Table of Contents
Introduction
There are many reasons that warrant the purchase of a camping saw. You may need it to get firewood, clear a campsite, or maybe even prune that pesky tree in your yard. However, you should only go for the best camping saw if you are an outdoorsy person and often engage in hiking, hunting, or camping.
Camping saws are versatile devices and are a must-have tool for your kit. There are various different types of saws out there. You may not have much use for a general-purpose camp saw. It is important that you get the folding camp saw that best suits your purpose and needs.
At a Glance: Our Choices for The 10 Best Camping Saws
Click on one of the links to go directly to our overview, opinion, and features of each saw.
The Different Types of Camping Saws You Can Buy
Bow Saw – These are among the best camping saws when it comes to efficiency and speed. They are swift to deploy and get the job done even if they may be bulky. You need to find a bow saw that is compact enough to easily fit in your backpack. The best aspect of bow saws is the replaceable blades. You can rely on one for a very long time.
Folding Saw –These camp saws have something of both bow saw and pocket chainsaw. The best folding saws are efficient enough to cut through thicket and other branches while being compact enough to easily fit in your gear. As discerning customer, Bahco Laplander folding saw is one of the good choices you may consider in this category.
Pocket Chainsaw – These camp saws rank high in terms of portability. Their feathery weight and compact size would make them ideal for camping. However, they are usually not able to cut through thicket. They are really convenient to access making them great for emergencies.
How to Choose an Excellent Camping Saw
There are two major things you need to look out for while cutting wood – ability and speed. These may be the most important factors to consider, but there are other things also that you need to consider while looking for the best camping saw.
Purpose
Camping saws are primarily used for cutting wood in order to build a campfire. However, there are other uses you can put this tool for. For instance, you could use it to cut thicket to make a cleaner campsite or prune trees. There are certain camping saws that can cut through sturdy branches to build a tent pole as per specified dimensions.
Quality
You do not want to purchase a low-quality product only to have it snap in half while cutting away. Always pay attention to quality. You need to ensure that the steel blade, the ergonomic handle and all other smaller parts in the list, like nuts, spare parts, and added handle attachments are sturdy, durable, and built of high-quality materials.
Price
Generally, where camping saws are concerned you get what you pay for. However, there are certain affordable options that get the work done splendidly. You can pick one that offers more value for money so you can enjoy bush-craft at reasonable prices.
User-Experience
It can be tough to cut wood or make shapes from it. You need a tool that feels easy in your hand makes you feel confident and sure of yourself. Buying a camp saw with sufficient teeth per inch that is designed to improve comfort is one way to get the most out of your tool. Consider the handle’s shape. Does it grip well? Is it a truly an ergonomic handle?
Credibility
It’s paramount to pick a brand that is reliable and reputable. Some of the best camping saw manufacturers place lightness ahead of utility. You may want to consider your options wisely to find a tool that best serves your purpose. Always look for a company that produces top of the line products.
A backpacking saw will be reliable when purchased from the right manufacturer and used correctly. They are a useful product to have in any backpack given their lightness and versatility.
Top 10 Camping Saws
#1
EverSaw Folding Hand Saw – Best Overall
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 8 in |
| Overall Length: | 17 in |
| Weight: | 10 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Weather resistant
(+) Great design
(+) Hardened teeth
Cons:
(-) Loses sharpness
(-) Exposed teeth when folded
EverSaw Folding Hand Saw has an 8-inch-long blade and comes with a lifetime warranty. The product is well made and of high quality. The blade has triple-cut razor teeth that are hardened to ensure they stay sharp and smooth for long. The teeth per inch have the capability to cut through a number of items and can be invaluable in the woods.
The handle is ergonomically designed and fits nicely in the hand. It is slip resistant which allows for heavy work during hot weather. The compact saw folds away nicely and comes with a safety lock for safe keeping.
Why Should You Buy It?
Multi-purpose – The saw can be utilized in a number of ways. It is ideal for hunting, pruning, camping, and trimming.
Durable – EverSaw Folding Hand Saw is built from high quality materials that make it durable. It is resistant to weather damage and can be easily used to saw through dry trees and bones.
#2
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw – Best in Versatility
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 7.5 in |
| Overall Length: | 16 in |
| Weight: | 7 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Ergonomic design
(+) Stainless steel blade
(+) Extremely sharp
Cons:
(-) Blade finish is not permanent
(-) Unrefined deployment
Bahco Laplander folding saw is a general-purpose folding saw which is designed specifically for campers, hunters, and wildlife enthusiasts. It can be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as fixing things around the house, cutting wood, or prepping large game. The tool comes with a comfortable grip and impressive driving power.
The stainless-steel blade of this powerful camping saw is 7½ long. It has a Teeth Per Inch (TPI) of 7. Ranking among the top folding camping saws, it has a special safety lock on the handle to keep the blade locked in place whether out or folded. However, the lock could have been made better.
Why Should You Buy It?
Coated blade – The Laplander blade has a special coating that prevents rust and offers less resistance while cutting. This allows it to be used for a wide range of purposes.
Great grip – The Bahco Laplander folding 396-LAP comes with a great handle. It is built out of two-component plastic and has a comfortable leather strap for ease of carrying.
#3
Felco F-600 Classic Folding Saw – Best Extra Features
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 6 in |
| Overall Length: | 14 in |
| Weight: | 5.5 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Prevents clogging and binding
(+) Prunes easily
(+) Good locking system
Cons:
(-) Weak tip
(-) Expensive
The Felco F-600 sports high-quality rust-resistant chromed blades built out of steel. The trimming handsaw is overall 14 inches in length and weighs 5.5 ounce. The blade is 6 inches long and can make precise cuts. The teeth are impulse heated and are resistant to corrosion for a long life.
The handsaw has a unique design which is tapered towards the top with a thin blade and thicker at the bottom to prevent binding and clogging. Felco F-600 offers high-performance efficiency and can cut branches up to 4 inches in diameter.
Why Should You Buy It?
Simplistic design – The saw pruner has a non-slip, ergonomic handle and a simplistic design that allows for increased comfort and safety. It easily folds in half and can be carried comfortably in a pocket.
Strong blade – Felco F-600 boasts of a rust-resistant chromed blade that has impulse heated teeth for cutting through thick branches.
#4
Sven Saw – Best in Performance
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 15 in |
| Overall Length: | 15 in |
| Weight: | 14 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Light weight
(+) Easy to assemble
(+) Value for money
Cons:
(-) Limited aftermarket options
(-) No sheath
Sven Saw is one of the best camping saws built of high-quality materials. It is designed to be strong and resilient and built to last. It can easily be used for yard work or wilderness. It only comes in one color – high visibility red so that you never leave it behind accidentally.
The saw weighs 14 ounces and has sharp and fast-cutting blades. It has rugged anodized aluminum alloy frame for durability. The blade is 21 inches long and it folds to a compact size of 24″ x 1 3/4″ x 5/8″.
Why Should You Buy It?
Rugged design – Sven Saw is designed for a variety of purposes from canoeing, camping, hiking, to simple yard work. It is built with a triangular design on a rigid frame to offer a unique ruggedness.
Perfect handling – There are no corners on the tubular handling so that you never accidentally hurt yourself. The red anodized finish extends well below the blade to offer a solid grip.
#5
SILKY New Professional Series Folding Saw – Easiest to Carry
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 8.25 in |
| Overall Length: | 16 in |
| Weight: | 10.5 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Easily cuts through wood
(+) Long blade
(+) Aggressive cutting teeth
Cons:
(-) Reports of blade breaking in two
(-) Expensive
SILKY New Professional Series Folding Saw sports an 8-1/3-inch blade with 8.5 TPI. It weighs 0.55 pounds. The carrying case adds just0.10 pounds. The blade is hard chrome plated and impulse hardened with non-set tooth design.
The carrying case is an added bonus and helps in protecting the blade for longer. It also makes it safer to carry and store when not in use. The chain saw is best used by professionals or hardened campers due to the sharpness of blade.
Why Should You Buy It?
Smooth cutting – The folding saw is multi-purpose with a smooth cutting action. It is lightweight which helps in improving cutting style and dexterity.
Versatile – The blade may be considered long by some standards but it is helpful when trying to cut strong branches. It can easily saw through 4 inch wood and is perfect for chopping up firewood. It also helps in pruning branches for a cleaner campsite.
#6
TABOR TOOLS Folding Saw – Best Budget Buy
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 8 in |
| Overall Length: | 17 in |
| Weight: | 4 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Easy to deploy
(+) Sharp teeth
(+) Compact size
Cons:
(-) Unable to cut through really thick branches
(-) Loses sharpness quickly
Tabor Folding Saw is a rust resistant powerful handsaw that can easily cut through 4 inch wood. It is great for cutting the limbs off pines and oaks. The blade has a satisfying backward draw stroke to tear through any kind of wood.
The saw is easy to close with a handy locking mechanism. The lock on the handle keeps the blade from flopping out when not in use. The handle works as the sheath and scabbard.
Why Should You Buy It?
Handle shape – It has an ergonomic handle that is built out of non-slip materials. The handle doesn’t get slick with sweat. The handle is built in such a way that it fits perfectly with any hand size – small to XL.
Rugged teeth – The blade comes with rugged razor teeth to allow for strong pulls. The teeth remain stable to make accurate cuts. It also employs force equally to get the job done quickly.
#7
SOG Folding Saw – Best Value
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 8.25 in |
| Overall Length: | 17.25 in |
| Weight: | 9.2 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Sharp blades
(+) Value for money
(+) Lightweight and portable
Cons:
(-) Bends easily
(-) Rust resistant coating wears off quickly
This folding camp saw can easily tackle green wood and hard wood with its differentially tempered teeth of 17.25 inches. The blade is high carbon steel and is easily removable so you can change it whenever it loses sharpness.
The small blade features black powder coating for enhanced rust-resistance. The handle is made from soft Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) materials. It allows for a softer grip while cutting through logs and branches.
Why Should You Buy It?
Compact – The SOG saw can easily fold and be carried in its durable black sheath. It weighs only 9.2 ounces.
Durable – The blade is made from high quality carbon steel and has a coat of black powder to ensure a long life and prevention against rust.
#8
Wicked Hand Saw – Most Resistant
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 7.0 in |
| Overall Length: | 15 in |
| Weight: | 7 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) High quality materials
(+) Aggressive design
(+) Lightweight
Cons:
(-) Expensive
(-) No warranty on blade
The Wicked Hand Saw features an impulse hardened high carbon steel blade. It has a comfortable, non-slip, rubber grip design that is ergonomically built to fit hands of any size. The frame is rugged cast aluminum and carries a fail-safe lock design.
There is no plastic in the frame that may break accidentally. The blade length is 7 inches and the saw when closed is 8.25 inches. The saw is backed by lifetime warranty. It is available with a black or yellow grip.
Why Should You Buy It?
Tapered design – The Wicked Hand Saw features a tapered ground design and heavy gauge to resist breaking or bending. It can be used to cut any type of trees. It can easily cut through 8” trees and 2” x 4” wood.
Fail-safe blade lock – The locking mechanism has a hardened steel lock-pin to keep the blade safely tucked away.
#9
FilzerBuckster Bow Saw – Most Efficient
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 7.0 in |
| Overall Length: | 16.25 in |
| Weight: | 9.2 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Aluminum frame
(+) Long blade
(+) Easy to carry
Cons:
(-) Very sharp blade
(-) Expensive to replace
The bow saw fits nicely in any camping bag with its compact size. It collapses into a cylindrical tube measuring 19 inches x 1.4 inches. The saw features an all-aluminum frame design with stainless steel tensioning system.
The blade is 18 inches long and can cut logs up to 13 inches in diameter. It weighs 1.3 pounds. The lightweight is owing to the use of aluminum in its design.
Why Should You Buy It?
Baton shape – The Filzer Buckster BB-1 is roughly the shape of a large baton and is perfect for carrying along on camping trips. Its sharp blade and dexterous use makes it a great tool where large saws cannot be carried.
Cuts nicely – The 18” steel blade is just the perfect size for sawing through thick logs to make campfires. The only downside is that you cannot get replacement from third parties and the manufacturer has priced replacement blades quite high.
#10
Gerber Freescape Camp Saw – Superior in Design
![Gerber Freescape Camp Saw [31-002820]](../images/I/31MnT2R2kLL.jpg "Gerber Freescape Camp Saw [31-002820]")
| Our Rating: | |
| Blade Length: | 12 in |
| Overall Length: | 17 in |
| Weight: | 14 Oz. |
Pros:
(+) Easily collapsible
(+) Clever mechanism
(+) No loose pieces
Cons:
(-) Shallow throat
(-) No hand guard
The Gerber Freescape Camp Saw measures 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches with a 12 inch saw blade and weighs 1.1 pounds. The handle has a rubber over-mold grip. The saw is built to be compact and lightweight while offering the utility of a powerful saw.
The saw is 1 inch at the thickest point. It has a super sharp and aggressive hardened steel blade that can easily saw through logs of 4 inch diameter. The blade has a hook near the handle and is manually tensioned. You can cut up to 10 inch logs if you rotate the saw while cutting.
Why Should You Buy It?
Great design – The Gerber Freescape camp saw design allows for easy folding and unfolding of the saw without having to touch the blade. This is significant because the blade is pretty sharp. The blade is also nicely contained within the handle when in folded position. It allows for easy carrying without any damage to gear.
Easy replacements – The Gerber Freescape camp saw works well with any standard 12-inch bow saw blade. This gives the freedom and flexibility to choose the kind of performance you need.
FAQ
How should I take care of my camping saw?
You need to keep your backpacking saw blade clean and dry. Even the best camping saws need a little loving and care. Always oil the blade to ensure that it doesn’t rust. WD-40 or gun oil usually works very well for this purpose.
How should I sharpen my saw?
Every camping saw needs the blades to be sharpened from time to time. You need to find a safe place where you can easily see the saw blade. Use a triangular file that fits nicely to the saw’s blade and begin to stroke each blade teeth with the file. It is best to start from the handle and work your way upwards.
Conclusion
The best camping saw that can help you with most purposes is EverSaw Folding Hand Saw. It features an 8 inch long blade with triple-cut razor teeth. The saw is a valuable tool in the woods since the blade is hardened to ensure smooth and swift cuts. The best part about this saw is that the manufacturer offers lifetime warranty.
If you are looking for something designed specifically for campers with a wide range of applications, then Bahco Laplander 396-LAP is the best option. It has a TPI (teeth per inch) of 7 which can hack through the sturdiest of limbs as long as they are 4” in diameter.
