When it comes to cutting wood in the wild…
A backpacking knife is good,
A backpacking hatchet is better,
And a backpacking saw is best.
…Especially if you need thick logs for a shelter or sizeable campfire.
Compact and functional, these handy tools are a worthy addition to anybody’s backpack. The difficult part is picking the best backpacking saw for the job! With a wide array of options on the market and no chance to test them out first, finding the best camping saw is no mean feat.
Want some help choosing one? Check out these 8 comprehensive backpacking saw reviews!
Heads up, this post contains affiliate links.
Summary Table – The Best Camping Saws At a Glance
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The Best Backpacking Folding Saw – 8 Backpacking Saw Reviews
1. Corona RS RazorTOOTH Folding Saw
KEY FEATURES
3-Sided Razor Cutting Teeth
The special 3-sided design of the Corona RS 7265D RazorTOOTH enables a fast and efficient cutting solution for anybody who needs to saw some wood on the move! The razor sharp edges slice through thick branches effortlessly, reducing the effort involved in the task.
Those teeth are impulse hardened too, increasing their durability and functional life.
Ergonomic Handle
This saw features a smart, ergonomic handle that facilitates comfort during use as well.
The curved handle fits the natural contours of your hand, allowing you to saw for extended periods of time without tiring as swiftly or losing your grip.
Safe to Use
The RazorTOOTH folds up into its handle, facilitating safety and ease of transportation. The blade clicks into place with a safety lock, so you know it won’t accidentally open in your backpack and cause an injury when you rummage through it. One downside?
A section of teeth on the blade remains exposed when folded. It’s not the end of the world in terms of safety, but it’d be nice not to have to worry about it at all!
PROS
- Impulse hardened teeth provide a long service life without the need of being replaced
- Great folding saw for a low price point
- Curved blade facilitates faster cutting
- Replaceable blade
CONS
- A section of teeth on the blade remains exposed when folded
–> Click here for more information on the Corona RS backpacking saw.
2. Rexbeti Dry Wood Steel Pruning Saw
KEY FEATURES
Durable SK 5 Steel Blade
This Rexbeti dry wood pruning saw has a sharp blade manufactured from durable SK 5 steel.
This gives the backpacking saw the much-needed strength that’s required to cut through hard surfaces without breaking or dulling. Its 11” blade should easily cut through branches up to 7” thick.
Aggravated Staggered Teeth
The Rexbeti saw features an aggravated arrangement of staggered cutting teeth too.
This innovative design makes it possible cut on both the pull and push strokes! The dual cutting action significantly reduces the effort it takes to saw through thicker pieces of wood.
It also boasts an impressive 7 teeth per inch (TPI) blade that facilitates cutting efficiency.
Comfortable Handle
The long handle of this Rexbeti saw’s made with a rubber-coated polymer that’s gentle on your palm.
With this comfortable handle, you can keep sawing for longer- without the sweat loosening your grip. I like that the handle’s extra-long as well, allowing you to use two hands to cut through tougher branches instead of being restricted to one.
PROS
- This extra-long saw shrinks to half its size when folded, allowing easy and safe carrying
- The 11 inch long blades ideal to cut through 6 to 7 inch thick logs
- Comfortable handle
- Push and pull sawing
- Good value for money
- Strong blade with impressive sawing efficiency
CONS
- May need to be sharpened after a few weeks of consistent use to maintain efficiency
–> Click here for more information on the Rexbeti backpacking saw.
3. Friendly Swede Folding Hand Saw
KEY FEATURES
Multipurpose Outdoor Tool
The Friendly Swede’s folding hand saw is a great multipurpose tool to use on any outdoor excursion.
Be it clearing a trail, sawing through logs for your campfire, or even working in your backyard, this backpacking saw has you covered. It also boasts a sleek, modern design that’s lightweight and folds up small (9”).
Another handy addition is the paracord on the handle. You can use it to attach the saw to the outside of your backpack so it’s easily accessible throughout the day/night.
8-Inch Durable Blade
This folding saw features an 8-inch blade made of 65Mn steel. That’s equivalent to 1065 carbon steel. In other words, it’s durable, hard, and long-lasting!
The serrated edge has 7 teeth per inch of blade, boosting sawing efficiency and ensuring smooth, snag-free cuts through wood, bone, or plastic.
Safety Lock
As you’d hope, the Friendly Swede’s folding saw also features a safety lock to reduce the likelihood of injuries.
The blade snaps into place and stays there! As long as you don’t close the saw yourself, it won’t slip and snap shut of its own accord. All told, you’re looking at a great all-rounder, although the blade itself might be too small for significant sawing.
PROS
- Includes 2 pieces of paracord that add to its versatility
- Strong steel blade with 7TPI
- Aesthetically-pleasing!
- Lightweight and durable
- The blade’s treated for rust protection and less friction
CONS
- The blade cannot be replaced when it has worn out
–> Click here for more information on the Friendly Swede backpacking saw.
4. Coghlan’s Folding Saw
KEY FEATURES
21-Inch Long Blade
The Coughlan’s folding saw has one of the longest blades of all the backpacking saws on this list!
Its 21-inch serrated blade will slice through wood, meat, or bone as easily as a hot knife through butter. It can even be used to cut through metal! AKA, it’s a badass, high-functioning saw that’s the real deal. You’ll just need a backpack that’s big enough to carry it!
Dual Cutting Action
Like all quality saws, the arrangement of the cutting teeth on this blade means you can cut in both directions.
By working on both the pull and push strokes, you’ll cut through logs easier, faster, and with less effort. Another useful feature of the Coughlan saw is that it can hold any blade as opposed to needing a specific type.
Rugged Anodized Aluminium Frame
The Coughlan’s Folding Saw features a rugged anodized aluminum frame that’s strong, durable, and designed for outdoor use.
Better still, the sturdy frame stores extra blades in case of emergencies! Its folding nature might not be as short as others on this list, but it’s still streamlined and easy to pack away.
PROS
- The original blade can be easily replaced by any 21-inch blade and doesn’t have to be from the same company
- Smoothly cuts through thicker logs without much resistance
- Durable and efficient
CONS
- The plastic piece forming the pivot may come apart if overburdened with stress
–> Click here for more information on the Coghlan’s backpacking saw.
5. AGAWA Boreal 21 Inch Folding Bow Saw (Best Backpacking Bow Saw)
KEY FEATURES
Clever Folding Mechanism
The Agawa Boreal 21 folding bow saw is another enormous 21-inch folding bow saw that you’ll need lots of space to stow in a backpack!
However, it neatly folds into its frame for swift and safe storage or transport. When you need it, you can easily snap it open without having to touch the blade itself. It requires no manual adjustment once the saw unfolds, and the blade automatically comes under tension in the open position.
All told, it’s a clever design that facilitates personal safety and storage.
High-Clearance Frame
Not all saws are designed to cut through thick logs!
They’re often too small, too weak, or lack the clearance above the blade to enable it. The Agawa folding bow saw struggles in none of these ways!
For one thing, it’s 21-inches long! For another, it features a high-clearance frame that allows you to cut deep without any trouble.
Large Blade, Great Materials
This folding bow saw has one of the longest blades on this list.
With a generous length of 21-inches, this first-rate saw enables powerful and efficient strokes for fast cutting. Replacement blades are also easily available if your original blade has worn out or been damaged.
The materials deserve a mention too. You benefit from an anodized aluminum frame, a fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle, stainless steel hardware, and hardened and coated saw blades.
All told, you’re looking at a supreme-quality backpacking saw (hence the 4.9/5 average rating! Just be prepared to pay a little more to get your hands on it!
PROS
- Extremely versatile and will come in handy at home and during camping trips alike
- Requires no manual adjustments to set the blade in place for the sawing action
- High-quality materials
- Super popular and highly-rated
CONS
- Comes at a high price point
- Bulkier than other backpacking saws on this list
–> Click here for more information on the Agawa backpacking saw.
6. Bahco Laplander Folding Saw
KEY FEATURES
Durable and dependable
The Bahco 396 LAP Laplander is something that you will be using time and time again on your camping trip.
Great quality, this backpacking saw’s made with hardened steel for the blade and durable plastic for the handle. This gives the saw the strength required for the job while still keeping it lightweight.
At 0.4lbs, it’s one of the lightest backpacking saws you’ll find.
Half the Effort
To cut your sawing efforts in half, the Bacho Laplander features a unique cutting edge design that lets you cut on backward and forward strokes.
Ultimately, you end up spending less time and energy sawing through the wood. The 7TPI blade adds to the efficiency on offer, as do the anti-rust and anti-friction coatings!
Oh, and it’s also half the size of the last two backpacking saws here!
The 7” blade won’t be as effective on thicker branches, but it’s definitely easier to pack away and carry.
Safety lock
Thankfully, this saw features a safety lock to a) hold it closed when folded and b) prevent it from snapping shut when in use.
These safety locks are an essential feature of any backpacking saw and keep accidental injuries to a minimum.
PROS
- The Laplander’s great for cutting through green and dry wood, plastic, or bone alike
- Highly-popular and well-rated online
- Great grip with a leather strap
- Solid all-rounder
CONS
- Less suited to sawing through the thicker materials
–> Click here for more information on the Bahco backpacking saw.
7. Mossy Oak 3-in-1 Folding Hand Saw
KEY FEATURES
3 Blade Types
If you are looking for a versatile backpacking saw that can saw through multiple objects, then the Mossy Oak 3-in-1 folding hand saw could be exactly what you need. It comes with 3 blades:
One for hardwood/plastic (with 11TPI), another for metal (with 18TPI), and a final one for pruning (with 5 TPI). You’ll be prepared to slice through anything!
To change blades, simply unscrew the black knob at the hinge, swap the blades over, and retighten the screw.
Comfortable, Ergonomic Grip
The Mossy Oak folding hand saw also features an ergonomic comfort grip handle that facilitates sawing.
It’s slip-resistant for efficient and powerful cutting action, and won’t tire you out as quickly as others as a result! Whether you’re cutting through bone, metal, wood, or plastic, this saw should be up to the task.
Dual Angle Positions
A cool feature of this saw is the ability to alter the cutting angle.
By unscrewing the black screw, you can pop it open and set it at two different angles. That’s good news if, for whatever reason, the first angle isn’t conducive to sawing! This should help you enjoy a smooth and easy cut without expending too much effort.
PROS
- Multi-purpose
- No exposed teeth when folded
- Useful carry case
- Ergonomic design
- Clever button release system
- Easy and safe to carry
CONS
- No backward stroke
–> Click here for more information on the Mossy Oak backpacking saw.
8. Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw (Best Backpacking Chainsaws)
KEY FEATURES
Lightweight and Portable
Ready for a totally different type of backpacking saw? You’ll love the Sportsman pocket chainsaw.
To use it, you sling the chain around any branch you want to cut, grab hold of the handles, and pull back and forth with either hand. It’ll bite into the wood and cut through it as you continue pulling!
Although it’s the lightest option on this list, it still packs a punch. The portable chainsaw weighs just 0.3lbs, so it’ll never weigh you down or take up too much space in your backpack. It also comes with a designated pouch and belt clip for safe and easy storage.
It doesn’t lack in strength either. You benefit from heavy-duty handles and durable materials all-around.
Bi-Directional Teeth
The razor-sharp bi-directional teeth on this 36-inch long pocket chainsaw cut in both, push and pull motions. With the dual cutting on the forwards and backward strokes, you’ll enjoy double the efficiency.
Those teeth are made from 65mn high carbon heat-treated steel too and the design of this manual chainsaw means you’re cutting three sides of any branch at once. The result? Speedy and effective sawing!
Safety & Guarantee
The included pouch and belt clip stops the Sportsman chainsaw from causing any accidental injuries on the move.
Oh, and your money’s safe too, thanks to its 100% lifetime guarantee! Any issues, you can claim a 100% refund- no questions asked.
PROS
- Great budget backpacking saw
- Small, lightweight, and highly portable
- High-performing with clever design
- 100% lifetime guarantee
- Comes with a bonus fire-starter too!
CONS
- The package doesn’t include a sharpening file for the pocket chainsaw
–> Click here for more information on the Sportsman backpacking saw.
The Best Folding Saw For Camping – Buying Considerations
1) Do You Really Need One?!
There’s no point buying camping gear you don’t really need, right? It might look cool and sound great.
If you’re never going to use it, though, it’s only going to take up vital space in your backpack (and cost you unnecessary money)!
Keep that in mind with a backpacking saw. If your camping trips are small, chilled-out, and infrequent, then you’ll probably never have to use one. The need only really arises when you’re doing trail maintenance, building shelters in the great outdoors, or if you love big campfires and want bigger logs to stop you from having to feed it every couple of minutes.
That said, these camping saws come in handy at home too! You might not go camping very often, but if you’re gardening all the time it might still be a worthwhile purchase.
2) Size
Once you’ve justified your decision to invest in a camp saw, the next step is to determine the particulars that you need in it. Of all of these details, the first thing to consider is the size of the saw. Why?
Because the length of the blade dictates how easy and quick it’ll be to cut through logs. While it isn’t impossible to cut through a 7-inch piece of wood with a 9 inch saw, it’ll require a lot of time and effort! You may want a longer backpacking saw for the job.
But if you are only going to come across thinner logs and branches, a smaller blade will do just fine. Of course, smaller blades are also easier to carry and manage on an outdoor excursion.
3) Versatility
If you’re dead-set on getting the best folding saw for backpacking, find one that’s versatile enough! You want it to be strong, durable, and capable of cutting through various materials you might come across outdoors.
Of course, you should ensure the blade won’t dull too fast or break any time soon either. Search for blades with enough teeth to cut efficiently and safety features that’ll prevent painful disasters from occurring!
4) Sharpness and Sawing Efficiency
The most important factor that hints at a saw’s performance is the length and sharpness of its blade.
No matter how fancy your backpacking saw is, if it’s not sharp enough, then it’s practically useless! By the same token, you should avoid saws with softer blades that’ll dull too quickly (and slow down your sawing in the process).
Look for blades with strong materials (more on this next) that have been treated to remain sharp, even after significant use. They should also be easily replaceable without costing you an arm and a leg in case of damage to the original blade.
In addition to how sharp a blade is, other factors such as the edge design, the number of teeth per inch (TPI), and the length of the blade have a role in its cutting efficiency. Heads up, higher TPI numbers will lead to a smoother but more time-consuming cut! Low TPIs are quicker, yet rougher.
5) Material
Don’t forget to take note of the material your prospective backpacking saw’s made from either. The best materials deliver a key combination of durability, strength, weight, and sharpness over time!
Stainless steel or carbon blades do a good job of sawing through unrelenting logs while also not being too heavy. They don’t break easily and are pretty resilient too. If you go for shorter blades, you can further decrease the total weight of the camping saw.
For the handles, frames, and safety covers, go for polymer materials rather than metal. Metal handles can significantly weigh you down and make the backpacking saw super hard to carry on a hiking trip.
The added comfort of soft, rubberized, anti-slip, and ergonomic handles will facilitate the actual sawing process too. You’ll be able to grip them harder, saw for longer, and experience less strain on your hands.
Pick the Best Backpacking Saw Possible
Backpacking saws are essential for anybody who spends plenty of time in the great outdoors. They just make a world of difference when it comes to cutting wood for fires and shelters.
Unlike knives and hatchets, these saws can be used to cut through big, hefty branches.
That’s a big deal if you want a slower-burning fire or need a strong lean-to shelter to offer protection from the elements! Even better, these tools make the entire process quicker, more efficient, and less arduous as a result.
Before you can reap these rewards, though, you need to buy the best backpacking saw possible. Hopefully, these reviews of the best camping saws on the market will help you do it!
Still searching for the best camp saw? Click here to see more high-quality options.