There are a number of pruning saws designed for various tasks, such as Grecian (curved) saws for working in a confined area and bow saws for larger, exposed branches. If you tend to carry out a lot of pruning, you may need to invest in several saws to suit each particular task. However, a general purpose or a Grecian saw are both good general tools for most gardeners.

All saws should have heat-treated, hardpoint teeth; these are tougher and stay sharper for longer than regular saw blades. However, they must be sharpened regularly to remain fully effective.

Bow Pruning Saw

This lightweight saw has a thin, toothed blade attached at each end to a curved metal handle with a grip at one end. It is useful for cutting fallen branches quickly and efficiently; however, it is too large to use in a confined space.

Double Edged Pruning Saw

Useful for cutting larger branches, this model offers a choice of coarse teeth on one edge, fine teeth on the other. However, this can make it difficult to use in confined spaces, where the upper teeth may damage nearby branches.

General Purpose Pruning Saw

A general-purpose pruning saw will be sufficient for most gardeners' needs. Its small blade, usually no more than 45 cm (18 in) long, allows it to be used even at awkward angles or in restricted spaces.

Grecian Saw

This saw has a curved blade that cuts on the pull stroke only. As it is easier to apply pressure to a pull than a push when working in a restricted space, this makes this saw particularly useful for pruning in a tight area.

Folding Saw

This compact model allows the blade to fold into the handle and comes equipped with a latch to prevent it from folding whilst you're using it. However, it is not particularly strong and so is only suitable for small branches.