Best Bow Saw Reviews and Ultimate Guide

A bow saw is a simple, fast tool for cutting branches, small trees, and firewood logs. A steel bow holds a thin blade under tension, so it cuts green and dry wood quickly with little effort.

Modern bow saws differ in frame shape, blade type, tensioning, and whether they fold for packing.

Below we review six bow saws for the yard, the campsite, and bushcraft, followed by a short buying guide.

OUR TOP PICK

The Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo Bow Saw is our top pick, with its ergonomic handle, sturdy tubular steel frame, and hardened steel blade.

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Best Bow Saws on the Market Today Are…

Product	Details
1.Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo Bow Saw	1.Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo Bow Saw Top Pick	- 14.1 ounces - Steel - 21 inches - 7.9 x 7.9 x11.8 inches	Check Current Price
2.Agawa Canyon BOREAL21	2.Agawa Canyon BOREAL21	- 1.2 pounds - 24 x 4 x 4 inches - Aluminum frame, glass-reinforced nylon handle - 21" blade, 21.5" closed, 22" tip to tip open	Check Current Price
3.Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw	3.Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw	- 1 pound - 3 x 26.7 x 10 inches - Metal - Hardened carbon steel with rust inhibitor	Check Current Price
4.Bahco Bow Saw	4.Bahco Bow Saw	- 2.1 pound - 39 x 1 x 10 inches - Metal - Hardened steel - High-quality steel tubing	Check Current Price
5.Gerber Freescape	5.Gerber Freescape	- 1 pound - 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches - Metal - Standard 12-inch	Check Current Price
6.Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw	6.Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw	- 2.4 ounces - 0.2 x 0.8 x 30 inches - Metal - Ergonomic handle with knuckle protector	Check Current Price

1. Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo Bow Saw (Best Overall)

The Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo is our overall best bow saw because it cuts fast and lasts. Its 21-inch size suits pruning, yard cleanup, and camp firewood.

The main selling point of the Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo Bow Saw is the rugged construction that makes it robust and, therefore, ideal for demanding applications. It is constructed with steel tubing, which is light but stiff, so it tracks straight cuts.

Its tensioning lever makes replacing the blade easy, and the handle has a knuckle guard to protect your hand.

The frame has an orange coating that resists rust, and the bright color makes the saw easy to spot if you drop it in the brush.

Its main drawback is size: it does not fold, so it is awkward to fit in a backpack.

Specs

• 14.1 ounces
• Steel
• 21 inches
• 7.9 x 7.9 x11.8 inches

Pros

• The saw has a lightweight frame that makes it easy to carry and use.
• Easy to use tensioner that makes the saw ideal for both experts and newbies.
• It is designed with a long-lasting frame.
• The blade is easily replaceable.

Cons

• Pricey

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2. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 (Best Bow Saw for Bushcraft)

The Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 combines durability with a compact folding design. If you are headed into the backcountry and want a full-size saw that packs small, this is a strong choice for clearing trails and cutting firewood.

It has a 21-inch steel blade, and its trapezoid-shaped frame leaves plenty of clearance for cutting larger logs.

Its main selling point is the folding design. When you unfold the saw, it snaps into position and tensions the blade, giving you a firm hand saw in seconds. That makes it handy for camping and trekking.

The blade has a coated finish and aggressive teeth.

Some owners find the handle a little uncomfortable during long sessions.

Specs

• 1.2 pounds
• 24 x 4 x 4 inches
• Aluminum frame, glass-reinforced nylon handle
• 21″ blade, 21.5″ closed, 22″ tip to tip open

Pros

• The saw blade tensions itself automatically.
• It is light and folds into a small unit that is easy to carry.
• It is a perfect option for cutting both small and big logs.

Cons

• Pricey

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3. Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw (Best Budget Bow Saw)

Fiskars is a well-known maker of garden and hand tools, and the 7029 bow saw is one of the least expensive saws here.

It has a sturdy steel frame and a hardened carbon steel blade with a rust-inhibiting coating.

Its tensioning system keeps the blade tight for green branches or dry wood, and changing the blade is quick.

The main shortcoming is size: it will not fit easily in a backpack. Cover the blade with a guard when you store or carry it, so the teeth do not cut you or damage other tools.

Specs

• 1 pound
• 3 x 26.7 x 10 inches
• Metal
• Hardened carbon steel with rust inhibitor

Pros

• One of the most affordable bow saws out there.
• The saw’s all-metal construction makes it firm to work with and long-lasting
• The bow saw is light and you can easily carry around for most cutting tasks.

Cons

• Its broad design makes it less ideal for working in compact areas.

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4. Bahco Bow Saw #9 (Best Bow Saw for Cutting Logs)

For clearing logs and thick branches, the larger Bahco bow saw is an all-purpose choice with a tubular steel frame and an ergonomic handle.

Its hardened steel blade cuts both green and dry wood, and the long blade lets you cut larger logs with full strokes. Brace the log on a sawbuck or the ground, and keep your free hand well away from the blade's path.

The plastic handle is comfortable to hold.

The tension lever keeps the blade tight, which helps the saw cut straight in green and dry wood.

At 39 inches long, this saw’s length can be an issue since it cannot easily fit in a backpack, especially when trekking for longer distances.

Specs

• 2.1 pound
• 39 x 1 x 10 inches
• Metal
• Hardened steel
• High-quality steel tubing

Pros

• Designed for both green and dry wood cutting.
• Comfortable handle for long sessions
• Lightweight

Cons

• Pricey

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5. Gerber Freescape (Best Camping Bow Saw)

The Gerber Freescape bow saw is a unique piece designed for hikers and campers. Its compact design makes it easy to place in a backpack and carry with ease.

The main selling point of this saw is its folding mechanism. It folds into a compact package that fits in a backpack without taking it apart.

The hardened steel blade holds its edge well. Like most bow saw blades, it is meant to be replaced, not resharpened, when it gets dull.

Specs

• 1 pound
• 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Metal
• Standard 12-inch

Pros

• The saw’s frame is brightly colored so that you can easily spot if it falls on the grass.
• Designed with rubber overmold grip that provides a firm grip when sawing.
• Good for camp firewood and small branches

Cons

• Pricey

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6. Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw

If you want an affordable bow saw, the Truper 30255 is solidly constructed, and its pointed nose fits into tight spots between branches, which suits yard work and pruning.

Its cam-lever tensioning is simple: lift the lever, swap the blade, and close the lever to tension it.

To give users more choices, the Truper 30255 steel handle bow saw comes in three different models based on frame length: 21-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch. If you want to use the bow saw for heavy-duty operations such as cutting tough branches or wood, go for the 30-inch model. If you need something while traveling then the best folding saw is a perfect choice.

It has an all-metal frame. When the blade dulls or cracks, replace it.

Some owners find the handle uncomfortable during long sessions.

Specs

• 2.4 ounces
• 0.2 x 0.8 x 30 inches
• Metal
• Ergonomic handle with knuckle protector

Pros

• All-metal frame
• Changing the blade using the quick-release mechanism is easy.
• In addition to packing enviable features, the saw is sold affordably.

Cons

• The cam-lever tension system used on this saw is not the best out there.

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Bow Saw Buying Guide: Important Features to Consider

Many people buy bow saws for yard work, pruning, firewood, camping, and clearing trails. Here are the features we compared.

Blades

The blade in a bow saw is the most crucial part. Bow saw blades for cutting wood fall into two main categories.

Peg tooth blades

Peg tooth blades have evenly spaced triangular teeth with pointed tips. They are generally recommended for dry, seasoned wood.

Peg and Raker Tooth Blade

These blades have groups of cutting teeth separated by raker teeth with a gullet. They are preferred for green wood because the rakers clear the wet sawdust out of the cut to prevent clogging.

Frame

The frames of most bow saws are made of tubular steel, which keeps the blade under tension. Bow-shaped frames give the most clearance for thick logs, while triangle-shaped frames with a pointed nose fit between branches.

For example, some frames fold to make the bow saw fit into a backpack while others do not.

Handle

Many bow saws have a pistol-grip handle with a knuckle guard. Some have rubberized handles for a better grip.

Tensioner

Saw tensioners hold the blade on the frame, tighten it for cutting, and loosen it for replacement. A tight blade cuts straighter and is less likely to bind.

Safe Use

Keep blades sharp and replace them when they crack; OSHA notes that dull tools can cause more hazards than sharp ones and that cracked saw blades must be taken out of service. Wear gloves and eye protection, and cover the blade when you carry the saw.

For limbs more than 1-1/2 inches thick, use the three-cut method: an undercut about one-third through, 6 to 12 inches out, then a top cut 1 to 2 inches farther out, and a final cut just outside the branch collar.

That keeps the falling limb from tearing the bark. Leave felling trees and high limbs to a professional.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want a bow saw for camping, bushcraft, or yard work, one of these six should fit.

Our overall pick is the Bahco 10-21-51 21-Inch Ergo. Its rugged steel-tube frame and hardened blade make it a dependable saw for branches and firewood. If you need a saw that packs small, choose the Agawa Canyon BOREAL21.

Sources

• What is the proper way to prune a large tree branch?, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
• Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA