How to Choose the Best Pruning Saw for Your UK Garden — Complete Guide
How to Choose the Best Pruning Saw for Your UK Garden — Complete Guide
- A pruning saw is essential when branches exceed 25mm — secateurs and loppers can't handle thicker wood
- Folding saws are safer and more portable; fixed-blade saws offer greater stability for heavy use
- Curved blades cut faster on green wood; straight blades excel at precise, controlled cuts
- Our top pick: Bahco 396-LAP Laplander — the best all-rounder at an unbeatable price
- Saw maintenance is simple: clean after use, dry thoroughly, and oil the blade occasionally
Suggested Reading: Bypass vs Anvil Secateurs Guide · Best Hedge Shears & Loppers
Every gardener reaches a point where secateurs just aren't enough. That overgrown apple branch, the thick limb on your lilac, the deadwood that's been sitting too long — that's when you reach for a pruning saw.
But choosing the right pruning saw can be overwhelming. There are folding and fixed-blade models, curved and straight blades, Japanese impulse-hardened teeth and Swedish carbon steel. The wrong choice leaves you fighting the tool instead of the branch.
After comparing the most popular pruning saws available in the UK — from the budget-friendly Spear & Jackson Razorsharp to the professional-grade Felco 600 — we've put together this complete guide to help you choose the perfect saw for your garden.
Why You Need a Pruning Saw
Secateurs handle stems up to about 25mm diameter. Loppers stretch to 40-50mm. Beyond that, you're fighting the tool — crushing the stem instead of cutting cleanly, damaging the plant, and risking injury when the branch twists unexpectedly.
A pruning saw cuts cleanly through branches from 25mm up to 150mm or more, depending on the blade length and tooth design. The clean cut heals faster, reducing the risk of disease entering the wound. For fruit trees, roses, shrub borders, and tree maintenance, a pruning saw isn't a luxury — it's a necessity.
In a UK summer pruning routine, you'll use your saw on fruit trees after cropping, on overgrown shrubs, and for removing dead or diseased branches. Having the right saw makes these jobs quicker, safer, and less physically demanding.
Folding vs Fixed-Blade Pruning Saws
The first big decision: does your blade fold into the handle or stay fixed?
Folding Pruning Saws
Folding saws are the most popular choice for UK gardeners, and all five of our recommended models are folding designs. The blade folds safely into the handle when not in use — no sheath required, no accidental cuts when reaching into your tool bag. They're compact enough to slip into a pocket or apron and ideal for moving around the garden.
The trade-off: folding mechanisms can wear over time, and the blade length is usually shorter than a fixed saw of the same overall size. Quality saws like the Felco 600 and Silky Gomboy 240 use robust locking mechanisms that stay secure for years.
Fixed-Blade Pruning Saws
Fixed-blade saws offer greater blade stability and typically longer blades (up to 400mm+). They're better for heavy pruning of large branches and tree work. The downsides: you need a sheath for safe carrying, and they're bulkier to store and transport.
For most home gardeners, a folding saw is the right choice. If you're regularly felling small trees or cutting large limbs, consider a fixed-blade as a specialist addition to your kit.
Curved vs Straight Blades
The blade shape dramatically affects cutting performance, and this is where many gardeners get it wrong.
Curved Blades (Best for Green Wood)
Curved blades, like the one on the Silky Gomboy 240, are designed for cutting live, green wood. The curve concentrates the cutting force on a smaller contact area, allowing the teeth to bite deeper and cut faster. They're ideal for pruning fruit trees, cutting fresh branches, and general garden maintenance during the growing season.
Straight Blades (Best for Precision)
Straight blades excel at controlled, precise cuts. They're better for dead wood, dry branches, and situations where you need a flat cut (like preparing a branch for grafting). The Felco 600 and ARS 210DX use straight blades for this reason. If you do a mix of pruning work, a straight blade with aggressive tooth geometry is a good compromise.
Teeth Per Inch (TPI) — What It Means
The tooth count determines how the saw cuts:
- 4-6 TPI (coarse): Fast, aggressive cuts. Best for green wood and soft branches. The large gullets between teeth clear sawdust efficiently. The ARS 210DX uses a 4mm tooth pitch (roughly 6 TPI) for fast cutting.
- 7-8 TPI (medium): The sweet spot for general pruning. Cuts quickly but leaves a reasonably smooth finish. The Bahco Laplander (7 TPI) and Silky Gomboy (8.5 TPI) fall in this range.
- 9-11 TPI (fine): Slower, smoother cuts. Better for dry wood, hard wood, and precision work. Less likely to tear the bark on the exit stroke.
For a first pruning saw, choose medium TPI (7-8). It handles the widest range of garden pruning tasks.
Handle & Ergonomics
You'll be holding your pruning saw for extended periods, especially during a heavy pruning session. Handle design matters more than most gardeners realise.
Look for:
- Two-component handles — a hard plastic core with a rubberised or soft-touch grip layer. The Bahco Laplander and Spear & Jackson Razorsharp both use this design for comfort and control.
- Non-slip texture — essential when your hands are sweaty or the wood is wet.
- Secure locking mechanism — the blade must lock firmly open and closed. No wobble.
- Wrist strap or lanyard hole — useful when working up a ladder or in a tree.
The Felco 600 has one of the most comfortable handles in the comparison, with a contoured grip that fills the hand naturally. The Silky Gomboy 240 uses a rounded handle that works well for different grip angles.
Pull vs Push Stroke — Which Is Better?
Most folding pruning saws cut on the pull stroke. This is by design: pulling puts less strain on your shoulder and allows a thinner blade that won't buckle. The Felco 600 is a classic pull-stroke saw, and its thin blade leaves minimal kerf (cut width).
Some saws, like the Bahco Laplander, are designed to cut on both push and pull strokes. The XT toothing geometry cuts aggressively in both directions, making it faster for rough work but slightly harder to control for precise cuts.
For home gardeners, a pull-stroke saw is generally easier to use. The natural motion is more intuitive, and you're less likely to over-cut or damage adjacent growth.
Our Top Pruning Saw Recommendations
Felco 600 Folding Pruning Saw
£26.99–55 · 120mm blade · pull-stroke · 390g · Swiss-made
The Felco 600 is the gold standard for gardeners who want one pruning saw that will last a lifetime. The pull-stroke design makes cutting effortless — the saw does the work, not your arm. It's light enough to carry in a pocket but robust enough to handle branches up to 60mm. If you own Felco secateurs, this is the natural companion.
- Exceptional Swiss build quality
- Smooth pull-stroke cuts with minimal effort
- Comfortable non-slip handle
- Replacement blades readily available
- Premium price point
- Blade shorter than some competitors
- No curved blade option
Silky Gomboy 240 Folding Landscaping Saw
£50–65 · 240mm blade · 8.5 TPI · 285g · Japanese steel
The Silky Gomboy 240 is the best-selling folding saw from Japan's finest saw maker — and for good reason. The curved blade with impulse-hardened teeth glides through green wood like butter. It's a favourite among arborists, landscapers, and serious gardeners who regularly tackle medium to large branches. The multiple locking positions let you adjust the angle for flush cuts against tree trunks.
- Razor-sharp Japanese impulse-hardened teeth
- Curved blade cuts faster on green wood
- Multiple locking positions for flush cuts
- Outstanding value for professional-grade quality
- More expensive than mid-range options
- Curved blade less suited to precise straight cuts
- Blade is fixed — can't swap without tools
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Pruning Saw
£18–25 · 190mm blade · 7 TPI · 220g · Swedish steel
The Bahco Laplander is quite simply the best value pruning saw on the market. It's been issued to NATO forces and endorsed by Ray Mears for bushcraft, yet it's affordable enough for any home gardener. The coated blade resists rust, and the XT toothing cuts aggressively on both the push and pull stroke. For most UK gardeners tackling routine pruning, this is all the saw you'll ever need.
- Brilliant value for money
- NATO-issued — built for rugged use
- Cuts both green and dry wood effectively
- Lightweight and compact with leather wrist strap
- Blade shorter than premium options
- Basic two-component handle — less ergonomic than Felco
- Not ideal for very thick branches over 50mm
ARS 210DX Turbo Cut Folding Pruning Saw
£23.95–30 · 350mm blade · 4mm tooth pitch · 210g · Japanese steel
The ARS 210DX brings Japanese precision engineering to your pruning kit. The impulse-hardened teeth with Turbo Cut design stay sharp up to three times longer than standard blades, making it ideal for gardeners who prune frequently. The taper-ground blade reduces binding and friction, giving you cleaner cuts that heal faster. It's lighter than the Felco 600 while offering a longer blade reach.
- Turbo Cut teeth stay sharp 3x longer
- Lightweight at just 210g
- Taper-ground blade reduces friction
- Excellent for precision pruning
- Straight blade only — no curved option
- Handle could be more ergonomic
- Not as widely available in UK garden centres
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Small Folding Pruning Saw
£13.24–12 · 178mm blade · 7 TPI · carbon steel · Sheffield-made
Spear & Jackson have been making garden tools in Sheffield since 1760, and the Razorsharp shows why they're still going strong. For under a tenner, you get a genuinely capable pruning saw with hollow-ground teeth and a comfortable handle. It won't last as long as a Felco or cut as fast as a Silky, but for the occasional pruner who needs to tackle the odd overgrown branch, it's unbeatable value.
- Incredible value under £10
- Hollow-ground precision teeth cut cleanly
- Non-slip comfort grip handle
- Compact and easy to carry
- Carbon steel blade can rust if not dried
- Shorter blade limits branch size
- Not as durable as premium options for heavy use
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Rating | Blade | TPI | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felco 600 | £26.99-55 | 4.7 | 120mm straight | ~10 TPI | Premium quality |
| Silky Gomboy 240 | £50-65 | 4.8 | 240mm curved | 8.5 TPI | Fast green wood cuts |
| Bahco Laplander | £18-25 | 4.6 | 190mm straight | 7 TPI | Best all-rounder |
| ARS 210DX | £23.95-30 | 4.5 | 350mm straight | ~6 TPI | Professional pruning |
| Spear & Jackson Razorsharp | £13.24-12 | 4.3 | 178mm straight | 7 TPI | Budget-friendly |
How to Maintain Your Pruning Saw
A well-maintained pruning saw lasts for years. Here's how to keep yours in top condition:
- Clean after every use — sap and resin build up on the blade, reducing cutting efficiency. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. A stiff brush helps remove stubborn sap from tooth gullets.
- Dry immediately — especially important for carbon steel blades like the Spear & Jackson. Rust destroys a blade's cutting edge within days.
- Oil the blade — a light coating of WD-40 or camellia oil (traditional for Japanese saws) prevents rust and reduces friction. Wipe off excess before use.
- Check the lock mechanism — folding saws rely on a secure lock. If it feels loose or doesn't click into place firmly, stop using it.
- Sharpen or replace — impulse-hardened teeth (Silky, ARS) can't be sharpened at home — buy replacement blades. Steel blades like the Felco 600 can be sharpened with a diamond file when they dull.
For a deeper look at keeping all your cutting tools in shape, see our complete guide to cleaning and sharpening garden tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
After comparing all five pruning saws for UK garden conditions, here's our recommendation:
For most gardeners, the Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is the best choice. It cuts both green and dry wood effectively, costs under £25, and has proven its durability from the British countryside to NATO operations. It's the best value pruning saw money can buy.
If you prune regularly and want premium performance, the Felco 600 justifies its price with Swiss build quality that will last a lifetime. For fast cuts on green wood, the Silky Gomboy 240 is in a league of its own.
Whichever you choose, a good pruning saw will transform your pruning tasks from a struggle into a pleasure. Pair it with quality gardening gloves and reliable secateurs, and you have the foundation of a well-equipped UK garden toolkit.
See our essential garden hand tools guide for the full list of what every UK gardener needs.
Sam Baker writes about garden tools and equipment for MyLushGarden, comparing products on specs, owner feedback and market research.
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Last reviewed: July 17, 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links