Whether you are backpacking, camping or just spending time outdoors, it is always essential to have the necessary tools with you such as an excellent portable saw.
We have made a list of the best folding saws from reputable manufacturers and reviewed each one.
We limited ourselves to one product per manufacturer for variation.
Check out our buying guide and reviews below.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw | Blade Length: 21 inch | Check Price |
 | Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw | Blade Length: 7 ½ inches | Check Price |
 | EverSaw FOLDING HAND SAW | Blade Length: 17 inches | Check Price |
 | Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | Blade Length: 10 inches | Check Price |
Things to Know Before You Buy Backpacking Saw
There are three types of portable saws you can bring backpacking with you. It can be difficult to determine which one you need. We are going to discuss each one’s advantages and disadvantages.
Bow Saw
- Bow saws are known for their durable frames. They allow for more efficient on the strokes and more control on the cut.
- The blade on the bow saws fold and disassemble for storage. They are really safe to carry as the blade is fully covered. You won’t have to worry about it damaging your gear or it getting damaged during transport.
- They are the most significant and most massive portable saws among the three types. By sacrificing being lightweight and compact though, they have added power and efficiency.
Pocket Saw (Chain)
- Another option to multi-part portable fishing rods is telescoping rods. These fishing rods function like retractable telescopes, hence the name.
- You can fully extend them for when you want to use them. You can collapse them for easy storage and transport.
- They are easier to set up than take down fishing rods. You don’t need to line up anything. You can extend for use and retract for storage.
length
- The design of the pocket chainsaw is similar to their modern gas-powered engine chainsaw cousins. Except they have to engines and really on manual force to cut things.
- They are powered by hand-power.
- They can be stored into lightweight packages similar to the other types of portable saws.
- Pocket Chain Saws are the smallest of the types and can fit anywhere in your backpack.
- The downside is that they are the weakest of the bunch and not very efficient at cutting things.
- Many pocket chainsaws are not very durable and break down easily.
- You should consider getting a folding saw or a bow saw if you plan to use a saw extensively during your adventure.
Folding Saw
- Folding saws are in the middle of the two type with regards to portability and performance.
- There are not the lightest, nor they are the heaviest.
- They don’t perform as well as bow saws, but they are better than pocket chainsaws.
- Generally, they are sturdy and efficient at cutting, and they come lighter than bow saws.
- Their blades are very sharp, and most of them are designed to have razor sharp hardened teeth.
- They cut efficiently in both pull and push cutting strokes.
- They have a dedicated grip handle to make the work easier and comfortable.
Top 5 Best Backpacking Saws
1. Agawa Canyon – BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw Review
Quick Summary
- 3 Hinged Trapezium-shaped Frame
- Folds into the Frame
The Agawa Canyon – BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw is the perfect portable saw that you could take with you backpacking, camping, hunting, canoeing, trail clearing, off trail or just around the home.
You can easily open it in seconds. You need to unfold the saw, put it into position and start sawing.
The folding saw features an automatic blade tensioning system. You won’t have to worry about loose parts. There is also no need to touch the saw blade when folding and unfolding it.
BOREAL21 claims that this saw can hold tension for years with any need of adjustment.
It uses small clamps to keep the blade tension. You get two spares with your purchase so make sure to store them in a safe place in case you need them.
The saw measures at a small 21 inches or 53 centimeters, and it weighs very light at 17oz/480g.
You will find it very easy to perform powerful sawing strokes with its 21-inch blade length. You won’t have problems folding it despite its length.
It is made from high-quality aluminum. The handle is made from sturdy nylon, and the blade is made of stainless steel.
Its three hinged trapezium-shaped frame helps you make large diameter cuts.
When you are done using the saw, you can fold it into its frame. The folding design protects you and your gear.
It doesn’t come with a case or a sleeve though so you have to buy one separately.
BOREAL 21 saws are fully guaranteed against defects in materials and quality. The warranty doesn’t extend the blades though.
21-inch saw blade are easy to find so you won’t have any problems replacing them if they break down.
- It is compact when folded and not too bulky.
- It is very easy to transport thanks to its folded size and lightweight.
- The saw is durable.
- It is very easy to pack and unfold, and you don’t ever have to touch the blade.
- The blade is very sharp so be very careful handling the saw.
- There is absolutely nothing that we don’t like about this portable saw.
2. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw Review
Quick Summary
- Safety Lock
- 7 TPI
- Corrosion Resistant
- Made of Swedish Steel
The Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw is the perfect 7-inch saw for hunters, camper, backpackers and wildlife enthusiasts.
It has a 7 ½ inch blade with seven teeth per inch. It is made from Swedish steel which is known worldwide for its quality.
The folding saw measure 9 inches when closed.
The blade can easily be replaced. The blade is held in the handle with a large Phillips screw and a locking nut.
It works best for cutting dry wood, bone, plastic and green wood.
The blade is coated for corrosion resistance and low friction.
It features a two-component plastic handle with a leather strap. It allows for a comfortable and secure grip.
It can be folded into the handle quite easily and is equipped with a safety lock to keep it wrapped in or out.
The folding saw weighs 7 ounces.
It comes with a limited warranty from Bahco. They will replace the product if there are any defects in workmanship and the materials.
- The saw cuts very fast.
- It is very sharp so be careful when handling it.
- The handle feels great in hand. It is very comfortable.
- It locks open and closed for maximum safety when handling or carrying.
- The paint on the saw is exceptional.
- The saw sometimes bends when caught.
- It does not include a sheath. You have to buy one separately.
3. EverSaw FOLDING HAND SAW Review
Quick Summary
- Carbon Steel Material
- 9 Teeth Per Inch Blade
- Triple Cut Teeth
- Ergonomic Grip Handle
- Gear-style Lock
The EverSaw FOLDING HAND SAW is an all-purpose rugged portable saw.
The blade measures 8 inches. It features triple-cut razor teeth that resist wearing and is fully adjustable.
It has nine teeth per inch which are excellent for sawing with smooth action.
The blade is made of durable carbon steel which allows the blade to stay sharp while also allowing for a bit of flexibility.
The full length of the saw when extended is 17 inches and 9 ½ inches when closed. It weighs 10 ounces.
You will find it really easy to saw things with it’s hardened and sharp saw teeth.
It has a solid grip. The handle is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort. It is also slip-resistant for added safety.
There is a gear style lock installed on the folding saw to keep it closed when folder and open when you are using it.
It is also designed based on Japanese style pull cut sawing which reduces friction and binding.
It is built with high-quality materials.
The EverSaw works best for dry and green wood, bone and PVC. You can also use it for camping, hunting, backpacking, tree pruning and your toolbox.
It can easily cut up to 4 inches in diameter of wood, bone, and plastic.
It is backed by a lifetime warranty from Home Planet Gear. They also have a dedicated customer service team in case you have problems with your folding saw.
- The folding saw looks great.
- The company has excellent customer service and after-sales support.
- It is very durable.
- It is light and portable.
- The teeth on the saw aren’t deep enough.
- The blade seems a little thin.
- The pinion screw is a bit janky.
- Sometimes the folding saw refuses to close.
4. Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw Review
Quick Summary
- Impulse hardened teeth
- Ergonomic co-molded handle
- 3-sided razor teeth
The Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw has a 10-inch curved blade.
The blade has three-sided razor teeth designed for efficient cutting.
The teeth are impulse hardened to reduce wear and extend its lifespan.
The blade has six teeth per inch. It allows for smooth and quick cutting.
It is chrome-plated which reduces friction and improves efficiency.
It folds into the handle so you can just toss it in your backpack for easy handling.
It can cut to a maximum diameter of 6 inches and is excellent for small to medium branches.
It features an ergonomic and co-molded handle that provides for a comfy grip.
The blade can easily be replaced when it breaks. The folding saw uses a curved and taper-ground blade.
It weighs 9.7 ounces.
- It opens and locks securely without any problems.
- It stays sharp for a very long time even with extended use. The blade cannot be sharpened to you have to buy a new blade to replace the old one.
- It is very small and easy to carry.
- We love the chrome plating.
- The screw for the blade hinge tends to fall off. You might need to replace it.
- There is a bit of a gap, when closed, where part of the blade is not covered.
FAQ’s Section
Q: How Useful Is A Saw When Backpacking?
A:
- A portable saw is handy when backpacking. There are many uses for a portable saw when backpacking. One of which is cutting dry wood for campfires.
- You could also use your knees to break wood for campfires, but that is most often inefficient. You could carry a portable saw with you.
- Another use for the portable saw would be to remove blowdowns from the trail. It’ll save you a significant amount of time if you have a portable saw with you.
- Make sure to bring a lightweight, compact and durable portable saw with you when backpacking.
- As we have explained earlier, there are three main types of portable saws: folding, bow and pocket chainsaws. Pick the one that satisfies your style and needs.
Q: How to Clean a Bow and Folding Saw?
A:
Always clean your saw after each use. Make it a habit and don’t procrastinate.
- Remove excess material and debris from your saw.
- Be careful when doing so. Use a small brush if you have one to avoid injury.
- Rinse the bow on running water. You can also soak them in water if you have a large enough container to put them it.
- To get rid of any sap or grime on the saw, use soap or turpentine with the water, and that should remove them.
- Use coarse-grade steel wool to remove rust if your saws are corroded. You can also use lump pumice. You can do this for most of your tools (shovels, saws, shears, hoes, etc.)
- If you choose to use other abrasive materials like emery cloth and sandpaper, make sure to use them carefully to avoid any scratches on the saw where rust can develop.
- After you are done cleaning the saw of dirt, sap, and rust, apply a small amount of oil or WD-40 using a cloth to it. This will prevent rust from redeveloping the future.
- Finally, be very careful when handling your saw.
- The blades can be very sharp and can cause serious injury.
Our Conclusion – The Best Backpacking Saw in 2020
We pick the Agawa Canyon – BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw as our favorite from the list.
We could not find a single fault with this portable saw. It is perfect for backpacking. It conveniently folds into its frame for safekeeping.
It is easy to open, and it isn’t too bulky. It can perform powerful sawing strokes with its 21″ blades.
You can’t go wrong with this saw.
However, if you disagree with our pick, that is no problem. Just make sure to consider what your backpacking style and needs are and choose a saw that fits those.
Each type of saw has its pro and cons so make sure to study each one.
We hope our best backpacking saw guide and reviews have helped you make a decision.
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