ARS folding pruning saws – pocketable saws
The folding design keeps the blade safely stowed and lets the saw fit in a tool bag or coat pocket. It is most useful where sawing is not the main job, only the occasional branch that has grown too thick for your pruning shears. The range covers eight models with cutting capacities between 60 and 70 mm.
The folding models
The choice comes down mainly to blade length and blade shape.
| Model | Blade length | Cutting capacity | Blade | Tooth pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210DX | 165 mm | 60 mm | Curved | 4.0 mm |
| G-17 | 170 mm | 65 mm | Curved | 4.0 mm |
| Z-17 | 170 mm | 65 mm | Straight | 4.0 mm |
| GR-17 | 170 mm | 65 mm | Curved | 3.5 mm |
| G-18L | 180 mm | 70 mm | Straight | 4.0 mm |
| GR-18L | 180 mm | 70 mm | Curved | 3.5 mm |
| PM-21L | 210 mm | 70 mm | Curved | 4.0 mm |
Curved or straight blade?
A curved blade bites into the branch as you pull, which helps in a dense canopy or at an awkward angle. A straight blade gives a more even kerf on flat surfaces and in boarding work. On living wood the curved blade is generally more efficient, which is why most models are built that way.
Tooth pitch: 3.5 or 4.0 mm?
A larger 4.0 mm pitch cuts faster and more aggressively. A finer 3.5 mm pitch leaves a smoother cut face, an advantage on fresh, sappy wood and on ornamental trees where the appearance of the cut matters. Within a series, the GR designation always denotes the finer tooth pattern.
As a companion to pruning shears
Most people buy these saws to go with a pair of pruning shears, so they do not have to fetch another tool when a branch turns out to be too thick. Ready-made combinations are available in the pruning shears packages category, where the 210DX is offered alongside several shear models.
Maintenance
Dried resin on the blade increases friction, so the cut takes noticeably more effort. Wipe the blade after use with the ARS GO-1 blade cleaner. On these models the teeth are not impulse-hardened, so they can be sharpened with the ARS 9F-10. Replacement blades are in the blades and saw blades category.
Frequently asked questions
How safe is a folding saw?
The blade locks both open and closed, usually with a thumb-operated button. Folded, the teeth are completely protected.
What is the difference between the G-17 and the Z-17?
The G-17 has a curved blade, the Z-17 a straight one. They share the same replacement blade, the G-17-1. A curved blade bites better in living wood, a straight one gives a more even kerf on flat surfaces.
Can these saws be sharpened?
Yes, on these models the teeth are not impulse-hardened, so they can be maintained with the ARS 9F-10.
