Review Of The Top Camping Saws
1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
TheBahco 396-LAP Laplander is the best folding saw thats built well and costs reasonably. It features a straight, long blade made of Sandvik steel.
The Laplander saws blade worked well for cutting branches up to four inches thick, be it freshly cut old wood, greenwood, or deadwood. The blade’s seven-inch length makes it easy to cut very fast. The curved yet secure grip gives your hand a lot of room, and the longer handle gives you more leverage.
Besides, its folding blade glides throughout the handle, and the simple button lets you lock it in closed or open positions.
What We Like
- Allows trimming in both directions
- Locks in closed or open positions
- It comes with a leather lanyard
- Corrosion and stain-resistant
- Longer blade length
2. Nordic 64 Cm Pocket Chainsaw
This hand-powered pocket chainsaw is quite smaller than our top pick but still packs good features. We love that it only weighs 132 grams with a high-carbon steel blade. Each major link features a double-cutting tooth and nylon straps that are easy to hold.
Compared to other saws, it can handle 20 times more force than a person can. And when it comes to durability, this Nordic Pocket Saw is one of the strongest ones weve used.
TheNordic 64cm Pocket Saw can be taken with you on outdoor adventures. You can use it to cut logs, firewood, or trees. While its a little more expensive, this saw can withstand the test of time!
3. SOG F10N-CP Folding Saw
This tool is affordable and has a great price. Its two-part grip and eight inches, high-carbon steel blade allow easy holding.
We love the long, narrow blade and coarser teeth of this camping saw. This camping saw can be used to cut large branches of deadwood and dry wood. It is also great for cutting firewood. It is not recommended for clearing overgrown trails or heavy-cutting.
The SOGF10NCP comes with a nylon storage case. It is more secure than other folding chainsaws because it can be locked in both closed and open positions. The blade slides cleanly towards the handle, so there are no teeth sticking out.
What We Like
- For safety, lock in both closed and open positions
- Longer blade than other folding saws
- Reasonably priced
- It also comes with nylon storage
4. Sven 60th Anniversary Folding Edition Saw
The Sven Saw is a bow saw that you can fold up. The Sven Saw features a Swedish steel blade, and an aluminum frame that is strong yet lightweight.
You can choose between a 53 cm or 38 cm size. This allows you to decide whether you require more power to cut larger logs, or if you prefer a smaller saw that is lighter and easier to transport. This folding bow is longer when folded up than any otherfolding saw.
What we like is its clever design making it slim and small, so it fits easily into your hiking backpack. The Sven Saw 60th Anniversary Editionis another staple for basecamps and group camps, whether youre backpacking, hunting, canoeing, or fishing.
What We Like
- This is the ideal camping saw for cutting large logs and branches.
- Robust and solid design
- Saw blade rarely bounces
- The lanyard is made of leather.
- Allows cutting in either direction
5. Stihl PR16 Handycut Camping Saw
This small but powerful tool can do much more than just work in your backyard. Its 16 cm, chrome-coated high-carbon steel blade makes it perfect for life around camp or on the trail. This folding saw blade features 6 teeth per inch, perfect for cutting wood with smaller branches or medium-sized logs.
So far, this is one of the lightest and smallest saws we have tested. So its perfect for putting in a backpack or slipping into the pocket of your hiking pants.
Stihl PR16s ergonomic handle is nicely shaped and has a pistol-style rubber grip. On its back, theres a place for your thumb which gives you better control and accuracy.
6. Silky Pocketboy 170mm Outback
The Silky Pocketboy 170mm outback Edition is enhanced with a thicker saw blade of premium Japanese steel. The blade folds all the way into the handle and has a notch.
We like its plastic handle with a strange mix of wood that feels warm and smooth to the touch. It comes with a hard case made of clear plastic with a metal belt loop and a hole for a lanyard.
The PocketBoy works well on both fresh and old wood, and you can lock the blade, with sharp teeth, in two places, suitable for wild camping.
7. Felco F600 Saw
This compact, but powerful tool can do everything you need to go camping or hiking. It’s small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around in your backpack or pocket.
Whats more good is that the blade is made of chrome-coated high-carbon steel, and the handle is flawlessly shaped and has a pistol-style grip made of rubber.
The F600sblade is lengthened by six teeth per inch. It can be pulled stroked, which allows you to trim approximately 8 cm branches. Although it can be difficult to use the coarser blade of the F600sblade, it is easy to get started and it doesn’t often get clogged up with sap or sawdust.
Camping Saw Buyer’s Manual
Type
Pocket Saw
The best pocket chainsaws for emergency or survival use are the ones that you can carry around with you. You can use this tool to cut wood by wrapping it around logs or branches using a pulling motion.
It is not easy to use, and it does not have the same cutting power as a small and lightweight machine.
Collapsible Bow Saw
You might need to process wood if you plan to build a semi-permanent camp, go on a long trip, or camp with a large group. This needs more cutting power, so a bow saw that folds up is the best choice.
This saw can cut smaller branches and logs. Bow saws are strong and rigid because they feature a triangular frame and a fixed blade. They are heavier than folding saws and tend to be larger.
Folding saw
Many campers and hunters prefer a folding saw, also known as a Japanese saw, because Silky, a Japanese company, popularized it).
Usually, folding camping saws feature a blade about 6-23 cm (15 to 23 cm) long and are locked towards the handle with a pivot. The blade folds into a groove in your handle. They usually weigh less than 300g, which you can use with one hand to cut branches up to 13 cm (or 12 cm) in diameter.
Survival Wire Saw
A survival wire saw is a survival tool that performs like a pocket chainsaw. Survival wire saws are not as comfortable as pocket chainsaws.
It is also prone to snapping. This saw is lightweight and compact.
Sliding Saw
A sliding saw is not foldable. Instead, the blade slides towards the handle. A tightening nut on the handles side holds the blade in place. Sliding saws are lighter and smaller than folding saws. However, they arent as easy to use or sturdy.
Since the thin blades can break, theyre best for cutting branches with a small diameter. Wed recommend a folding saw over a sliding saw unless youre only going to use your camping saw for small tasks.
The Good and Not-So-Good Types: Which is Which?
As we test all types of camping saws, we highly recommend folding saws and pocket chainsaws. These are your best bets for the optimal balance of strength and weight.
Although pocket chainsaws should be able to cut in both directions, not all of them have teeth on the chains both sides.
Both pocket and folding chainsaws are good options. However, you should ensure that the handles are made from soft nylon to protect your hands.
The same goes for survival wire saws. However, this one is more difficult to use and more susceptible to breaking. They are light and don’t take up much space in your bag, so they are great for emergency situations.
There are also two types of camping saws that aren’t so good: the collapsible bowsaw and the sliding saw.
While sliding saws cannot fold up, collapsible and folding saws can. The commonality is that they are less durable than camping saws. We never found good reviews about using these two types of camp saws.
Material Durability
Many camping saws have steel blades, which are very strong and good at cutting. Steel is also good at keeping an edge, especially high-carbon steel , which makes it easier to cut.
On the other hand, the blades of some saws are made of aluminum, which is lighter and doesnt rust. But it bends easily and is more likely to break after being used a lot.
Make sure to take into account the materials that are used when choosing the best camping tool. Make sure it can withstand wet weather or any harsh conditions.
Size And Portability
Generally, any saw that weighs less than 7 kg (0.7 kg) is good for camping. Also, its best to have a saw that folds up to less than 30 cm (30.5cm) long, so its easy to carry.
For backpackers, portability is particularly important. However, it’s something everyone should consider regardless of where they camp.
Handle Design And Material
Many camping saws feature steel blades, but the rest of the sharp tools are usually made of lightweight materials like nylon, aluminum, or other types of composite or plastic material. We suggest looking for a saw featuring a curved handle that fits your hand well and is easy to use.
Many saws are equipped with rubber or silicon grips to prevent slippage. Slippage is prevented by a bump near the blade’s handle. The handle can be fitted with grooves that are molded to prevent moisture and sweat from building up.
Blade
The way your blade is made can have an impact on how well your camping tool works.
Carbon steel blades are a common feature on camping saws. This is a tool steel that has a good balance between hardness and strength, and they are also wear-resistant.
Many coatings can also be used to reduce friction so the chainsaw cuts faster and is easier to use without becoming stuck.
Size and Blade Length
When you have a longer saw blade, you can cut more with each stroke. But longer blades weigh more and are harder to carry.
A saw blade that is at least 15cm long (15 cm) should be chosen. This will allow you to cut branches up to 8 cm (7.5cm), approximately the width of your wrist.
Angle
Camping saws may have a straight or curved blade. Straight blades are best for larger logs. Curved blades can be used to quickly cut smaller branches.
Teeth Per Inch
When you cut with a saw that has more TPI (or teeth per inch), the cut will be smoother and more precise. But this extra accuracy takes more time and work.
Fewer teeth per inch, however, let you cut wood faster and better, even if the edges are a little rough. Here are a few important points:
- Between 7 and 8 TPI is probably the best choice for building shelters and other uses. A saw with 7 TPI, like the Bahco Laplander, is a good balance between accuracy and speed.
- If all you want to do is cut wood for your fire or clear a trail quickly, a TPI of 6 to 7 is more than enough.
Locking Mechanism
A good locking system is one way to ensure that your tool is secure.
Some saws lock the blade using a lever lock. Others use push buttons, adjustable nuts and screws. You must ensure that the mechanism is fully functional and cannot be accidentally pressed.
A saw locking in/out is also a benefit, as it prevents the blade’s width from changing while being moved.
Use Your Camping Saw: Tips
How to Clean and Maintain Your Camping Saw
Clean the blade of your camping saw every time you put it away to get the most out of it. To get rid of sawdust or sap, blow out the teeth of the blade and the groove in the handle. Once you return home, follow these steps:
- Clean the blade and handle with soap, water, and an old rag to get rid of any dirt buildup.
- To ensure that it moves smoothly, dry it and then apply oil or another similar product to the pivot and hinge.
- Give the blade a light coat of mineral oil if it doesn’t have any protection against rusting.
How to sharpen or replace the blade
Many saw blades can be replaced without too much expense. There are many replacement blade options available for most camping saws depending on their length.
Others may only need a Phillips or flathead screw. It is not usually worth the effort to sharpen older blades. Without a special file, its hard to sharpen teeth that have been triple-ground.
How to Prevent Rusting
If you dont take care of your bow saw or any saw, its carbon steel blades will rust quickly. We recommend drying your blade after every use and not storing it in a humid area.
If your saw blade doesnt have a coating or finish that keeps it from rusting, you can also use mineral oil to keep it from rusting.
