Best Pole Saw Blades for Cutting Thick Branches
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A pole saw blade is the replacement cutting blade that fits a pole saw head or a pruner head, so you can restore cutting power without buying a new tool. The most important choice is compatibility: a blade must match the saw head’s mounting style and length, and the listing has to name the head it fits. This roundup compares eight pole saw blades from current Amazon listings, using only the facts each listing states. Where a listing names only a brand, or lists a figure that conflicts with another part of the page, the article says so.
Quick answer
- Match the blade to the saw head before anything else. The Notch, Jameson and Fiskars listings name the specific head or pole they fit, and the Gosknor listing names Corona pruner models.
- For a 13 inch tri-cut blade with a hook, the Notch and Jameson listings both give a 13 inch blade with three teeth and a hook on the end.
- For a 15 inch blade on a Fiskars pruner, the two Fiskars replacement blades are listed for specific Fiskars models.
- Check the steel type. The listings give alloy steel, high-speed steel and SK5 high-carbon steel, and each has a different stated purpose.
How to choose a pole saw blade
Start with the saw head. A pole saw blade fits a specific mount, and a blade that looks similar can have a different hole pattern, tooth count or bar length. The listings name the heads they fit. The Jameson listings name the PS-3FP pole saw head, the SB-UC universal saw blade casting and the Smith #20 pole saw. The Dimakung and GJK listings name the Jameson tri-cut pole saw and hand saw. The Gosknor listing names the Corona Tree Pruner models TP 3811, TP 3712, TP 2712 and TP 2512. The Fiskars listings name specific pruner model numbers. Measure your old blade, count the teeth and note the model number on the saw head before you order.
Next, check the length. The listings give blade lengths from about 13 inches to 17.5 inches. A longer blade cuts a wider branch in one pass, but a blade that is too long for the saw head may not fit at all. The NYVKBRR listing is a 390mm blade, which is about 15.3 inches long overall, and the listing names the Silky Hayauchi and Notch Sentei 390mm pole saws.
Last, read the tooth pattern and steel. Tri-cut teeth, which the Notch, Jameson, Dimakung and GJK listings describe, use three cutting faces for a fast cut. The Fiskars listings describe WoodZig and double-grind teeth, and the listings do not compare the two shapes. The steel is listed as alloy steel, high-speed steel or SK5 high-carbon steel, and the listings state each steel type in different terms.
Steel, teeth and finish
The steel type changes how a blade holds an edge and how it resists rust. The Notch S21 listing gives alloy steel and describes its teeth as one of the easiest and strongest cutting blades available. The Barracuda blade from Jameson is listed in alloy steel with a hard-chrome plated finish, which the listing says resists rust and extends blade life. The Dimakung blade is listed in high-speed steel and says it has an electroplated finish that forms a protective film against rust. The Fiskars 15 inch WoodZig blade is listed as high-speed steel, and the Fiskars 15 inch double-grind listing does not state its steel. The NYVKBRR blade is listed as SK5 high-carbon steel with a 1.5mm thick blade body.
Tooth count is listed in some specs. The Notch, Jameson and Dimakung blades each list three teeth. The Gosknor listing does not give a tooth count. The Heytaful listing gives ten teeth in its specs, and the NYVKBRR specs list five teeth while its bullets describe a 5.5 TPI tooth pattern. For a blade with a particular tooth count, check the listing’s specs rather than the bullets alone.
Installation and maintenance
Installation steps differ by head. The Dimakung listing says its blade installs with no extra tools required. The Gosknor listing says to make sure the tool is in a safe state, remove the old blade and install the new one. The Dremmt listing describes a handle that slides onto a 1-inch pole and is secured with included screws, and it says a hanging hole above the blade allows garage storage. The listings do not give a full installation procedure, so follow the instructions that come with your saw head.
Keep the blade clean and dry between uses. The Dremmt listing says the hanging hole protects the blade from rust, and the Gosknor listing says the blade is made of premium steel. The Heytaful listing says its blade is heat treated for toughness. A blade that is dull or bent should be replaced rather than forced through a cut, and a listing that describes a blade as replacing a worn or damaged one is the same kind of replacement.
Wear protective gear whenever you install a blade or cut with a pole saw. The NYVKBRR listing says to use proper protective gear during cutting. The listings do not describe other safety steps, so use the guidance that comes with your saw head.
Pole saw blades compared
The table uses only the figures printed in each listing. “Not stated” means the listing bullets and specs do not give that item.
| Blade | Length as listed | Steel as listed | Teeth as listed | Head named in listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notch S21 Tri-Edge | 13 in (330mm) | Alloy steel | 3 | Pole saws using 13 inch blades with a hook |
| Jameson Barracuda Tri-Cut | 13 in | Alloy steel, hard-chrome plated | 3 | Jameson PS-3FP head, SB-UC casting, Smith #20 |
| Dimakung SB-13TE | 13 in | High-speed steel | 3 | Jameson tri-cut pole saw and hand saw |
| Gosknor replacement pair | 13.78 in overall | Alloy steel | Not stated | Corona TP 3811, TP 3712, TP 2712, TP 2512 |
| Heytaful manual blade | 17.5 in | Alloy steel | 10 | Manual tree trimmers |
| NYVKBRR 390mm | 390mm (15.3 in overall) | SK5 high-carbon steel | 5 | Silky Hayauchi, Todoku, Notch Sentei 390mm |
| GJK SB-13TE | 13 in | Alloy steel | 78 (specs) | Jameson SB-13TE poles and hand saws |
| Fiskars 15 in WoodZig | 15 in | High-speed steel | Not stated | Fiskars pruner models 6391, 9388, 9390, 7889, 7831, 8391 |
Notch S21 13 inch tri-edge blade with hook
The Notch S21 is a 13 inch tri-edge blade with a hook on the end. The listing says the hook helps keep the blade in the cut. The blade is listed in alloy steel with three teeth and a compact style. The bullets say the blade can cut branches 6 to 8 inches in diameter, and the listing describes it as one of the easiest, fastest and strongest cutting blades available. The specs give a weight of 4.8 ounces and a manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
The specs note that the blade is compatible with pole saws using 13 inch blades with a hook, and that it may fit Rock-n-Arbor models. The listing says those models are only potentially compatible, so confirm the head before you order.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Jameson Barracuda 13 inch tri-cut blade with hook
The Jameson Barracuda blade is a 13 inch tri-cut blade with an integrated hook tip. The bullets say the hook keeps the blade from slipping out of a cut and can be used to pull down vines and small branches. The blade is hard-chrome plated, which the listing says resists rust. The bullets say the blade fits the Jameson PS-3FP pole saw head, the SB-UC universal saw blade casting, the Smith #20 pole saw and hand saws. The specs give a part number of SB-13TE-H and a length of 16.5 inches overall.
The listing describes the blade as designed for arborists, landscapers and tree service crews, and says it is built for heavy use. The listing does not give a warranty period.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Dimakung SB-13TE 13 inch tri-cut replacement blade
The Dimakung blade is a 13 inch tri-cut replacement for the Jameson tri-cut pole saw and hand saw. The bullets say it is made of high-speed steel, which the listing describes as high hardness, high wear resistance and high heat resistance. The teeth are staggered, which the listing says makes the cut path wider and helps move wood chips out of the cut. The electroplating is described as a protective film against rust. The specs give three teeth, a silver color and a weight of 0.14 kilograms.
The listing says the blade installs without extra tools. Confirm the head is a Jameson tri-cut pole saw or hand saw before buying, because the listing names only those models.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Gosknor pole saw blade for Corona tree pruners, two pack
The Gosknor listing is a two-piece set of replacement blades for Corona tree pruners. The listing names the Corona Tree Pruner models TP 3811, TP 3712, TP 2712 and TP 2512, and it says the blades are also suitable for other brands of tree pruners. The listing includes a note that the product is not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with the brands it fits, including Corona. The bullets describe alloy steel construction with a special tooth shape, and the specs give a product length of 13.78 inches and a weight of 7.2 ounces.
The bullets describe the tooth shape as efficient for cutting branches while reducing damage to the tree. The specs do not give a tooth count. The listing’s installation steps are a reminder to make the tool safe before removing the old blade.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Heytaful 17.5 inch manual pole saw blade
The Heytaful listing is a 17.5 inch manual blade sold without a handle. The bullets describe high-strength alloy steel that is heat treated and tough, and sharper teeth on three sides. The specs give ten teeth, a black finish and a listing of “without handle” as the style. The bullets say the blade is matched to all kinds of manual trimmers, and the unit count is two pieces in one bullet and one item in the specs. Confirm the count on the product page.
The listing describes the blade as non-marking and smooth-cutting for living branches. A blade without a handle needs a handle or pole that you already own, so check the mounting before buying.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
NYVKBRR 390mm SK5 pole saw blade
The NYVKBRR blade is a 390mm replacement for the Silky Hayauchi 390mm, the Todoku 390mm and the Notch Sentei 390mm pole saws. The bullets say it is made of SK5 high-carbon steel, with a 1.5mm thick blade body. The teeth are impulse hardened and triple ground, and the listing describes a 5.5 TPI tooth pattern for fast pull-stroke cutting. The specs give five teeth, a product size of 15.3 inches by 4 inches and a Japanese style.
The bullets say the blade has pre-drilled mounting holes that make replacement quick and secure. The listing says the blade is for pruning branches and small limbs. The listing says the blade is for a specific set of Japanese pole saws, and it is not listed for other heads.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Fiskars 15 inch WoodZig replacement blade
The Fiskars WoodZig blade is a 15 inch replacement for Fiskars pole saws and tree pruners. The bullets say the blade is made of high-speed steel and that its WoodZig teeth cut through thick branches. The listing names pruner models 6391, 9388, 9390, 7889, 7831 and 8391 as the models it fits. The specs give model number 79336920K and part number 79336920. The listing describes the blade as an easy replacement for a worn or damaged saw blade.
Before ordering, match the model number on your Fiskars pruner to the list in the bullets. The listing does not give a warranty period.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Fiskars 15 inch extendable pole saw replacement blade
The Fiskars extendable pole saw blade is a 15 inch double-grind blade listed as a replacement for the Fiskars 9394 12 foot telescoping pruning saw. The bullets say the blade cuts on both the pull and push stroke and that the blade is hardened to hold a sharp edge. The specs give model number 93346920J and part number 93346920. The listing does not state the steel type in its bullets or specs.
If your pruner is not the 9394 model, check the compatibility before ordering, because the listing names only that model.
View the listing here: View on Amazon
Common mistakes when buying a pole saw blade
The most common mistake is to buy a blade by length alone. Two blades can share a length and still fit different heads, so the listed head model is the deciding fact. A second mistake is to ignore the tooth style. A tri-cut blade and a double-grind blade cut differently, and they are not interchangeable in every saw head. A third mistake is to skip the steel type. Alloy steel, high-speed steel and SK5 steel are each named in these listings, and each listing gives a different reason for its steel choice.
A fourth mistake is to buy a blade for a tool you do not own. Several listings name specific brands and models, including Jameson, Corona, Fiskars and Silky. If your saw head is not named, check with the head’s manufacturer before buying.
Related reading
For safe handling before you cut, read How to Use a Pole Saw Safely. For cutting technique once the blade is installed, see How to Prune Branches With a Pole Saw.
FAQ
How do I know which pole saw blade fits my saw?
Find the model number on the saw head or pruner and match it to the list in the listing. The Jameson listings name the PS-3FP head and the Smith #20. The Gosknor listing names Corona TP 3811, TP 3712, TP 2712 and TP 2512. The Fiskars listings name pruner model numbers. If your model is not named, do not assume the blade fits.
Is a 13 inch blade enough for a 6 inch branch?
The Notch listing says its 13 inch blade can cut branches 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The listing for the Jameson-compatible blades does not give a branch diameter in its bullets or specs. Check each listing for a stated diameter, and compare it with the branch you need to cut.
What is the difference between tri-cut and double-grind teeth?
Tri-cut teeth are described in the Notch, Jameson, Dimakung and GJK listings as three cutting faces. The Fiskars listings describe double-grind and WoodZig teeth. The listings do not explain the cutting difference in detail, so match the tooth style to the blade your saw head was built for.
Are these blades rust resistant?
Some listings say so. The Jameson listing describes a hard-chrome plated finish that resists rust. The Dimakung listing describes an electroplated protective film. The Dremmt listing says its hanging hole protects the blade from rust during storage. The listings do not give a rust test result or a warranty against rust.
Do I need special tools to install a replacement blade?
The Dimakung and Gosknor listings describe installation without extra tools. The Dremmt listing includes screws for its handle. The listings do not give a full installation procedure, so follow the instructions for your saw head.
Can I use a manual blade on a power pole saw?
Not unless the listing says it fits. The Heytaful listing describes a blade for manual trimmers, and the NYVKBRR listing names Japanese pole saw heads. Check the compatibility line in each listing before you buy a blade for a powered head.
Bottom line
Choose a pole saw blade by matching the saw head first, then the length, tooth style and steel. For a Jameson, Notch or Dimakung tri-cut head, the 13 inch tri-cut blades in this list are the closest fit by length. For a Corona pruner, the Gosknor pair names those models. For a Fiskars pruner, the two 15 inch Fiskars blades are the named replacements. Confirm the model number on the product page before you order.
