Use a Reciprocating Saw for Pruning and Landscaping

We've found ourselves doing a lot of pruning with one-handed reciprocating saws and thought most people already knew this trick. If you're still using hand tools you may want to take a look at this convenient way to save time and effort. While it's true that small one-handed chainsaws have e hit the market from both Milwaukee and Stihl, we think the DeWalt Atomic line offers some of the lightest, maintenance-free cutting available.

Why? You don't have to oil it, the blades are inexpensive, and it never needs sharpening. You might get some faster, smoother cutting from a one-handed chainsaw, but if you typically tackle smaller branches, give a one-handed recip saw a shot.

[dmacl]

I bought this Dewalt recip a few months ago (based partially on your recommendation). I love it and have used it for everything you are saying. Thanks much!!

[WillPower]

Yes, been thinking about the actual utility of that particular one handed recip saw and now that I know how much y'all value it I'm going to get one! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[RalphHightower]

I got the DeWalt DCS380B as a freebie from buying a kit of two 20V Max 5AH batteries with charger and bag. I already have one of their drills, impact drivers, and impact wrenches, so my choice was a circular saw or a reciprocating saw. I don't do any building or woodworking, so the circular saw didn't seem like a fit. Looking at the comparisons between circular saws and reciprocating saws, pruning stood out to me. This saw is a two-handed saw, but it works great where a chain saw would be overkill. If I need to replace it, I'll go with a compact model.

[ccadama]

@Pro Tool Reviews. Hey Kenny. Just watched this video again after Rob and Sarah over at Belts and Boxes mentioned this video. Milwaukee's Hatchet and the one-handed recip saw with a pruning blade each have their place. For people who aren't use to using chainsaws and only need occasional pruning, I think the recip saw is safer. I watched two YT creators and cringed a bit as they demoed the Hatchet. Both don't know the purpose for the bucking spikes and didn't always use them when cutting. Recip saw blades are cheap and I don't have to worry about chains and bar oil for those occasional pruning jobs.

Hope you and your family stay safe and well.

[asotodude]

what will i get more use out of as a homeowner? one handed or two handed reciprocating saw?

[bwax]

Made the switch from bow saw to corded reciprocating saws two decades ago. Made the switch from corded reciprocating saws to cordless reciprocating saws five years ago. One key is to purchase quality pruning blades and ignore the cheapo economy blades.

[SherwoodBotsford]

Couple things: I know with swede saws, you want a different blade for dry wood vs green wood. Do you find this is the case recip saws?

Secondly: Some jigsaws have an option for an orbital motion, where the blade backs up a bit for the return stroke. This makes the chips flow more in a single direction. Do you find issues with slow cutting when doing branches that are 15 teeth across.

Thirdly. Typically with a 1 inch branch, I want the stub to be about 1/4" beyond the branch collar. Do you find that the shoe gets in theway of this?

[crytcx]

95% of the use my m12 Fuel Hackzall gets is pruning. It’s fantastic for that... but I’m also heavily invested in the Dewalt 20v universe and I really want to try their one handed recip! But the m12 just won’t die!

[felixf]

I've been using a recip for yard maintenance for years. A compact Makita. Not my idea; I saw some pros using recips on a neighbor's yard and thought it was a good way to go.

[Retsub]

need a reciprocating saw attachment for my stihl kombi multi-tool system. honestly i think you can replace the pruning chainsaw attachment altogether.

[debradaugherty]

Could you guys do a video on cleaning and maintenance of this reciprocating saw please? I bought this on your advice and it's great but it's not starting now. I think there's sawdust in the blade mount or something ...

[thehhoff]

Since one handed recips have a shorter stroke length (5/8"-7/8") than full sized recip saws, I've found that the fleam grind pruning blades with their straight teeth that cut on the push and pull stroke work better than the wood blades you're using in the video. As those wood blades have the backward curving teeth, which cut only on the pull stroke.

[MerkleAkrunphleuphle]

Do the grips such as the one in the video give more control than those which are like a shovel handle?

[ia]

How does this compares to DCPR320B Dewalts pruner?

[stevelanghorn]

Don't think you can beat a good quality, old-school hand pruning saw for optimum cut quality. Also kinder to the tree...& the environment...and actually, looking at the video, probably no harder on the hand & arm (with a free little workout thrown in!)

[chilarai]

The mini chainsaws don't look safe to me at all. I use a pruning saw and the thought of using a reciprocating saw struck me as an eaiser alternative.

[orijimi]

Poor Milwaukee making that compact chainsaw, and you guys telling people they don't need it.

[brianwalk]

Put a reciprocating saw on a 20ft pole and sold

[MerkleAkrunphleuphle]

when ya'll talk about the only thing you'd need is a pruner beside this, are you speaking of the shears?

[paulroberts]

Which size Blade Length? Is 9" too big for pruning? Thanks