amp Powered Handsaw – Best Light-Duty Power Saw
- 3 Buyer’s Guide: How To Buy The Best Saw For Cutting Branches
- 4 And The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Branches Is…
- 5 About The Authors
Comparison Table Of Saws For Cutting Trees And Branches
Let’s take a quick glance at the products I have tested for this article.
9 Of The Best Hand Saws For Cutting Trees And Branches
Tarvol 14″ Curved Blade Pruning Hand Saw – Best Sharpened Pruning Hand Saw
- Well-sharpened hand saw — great for cutting thick branches.
- Curved 14-inch blade makes cutting seamless and effortless.
- Ergonomic cushioned handle ensures comfort and reduces hand fatigue.
We can all agree that dull hand saws are good for only two things: damaging your tree and draining your energy. Fortunately, this Tarvol hand saw is as sharp as a razor! Throughout my testing, its sharpness, along with its great blade length, excelled, rendering it one of the best hand saws for cutting trees.
The 14-inch curved blade is sharp enough to make your gardening feel effortless. It can cut branches up to 8-inches thick. The blade maintains its sharpness with each use and there is a sheath for protection included in the package.
The blade has 7 TPI (Teeth Per Inch). This makes it a great hand saw for cutting trees as well as trimming fresh branches and softwood.
You will also appreciate its pistol-style handle, which ensures a tight grip and comfort during work. The cushioned grip will protect your palm from blisters.
The hole at the end of the handle allows you to hang the saw in your storage area. The pop of neon green color is easy to spot in the loaded shed.
PROS
- Sharp 14-inch blade
- Cuts 8-inch thick branches
- 7 Teeth Per Inch
- Curved design
- Cushioned handle
- Easy to store
- Sheath included
- 100% money-back guarantee
CONS
- Hard to remove from the sheath
Mossy Oak Folding Hand Saw For Tree Pruning – Best Multi-Purpose Hand Saw
- Best multi-purpose hand saw, featuring 3 different blades.
- Lock system ensures safety during pruning.
- Ergonomic, slip-resistant handle ensures a tight grip and comfort.
Looking for a multi-purpose hand saw you can keep in your pocket at all times?
Look no further. The Mossy Oak Hand Saw is here to impress you. It certainly impressed me!
This folding saw has 3 different blades you can easily switch between by loosening the black knob and fastening it again. Each carbon steel blade is designed for a specific purpose, despite having the same blade length. The difference lies in the Teeth Per Inch (TPI).
The black-coated 5 Teeth Per Inch blade is great for pruning trees. The gray 11 TPI is best for cutting hardwood and plastic, while the polished silver 18 Teeth Per Inch blade cuts through copper and aluminum pipes. I actually tested this one as an alternative to a bow saw for cutting trees. And it worked amazingly well!
The hand saw has a well-designed security system, as well. The green lock prevents the saw from closing during work. The rubber-coated handle will keep your hand from accidentally slipping.
This hand saw is easy to store and transport. It is ideal for gardening, yard work, and camping.
PROS
- 3 multi-purpose blades
- Rust-resistant carbon steel blades
- Ergonomic handle
- Safety lock
- Nylon pouch included
- Folded blade length of just 9.5 inches
- Easy to transport
CONS
- May feel flimsy
TABOR TOOLS 10 Inch Pruning Hand Saw – Best Value Hand Saw
- Amazing features for a low price.
- Cuts up to 4-inch thick branches.
- Chrome-plated steel blade is strong and rust-resistant.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on your hand saw or buy a premium bow saw for cutting trees. Tabor Tools pruning hand saw is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t lack in quality.
The 10-inch blade with differently angled teeth makes accurate cuts where the bow saw fails. I was able to cut up to 4-inch thick oak and pine branches without breaking a sweat during my testing. The saw cuts on the pull stroke for accurate cuts, making it one of the best hand saws for cutting trees.
The chrome-plated steel blade is strong and rust-resistant. The sheath included in the package will further protect the quality of the blade and you from any mishaps.
This saw feels lightweight in your hands, which is a plus. It won’t drain your energy when holding it against the branches.
The ergonomic handle works to your advantage, as well. It is designed to fit the palm of your hand. In turn, this reduced the wrist fatigue that I usually face when I use a bow saw for too long.
PROS
- Up to 4-inch cutting capacity
- Hard chrome-plated steel
- Rust-resistant
- Cuts on the pull stroke
- Ergonomic handle
- Sturdy but lightweight
- Safety sheath included
CONS
- Blade may feel flimsy
- Sheath could be better designed
Fiskars 7 Inch PowerTooth Folding Saw – Best Portable Hand Saw
- The best portable pruning hand saw with a 7-inch foldable blade.
- Fully hardened steel blade stays sharp, even with heavy use.
- Blade locks in place to ensure safety.
Looking for a foldable hand saw you can take on the go? This Fiskars PowerTooth folding saw is just what you need.
The fully hardened steel blade is only 7 inches long. This has the shortest blade length out of all the hand saws I reviewed. It doesn’t take up much space, so you can easily put it in your pocket or keep it stored in your camping backpack.
Don’t let the size of this hand saw fool you. Its triple-ground teeth quickly power through wood on the pull and push stroke. The sharp blade can withstand heavy use. I really liked the efficiency of this one, as it cut almost as fast as my bow saw!
The blade locks in place when folded or unfolded to ensure safety during work and transportation. The non-slip grip elevates the protection to another level. The contoured handle feels comfortable and it offers great control over the blade.
PROS
- Sharp 7-inch steel blade
- Variable teeth
- Cuts on pull and push stroke
- Lock system for safety
- Easy to store and carry
- Non-slip handle
CONS
- Plastic handle may break
Corona RazorTOOTH 10 Inch Folding Saw – Best Go-To Hand Saw
- Best go-to hand saw for cutting small to medium branches.
- Curved 10-inch blade designed for faster and cleaner cutting.
- Triple-ground teeth remove more material per stroke than a traditional saw.
Having one go-to hand saw in your shed is all you need, in my opinion. You can always count on it to get the job done. Whether you need a hand saw for cutting trees or just a few branches, the Corona RazorTOOTH is the real deal.
This 10-inch hand saw cuts through 5 to 6-inch thick branches like a knife through butter. Its triple-ground teeth cut through wood more efficiently than double ground teeth. The curved blade is great for reaching branches above the head and below the waist. You can learn more about straight and curved blades on Northern Nester, a lifestyle blog full of gardening tips, recipes, and more.
The blade cuts on the pull stroke. Drag the blade with your whole body weight to make the most of its design. This really helped me use my full force to make nice clean cuts without the need for a bow saw.
The activation lock on the upper part of the handle lets you safely open and fold the chrome-plated blade. The ergonomic handle is comfortable enough for extended use.
PROS
- Great cutting ability
- Chrome-plated 10-inch blade
- Triple-ground teeth
- Up to 6-inch cutting capacity
- Cuts on the pull stroke
- Activation lock for safety
- Comfortable handle
CONS
- May feel flimsy
- Blade partly exposed when folded
Sun Joe SWJ800E 8-Inch Electric Pole Chain Saw – Most Practical Pole Saw
- Practical pole chainsaw that runs on electricity.
- Efficient design automatically lubricates the chain.
- Telescoping pole extends up to 8.7 feet to easily reach remote tree limbs.
Tired of using saws for cutting trees manually? Do you want a saw for cutting trees that requires minimal effort to use? I’ve got just what you need.
This Sun Joe SWJ800E Electric Pole Chainsaw will give you a deserved break. The 6.5.amp motor runs on electricity, so you won’t need to deal with gas fumes and unpredictable starting.
It makes 6000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and can cut tree limbs that are up to 7.5 inches thick. With the simple turn of a screw, you can quickly adjust the tension of the chain and continue with your work.
The telescopic pole is great for getting hold of distant branches. Despite having a rather short blade length of 8 inches, it extends up to 8.7 feet, giving you 15 feet of overhead reach.
The automatic lubrication of the 8-inch cutting bar and chain makes this tool even more practical. Simply keep the 2.7 fluid-ounce reservoir loaded with oil, and you will be good to go. I have to say that out of all the hand saws I’ve tested, pole chainsaws like this one are the best. They are faster than a bow saw and can stretch out to places that I was never able to reach. At the same time, these require so little effort to use, as is true with most power tools.
PROS
- Electrical 6.5-amp motor
- 6000 RPM
- Pole extends up to 8.7 ft
- 7.5-inch cutting capacity
- Automatic lubrication
- Easy tensioning
- 2-year warranty
CONS
- Oil may leak
- Top-heavy
Fiskars 393951-1001 Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner – Best Overall Pole Saw
- Best overall pole saw with amazing cutting range and reach.
- Two in one tool, featuring a steel pruner and a saw blade.
- Extends up to 12 feet to help you reach high branches.
- Double locking system ensures the telescopic pole stays in place.
A hand saw doesn’t always cut it (pun intended). To reach those high overgrown branches, you will need a sturdy pole saw, like the Fiskars 393951-1001.
The Fiskars 393951-1001 is the overall best saw for pruning branches, thick or thin, in my opinion. The two-in-one design, featuring a steel pruner and double-ground saw, is brilliant.
Pull the string mechanism to close the pruner on the branches that are up to 1 inch thick. With a saw blade length of 12 inches, it can power through thicker tree limbs. I even used this as a saw for cutting trees throughout my testing. It was by far one of the most effortless tree cutting processes I ever experienced, being second only to pole chainsaws.
The fiberglass pole is strong but lightweight. My arms never got tired, even while holding the tool in the air. Extend the pole up to 12 feet to reach high areas.
The double-lock system, made of a flip-lock and an internal spring button, keeps the extended pole in place.Â
PROS
- 2-in-1 trimming system
- Precision steel pruner
- 12-inch double-ground saw
- Double lock system for safety
- Strong but lightweight
- Extends up to 12 feet
- Full lifetime warranty
CONS
- Pole flexes when extended
Fiskars Garden 394631-1001 Chain Drive Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner – Pole Saw With Best Reach
- Pole saw with the best reach — extends up to 16 feet.
- Chain-drive mechanism provides up to three times more cutting power.
- Double lock system ensures the extended pole stays put.
Not impressed with my previous pick? Here is another Fiskars model with boosted features.
The Fiskars 394631-1001 version has an impressive reach of 16 feet. With such length, you can easily landscape your whole yard without any other hand or bow saw!
The oval-shaped fiberglass and aluminum pole is very lightweight. In fact, while I tested this one out, I noticed that I had much less muscle fatigue afterward. The double-lock system ensures the extended pole doesn’t collapse on you. Thus, it’s one of the safest hand saws for cutting trees I’ve reviewed to date.
The inventive 2-in-1 design lets you prune thin branches and saw thick tree limbs. The sharp pruner with a low-friction coating cuts up to 1.25-inch thick branches.
The chain-drive mechanism gives you three times more tree-cutting strength than traditional models. Â
This model uses a sturdy 15-inch saw blade. This extra-long blade length allows it to effortlessly cut off thick tree limbs. The hook at the end of the hand saw blade prevents it from sliding out of the cutting notch.
PROS
- Practical 2-in-1 design
- Extends up to 16 ft
- Chain drive for 3X more power
- Double locking system
- Hook for better control of the saw blade
- Lightweight handle
- Full lifetime warranty
CONS
- Aluminum pole could be stronger
- Chain drive rope can come off the track
BLACK+DECKER PHS550B 3.4 Amp Powered Handsaw – Best Light-Duty Power Saw
- Best light-duty power saw for indoor and outdoor work.
- Blade changing does not require the use of tools.
- Cuts through wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metal.
Looking for an electric handsaw you can use for light jobs in and around your home?
The Black+Decker PHS550B handsaw is just what you need.
Its 3.4-amp motor runs on electricity, which is pretty convenient. You won’t deal with gas stains and fumes that come with other power tools just to cut an overgrown branch off your apple tree. The 6-foot cord allows you to use the hand saw at home and in the backyard.
With the blade making 4,600 strokes per minute (SPM), I was able to cut through branches, wood composites, and plastic pipes during my testing.
The hand saw comes with a large capacity blade and a metal cutting blade, which you can quickly switch between without using any tools. Store all the parts in the complimentary storage bag.
This power tool is beginner-friendly. Its compact and lightweight design is easy to work with. While I enjoyed testing it out, I’d most likely opt for one of the hand saws I mentioned above, or even a bow saw, for light yard work.
PROS
- Ideal for light work
- 3.4-amp motor makes 4,600 SPM
- Cuts wood, plastic, and metal
- Patented tool-free blade changing
- Compact and lightweight
- 2 blades included
- Storage bag included
- 2-year limited warranty
CONS
- Blade can be difficult to insert
- Poor instruction manual
Buyer’s Guide: How To Buy The Best Saw For Cutting Branches
What Is The Best Tool For Cutting Trees And Tree Branches?
Overgrown branches are a sign that your tree needs trimming, according to anestwithayard.com. But you can’t do this job without a proper tool like a bow saw or hand saws.
There are many different types of saws you can buy for landscaping purposes. The type of saw you buy depends on how you intend to use it.
Do you need to cut thin branches or thick ones? Are they within the reach or high in the treetops?
I compiled this short list below to help you buy the best types of hand saws for cutting trees and branches. Check out my article on other best gardening tools to have.
Pruning Saw
A pruning hand saw is a hand tool ideal for cutting small to medium-sized branches. Blade length can range anywhere from 6 to 14 inches.
I recommend buying a blade with lower Teeth Per Inch (TPI) in the 5 to 10 range. Lower TPI blades cut faster, according to Lowe’s, a home improvement tool retailer. A coarse blade is better for cutting fresh branches and softwood.
I suggest buying a folding saw if you intend to keep it on you. Go for more compact folding hand saws like the one from Fiskars I reviewed.
Pole Saw
Simply put, a pole saw is a pruning saw on an extendable handle. It is designed to reach remote tree branches without the hassle of going up and down a ladder.
I also tend to use it if I cannot get close to the spot where I want to cut because of the overgrown branches.
Find a pole saw tall enough to remove those overgrown branches that can damage your electrical wires before winter comes according to ANestWithAYard. A tool that extends up to 12 feet, will help you minimize this year’s sleet damage.
Check out this demo of a Fiskars pole saw:
Pole Chainsaw
Image credit: flickr.com/photos/charles_hudson
You also have an option to buy a gas or electricity-powered pole chainsaw, to reduce the manual work.
A pole chainsaw is especially a great investment for people who own big properties.
Here is a Sun Joe Pole Chainsaw in action:
Bow Saw
A bow saw has a sharp pull-push blade stretched between both sides of a metal bow. After trying all types of hand saws out, I recommend using a bow saw to cut tree limbs that are up to about a foot thick. They cut faster than hand saws because of the size of their teeth and their shape.
A bow saw is not ideal for cutting between branches. This is where a pruning hand saw shines the best.
Reciprocating Saw
A reciprocating saw is an electric tool that quickly moves the blade back and forth to create a cut. This type of saw is commonly used by construction workers since they cut well through plastic and metal pipes.
I suggest using a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade for landscaping purposes if you want to avoid muscle fatigue.
Features To Look For In A Hand-Pruning Saw
Blade
The tree cutting power of a hand saw depends on the quality of the blade.
I suggest looking for a stainless steel blade because it won’t rust as much as an iron one. The more flexible the blade is, the more trouble you will have controlling it. A rigid blade with just enough give is what you want.
Here are some other blade characteristics to consider:
Triple vs. double ground blade:
Sawteeth ground from all three angles cut more efficiently than those ground from two angles. As I found while testing the hand saws above, triple ground saw blades make smoother cuts than a traditional saw.
​Curved vs. straight blade:
Image credit: gardeningproductsreview.com
I suggest using a straight blade saw to cut branches at the height between your hips and your head. The curved blade feels most natural when pruning branches that are below the belt and above your height.
The curved blade of the Tarvol 14-inch saw aptly follows the arc of the tree limb.
Pull vs. push-pull blade:
Pruning saws that cut on both the push and pull stroke cut fast and aggressively. They remove lots of material with each stroke. You can recognize a pull-push blade by its teeth that point straight down.
If you want to create cleaner and more precise cuts, I suggest opting for a saw that cuts only on the pull stroke. Most pole saws work via this method because it is more practical to cut a high branch with downstrokes.
To recognize this type of blade, look for teeth that point slightly back toward the handle.
Comfort
Comfort is often an overlooked feature of a hand saw. All it takes for a person is one time to work with a rough saw to understand how it affects your performance.
A contoured handle with a rubber grip will protect your palms from the impact of strong push and pull movements. A comfy yet firm handle will reduce hand fatigue and let you work for an extended time. A non-slip grip like on the Mossy Oak Folding Hand Saw that you can find on Amazon will also protect you from accidental injuries.
If you want to ensure optimal comfort, though, I suggest crafting your own personalized saw handles. Here’s how to make custom handles, according to Lee Valley Tools, a woodworking and gardening tool seller that’s been around for 45+ years.
The weight of the hand saw is also important. I recommend buying a lightweight pruning saw because it won’t drain your energy when holding it in the air. You surely don’t want to wake up with a sore neck and arm the next morning.
And The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Branches Is…
It is safe to say that there are lots of different pruning saws you can choose from.
But which one is the best?
In my opinion, the clear winner of this roundup is the Fiskars 393951-1001 pole saw that you can find on Amazon. Using it, you can now reach those high branches that have been bothering you for a couple of seasons.
This model extends up to 12 feet and stays put with a secure double-locking system, unlike any other saw on my list.
Fiskars has revolutionized its pole saws with its 2-in-1 trimming system, featuring a sharp pruner and a curved blade. Cutting different-sized tree limbs has never been this convenient.
If you are not impressed with this model, I suggest opting for its big brother, the Fiskars Garden 394631-1001 also from Amazon.
The other runner-ups worth mentioning are the Tabor Tools TTS32A and the Corona RazorTOOTH hand pruning saws, both from Amazon. They both offer amazing features at a low price and you can’t beat that.
About The Authors
Last update on 2023-10-04 at 18:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API