Best pruning saw

[yebaws]

Looking to buy a 12/14" saw for the smaller jobs. Probably won't get a huge amount of work so don't want to spend a fortune (£200 max) but don't want to buy a pup either. I'm sure that there's plenty of advice out there ...it will all be appreciated

[Joe Newton]

£200 will get you 3 decent silky and change. If you want a decent pruning saw like you stated then spend the extra and get an MS150 or a 2511. Both excellent pruning saws. They cost around £350-400 though. 

[Joe Newton]

 just re-read it, are we talking aerial pruning? There's no need for a 12" bar if so, get the 10"

For ground work the ms180 is a great saw within your budget for the size cuts you want. 

[peatff]

If I was looking for a small ground saw I think I would try the Echo CS 310. I have Stihl and Husqvarna so would try another make just for the fun of it

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[Ricko]

I've had a Stihl MS170 that I use for occasional light pruning on the ground, I run it on Aspen and have had no issues in the 8 years I've had it.

[Rough Hewn]

Stihl electric cordless!
No exhaust
Less noise
4 pence to charge (I'm told)
Great for pruning and cross cutting up to 10/12"
[emoji106]

[thetoolnut]

For cutting small stuff on the ground a rear handled Stihl ms 201t with a 12/14" bar, for aerial work a Stihl ms 150/ Husky 2510 or an Echo 2511tes all with a 10", 1/4", .043 sprocket/bar/chain combo.

[gary112]

I tried a little Echo 352 for light pruning and hedelaying last year and killed it that season so stick with Stihl/Husky i reckon

[yebaws]

Plenty of advice as I thought - thank you. Not so much aerial pruning as higher up pruning from the ground / cutting the tops off fence posts / smaller bits of firewood. My bigger Husqy starts to get a bit heavy after doing that sort of thing for a while.

I think a 12" bar would probably be best. Tempted by the MS170 or MS180. Not at all convinced that cordless electric would be up to the job. Would have to have a go with one first...

[Ricko]

18 minutes ago, yebaws said:

Tempted by the MS170

Although I've got other saws of different sizes; Husky, Jons, Partner etc, my 'go to' saw for handiness; light pruning, slicing pallets, fencing, felling small saplings etc is the MS170. I paid £150 about eight years ago, they're not much more now. I run it on Aspen as I'm only an occasional user and need to be able to start it after six months of not using it.