Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Katana 6" Pruning Saw R18XPCS10

Very handy pruning saw, simple and easy to use – My wife was looking for a little saw that she could easily handle to prune trees and branches <150mm thick (size most of our low-level trees and shrubs requiring pruning) and expressed interest in one of these little saws which offered one handed cutting (depending on the size of the battery used which adds weight). The skin without battery weighs… Read more

980 grams and with 4-amp battery is about 1.5 kilograms.

The saw is very well built (consistent Ryobi quality) has a powerful brushless motor and to my surprise is very quiet - I armed up with earmuffs to use it, based on most chain type saws being noisy but was impressed with how quiet and smooth it runs. The design is clever, enable left- or right-hand operation with activation switch either side of the handle (to suit left / right) and has a moulded grip are on top to enable pressure from the hand not on the trigger when cutting. There is a spring-loaded guard over the top of the chain which is designed to assist in the unlikely event of kickback (less likely to kick back with a 140mm cut length)

The chain tensioner is very well designed and simple to use - no tools or effort required, easy to adjust. The saw doesn't have an oil reservoir as do larger chainsaws, but it is recommended that you manually oil the chain whilst using - the instructions in the manual suggest 3-5 drops of oil dropped on the cutter bar / chain - we used an old mini detergent bottle filled with good chain oil (not general lubrication oil) and squirt oil into the sprocket area driving the chain and a little run of oil along the top of the chain - not lubricating the chain and bar will increase wear and shorten its life.

On top of the handle is an LED panel to indicate the load sensing on the bar and chain whilst cutting - Green = normal load; Amber = high load; Red = overloaded; For people not used to chain type saws this is a handy feature, and it doesn't take long to work out how the saw is performing in relation to load.

The cutter bar and chains are manufactured by both Oregon and Ryobi according to the manual - it appears that Bunnings stock the chain but not the cutter bar, which I believe is a buy in order through the service desk. I would suggest that the chain will wear out before the cutter bar, but it is important that wear parts like these are available and is part of the consideration when buying.

Ergonomically the saw is well balanced and easy to operate - I have used the saw, as has my wife who had no trouble using it with either one hand operation or two hands if a little more pressure needed on the bar when cutting, and she is very happy with her purchase! The saw comes with a 4-year warranty from Ryobi, and you receive an extra 2 years if you register online by joining up with Ryobi and adding the tool and uploading the receipt which is simple to do.

In addition to gardening, we think this saw would be excellent to carry when camping, to round up smaller branches for firewood as it can cut up to 140mm with no problems at all.

All in all, a great addition to our gardening and general tools. Wouldn't be without it, makes pruning a pleasure.!

PROS very well designed, ergonomic and easy to use, left and right hand operation Well built, good quality Brushless motor, smooth and powerful 140mm diameter cutting capacity 6” (15cm) bar length Tool-less chain tensioning, very easy to use. Load-sensing LED panel is helpful.

CONS No significant faults but would be handy if cutter bar was stocked along with chains.