How to Choose the Best Manual Pole Saw for You In 2020 and Reviews

F5 Home Center is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

The best manual pole saw is a practical tool for cutting or pruning branches of your trees. Just like a table saw for beginners, a manual pole saw will allow you to control your trimming process when you are just beginning to do your gardening.

Garden and lawn care are fast becoming popular these days. If you love to prune the trees around your property, a versatile and sturdy manual pole saw will help you cut down branches that are high above the ground.

More...

Top 3 Manual Pole Saws: A Comparison Chart

Editor's Choice
Fiskars Power-Lever® Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange*
Fiskars Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner with Double Locking System - Lawn and Garden Tools -...*
Best Selling
DOCAZOO, Pole Saw for Tree Trimming - 5-12 Ft Tree Pruner w/Telescoping Extension Pole & GoSaw For...*
Title
Fiskars Power-Lever® Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange*
Fiskars Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner with Double Locking System - Lawn and Garden Tools -...*
DOCAZOO, Pole Saw for Tree Trimming - 5-12 Ft Tree Pruner w/Telescoping Extension Pole & GoSaw For...*
Price
$59.98
$48.43
$59.99
Prime
Customer's Rating
Editor's Choice
Fiskars Power-Lever® Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange*
Title
Fiskars Power-Lever® Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange*
Price
$59.98
Prime
Customer's Rating
Fiskars Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner with Double Locking System - Lawn and Garden Tools -...*
Title
Fiskars Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner with Double Locking System - Lawn and Garden Tools -...*
Price
$48.43
Prime
Customer's Rating
Best Selling
DOCAZOO, Pole Saw for Tree Trimming - 5-12 Ft Tree Pruner w/Telescoping Extension Pole & GoSaw For...*
Title
DOCAZOO, Pole Saw for Tree Trimming - 5-12 Ft Tree Pruner w/Telescoping Extension Pole & GoSaw For...*
Price
$59.99
Prime
Customer's Rating

Benefits of Manual Pole Saws

You may be wondering why it is better to buy a manual pole saw instead of one driven by batteries or gas.

  • Lightweigh: It only includes a stick and a saw.
  • Length of the Pole: It comes with an extension length. Some manual pole saws have extension lengths of up to 20 feet.
  • Good for your Health: This tool is a great choice if you do not have time for regular workouts.
  • Easy to Maintain: It does not include chainsaws, gas cylinders, or batteries that require regular maintenance. Sharpening the blade is the only required maintenance.
  • Affordable: It only includes a traditional saw making it cheaper.

Manual pole saws are available in various lengths, designs and, materials. They, however, have the same function: to saw medium branches or to prune small branches at a height unreachable by regular saws.

Top 5 Best Manual Pole Saw In 2020 and Reviews

Fiskars 393981-1001 502999 14' Extend Tree Pruner

The Fiskars 393981-1001 502999 Extend Tree Pruner is extendable. It is equipped with the Fiskar Power-Lever Technology allowing it to easily cut through most limbs.

Features

  • 7 feet pole length and extendable up to 14 feet.
  • Lightweight at only 5.35 pounds.
  • Pole comes in a fiberglass material.
  • It comes in an oval shape to minimize flexing when extended and for full control of the cutting direction.
  • It comes with a double locking system making the pole is sturdy and remains extended even when extended to its full length.
  • It features a steel pruner for easy cutting and pruning of small branches as well as a larger saw for cutting large and thick branches.
  • Its Power-Lever Technology offers twice the pruning energy.

PROS

  • Great for trimming small and large trees
  • Lightweight and extendable
  • Comes with pruning function
  • Easy to control cutting direction
  • High-quality blade
  • Equipped with Power-Lever Technology
  • Easy to use and clean

CONS

  • Not so powerful
  • Not so lightweight

The Fiskars 393981-1001 502999 Extend Tree Pruner is ideal for both home and professional use.

Its ground-steel pruner can cut branches of up to 1-1/8 inch thick and its 15-inch Wooszig saw is ideal for cutting large branches.


Fiskars 12 Foot Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner

The Fiskars 393951-1001 Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner can cut branches at height.

It features two cutting systems: the steel pruner that can cut 1-inch thick branches and the 12-inch double grind saw which can cut thicker branches.

Features

  • Has up to 12-feet extendable reach
  • Lightweight at 4.3 pounds
  • Made from fiberglass materials
  • Comes with a steel pruner and saw
  • Features a secure locking system ensuring the extended pole remains in place

PROS

  • Made from lightweight fiberglass
  • Comes with a double-locking mechanism
  • Features 2 cutting options
  • Easy to handle and simple to use

CONS

  • Produces slanted cuts
  • Difficult to grasp handle

The Fiskars 393951-1001 Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner comes with a lifetime warranty and is great for cutting very thin branches.


DocaPole 5-12 Foot Pole Pruning Saw

The DocaPole 5-12 Foot Pole Pruning Saw is a lightweight manual pole that can be used for pruning low and high branches.

It has a reach of 5 feet and extendable up to 12 feet. When used in a standing position, the pole saw has a maximum reach of up to 17 feet.

Features

  • Between 5 to 12 feet reach
  • Lightweight at 3.67 pounds
  • Features the 12 Foot DocaPole and GoSaw
  • Comes with a 13-inch razor-sharp blade with a bi-directional tooth design
  • Aluminum telescoping pole with standard ACME-threaded metal tip for use with a variety of attachments

PROS

  • Lightweight and well-built
  • Good quality saw that can cut through branches and limbs just like any saw
  • It can extend longer than 20 feet
  • Easy to handle

CONS

  • You cannot apply too much pressure when using it at full length

The curved-ended blade of the DocaPole 5-12 Foot Pole Pruning Saw allows it to deeply cut through branches.


Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw with Wrist Lanyard and Sling

The Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw comes with a compact design. It is only 28 inches and comes with a sling and wrist lanyard. When in use it can extend to up to 10 feet.

When you need to use the pole, the saw slides and locks into the extension arm. When you only need the handsaw, you can detach the pole.

Features

  • Comes with a 28-inch compact size and poles which can extend to up to 10 feet
  • 12-inch curved blade
  • Lightweight at 2.95 pounds
  • Features an I-beam aluminum construction
  • Extension pole is equipped with a locking system to keep it in place
  • Blade is of high-carbon SK5 steel with 4-edge MegaBite XP design for superior cutting function
  • Comes with sling and wrist lanyard

Pros

  • Allows hand-sawing and cutting at height
  • 12-inch curved blade
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Extremely sharp blade
  • Comes with sling and wrist lanyard

Cons

  • Some users say it is not easy to collapse to 28 inches
  • Not too durable handle

The Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw comes with superior durability and cutting performance. 

The accompanying sling and wrist lanyard makes it idea ideal when you go camping and trimming hunting.


SILKY New Professional Series 179-39 Telescopic Landscaping Pole Saw

The Silky New Professional Series 179-39 Pole Saw comes with an aluminum pole. It is lightweight yet strong enough for industrial and heavy-duty applications.

It is equipped with a high-quality blade that easily saws branches. It comes with a telescopic and long pole for a wide range of applications.

Features

  • Comes with 8 feet to up to 21 feet reach
  • Lightweight at 6.9 pounds
  • Features an aluminum and rubber pole
  • Includes a high-carbon metal blade with 5.5 teeth per inch configuration.
  • 15-2/5 inches sickle blade can handle a 26-feet work area
  • 4-section pole saw including the handle.
  • Telescopic and long-sized pole saw

Pros

  • Extendable up to 21 feet
  • Ergonomic design
  • Easy to remove blade
  • Silky 4-RETSUME blade with 4-rows of teeth
  • Long telescopic pole with 26 feet maximum work area
  • Durable blade with scabbard and hook
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver

Cons

  • Quite expensive

The Silky New Professional Series 179-39 Pole Saw is great for landscaping, orchard and park maintenance, forestry operations as well as for your overhead landscaping needs.


How to Use a Manual Pole Saw?

A manual pole saw is lightweight thus it is easy to use and maneuver for all your overhead landscaping requirements.

  • Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws of the manual pole saw are tight.
  • Check that the locking system of the manual pole saw operates normally.
  • Cordon off the area and clear it of ant tripping hazards so you can move freely.
  • Plan where you will cut. You usually need to reduce the weight of a branch before cutting so preliminary cuts need to be done. It is best to make horizontal cuts, if possible.
  • Holding the pole with both hands, bring the pole to a vertical position. Make sure you are in full control of the weight of the pole saw.
  • Position the pole saw on the cutting spot. Allow the pole to rest on the branch.
  • Move to a spot where you can hold the pole saw at chest level. Make sure you are standing at the side of the limb and not below it. This means you will be cutting at an angle and not up and down. You can also do this by extending the length of the pole saw.
  • Start cutting. Start slow making sure your first strokes bite in. This can be done by cutting perpendicular to the branch. Your goal is to create a groove in the branch to serve as a guide when you make faster strokes. If you are cutting a sloped branch, your saw may slip sideways. That is expected and all you need to do is reposition the saw.
  • Continue cutting. You can make faster strikes when your saw is already secured in the groove.
  • Keep a close watch on the branch so you can immediately retreat if you need to when the branch is about to fall off.
  • When you are done cutting, clean the area before you proceed to the next cut to make sure you do not trip on anything.
  • Clean the outer part of the pole saw as well as the portion under the protective cover when you are completely done.
  • Return your pole saw to its storage bag

After every few cutting jobs of inspect your pole saw to make sure everything is in order.

Conclusion

Most manual pole saws have similar features – they are lightweight, extendable, and come with multiple cutting options. The Fiskars 393981-1001 502999 Extend Tree Pruner, however, is the best manual pole saw in this group.

This manual pole saw comes with the Its Power-Lever Technology for more pruning power. It also comes with a double-locking mechanism to make sure the pole remains extended while in use.

It is ideal for cutting and pruning your garden. It is also great for professional use.

Sale
Fiskars Power-Lever® Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange*
  • SHOWER ROD WILL NEVER RUST: Strong, lightweight aluminum construction makes this rod guaranteed rustproof
  • MADE ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER STALL-SIZED SHOWER SPACES: Adjustable-length tension rod fits in any standard shower stall spaces (adjusts from 30 to 43 inches) with no cutting required
  • EASY TO INSTALL IN JUST 2 STEPS: No drilling, no tools and no damage to walls
  • LIFETIME GUARANTEE AGAINST RUST, AND LOOKS GREAT TOO: White finish fits well with almost any bath décor; rod includes color-matched end caps
  • NOT JUST FOR YOUR SHOWER: Rod also can be used to hang curtains in windows, or for closet storage or as a room divider

Leave a Comment