an into a YouTube short testing how to cut down steel poles quickly yesterday, with battery powered tools. Sawzall, 1m 15s, circular saw 1m, circular saw like 20s.

Manual pole cutters have existed for at least 100 years. No batteries. Almost zero noise.

You put one on the pole, walk around the pole once, and it's cut. They were used a lot in the 1970's when people were rebelling against parking meters.

I believe it's part of the opening scene of the film Cool Hand Luke.

CHL was cutting very thick steel pipe with a pipe cutter with a handle. Pipe cutters for aluminum pipe are discreet and pocket-sized.

An efficient, conspicuous alternative would be a handheld bandsaw which is faster than a sawzall.