For all the special pruning tools available, sometimes nothing beats the common old saw. The reason for buying a special garden pruning saw is that these are designed with sticky, gummy plants in mind. Your shop saw will probably just get stuck and/or bind if used to cut branches.
These are convenient folding saws that tuck into your gardening bag to have ready whenever the need arises. One of the newer features to look for is a tri-cut blade. The teeth on these are sharpened on 3 sides, like a triangle. Tri-cut blades cut faster and easier. There are more tips on what to look for in a pruning saw here.
1. Corona® Folding Pruning Saw (RS-7041)
This is the hand saw I use and although I've gone through several blades, I have no complaints. All of Corona's pruning saws have blades sharpened on 3 sides, which lets me cut while pushing and pulling. This is a 7" blade: Small enough to carry. Large enough to be functional. The hot chrome plated blade is slightly curved, for faster cutting. It has an ergonomic cushioned pistol-grip handle, which the blade folds down into and locks in place, when not in use. $15.49 - $23.99
2. Ace Corona® Professional Folding Pruning Saw
On all of Corona's pruning saws, each razor tooth is sharpened on 3 sides, then impulse-hardened, so it cuts cleanly through branches and limbs quickly and smoothly.
This model has the expected Corona features: 3 sided teeth, curved blade, impulse-hardened blade, and double the blade length. The 14" cutting blade has 6 teeth per inch, making quick work of branches. The handle is varnished wood. Not the most comfortable, but it wears well. $16.37 - $23.99
3. Shark Corporation 10-5450 Finecut Pruning Saw
You expect a saw named Shark to have sharp teeth. These are 3-sided, diamond-ground. The double-tempered teeth tend to remain sharper longer. If you regularly pull your saw out to use, you want one that's ready to go. At first glance, it's kind of a funny design. It's a cross between curved folding saws and traditional hand saws. Rest assured it does fold. And the patented pistol-grip handle is designed with comfort in mind. What good is a sharp blade if it hurts to use it? The blades are replaceable. $27.43