The Three Budget Pruning Saws Worth Buying: Corona, Fiskars and REXBETI Folders Compared

Why a budget pruning saw should fold

Most homeowners cut a handful of limbs a year, and for that a folding pruning saw with a 7 to 11 inch blade does the job of a bow saw at a fraction of the size and cost. The blade folds into the handle, so it rides in a back pocket or a bucket without a sheath, and a good one takes a limb of a few inches on the pull stroke in under a minute. What separates a cheap saw worth owning from a cheap saw that bends is the steel, the teeth and the lock, and the three here get those right at a low price.

This guide is built from the published specifications of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves.

How the three compare

Corona RS 7041: the 7-inch pocket saw

The Corona RS 7041 has been the hardware-store folding saw for decades, and the reason is the blade: Japanese SK5 high-carbon steel that Corona rates for exceptional hardness, cut with up to 6 teeth per inch for cross-cutting limbs. Corona puts the limit at 3-inch branches, which covers fruit-tree thinning, shrub renewal and most storm cleanup. The co-molded handle covers the teeth when folded, the pistol grip keeps a wet hand from sliding, and the latch lock is easy to work with gloves on. It is a straight blade, so it cuts a little slower than a curved one, and anything over 3 inches is a job for a longer saw.

Fiskars 10-inch: two lock positions and a lifetime warranty

The Fiskars 10-inch folder brings a longer blade with a triple-ground Power Tooth edge that Fiskars says is meant for thicker branches. Its distinct feature is a blade that locks in two positions, one for overhand cuts and one for undercuts, which matters when a limb has to be cut from below to stop the bark tearing. The blade folds and locks into a non-slip handle with a hang hole, and Fiskars backs it with a lifetime warranty, which neither of the other two offers. Fiskars does not publish a branch limit or a tooth count, so treat it as a 10-inch saw for limbs up to about 4 or 5 inches.

REXBETI 11-inch: the most blade for the least money

The REXBETI 11-inch is the no-name saw that homeowners keep buying, and the listing explains why: an SK-5 steel blade with 7 TPI staggered teeth, a reinforced blade to resist tip flex, a rubber-coated polymer handle and a stated capacity of 6 to 7 inch branches, which is twice what the Corona claims. Folded, it is still an 11-inch tool, so it lives in a bucket or a pack rather than a pocket. The listing does not describe the lock, so check that it holds the blade firmly open and closed on arrival, and expect the finish to be plainer than the two name brands. For a homeowner who wants one saw that takes a 6-inch limb without buying a fixed blade, it is hard to beat.

Choosing and using a folding saw

Match the blade to the limb: a 7-inch blade for up to 3 inches, a 10-inch for about 4 to 5, an 11-inch for 6 to 7 by the maker figures above, and a fixed 13-inch blade beyond that. Pruning saws cut on the pull stroke, so let the teeth bite as you draw the saw back and do not bear down on the forward stroke, which bends thin blades. For a limb over 2 inches, make an undercut a third of the way through about a foot out from the trunk, cut through from the top just beyond it, then remove the stub at the branch collar. Open the lock fully and check it before each cut, wipe sap off the blade with a rag and a little oil, and do not try to sharpen hardened teeth with a file; replace the saw when it dulls, which at these prices is the point.

Which one should you buy

Buy the Corona RS 7041 for a pocket saw with SK5 steel and a 3-inch limit. Buy the Fiskars 10-inch for the two-position lock and the lifetime warranty. Buy the REXBETI 11-inch for the longest blade and the biggest limb capacity at a budget price.