The Best Camping Saws: Including Top Folding Saws and Bow Saws
Contents
- The Best Camping Saws Are …
- 1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander – Best Folding Saw for Camping
- 2. Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 – Best Bow Saw
- 3. Sportsman Pocket Camping Saw
- 4. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
- 5. BigBoy 2000 Camping Saw
- 6. Zippo AxeSaw
- 7. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw
- Buying Guide
- Quality
- Blade Design and Efficiency
- Ergonomic Handle
- Travel-Friendliness
- Brand
- Safe and Responsible Use
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
Photo by StromBer, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether you are a hiker, mountaineer, or survivalist, the right camping saw would make it easier to cut branches to clear a path, start a fire, or build a shelter.
Below we compare seven folding saws, bow saws, and pocket chain saws by design, blade, and portability, followed by a short buying guide.
OUR TOP PICK
The Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is our first choice because of its sleek design and comfortable grip that make it easy to carry everywhere you go.
The Best Camping Saws Are …
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander | 1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Top Pick | - Weight: 7 ounces - Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches - Blade: 7-1/2 -inch blade - Teeth configuration: 7-teeth per inch | Check Current Price |
| 2. Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 | 2. Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 | - Weight: 1.2 pounds - Dimensions: 24 x 4 x 4 inches - Material: Aluminum frame and glass-reinforced nylon handle - Blade: 21-inch | Check Current Price |
| 3. Sportsman Pocket Camping Saw | 3. Sportsman Pocket Camping Saw | - Weight: 5 ounces - Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches - Chain: 36-inch long chain - Warranty Description: Lifetime | Check Current Price |
| 4. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw | 4. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw | - Weight: 1 pound - Dimensions: 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches - Blade: 12-inch replaceable blade | Check Current Price |
| 5. BigBoy 2000 Camping Saw | 5. BigBoy 2000 Camping Saw | - Weight: 1 pound - Dimensions: 29.9 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches - Material: Steel - Blade length: 14 inches | Check Current Price |
| 6. Zippo AxeSaw | 6. Zippo AxeSaw | - Weight: 2.6 pounds - Dimensions: 8.6 x 20.3 x 1.6 inches - Saw blade length: 15 inches - Material: Stainless steel | Check Current Price |
| 7. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | 7. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | - Weight: 12.8 ounces - Blade length: 10 inches - Material: Hardened steel | Check Current Price |
1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander – Best Folding Saw for Camping
The Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is a compact, lightweight folding saw that is popular with campers and hunters.
Its design allows you to comfortably grip it in one hand when cutting, as the other hand holds the workpiece.
The hardened steel blade has a coating for low friction and rust protection. Wipe it dry after use anyway, since a coating slows rust but does not stop it.
The camping saw is designed with seven teeth per inch, which makes it a general-purpose type of folding saw that you can use for cutting green wood, dry wood, bone, and plastic.
You will also like the saw’s two-component plastic handle that provides a perfect grip even when working on wet environments.
It folds to roughly 9 inches long, small enough for a pack pocket, and has a leather strap for carrying.
To enhance the safety of the camping saw, it has a safety lock that keeps it firmly locked when folded.
Specs
- Weight: 7 ounces
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
- Blade: 7-1/2 -inch blade
- Teeth configuration: 7-teeth per inch
Pros
- Folds into a small and compact unit
- Designed with an ergonomic handle
- Light and easy to carry
- Multipurpose
Cons
- Not suitable for felling big branches
2. Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 – Best Bow Saw
If you expect to do a lot of cutting, a bow saw such as the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 cuts faster than a small folding saw.
The frame folds flat around the blade, so the saw packs into a long, narrow shape that fits along the side of a backpack.
The 21-inch blade is tensioned by the frame when you open it. The longer stroke makes it better suited to thicker limbs and firewood logs than the pocket saws on this list.
Specs
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 24 x 4 x 4 inches
- Material: Aluminum frame and glass-reinforced nylon handle
- Blade: 21-inch
Pros
- Designed with a tough and long-lasting blade
- The camping saw works well for most outdoor cutting tasks
- Comes with an automated blade tensioning system
- Uses an ergonomic handle
- Designed to last
Cons
- It cannot easily fit in a pocket
3. Sportsman Pocket Camping Saw
This Sportsman pocket saw is a 36-inch cutting chain with a handle at each end. You pull it back and forth with both hands, which lets it reach around limbs that a rigid saw cannot.
The heat-treated steel chain cuts in both directions. Strap handles give you a firm grip for long strokes on branches.
Because it is just a chain, it coils into a small pouch that fits in a pocket. Keep it in the pouch, since the teeth are exposed.
Specs
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches
- Chain: 36-inch long chain
- Warranty Description: Lifetime
Pros
- Comes with an innovative chain design
- A great choice for general-purpose cutting
- Easy and safe to carry in a pouch
- Allows you to work with both hands
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Reaching tight areas can be tough
4. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
The Gerber Freescape is a folding frame saw for cutting firewood at camp. It is not a felling tool; for trees beyond limb size, use a proper bow saw or chainsaw.
The frame folds without taking it apart, so there are no loose parts to lose. It stores easily in a camp bin.
The rubberized handle gives a secure one-hand grip, including in wet conditions.
Specs
- Weight: 1 pound
- Dimensions: 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
- Blade: 12-inch replaceable blade
Pros
- The saw folds into a compact and easy-to-carry unit
- Bright green color accents make it easy to spot the saw
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Good for firewood-size limbs
Cons
- Costly
- Even the folded design cannot be tossed into the pocket
5. BigBoy 2000 Camping Saw
The BigBoy 2000 is made in Japan by Silky, a well-known pruning saw maker.
It has a 14.2-inch (360 mm) curved, hard chrome-plated blade with large teeth at 5.5 teeth per inch. The long, coarse blade cuts quickly.
Silky rates it for green and dry hardwood, large limbs, and small trunks. Folded, it is about 16 inches long, so it rides in a pack, not a pocket.
Specs
- Weight: 1 pound
- Dimensions: 29.9 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches
- Material: Steel
- Blade length: 14 inches
Pros
- Ideal for cutting both green and dry wood
- Comes with a secure non-slip handle
- Folds for carrying in a pack
- Long blade cuts quickly
- Lasts long
Cons
- Too long to fit in a pocket
- Coarse teeth leave a rough cut
6. Zippo AxeSaw
The Zippo AxeSaw combines a hatchet, a mallet, and a saw in one tool.
The stainless steel hatchet head sits on a polymer handle that stores the saw blade inside.
Attach the blade to the handle to use it as a bow-style saw for small logs. Use the hatchet head to split kindling, shave tinder, and drive tent stakes.
To keep the Zippo AxeSaw secure, it is constructed with a safety sheath that perfectly fits the axe head, which also serves as the saw handle. In addition to protecting the head, it also acts as an integrated non-slip and rubberized over-mold for a firmer grip.
Specs
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.6 x 20.3 x 1.6 inches
- Saw blade length: 15 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
Pros
- Designed with a cam & self-adjusting tension compensation system
- It is a three-in-one tool that allows you to do more than simply cutting
- The handle is uniquely designed for storing the blade
- Stainless steel head and blade
Cons
- Heavy
7. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw
The Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw is a 10-inch folding saw that works for camp and for backyard pruning.
Its teeth are sharpened on three sides and set wide enough to reduce binding in green branches.
It folds into a compact, light unit that is easy to carry.
Specs
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
- Blade length: 10 inches
- Material: Hardened steel
Pros
- Ideal for camping as well as other cutting tasks around the home
- Folds into a light and compact unit for enhanced portability
- Designed with a long-lasting blade
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Short blade limits it to small and medium branches
Buying Guide
Strength and cutting ability matter most in a camping saw. Here are the other factors to check:
Quality
Check the frame, blade, joints, and handle for solid construction. For example, the saw should come with a good tensioning system, and its frame should be designed with tough yet light material.
Blade Design and Efficiency
One of the saw parts that greatly determines how it will perform out there is the blade. So, you need to pick a saw with the right blade length depending on the nature of the cutting tasks.
For example, if you will need to cut large branches and logs, a camping saw with a longer blade will be a better option.
Also check teeth per inch (TPI). Fewer, larger teeth cut green wood faster but leave a rougher cut. Most camping saws fall between about 5 and 10 TPI, and around 7 TPI is a good all-round choice.
Look for a replaceable blade, so a dull or damaged blade does not mean replacing the whole saw.
Ergonomic Handle
The best camping saw should be designed with an ergonomic handle that provides you with a firm grip when cutting.
A rubber or textured grip helps keep your hand from slipping in wet conditions.
Travel-Friendliness
A camping saw should fold or pack down and set up quickly. Small pocket saws are easy to carry but slow on thick wood, so pick a longer saw if you expect to cut logs.
Brand
Established brands such as Corona, Gerber, Silky, and Bahco offer replacement blades and consistent quality.
Safe and Responsible Use
Keep the blade locked when folded and in its sheath or pouch when not in use. Cut away from your legs and keep your free hand clear of the stroke.
In most parks, firewood rules are strict. The Leave No Trace guidance shared by the National Park Service says to only use down and dead wood that can be broken by hand, so check local rules before cutting anything at a campsite.
Final Thoughts
Pick a camping saw by the wood you expect to cut: a pocket folding saw for small branches, or a bow saw or long folding saw for logs.
Of the seven saws above, the Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is our top pick. It is light, has a tough blade, and locks closed for safe carrying.
Sources
- BigBoy 2000 (360mm) Folding Saw, Silky Saws
- Leave No Trace Seven Principles, National Park Service
