How to use a pruning saw?

In any pruning activity, saws are one of the tools essential that you must have to do the job effectively and efficiently.

Being such a widely used cutting tool, there are several types of pruning saws designed to facilitate the work, and to provide greater protection to the user.

In this publication we will be detailing the aspects to consider to correctly use a pruning saw.

How does a pruning saw work?

The functional essence of a pruning saw It lies in the teeth of your cutting blade. The most innovative designs of saws have been developed with the aim of optimizing the performance of the tool and make work easier for users.

Today the teeth of a leaf saw They perform the three basic and necessary functions to obtain an efficient and clean cut.

• cut: the tip of each tooth acts as a small knife in charge of cutting the fibers of the wood. These tips are extremely sharp.
• Separation: the lateral edge of the teeth acts as a chisel that shaves the wood fibers.
• Emptied– The throat of the teeth collects the chips and places them outside the cutting area. For this, there is a wide and fine surface in the throat of each tooth.

When the user applies the action of the saw on the wood, its teeth come into action executing an efficient and optimal cut, thanks to its design.

Selecting the type of pruning saw

According to the type of pruning you need to execute, you must choose the saw more suitable so that you can work in an unbeatable way.

• To make extremely fast and light cuts in green wood and thick branches, you must select a saw whose blade has aggressive teeth, and a concave surface that helps minimize friction during work to improve performance.
• If pruning is required to be done quickly in live and green wood or in winter, it is best to select a saw with a blade provided with long teeth with a narrow throat and pointed angles. If the blade is also polished and has a much better conical shape, since this reduces friction and allows a cleaner cut to be obtained.
• To prune any mature and dry wood, it is recommended to have a blade whose set teeth help to eliminate shavings, and which is also tempered to make an efficient cut.

Pruning saw with curved blade

• If you need to carry out pruning on the height of your shoulders, the ideal is that you use a saw with curved blade and aggressive set teeth on the back.
• If pruning must be done at height, then you should consider using a saw that has the appropriate design and can be used with a pole.

General safety aspects of the pruning saw

When using a pruning sawRegardless of its type, a series of security points must be taken into account that must be implemented:

• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from chips or any other external agent.
• You should use safety gloves when you are working with thorny vegetation, or if you are prone to blisters.
• You must also make use of other security elements according to the type of pruning to be carried out.
• You must use saws properly sharpened and in good condition.
• Keep the pruning saw out of the reach of children.
• You must be especially careful with the cutting blade, as it can cause damage.
• Be careful not to bend the saw, this could damage the tool.
• In case the saw It has a cutting blade protector, put it on whenever you are not using it.

How to use the saw for pruning on the ground

This is the type of pruning that is performed without the need for the user to rise to reach the tree, branch or shrub to be pruned.

• First of all, it is essential that you have a good grip on the tool. There are models of saws that offer a handle made of bi-material with a comfortable grip, to facilitate its grip and use. Likewise, some models also have knuckle protection as part of their design, which offers greater safety to the user.

Pruning saw with knuckle guard

• Once the grip of the work instrument has been secured, the cutting blade must be positioned in the area to be pruned. In case you need to hold the piece to be cut with your hand, you must be careful to do it at a safe distance from the saw blade.
• Pruning or cutting is done by continually pushing and pulling the saw, while applying force to the piece to be cut.
• To have greater stability during pruning work, you must place yourself at such a distance from the piece to be cut, which allows you to move your arm freely and comfortably. You should also spread your legs to provide adequate support for your body, and to secure your feet on the ground.
• To perform a correct pruning with a saw, you must begin to make the incision in the lower part of the branch. That is, you must start cutting from the bottom up until you reach an approximate 5cm. cutting, after which you must complete the pruning from above. We proceed in this way since if you make the cut from top to bottom, before finishing, the weight of the branch will cause it to tear without the possibility of obtaining a clean cut.
• In case the branch or piece you are pruning is at ground level (such as a root) or perpendicular to the ground, the latter does not apply.

How to use the saw for height pruning

In the case of pruning at height, additional considerations must be taken to carry out the work properly and safely.

• Once you have selected the appropriate pruning saw, you must proceed to secure the lifting mechanism that you will use to reach the piece to be cut.
• You can use the harness and rope system, ladders or climbers. In either case, you must wear a safety helmet, and have all the corresponding safety tools and instruments.
• Once the desired height is reached, you must position and stabilize your body in such a way that you can exercise the sawing action with total comfort and safety.
• The cutting of the branches should also start from the bottom up, and then from the top down to achieve a clean cut.
• In the case of pruning at height, it is essential that the branch to be cut is secured in such a way that it does not cause damage once it is completely detached.
• The area under the branch to be cut must also be secured and cleared, so that accidents of any kind are not generated.
• It is advisable that the pruning saw is also attached or tied as a safety measure.

Height pruning saw

Pruning saw maintenance

As with any tool pruning or gardening, the saw It deserves a series of care and maintenance that will allow it to extend its useful life.

• After use, you should carefully clean the blade of the saw. You must clear it of any wood residue, leaves, or any other element that may have been embedded between its teeth.
• Periodically you should check the sharpness of the cutting blade and if necessary, you should sharpen it. Depending on the thickness of the blade and the design of its teeth and channels, you can use a file or sandpaper for sharpening. The sandpaper or file They are applied to the side of the blade teeth, and never to the cutting edge as this will damage the blade.
• When after several sharpening, the tool do not regain its cutting capacity, it is time to replace it.
• If the blade is not protected against corrosion, you can apply a thin, acid-free oil coat periodically.
• It is very useful and recommended that the pruning saw have a cover or guard to protect your blade. This helps extend the life of the tool.

Pruning saw with guard

• After completing your work, be sure to store the tool in a clean and dry place.

Considering the information indicated in this publication, you will be able to give a better job and care to your pruning saw for proper, clean cuts.

We present you a video to complement the information on the use of the pruning saw: