Recommend Me a Pole Saw

[KDoug]

Hi,

I currently have a Fiskars pole saw that has served me well the past few years, but we have some branches around my roof that we can't get with the Fiskars. I'll measure it later and see how long it is. My dad was kinda looking at the Silky's, but I was wondering if there was a more cost effective option out there. Made in USA is always welcomed if there is one out there.

Thanks

 

[LXCam]

Lorena bobbitt??

 

[KDoug]

Lorena bobbitt??

What?

 

[WWheeler]

Lorena bobbitt??

What?

A joke that if you don't know, you don't want to know. Trust me.

Marvin pole saw / pruner.
http://www.baileysonline.com/Arbori...aw-Package-PH-4-with-Quick-Change-Adapter.axd
^ Just one place I've dealt with before. I didn't shop around. You may find the same set cheaper elsewhere. Those are hollow core. I'd consider them medium-duty, but strong enough for daily pro use. I have some that have been used almost daily for several years, but won't last long if someone is careless. If you want more heavy duty they used to sell them with a filled core that were stronger but a bit heavier, but I think nowadays they have carbon fiber poles. I haven't used any of the latter.

I've used as many as five or six 6' fiberglass sections many many times before with both the pruner and the saw to clear storm damage from power lines. Going that high can be a bit of a workout though. Easy to break something too if you let it get away from you. Wouldn't want to let someone attempt it who wasn't already skilled at using 2-3 extensions.

 

[KDoug]

A joke that if you don't know, you don't want to know. Trust me.

Marvin pole saw / pruner.
http://www.baileysonline.com/Arbori...aw-Package-PH-4-with-Quick-Change-Adapter.axd
^ Just one place I've dealt with before. I didn't shop around. You may find the same set cheaper elsewhere. Those are hollow core. I'd consider them medium-duty, but strong enough for daily pro use. I have some that have been used almost daily for several years, but won't last long if someone is careless. If you want more heavy duty they used to sell them with a filled core that were stronger but a bit heavier, but I think nowadays they have carbon fiber poles. I haven't used any of the latter.

I've used as many as five or six 6' fiberglass sections many many times before with both the pruner and the saw to clear storm damage from power lines. Going that high can be a bit of a workout though. Easy to break something too if you let it get away from you. Wouldn't want to let someone attempt it who wasn't already skilled at using 2-3 extensions.

I briefly looked it up and it said she cut her husbands ***** off!!??

 

[KDoug]

A joke that if you don't know, you don't want to know. Trust me.

Marvin pole saw / pruner.
http://www.baileysonline.com/Arbori...aw-Package-PH-4-with-Quick-Change-Adapter.axd
^ Just one place I've dealt with before. I didn't shop around. You may find the same set cheaper elsewhere. Those are hollow core. I'd consider them medium-duty, but strong enough for daily pro use. I have some that have been used almost daily for several years, but won't last long if someone is careless. If you want more heavy duty they used to sell them with a filled core that were stronger but a bit heavier, but I think nowadays they have carbon fiber poles. I haven't used any of the latter.

I've used as many as five or six 6' fiberglass sections many many times before with both the pruner and the saw to clear storm damage from power lines. Going that high can be a bit of a workout though. Easy to break something too if you let it get away from you. Wouldn't want to let someone attempt it who wasn't already skilled at using 2-3 extensions.

This one from Garrett Wade has really good reviews and I could get $40 off if I buy it this weekend with the sale they are running. Does anybody know who makes these?

https://www.garrettwade.com/hi-reach-19-ft-pole-saw.html#video

 

[Voi]

I have a pole saw like the Marvin linked. Three sections flexes a lot but two sections isn't bad at all.

I bought it locally and got a better blade for it. Not even half the price of the Silky blade as I recall.

 

[WWheeler]

This one from Garrett Wade has really good reviews and I could get $40 off if I buy it this weekend with the sale they are running. Does anybody know who makes these?

https://www.garrettwade.com/hi-reach-19-ft-pole-saw.html#video

Looks to be a Fanno pole saw set. Pretty much the same thing as the Marvin. Jameson is another brand we've bought and used. All are pro gear. No real practical difference between them as far as use and for the most part the extensions and quick-change adapters are interchangeable between them.

 

[JimH74]

The Silky's are expensive but terrific saws. I have had the 20 foot Hayate pole saw for several years now and it is great. Comes sharp and really holds the sharpness. Saws really fast. I also have several smaller hand held Silkys. They were recommended to me over on the Arborist Site. I have had several cheaper pole saws in the past and there is no comparison. No experience with the Marvin Saws.

 

[KDoug]

Anyone have any experience with the Garrett Wade one linked above?

 

[WWheeler]

Anyone have any experience with the Garrett Wade one linked above?

As said above, I believe I do. I don't think 'Garett and Wade' actually produces that set. Rather, it looks like they have bundled one up as a set. The saw head is a 'Fanno' (you can see the brand in the image on the page you linked) and the poles are most likely Jameson or Marvin, which are practically the same either way. I guess if you really want to know you might be able to contact Garrett and Wade and ask. Anywho, as far as the blade Fanno makes a good one.

 

[tarmy]

Sthil...very expensive but very much worth it to me.

I live in the woods....and theirs is the best I have by found by far. I went thru about six or seven others first trying to save some money...lesson learned.

 

[WWheeler]

I believe the OP is asking about a manual pole saw (a curved blade on a pole), I was assuming to reach limbs taller than the 14' to 16' that Fiskars telescoping pole saws (also manual) can reach.

Edit: What the OP has on the left, and the 'Garret Wade' set the OP's been looking at on the right:

 

[KDoug]

Thanks to all who replied. We ended up getting a Barnel 21ft teloscoping saw off Amazon . I realize this isn't the best place to ask recommendations for this type of tool, but thought I'd see anyways.

 

[rlitman]

Sthil...very expensive but very much worth it to me.

I live in the woods....and theirs is the best I have by found by far. I went thru about six or seven others first trying to save some money...lesson learned.

Stihl sells some very VERY good hand tools.

For my part, I own a Jameson pole saw with the foam filled fiberglass sticks. It's very similar to the Marvin, and the ends are compatible with the AM Leonard wood poles I have, for when i want more reach.

I bought fiberglass, because at one time, I had a tree that was in proximity to wires. Aluminum is more bouncy, but is lighter (just like ladders).

The Jameson blade that came with my saw is a conventional western cross cut grind that I don't care for. I normally use one of two blades. The aggressive blade is ground like a Japanese pull saw. For when that one wants to get stuck by the teeth (being pinched is a different issue), I also have a Woodzig blade (this has chainsaw style teeth).

Oil your blade! I like to lube mine with silicone spray. It keeps the resins from building up and making it sticky, and keeps the blade running more smoothly in the cut.

As for technique, it's in the down pull. Don't be pushing the blade into the cut. The curve of the blade takes care of that automatically. You just want the blade moving down fast, and any excess force against the teeth will slow down the cutting action.