The Best Hand Saw for Cutting Trees: Ultimate Reviews and Guide
Contents
- The Best Hand Saws for Cutting Down Trees Are…
- 1. Bahco 10-30-23 : Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Trunks
- 2. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw: Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Limbs
- 3. Fiskars 93516935 Hand Saw: Best Hand Saw For Cutting Small Trees
- 4. Zubat Professional
- Buying Guide
- Design
- Blade Quality
- Tension Adjuster
- Safety Features
- Ease of Changing the Blade
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
Are you having trouble with overgrown hedges, branches, and unwanted trees in the yard? Or is it a camping yard with small trees that needs clearance? You need a hand saw for cutting trees.
A good hand saw handles pruning, limbs and small trees without the noise and fuel of a chainsaw.
Below are four saws for different jobs, from a large bow saw for trunks to a compact folding pruner, plus a buying guide.
OUR TOP PICK
The Bahco 10-30-23 is our top pick. It is a large bow saw with a tensioned blade that cuts small trunks and thick limbs quickly.
The Best Hand Saws for Cutting Down Trees Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bahco 10-30-23 | 1. Bahco 10-30-23 Top Pick | - Dimensions: 1.2 x 34.8 x 10.2 inches - Saw length: 30 inches - Material: Steel | Check Current Price |
| 2. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | 2. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | - Weight: 12.8 ounces - Dimensions: 1 x 2.7 x 12 inches - Blade length: 10 inches - Blade material: Chrome-plated steel | Check Current Price |
| 3. Fiskars 93516935 Hand Saw | 3. Fiskars 93516935 Hand Saw | - Weight: 8 ounces - Dimensions: 11 x 1 x 3 inches - Blade size: 7 inches - Blade material: Hardened steel | Check Current Price |
| 4. Zubat Professional | 4. Zubat Professional | - Weight: about 1 pound - Blade length: 13 inches - 6.4 teeth per inch - Material: Chrome-plated Japanese steel | Check Current Price |
1. Bahco 10-30-23 : Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Trunks
The Bahco 10-30-23 is a 30-inch bow saw, the size the model number refers to. A long bow saw is the fastest hand tool for small trunks and thick limbs, in green or dry wood.
Its frame narrows toward the nose, which helps it reach into tight forks.
The tubular steel frame is light for its size and painted to resist rust.
The teeth are hardened for long life, and a tensioning lever keeps the blade tight. A tight blade cuts straighter and is less likely to bind.
Specs
- Dimensions: 1.2 x 34.8 x 10.2 inches
- Saw length: 30 inches
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Fastest hand saw here for trunks
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Changing the blade is easy and fast
Cons
- It is huge
- Frame limits the diameter you can cut
2. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw: Best Hand Saw For Cutting Tree Limbs
For pruning tree limbs, the Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw is a strong choice.
Its 10-inch curved blade pulls itself into the cut, which helps on overhead and hard-to-reach limbs. The blade folds into the handle for safe carrying.
The coarse, impulse-hardened teeth cut green branches quickly and stay sharp for several seasons.
Specs
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 2.7 x 12 inches
- Blade length: 10 inches
- Blade material: Chrome-plated steel
Pros
- Comes with an ergonomic design
- Uses three-sided razor teeth for efficient cutting
- Cuts on both push and pull strokes
Cons
- The blade gets loose easily
3. Fiskars 93516935 Hand Saw: Best Hand Saw For Cutting Small Trees
Most gardeners know Fiskars. The Fiskars 93516935 is an affordable 7-inch folding saw for small branches and saplings.
The hardened steel blade holds an edge well, though a 7-inch blade is best kept to branches a few inches thick.
The rubberized handle is comfortable, and the blade folds into the handle and locks, so you can carry it safely.
Specs
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Dimensions: 11 x 1 x 3 inches
- Blade size: 7 inches
- Blade material: Hardened steel
Pros
- Clean cuts on small branches
- Foldable and easy to carry around
- Affordable
Cons
- The joint makes the saw less rigid
- Short blade limits it to small wood
4. Zubat Professional
For heavier pruning, this Zubat Professional hand saw from Silky is an arborist favorite. It is a fixed curved saw, not a folding one.
The 13-inch (330 mm) blade is chrome plated and taper ground, with about 6.4 teeth per inch, per Silky's Zubat 330 page.
The teeth are induction hardened with a triple-edge, non-set design that cuts fast with little effort.
The handle of the saw is made from molded rubber that makes it pretty comfortable to use when cutting trees in the garden. It comes with a pivoting sheath that locks the saw in place and a detachable belt holder so that you can attach it to your belt and easily carry it around for tree cutting in the backyard or campsite.
Specs
- Weight: about 1 pound (465 g)
- Blade length: 13 inches
- 6.4 teeth per inch
- Material: Chrome-plated Japanese steel
Pros
- Fast-cutting triple-edge teeth
- Designed with an ergonomic handle
- Light and easy to use
- Limited lifetime warranty against defects
Cons
- You cannot use the handle with both hands
Buying Guide
Here are the main factors to look for:
Design
A good saw should come with an ergonomic design that allows you to work comfortably without getting fatigued fast.
Look for non-slip handles and light construction. Bow saws suit trunks and logs, while curved pruning saws suit limbs.
Blade Quality
The blade of a hand saw will determine how fast you will be able to cut down a tree. Choose hardened steel teeth for durability. Coarse teeth clear sawdust from green wood faster, and a blade that is longer than the wood is thick lets you take full strokes.
Tension Adjuster
On a bow saw, a tight blade cuts straighter and binds less. Look for a tensioning lever that is easy to set.
Safety Features
A good hand saw for cutting trees should have an excellent grip. If your saw lacks this, there is a danger of slipping and causing injuries. It should also come with a protective sheath for safe storage. If it is a foldable model, the blade should lock both open and closed.
Hand saws are for small trees only. Felling a larger tree, or any tree near a house or power line, is a job for a professional; OSHA's tree care page explains the falling-object and electrical hazards. Wear eye protection and gloves, and plan an escape path before a tree comes down.
Ease of Changing the Blade
Blades wear out, so a saw with affordable replacement blades and a quick blade change lasts longer.
Final Thoughts
Pick the saw for the job: a bow saw for trunks, a curved pruning saw for limbs and a folding saw for light work.
Our top pick is the Bahco 10-30-23 because its 30-inch tensioned blade cuts small trunks and big limbs fastest.
Sources
- Silky Zubat Professional 330 Hand Saw, Silky Saws
- Tree Care Industry, OSHA
