A quality pruning saw turns a tedious hack into a quick, clean cut. “Pruning saw” covers a huge range, from budget folding models to professional Japanese-steel blades that cost several times more. We’ve compared saws across the price brackets and you don’t need to pay premium money to get something durable. Below are budget, mid-range and premium options for every kind of UK garden job.
How to Choose a Pruning Saw
Folding vs Fixed-Blade
Most gardeners are best served by a folding saw: the blade retracts safely into the handle for storage and transport. Fixed-blade saws (usually supplied with a scabbard or holster) tend to be a little sturdier and better for sustained, heavier cutting, which is why professionals often prefer them, though folders win for convenience and safety in casual use.
Blade Length and Tooth Count
- 130-170mm blade: suits light pruning of branches up to about 5cm thick
- 200-240mm blade: handles limbs of 7-10cm or more
- Tooth count: fewer, larger teeth (6-7 per inch) cut faster through green wood; finer teeth leave a cleaner edge but work slower
For living branches, speed and slight roughness usually matter less than precision finishing, as clean healing depends more on where you cut than on a mirror finish.
Pull-Stroke Cutting
Almost all modern pruning saws, and every saw on this list, cut on the pull stroke rather than the push. That allows a thin, aggressive blade without buckling. Let the tool do the work on the pull and ease off on the return.
Maintenance Note
Quality saws have impulse-hardened teeth that stay sharp for a long time but can’t easily be resharpened at home. Buy a replacement blade when the teeth finally dull. Regular cleaning and a light oiling extend lifespan considerably.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Pruning Saw |
Type |
Best For |
Price |
|
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Folding |
Folding |
Best budget all-rounder |
See card for current price |
|
Draper Expert Folding Saw 210mm |
Folding |
Budget larger-blade option |
See card for current price |
|
Bahco Laplander 396-LAP |
Folding |
Best overall value |
See card for current price |
|
Bahco 384-6T Fixed-Blade |
Fixed |
Heavier, sustained cutting |
See card for current price |
|
Silky Pocketboy 170 |
Folding |
Best mid-range folding |
See card for current price |
|
Felco 600 Folding Saw |
Folding |
Best for precision pruning |
See card for current price |
|
Silky Gomboy 240 |
Folding |
Best for thick branches |
See card for current price |
Prices shift with sales and stock; check the card under each pick for the current Amazon UK price.
Our Top Picks
1. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Folding Pruning Saw – Best Budget All-Rounder
A dependable folding option from a familiar British brand. The 7-inch blade suits general garden work, and the hardened teeth cut green wood efficiently for the money. Features a soft grip and a simple locking mechanism.
Key specs: Spear & Jackson Razorsharp 4960RSA; small folding saw; 7-inch blade; hardened teeth; locking handle.
Pros: – Genuinely inexpensive – Trusted UK brand – Comfortable grip – Cuts cleanly for the price
Cons: – Blade not as durable as pricier options – Lock can loosen after years of heavy use
Best for: Average gardeners pruning shrubs and small trees several times a year.
2. Draper Expert Folding Pruning Saw 210mm – Budget Larger-Blade Option
An affordable option from a long-standing UK tool brand with readily available spares. The longer 210mm blade gives more reach into shrubs than the smallest budget folders, and it’s light enough to keep in the shed or vehicle for occasional jobs.
Key specs: Draper Expert 44993; folding saw; 210mm blade; pull-stroke teeth.
Pros: – Very affordable – Light and compact when folded – Longer blade than the smallest folders
Cons: – Limited performance on branches over 4-5cm – Basic handle and lock
Best for: Occasional users, backup saws, or vehicle storage.
3. Bahco Laplander 396-LAP – Best Overall Value
A cult favourite among gardeners and bushcrafters. The 190mm blade with its XT tooth design cuts both green and dry wood effectively, and the grippy plastic handle performs well when wet. It locks open and closed and has a reputation for surviving years of hard use.
Slightly finer teeth trade some outright speed for cleaner cuts, which suits pruning. This is the sweet spot for most gardens.
Key specs: Bahco 396-LAP Laplander; folding; 190mm blade; XT teeth; dual-component handle; locks open and closed.
Pros: – Superb durability – Cuts green and dead wood well – Comfortable wet-weather grip – Locks open and closed
Cons: – Slightly slower than coarser-toothed alternatives – 190mm blade limits medium-branch capacity
Best for: The widest range of gardeners; affordable yet tough for regular work.
4. Bahco 384-6T Fixed-Blade Pruning Saw – For Heavier, Sustained Cutting
A fixed-blade model with a curved 360mm blade and coarse 6-teeth-per-inch design for rapid cutting through green wood. Steadier and more efficient over long sessions such as clearing overgrown areas or sizing small trees.
Key specs: Bahco 384-6T; fixed blade; 360mm length; 6 TPI; curved blade.
Pros: – Rigid and efficient for sustained cutting – Fast, coarse teeth – Excellent value
Cons: – Fixed blade needs careful storage – Less portable than folders
Best for: Dedicated big jobs and sustained cutting sessions.
5. Silky Pocketboy 170 – Best Mid-Range Folding Saw
A precision-ground Japanese blade that converts users with noticeably faster, smoother cutting than budget alternatives. It cuts cleanly through branches that would take real effort with cheaper tools. The rubberised handle is excellent and the compact fold slips into a jacket pocket.
It needs straight cutting lines to avoid buckling the thin blade, and replacement blades are available as teeth wear.
Key specs: Silky Pocketboy 170; folding; 170mm blade; medium teeth; replaceable blade.
Pros: – Exceptional cutting speed and finish – Excellent handle – Compact – Replaceable blade
Cons: – Noticeably pricier than budget saws – Thin blade can buckle with careless cutting
Best for: Keen gardeners pruning regularly and anyone wanting a superior user experience.
6. Felco 600 Folding Saw – Best for Precision Pruning
Swiss-made precision from the secateurs specialist. A compact, light folder with an aggressive pull-stroke blade that races through green wood. The comfortable grip suits detailed work around branches, and it slips into a back pocket, popular for fruit-tree and ornamental pruning.
Optimised for green wood rather than seasoned timber, and priced accordingly.
Key specs: Felco 600; folding; approx 160mm blade; pull-stroke teeth; Swiss made.
Pros: – Superb on green wood – Light and precise – Excellent grip – Pocketable
Cons: – Premium pricing – Less suited to dry, seasoned wood
Best for: Precise, controlled cuts, fruit-tree and ornamental pruning, and pairing with Felco secateurs.
7. Silky Gomboy 240 – Best for Thick Branches
The extended 240mm curved blade takes larger bites and powers through thicker limbs. It keeps Silky’s trademark cutting quality and folds safely.
The most expensive saw here and more than casual gardeners need, but it excels in larger gardens, orchards and serious hand-powered tree work.
Key specs: Silky Gomboy 240; folding; 240mm curved blade; medium teeth (other tooth grades available); replaceable blade.
Pros: – Cuts thick branches with ease – Excellent build and blade – Tooth options for job-specific selection
Cons: – Most expensive option here – Excessive for light pruning
Best for: Larger gardens, orchards and serious tree work needing efficient thick-branch cutting.
Which Pruning Saw Should You Buy?
The Bahco Laplander is the sweet spot for most UK gardeners: tough, versatile and budget-conscious, and it handles most pruning jobs for years. Budget shoppers should consider the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp, with the Draper Expert as an ultra-cheap backup.
Frequent pruners wanting a premium experience should upgrade to the Silky Pocketboy 170 for everyday use, or the Felco 600 for substantial fruit-tree and ornamental work. Those regularly tackling thick branches will appreciate the Silky Gomboy 240, or the fixed-blade Bahco 384-6T for heavy clearing sessions.
Use an appropriately sized, sharp saw (safer than forcing an undersized one), cut just outside the branch collar, and keep the blade clean and lightly oiled. A pruning saw completes the cutting-tool trio with secateurs and loppers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pruning saw do I need? For general garden pruning, a folding saw with a 150-190mm blade covers most jobs, handling branches up to roughly 7cm. If you regularly cut thicker limbs, choose a 200-240mm blade.
Should a pruning saw cut on the push or pull stroke? Nearly all modern pruning saws cut on the pull stroke, which allows a thin, aggressive blade. Apply pressure drawing toward yourself and ease off on the return.
Can I sharpen a pruning saw blade? Most have impulse-hardened teeth that hold an edge for a long time but can’t practically be sharpened at home. Brands like Silky and Felco offer replacement blades when the teeth eventually wear.
When is the best time to prune in the UK? It depends on the plant. Structural pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs is best from late autumn to late winter while dormant. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after flowering, and check fruit trees individually.
