This shark-tooth saw gets top marks for its name and design - the long curved blade makes it look a bit like a samurai sword or scimitar (the plastic handle somewhat diminishes the effect but no doubt anything more substantial would be unnecessary). This kind of tool really appeals to armchair gardeners like me - essentially it is a toy with a purpose. The Wolf saw, which is stocked by Homebase, has a curved blade with the teeth on the inside edge. It can have a telescopic handle attached, which enables you to saw branches up to 13ft high, although the saw itself doesn't come with it and my local Homebase didn't seem to stock it.

The saw was perfectly capable of chopping anything within arm's reach: the blade sliced easily through anything up to about 3in in diameter without much effort and I'm sure would cope with more than that. The main problem I found is that if you cannot hold the branch steady the saw tends to grip rather than cut, and just shakes the branch around.

The saw could do with more idiot-proof instructions, as given its shape there is the temptation to pull it towards you; I lost a small amount of blood after getting a bit carried away at one point, dragging the saw across my knuckles. However, when used correctly, the saw completed the task with minimal effort, leaving the tree a shadow of its former self.

Philip Baker

Hero's verdict: Three stars (four with the telescopic handle)

Wolf Pruning Saw: £26.99, homebase.co.uk

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