Skil 8 IN. Pole Saw Kit

Why I reached for this pole saw

After a few seasons of fighting a balky gas pole saw, I wanted something I could pull off the hook, pop a battery in, and get right to trimming. Skil’s 8-inch cordless pole saw fit that bill. Over several weekends of pruning storm-damaged limbs and annual shaping, I put this saw through the typical homeowner tasks: 2- to 6-inch branches at heights that would otherwise demand a ladder. It’s not a pro forestry tool, but it’s a capable yard work companion with a smart feature set for the price.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly is straightforward. The modular aluminum shaft comes as three sections, and the quick-lock couplers are intuitive and secure. With two poles attached, overall length is about 6.5 feet; add the third and you’re at roughly 10 feet, which is a practical maximum before control starts to suffer. The kit includes a shoulder strap and a sturdy storage hook/bracket—small accessories that end up mattering when you’re wrestling long tools and trying to keep a garage organized.

Skil includes a 20V 2.0Ah battery and a 60W charger. If you already own PWRCORE 20 tools, the cross-compatibility is a big convenience and a cost saver. There’s an integrated LED near the handle; it’s not a make-or-break feature, but it actually helps when you’re sighting a cut in the dappled shade under a canopy.

Reach and head articulation

The pivoting head is the unsung hero here. It locks into eight positions up to 135 degrees, which lets you attack a limb from above for a clean top cut, then roll to an undercut to prevent bark tear-out. With practice, I could set the angle so the chain settled into the kerf without fighting kickback tendencies. On a pole saw, that adjustability translates directly to safer, more controlled cuts, especially when you’re stretching to reach.

At full extension, the saw is naturally top-heavy—as almost all pole saws are. The head weight actually helps the chain bite into the work, but it can feel awkward when walking or repositioning. The included shoulder strap helps, and I found that choking up a bit on the lower handle while bracing the midsection against my hip gave me the best control.

Cutting performance

The 8-inch bar and chain, paired with a brushed motor driving a chain speed of 8 m/s, is tuned for pruning and limbing, not bucking logs. Within that envelope, it’s effective. Fresh, healthy wood in the 2–4 inch range goes quickly and cleanly. On dry, dense hardwoods in the 5–6 inch class, the saw still gets it done, but you need to let the chain work—steady pressure, no forcing. The top-heavy balance helps initiate the cut, and the angled head lets you keep the bar out of pinch points.

Vibration and noise are both far lower than a small gas unit. I could hear what the chain was doing, which made it easier to read the cut and back off before binding. The lack of a mechanical chain brake is worth noting; when you release the trigger, the chain coasts to a stop. Be mindful between cuts and keep the bar clear until it fully stops.

Battery life and charging

With the included 2.0Ah pack, I consistently finished a decent pruning session—several trees’ worth of small and medium limbs—on a single charge. As always, run time depends on cut size, wood species, and how often you’re at full throttle, but homeowners tackling periodic yard maintenance should be satisfied. The 60W charger brings a depleted 2.0Ah pack back in around an hour, give or take. If you have a large property or a lot of mature trees, a second battery is a smart investment; the platform makes that easy if you already own other Skil 20V tools.

A brushed motor isn’t as efficient as brushless alternatives, but in practice the trade-off is acceptable here. You give up a bit of run time and thermal headroom versus higher-end models, but you also keep the price approachable.

Chain care, oiling, and tensioning

The auto-oiler works reliably. The 140 mL tank and a clear oil window make it easy to monitor consumption, and I didn’t experience any starvation, even during longer continuous cuts. As with any new chain, expect it to stretch during the first use; check tension frequently. The tool-less tensioner is a highlight—quarter-turn knob, set-and-go—and it held its setting well. Just avoid over-tensioning; a slightly loose chain that still stays on the bar is better than one that’s cranked tight.

The chain is a 3/8-inch low-profile pitch with a 0.043-inch gauge. If you plan to sharpen it yourself, a 0.177-inch (about 4.5 mm) round file is the spec. Keep a small file in the case and give the teeth a quick touch-up every tank of oil; this saw rewards a sharp chain with cleaner cuts and less battery drain.

Ergonomics and control

At 8.9 pounds with bar and chain (before you add the shaft sections), the saw is on the lighter side for a battery pole saw. That helps when you’re working at awkward angles. The main handle is comfortable, and the trigger response is predictable, making it easy to feather the start of a cut. I appreciate the included blade sheath for safe storage and transport, and the U-link on the shaft plays nicely with the shoulder strap.

With any pole saw, the technique matters as much as the tool. A few tips that worked well with this one:
- Use the head angle to set up your top cut, then roll to an undercut to prevent tear-out.
- Let the weight of the head start the cut; don’t muscle it.
- Keep cuts at shoulder level or higher to maintain control; avoid cutting below waist height where kickback risk increases.
- Plan your cuts to avoid pinching the bar, especially when the limb has tension on it.

Durability and build

The aluminum shaft sections are rigid enough that, even at full extension, flex is manageable. The locking collars don’t loosen mid-task, and the head pivot detents are positive. There’s the expected plastic in the housing, but nothing felt flimsy. After several outings, there was no excessive bar oil seepage beyond the usual light film that all chain tools exhibit. As long as you keep the chain sharp, the bar dressed, and the oiler filled, I don’t see any obvious durability red flags.

What could be better

• Balance at full extension: The top-heavy feel is typical, but a small counterweight or a more robust harness would improve control during longer sessions.
• No chain brake: The chain coasts to a stop after trigger release. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting for safety-minded users.
• Modest chain speed: At 8 m/s, this isn’t a speed demon. For frequent cuts in 6-inch hardwood, a more powerful or brushless model would be faster.
• Battery size: The included 2.0Ah pack is fine for routine pruning. Larger properties will benefit from a second pack or stepping up to a higher-capacity battery.

Who it’s for

Homeowners and property managers who need a reliable, low-maintenance way to prune trees and shrubs up to around 10 feet off the ground will get great value here. If you’re already in Skil’s 20V system, it’s an easy add. Landscapers tackling all-day, heavy pruning or routinely cutting limbs thicker than 6 inches will want something with a longer bar, higher chain speed, and a brushless motor—likely in a 40V or corded format.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil pole saw for homeowners who want a dependable, user-friendly cordless trimmer with thoughtful features at a sensible price. The adjustable head, tool-less tensioning, reliable auto-oiler, and manageable weight make it easy to use well. Pair it with a second 20V battery if you have a lot of trees to maintain. If you need faster cutting in larger hardwood, or you consider a chain brake non-negotiable, look elsewhere. For routine yard work within its intended range, this saw gets the job done with minimal fuss—and that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a pole saw.