Best Folding Saws: Hand Tools for Backpacking and Camping

Photo by Simon A. Eugster, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Whether you are off trekking, camping, or simply a good survivalist, the best folding saw should be tucked in your arsenal for easy chopping, sawing, and conquering different outdoor tasks.

Folding saws should be portable and sharp, rather than big and cumbersome. Quality varies a lot, so blade steel and the locking mechanism matter.

This post compares seven folding saws on blade length, teeth, weight and ergonomics, so you can pick the right one for your trips.

OUR TOP PICK

The Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 folding saw is our favorite by far, with its versatile design, tough blade, and aggressively angled teeth that make it a perfect option for backpacking, canoeing, clearing trails, and hunting.

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The 7 Best Folding Saws Are…

Product	Details
1.Agawa Canyon BOREAL21	1.Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 Top Pick	- 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
2.Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw	2.Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw	- 7 ounces - 7.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches - Coated steel blade - 7.5 inches	Check Current Price
3.EverSaw Hand Folding Saw	3.EverSaw Hand Folding Saw	- 10.1 ounces - 9.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches - Slip-resistant comfort grip - 8 inches	Check Current Price
4.Primos Folding Saw	4.Primos Folding Saw	- 7.2 ounces - 11.2 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches - Light-weight nylon molded with a sure-grip rubber coating - 6 inches	Check Current Price
5.Silky New Professional Series KatanaBoy	5.Silky New Professional Series KatanaBoy	- 2 pounds - 49 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches - Non-slip rubberized grip - 19.7 inch	Check Current Price
6.Silky Professional Series PocketBoy	6.Silky Professional Series PocketBoy	- 6.02 ounces - 5.8 x 2.8 x 1 inches - Non-slip and rubberized - 5.1 inches - Synthetic	Check Current Price
7.Tervol Folding Hand Saw	7.Tervol Folding Hand Saw	- 8.2 ounces - 12.9 x 3 x 0.2 inches - Pistol Style Grip - 7 inches	Check Current Price

1. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 (Best Folding Saw for Backpacking)

The Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 is our top choice because of its versatile design and tough blade. Its unique design makes deploying super-fast, carrying around easy, and slicing even large logs simple. These attributes make it the perfect option for backpacking, canoeing, clearing trails, and hunting.

The BOREAL21 is a folding bow saw rather than a pocket saw. Its 21-inch blade is long enough for full strokes on logs, and the trapezoid-shaped frame folds on hinges.

It sets up quickly. The frame unfolds and locks into position, and the blade does not need to be tensioned by hand.

The blade has a corrosion-resistant coating and aggressive teeth, and the frame is anodized aluminum. Its main drawback is size: at about 21.5 inches folded, it rides on the outside of a pack, not in a pocket.

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

• You don’t need to tension the blade manually.
• It is light for a saw that cuts logs.
• Durable aluminum frame

Cons

• At 21.5″ folded, it is too long for a pocket or small pack.

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2. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw (Best Folding Saw for Camping)

This folding hand saw is our top pick for camping and runner-up in the entire list. It is compact and comfortable, and it handles branches and camp wood well, though it is slow on big logs.

The 396-LAP Laplander has a 7.5-inch coated steel blade with about seven teeth per inch (TPI), which suits dry and green wood. The coating helps resist rust and sap buildup.

To provide you with a firm grip, the Bahco 396-LAP’s handle is designed with two-component plastic. Therefore, you can easily cut dry and green materials without losing your grip. A safety lock holds the blade open or closed.

The blade is thin, which cuts fast but can flex if you push hard on thick wood.

Specs

• 7 ounces
• 7.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
• Coated steel blade
• 7.5 inches

Pros

• Equipped with a safety lock to prevent unintended opening.
• Its small design makes it easy to carry in a pocket or pack.

Cons

• The saw is not suitable for cutting large chunks of wood.
• The plastic handle makes the saw feel cheap.

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3. EverSaw Hand Folding Saw (Best Survival Folding Saw)

If you are headed to the woods for camping or hunting, the EverSaw folding hand saw is a solid backup cutting tool. It has an 8-inch carbon steel blade with triple-cut teeth that cut on the pull stroke.

The handle has a slip-resistant grip, and the blade folds into the handle when not in use.

The lock is its weak point: some users report that the blade does not sit perfectly straight when locked.

Specs

• 10.1 ounces
• 9.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches
• Slip-resistant comfort grip
• 8 inches

Pros

• The teeth are hardened to stay sharp longer.
• Longer blade than most pocket-size saws.

Cons

• Heavier than the Laplander.
• The locking mechanism is relatively poor.

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4. Primos Folding Saw (Best Budget Folding Saw)

If you want a folding saw for occasional use without spending much, the Primos Folding Saw is a good choice. It suits a casual camper or hunter who needs a saw now and then.

The Primos Folding Saw is designed with a compact design that makes carrying around easy. Also, it deploys very fast. It opens in seconds to cut twigs, branches or bone.

The saw’s handle is made with light-weight nylon and a sure-grip rubber coating that makes it easy to use even on challenging tasks. Further, the teeth have an offset design that makes cutting through wood stress-free.

Although it is affordable, this folding saw comes with some limits. For instance, you might struggle using the saw to cut through thicker bones and tough logs.

Specs

• 7.2 ounces
• 11.2 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Light-weight nylon molded with a sure-grip rubber coating
• 6 inches

Pros

• Easy to unfold when working and fold into a compact piece for easy storage.
• Using the ready-to-use casing, you can easily carry the saw outdoors.
• Light enough to forget it is in your pack.

Cons

• The folding saw is not suitable for cutting big logs of wood.

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5. Silky New Professional Series KatanaBoy

Are you in the market for a special bushcraft folding saw? The Silky New Professional Series KatanaBoy Folding Saw could be your answer because of its amazing features such as the tough blade.

The KatanaBoy 500 has a 500 mm (about 19.8-inch) blade with large teeth, about 4.2 per inch, and weighs about 2 pounds, per Silky's KatanaBoy 500 page.

The long handle lets you use both hands for more cutting power on big limbs and trunks.

The tradeoff is size: it is about 26 inches folded. It comes with a carrying case and a security screw that guards against accidental opening or closing.

Specs

• 2 pounds
• 26 inches folded, 46 3/8 inches open
• Non-slip rubberized grip
• 19.7 inch

Pros

• The saw allows you to work with either one or two hands.
• The long blade is perfect for tough tasks in the bush.
• The handle of the folding saw is rubberized for a comfortable grip when working in the field.

Cons

• The folding saw is bulkier than most folding saws we have reviewed in this list.

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6. Silky Professional Series PocketBoy

The PocketBoy is Silky's small folding saw. At about 6.7 inches folded, it fits in a pocket.

The 130 mm (5.1-inch) blade is chrome plated and taper ground, with induction-hardened, non-set teeth. Silky sells it in several tooth sizes, from large to extra fine, per Silky's PocketBoy 130 page.

The blade locks in two open positions, including one for flush cutting, and the folding design covers the teeth when it is closed.

The rubberized handle gives a firm grip, and a carrying case with a belt clip is included.

Specs

• 6 ounces
• 6.7 inches folded
• Non-slip and rubberized
• 5.1 inches
• Synthetic

Pros

• Petite yet effective to work with even in challenging tasks.
• The blade is chrome plated to resist rust.
• It is straightforward to use on different types of tasks.

Cons

• The folding saw is poor for cutting big branches and trunks.

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7. Tarvol Folding Hand Saw

Whether you want a folding hand saw designed for tough tasks when trekking in the bush or simpler jobs around your home, Tervol folding hand saw is one of the best options. It is a compact cutting tool that is easy to carry around and use for most cutting tasks.

One of the main selling points is its straight 7-inch blade made with a corrosion-resistant coating to prevent rust development. The blade features 1.2mm teeth that make it enjoyable to use for bush-based activities and DIY (do-it-yourself) projects around the home. A bow saw is a good alternative.

The Tervol folding hand saw has a pistol-style grip that helps to provide a comfortable and sturdy feel when cutting materials in the field. Also, the saw folds to only 8.5 inches long, which can easily fit in its case, backpack, or pocket.

One thing that we did not fancy about the saw is that you can only use one hand. This limits your working power and speed, especially when cutting tough materials.

Specs

• 8.2 ounces
• 12.9 x 3 x 0.2 inches
• Pistol Style Grip
• 7 inches

Pros

• Its compact design when folded makes it easy to carry around.
• Simple, sturdy design.
• The stainless steel blade is designed to hold the sharpness for long so that you can enjoy every cutting task.

Cons

• Cutting big or tough pieces of wood/ bone using the saw is a challenge.

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Folding Saw Buying Guide: Important Features to Consider

Most people buy folding saws for hunting, camping, pruning and clearing trails. Here is what to look for.

Blade Length and Thickness

Blade length decides both what you can cut and how big the saw is folded. Most blades fold into a groove in the handle, which also covers the teeth.

When it comes to thickness, saws with thicker blades are preferred for heavy-duty cutting. However, they are heavier to carry and harder to operate. As such, it is advisable to think about what your saw will be used for.

Cutting Capacity

Cutting capacity is the thickest branch or log the saw can cut efficiently. As a rule of thumb, a saw works best on wood thinner than its blade length, because you need room for full strokes.

The Tooth Configuration

When you look at a saw, the core difference with a knife or axe is the serrated blade. The folding saw’s teeth configuration defines whether it is best for cutting dry materials such as dry wood or wet material such as fresh wood. The higher the number of teeth per inch, the finer and slower the cut. Coarse teeth clear sawdust from green wood faster.

Materials Used in Designing the Saw

Look for hardened steel blades with a rust-resistant coating or chrome plating. Lightweight frames, such as aluminum, make carrying easier.

Handle

Choose a non-slip grip, and make sure the blade lock holds firmly when open. A lock that slips can fold the blade onto your fingers.

Cut with your free hand well away from the blade path, wear gloves, and fold the saw closed whenever you put it down.

Other Important Considerations

In addition to the features of the folding saw, you also need to include these factors when selecting a folding saw.

Budget

Folding saws range from inexpensive pocket saws to premium Japanese and bow-saw designs. Buy for the wood you cut most, not the lowest price.

Replacement Parts

What about replacement parts? Saws with replaceable blades last longer, because you can swap a dull or damaged blade instead of buying a new saw.

The Brand

Established brands with replacement blades and good support include Bahco, Silky Saws and Fiskars.

Final Thoughts

The right folding saw depends on how you use it. Pocket saws like the PocketBoy or Laplander suit camp chores, while long saws like the KatanaBoy handle bigger limbs.

Although we stand with the seven folding saws reviewed in this post (they are remarkable), we must indicate that the Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 is our top pick for backpacking and canoe trips. Its long blade cuts logs that pocket saws struggle with, and it folds flat for the pack.

Sources

• Silky KatanaBoy 500 Folding Saw, Silky Saws
• Silky PocketBoy 130 Folding Saw, Silky Saws