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5 Best Manual Pole Saws (Pole Pruners) of 2022 – Buying Guide & Reviews

lady using manual pole saw

Are you a gardener or someone who likes to spend time pruning and tending to trees around your property? Then you definitely need a sturdy, versatile, and high-quality saw to cut down overhead branches. These manual pole saws are extremely useful for chopping and trimming plant leaves high above the ground especially when they come with an extension pole.

You know the best thing about manual pole is you don’t need to mess with oil, gas or battery.

However, there are numerous options available in the market, and choosing the best manual pole saw that suits your individual needs can be a daunting task. To help you along, we’ve read 100’s of manual pole saw reviews and spent 60 hours to give you an overview of the top choices available on the market. We’ve also discussed the various pole saw features, specifications, and ratings you need to consider while buying one.

Our 5 Favorite Manual Pole Saws Comparison

Model
Weight
Ratings
#1. Silky Telescopic 179-39
Silky Telescopic 179-39
Editor's Choice

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6.8 lbs



4.9/5
#2. Jameson LS-6PKG-6 LS-Series

Jameson LS-6PKG-6 LS-Series

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8 lbs



4.6/5
#3. Fiskars 93016059J
Fiskars 93016059J
Value for Money

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5.8 lbs



4.5/5
#4. DocaPole

DocaPole

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5.7 lbs



4.3/5
#5. Fiskars 393951-1001

Fiskars 393951-1001

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4.3 lbs



3.9/5

5 Best Manual Pole Saws – Reviews


1. Silky 179-39 Telescoping Landscaping Pole Saw – Editor’s Choice

Silky 179-39

This Telescopic landscaping manual pole saw is a popular model used all around the world, for good reason. We were impressed by its excellent reach to reach from 8 to 21 feet extension, the whole working distance is around 26 feet. The blade is made from high carbon steel metal with thickness having 1.5 mm and a teeth configuration of 5.5 teeth per inch.

The saw has an operating weight of 6.9 pounds with a manual pole made from lightweight aluminum while weight with blade cover made from aluminum & rubber, its weight increases to 7.3 pounds.

This Silky New 179-39 pole saw has a number of features to help you landscape your garden. The over shaped extension pole provides precise control over blade direction while cutting at heights. There is a shock absorber also given at the end of the base pole which gives you good control. The curved blade of 15-2/5-inch is ideal for the toughest pruning jobs. You can also adjust the blade at 2 different angles to cut high branches. There is a rigid-plastic blade cover also included. There are 2 pole lock mechanisms primary and secondary are also provided by which you can extend the pole to 21 feet away

Sure, it’s a little steep in terms of price, but ultimately, we felt happy to pay for this level of quality and consider this a worthwhile investment for a tool that will last a lifetime. Whether you work in forestry or spend time landscaping your garden or neighborhood, it will make your tasks enjoyable for you. It’s an excellent high-quality pole saw with ample desirable features, hence why we recommend it at the very top of our list.

Pros
  • Long 26 foot reach
  • Lightweight aluminium
  • Comfortable rubber handle
  • Easily removable blade head
  • Saw blade cuts very quickly
Cons
  • Top end of budget

2. Jameson LS-6PKG-6 LS-Series Landscaper Pole Saw – Runner-up

Jameson LS-6PKG-6 LS-Series

This manual pole saw from Jameson comes in 3 versatile pole systems of 6 inch each & can be extended to a length of 18 feet in total. We found this pole be long enough for all our gardening and pruning needs. It comes included with aluminum ferrules with an external leaf spring locking button to give you extra safety and comfort. It is best for heavy-duty pruning.

We are also impressed that Jameson LS-6PKG-6 comes with a 16″ barracuda tri-cut saw blade for quick and cleaner cuts which can be replaced with another 13-inch Jameson blade – making it versatile and multi-purpose for all types of cutting you encounter.

This good-quality pole saw is heavyweight which made pruning and cutting easier faster. It coped very well with tougher and more heavy-duty jobs, making it a perfect choice for thick branches.

This model is not as much ergonomic of designs as we have thought but still a good pole to take down dead and unwanted limbs in your yard. It feely bulky if you use all the 3 poles that come with it. The 3 poles were difficult to manage and the length and weight increases. Overall, the saw is not all that bad. It is durable and sharp enough to use heavy-duty commercial applications.

Pros
  • Extendable Pole with long reach
  • Versatile with changeable blade
  • Strong and durable
  • Blade cuts fast
Cons
  • Heavy than other options
  • Handle lacks rubber grip

3. Fiskars 14 Foot Power-Lever Extendable Tree Pruner – Best for the Money

Fiskars 93016059J

If you’re looking for value for money manual pole saw then this Fiskars 14 foot pruner will not disappoint. The 15-inch rust-resistant 15” Woodzig blade made our pruning tasks much easier. The blade also has a special coating that prevented any tree sap or other residues from impeding its cutting capacity.

We also liked the ‘power-lever technology’ which doubled its cutting power and meant we could get tough jobs finished quickly. For the blade quality alone we really think this one deserves to be 3rd in line for our top 5 picks.

In terms of material, the manual pole on this Fiskars 93016059J saw is made from fiberglass, which makes it durable and lightweight. So, if you’re someone who tires easily from carrying and working with heavy tools, then this is an obvious plus. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, which we feel is always a good sign that the manufacturers truly believe in the product.

Unfortunately, at 14 feet pole length, this tree pruner isn’t as extendable as the Silky model in the first place. However, it is still a long distance for most work you may need to do. While the blade has commendable features, we found it does struggle cutting some thicker branches. Despite this, we still think it is excellent value for money and is a great choice for work around your home and garden.

Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Pole extends to 14 feet
  • Very sharp tree pruner & saw blade with a cutting capacity of 1-1/2 inch diameter
  • Pulley mechanism reduces the effort to make cuts
Cons
  • Cutting limitations

4. DocaPole 6-24 Foot Pole Pruning Saw

DocaPole 6-24 Foot

This manual pole saw by Doca is a great choice for garden tasks. It comes fully assembled, which will make it easy to use if you are a novice. It comes as a dual-use one to use as a pole for higher branches and second to use as a hand-held saw for grooming low branches.

With the extended pole, the 24-foot length is generous enough for you to easily reach the tops of garden trees and reaches up to 30 feet when used standing. The razor-sharp 13-inch bi-directional blade with 3-sided taper-ground teeth is quite effective to work on any wood sawing job which makes it great for pruning at awkward spots. The blade is made from rust-free chrome plating which makes it to work for a long time.

It weighs only 5.7 pounds as the manual pole is made from aluminum which makes it extremely light and easy to use. Unfortunately, though, we also found it to be a little flimsy. The locks that hold the pole in place aren’t the best, which meant the pole isn’t very sturdy when we were using it above our heads.

Overall, it’s easy to adjust, and the rubber handle on the pole makes it easy to maintain your grip. This is a great garden tool for any homeowner or resident as it is well built and lightweight.

Pros
  • Great lengthy reach
  • Made from aluminium
Cons
  • Flimsy to use
  • Non ergonomic design
  • Locks don’t secure extended pole

5. Fiskars 12 Foot Extendable Pole Saw & Pruner

Fiskars 393951-1001

The only good thing about Fiskars Landscaping Pole is that it’s made from lightweight fiberglass hence it weighs only 4.3 pounds. It has 2 versatile cutting systems. Firstly you can cut branches of 1 inch thick with precision-ground steel pruner and to cut thicker branches at height use power of the 12-inch double-grind saw.

The pole is small, with only a 12-foot pole length. It has an advanced double-locking system that ensures safety while cutting at 12 feet height after extending the manual pole. The odd-shaped design also rendered it impossible for straight cutting and we found that we struggled to tackle branches on a slant

All in all, we don’t think this is a viable tree pruner if you’re looking for something that will make cutting and pruning easier for years to come. You should only purchase the Fiskars 393951-1001 if you have very thin branches to deal with. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Pros
  • Lightweight fibreglass
  • Simple to use
Cons
  • Short & Narrow flimsy pole
  • Blade is not sturdy
  • Flawed design which cuts slanted
  • No easily graspable handle

How To Choose Manual Pole Saw – Buying Guide

Using a manual pole saw is a safe and efficient way of taking care of your garden and can be a smart and forward-thinking investment. But, of course, you need to make sure you’re looking for all the right features when choosing one.

So, whether you’re an avid gardener and landscaper or you just want to keep the trees overlooking your lawn looking trim, we have some tips to help you choose the best option for you. Read on to learn a bit more about the features and materials you should consider when buying your first manual pole saw.


Pole Material

In our experience, you should buy a manual pole saw made from aluminum. Second, to this, we recommend fiberglass. Both of these are materials that are strong and durable and yet light to use. They also tend to keep the cost down.  A pole that is too heavy will be tiring to work and you will not get your money’s worth in terms of use.

A lighter manual pole pruner could be something that makes pruning and trimming fun for you since you can use it for longer periods. But you also want to make sure that it is sturdy, and does not wobble when fully extended. Remember, there is a blade at the other end which has the potential to be deadly. Therefore, strong, durable material is what you’re looking for.

We’d also recommend something with a strong & comfort grip so your hand won’t slip during use. Rubber around the handle area is always a plus for this.

Pole Length

pole saw length

Most manual pole saws will have an extendable manual pole to help you reach the trees and branches overhead. There are many ways of the pole actually extending. This could be through segments that pull out of each other or through parts that connect to make a longer pole.

We advise not paying too much attention to the design, but rather focus on the quality of the structure. You want a pole that doesn’t wobble or bend when extended, otherwise, this will be pointless or even hazardous.

Have a look around your property or where you intend to use the manual pole pruner, paying attention to the different heights you aim to work on. After all, it’s essential you go for a model with offers a length that will allow you comfortably reach where you need to.

Blade

While the manual pole is important and is what distinguishes the product over a regular saw, don’t overlook another crucial factor –  the quality and type of blade. For perfect results, you need to make sure it is made from high quality and durable metal. High carbon steel is a popular choice, but if you stumble across another type of metal then its advisable to look into the properties first to see if it lives up to the standard required on paper.

You’ll also want a blade that has some form of rust-free finish, especially since you will be using it in varied environments and perhaps all year round. Storage is always a factor too. You need to ensure the place you intend to store your pole saw blade is suitable to help it maintain pristine condition. Some blades also come off more easily which can make it easier for storage and cleaning purposes. If this is something that matters to you, then definitely look at this feature closely before zoning in on the pole saw of your choice.

Also, we advise having a little think about your intended use. Some blades have hooks at the end to pull weeds, or scabbards on the back. These may be useful if you intend to use it as a multi-tasking weeding tool. Some blades are better than others for cutting through thick trees and branches while others have limitations of one to two inches. We advise that you make sure to consider this feature when selecting one.

Quality

Compromising on quality for a cheaper product isn’t really the wise way to go. We can’t stress the importance of this one. Of course, most people have a budget to consider. But remember, this is something that has a sharp and heavy blade at the end.

In addition to safety, a low-quality product can also drag out an otherwise simple task. A bit of investment in a high-quality manual pole pruner may save you abundance in time and energy long term.

Anything that makes mundane tasks easier and more enjoyable has got to be worth the cost. So remember, quality is important for efficiency as well as safety.

Warranty

In line with the above, it’s always wise to check the warranty or guarantee on any product you intend to spend a bit more on. A comprehensive warranty that covers faults and flaws will give you peace of mind that you’re covered should any mishaps occur when using your manual operated pole saw.

Conclusion


So there you have it. Our best manual pole saws buyer’s guide should go some way to help you decide the right saw. Looking at the quality, pole material, and blade specification are all important factors to help you decide the pole saw for your tree pruning needs.

But if you’re sitting on the fence and not sure which one to choose then you don’t need to look beyond our personal favorite. In our opinion, we recommend Silky New Professional Series 179-39 manual pole saw our top choice. It is strong and durable with an incredible 26-foot reach when fully extended. The blade alone has enough features to set this apart from the rest.

If you are looking for a budget option with quality which gives you the Best Bang for Buck then consider the Fiskars 93016059J.

You can’t go wrong in any way after picking any one of our top 5 options. If it isn’t one of these 5, then it probably doesn’t exist!

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About the Author David Vieria

David has been a woodworker for most of his life — in his dad’s cabinet shop. After using the tools himself, he decided to share it his woodworking and power tools knowledge with DIYers. Read more about him

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