Spear & Jackson 4948PS Razorsharp 12inch Large Folding Pruning Saw

Before I purchased this saw when the price was attractive (the Prime price was under £9 for a short while), I posted a question to the owners asking how it compared to the  Bahco Laplander Folding Saw (396LAP)  saw which I already own. The Laplander has been a trusty friend for several years in the wilds and around my garden. I wanted another saw as I'm get together with some friends to do some conservation work and needed a spare so I could keep the Laplander to myself.What nobody told me - though I could have worked it out from the description - was how different in size these items are. They really can't be fairly compared and are certainly not like-for-like competition. So although I've not put the S&J through it's paces I wanted to give a first impressions review with my photos to illustrate the differences to anyone who might be in the market for either. In short, both great tools but choose the one you need!The S&J is much larger than the Bahco Laplander and is almost in another category. I'd be unlikely to pack it on wildcamping excursions due to weight and size.The S&J has a curved handle offering a variety of holding positions and a nice lip at the base which hangs well in the hand. The Bahco is ergonomic too but for a smaller grip and nearer to the action.The S&J is, from what I can tell, not quite as well built as the Bahco. There's more play in the hinge and the plastics don't seem quite as rugged. However it's still a quality tool that is really sharp and makes light work of pruning tasks.I'll come back to add more thoughts once I've made more use of the S&J in hedge-laying, pruning and similar tasks but for now I just wanted to clarify how different these beasts are! Pen for scale.

Good quality product but it will never fully replace the Alligator saw.

I have bought one of these previously and can thoroughly recommend them: the blade is well serrated and sharp. It's a bit soon to tell how well they keep the sharpness of the blade, which is the problem with cheaper ones - they go blunt and then are essentially useless. The blade folds into the handle (that does need a little bit of care). It's gone through 4-5cm eucalyptus branches well. Obviously care needed around children. Recommended.

I found this a little bit flimsy for anything over finger or thumb thickness, but for it's price point you cannot expect anything else. Combat style trousers with leg pockets can easily accommodate storage, and at least it is light weight, so no bother walking with it in pockets. I have yet to re-sharpen the teeth, so I cannot comment on life expectancy of the product, but if like Spear & Jackson garden tools in general I imagine this will serve a minimum of 5 years, which is great value for money.

Used for some thicker hedge branches - it sticks and far from very effective. Can't get a lot of pressure due to general shape, size and handle. Back to using an old carpenters saw - far more effective.

This was my third product from the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp range. I have their  Spear & Jackson - Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner  and  Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic Bypass Lopper  both of which I have been pleased with. This Pruning Saw does not disappoint either It has a good locking mechanism and as the name suggests its nice and sharp for cutting through medium sized branches. I would consider it lightweight and easy to handle.

Extremely sharp, easily fills the gap between big loppers and a chain saw. Recommended

Great saw for garden pruning, heavy usage and I used it on larger branches than recommended and it was fine. Perfect for carrying in a tool pocket when working at height. Only negative is that the bolt came loose that holds the blade to the handle I tightened it up again and it came loose again, something to watch before and during use.