Editorial disclosure: This is a research-based review, not a YardToolLab in-depth test. We checked the exact Fiskars PowerTooth Softgrip 7-inch Folding Saw, model 390680-1001, against Fiskars catalog and product-identification records, then compared owner reports from multiple independent sites. Retailer reviews include incentivized submissions, so those are treated as anecdotal evidence rather than proof of performance.
Bottom line
The Fiskars 390680-1001 is a compact folding pruning saw intended for small-to-moderate pruning and portable yard or trail kits. Its 7-inch blade, two open locking positions and folding handle favor access and storage over the reach and stiffness of a longer fixed-blade saw. Owner reports repeatedly praise easy carrying and quick cuts on appropriately sized branches. A conflicting independent report describes the blade bending and being returned, so users who push hard, cut larger limbs regularly or need a professional daily-use saw should consider a longer, stiffer alternative.
Exact model and verified specifications
| Model reviewed | Fiskars PowerTooth Softgrip Folding Saw 390680-1001 (also identified as 390680 / 9068) |
|---|---|
| Blade | 7-inch, fully hardened precision-ground steel with triple-ground PowerTooth teeth |
| Positions | Blade locks in two open cutting positions and locks folded for transport |
| Grip | Softgrip touchpoints and a handle hang hole |
| UPC | 046561190682 |
Fiskars’ 2020 Garden & Yardcare catalog lists the 7-inch PowerTooth Softgrip folding saw as item 390680-1001. Fiskars’ current patent-identification page also maps model 390680/9068 and UPC 0046561190682 to the 7-inch Power Tooth Folding Saw. This prevents confusion with the 10-inch 390470 family, which is a different saw.
What the design means in use
The short blade should be easier to place among crowded branches and simpler to carry than a 10-inch folding saw. Its two open positions are intended to support conventional overhand cuts and undercuts. The folding lock covers the cutting edge in storage, but it does not replace checking that the blade has fully engaged before every cut.
The tradeoff is leverage and blade stiffness. A 7-inch saw can address branches beyond hand-pruner capacity, but a longer pruning saw offers more cutting stroke and is generally the better category for repeated larger-limb work. Avoid forcing a bound blade sideways; that is the condition most relevant to the bending concern in owner feedback.
Owner-reported strengths
- Portable size: owners on retailer and outdoor forums repeatedly mention pack, pocket or toolbox storage as a reason to choose it.
- Useful on smaller yard work: sampled reports describe trimming small branches, bushes, vines and household limbs.
- Grip and locking convenience: owners commonly value the folding format and covered edge during transport.
These patterns appear across Tractor Supply, Walmart and an independent Bushcraft USA discussion. They are not controlled measurements, and the retailer samples visible during this review were heavily positive.
Complaints, conflicts and evidence limits
The clearest negative report came from the independent Bushcraft USA comparison: one owner said the Fiskars blade bent and the saw was returned, while another owner in the same discussion said it worked fine. That disagreement suggests technique, branch size and lateral loading may matter, but the reports do not establish a defect rate.
Review provenance also limits confidence. The visible Tractor Supply reviews were marked “incentivized” and “received free product,” and sampled Walmart reviews were labeled both verified purchase and incentivized. We therefore use those reports only to identify recurring themes—not to calculate a YardToolLab score or claim broad reliability. We found too little model-specific, non-incentivized long-term evidence to support a durability rating.
Best fit and when to choose something else
Best fit: homeowners and campers wanting a light, folding saw for occasional pruning, trail clearing and branches that are awkward for hand pruners but do not justify a longer saw.
Choose a longer or stiffer saw instead: if you regularly cut large limbs, need long strokes, expect daily professional use, or tend to apply strong sideways pressure. Compare the size and design tradeoffs in our pruning saw guide. For smaller live stems that fit within a hand pruner’s stated capacity, a bypass pruner may leave a more controlled cut; see our bypass pruner guide.
Safe-use checklist
- Confirm the blade lock is fully engaged before cutting.
- Keep the free hand outside the blade path and maintain stable footing.
- Use smooth strokes; do not twist or lever the blade if it binds.
- Support the branch and use appropriate pruning cuts so bark does not tear.
- Clean sap and debris from the teeth and pivot before folding.
Sources and review method
Model identity and specifications were checked against the official Fiskars Garden & Yardcare catalog and Fiskars patent/model page. Owner patterns and disclosure labels were checked on the exact-model pages at Tractor Supply and Walmart, plus an independent Bushcraft USA discussion. No numerical rating is assigned because YardToolLab did not conduct a controlled field test.
