Last Updated on 10/06/2024
What is the Best Folding Saw For Camping?
The best folding camp saw we tested is the Bahco Laplander because it is lightweight, reliable, and great value for money. In this guide to folding camping saws, we explain the different options and why we think some perform better than others.
We looked at dozens of options to find the perfect camp saws that can be used in virtually any situation to processing small trees, branches, and firewood. We whittled this down to 5 choices and reviewed them to ensure that you do not have to do the legwork to find the perfect folding camp saw. We have also included a thoroughly researched buyer’s guide that should help you understand the features of these saws when deciding which folding camp saw is best for you.
5 Best Folding Camp Saws
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- Blade size: 7.5-inches
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
- Grip: Plastic with leather straps
The Bahco 396-LAP Laplander is the best folding saw for backpacking and camping we have tested. This affordable 7.5-inch blade is designed to be durable, lightweight, and easy to use. With seven teeth per inch, the blade is designed to cut through wet and dry wood without any troubles, and the hardened plastic handle will not only give you a good grip but excellent durability as well.
The saw is reasonably priced and should be a staple in the backpacks of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. We would definitely recommend it for camping use when gathering all of your camping wood or even setting up camp in dense areas. Ranked as the number one best folding camp saw over the past few years, you cannot go wrong with this handy tool. Read the Full Review Here!
Coher Folding Hand Saw
- Weight: 9.6-ounces
- Blade size: 6.7-inches
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 2.1 x 0.9 inches
- Grip: Ergonomically curved plastic handle
The Coher Folding Hand Saw is a trusty little cutting tool you can rely on for all your small tree and branch-cutting. The blade is made from SK-5 High Carbon Steel to ensure more durability, and the pistol grip handle is formed to the shape of your hands to offer additional grip. This blade is really affordable and highly recommended for the value it offers. We would recommend it to camp, hunting, and wildlife enthusiasts as a key piece of equipment to have in the bag and on the trail.
EverSaw FOLDING HAND SAW
- Weight: 10.4-ounces
- Blade size: 8-inches
- Dimensions: 1.7 x 3.3 x 11.3 inches
- Grip: Slip-resistant plastic
The EverSaw FOLDING HAND SAW is the best folding saw for bushcraft is designed from premium Japanese steel for enhanced durability. The blade is around 8 inches, making it big enough for most tasks, and once you are done, the blade will fold fully into the handle.
The handle is ergonomically designed with slip-resistant plastic for your comfort when using it with one hand. This blade is designed for the avid outdoor enthusiast, and the blade will have the ability to cut through 4-6 inches of wood with no problem. We would definitely recommend this as one of our favorite folding camp saws.
Corona RS 7265D Razor Tooth Folding Pruning Saw
- Weight: 18.4 ounces
- Blade size: 10-inches
- Dimensions: 1.6 x 4.9 x 14.8 inches
- Grip: Ergonomically molded plastic handle
The Corona RS 7265D Razor Tooth Folding Pruning Saw is made and designed in the USA and rated as our best folding saw for survival.
The saw is quite heavy and also features a massive 10-inch blade, helping you get through wood much more quicker. The blade is designed from top-quality carbon steel, and it is one of the most durable on the list. We really like the grip, and this is molded to the shape of your hands to give you an excellent grip without having sweat cause you to slip.
The blade has six teeth per inch, and this is perfect when it comes to fast-cutting action and getting through those thicker wood pieces. For the price, we would definitely recommend this saw to avid campers, but it might be a little big and heavy for backpackers to carry along.
Silky Professional Series BIGBOY 2000 Folding Landscaping Hand Saw
- Weight: 16-ounces
- Blade size: 14-inches
- Dimensions: 0.79 x 29.92 x 3.54 inches
- Grip: Rubberized cushioned handle
Last but certainly not least, we have the Silky Professional Series BIGBOY 2000 Folding Landscaping Hand Saw and this is the largest design on our list. This saw is designed from carbon steel for added durability, and the 14-inch blade will make cutting through green or dry wood much easier. The handle is impressive; rubber is used for cushioning and for wicking away some of the moisture for longer sawing times.
This saw is quite expensive, but we would still recommend it for the top camping enthusiasts. It has the ability to simplify your camping experience and creating firewood will also be much easier with this great blade. There is also a miniature version of this blade called the Silky POCKETBOY if you want something more compact.
Different Types of Camping Saws
Wood is a natural resource that has been used throughout the world throughout the history of mankind. Cutting tools have always been a valued possession of any woodsman, and today we have evolved these tools to be lighter, more efficient, and highly portable. Axes and saws are the staple tree-felling tools used to tackle thick trunks, but these tools are large, heavy, and cumbersome. The best folding saws for camping are designed to be tucked inside your backpack and are ideal for processing firewood, shelter building, and other bushcraft.
Folding Saws
Folding saws for camping typically have a blade length of around 6 – 10 inches which folds into the handle and can be locked in both open and closed positions. They are easy to operate with one hand and are great for smaller branches up to 6 inches. They are perfect for packing into your backpack as the sharp teeth are secured out of harm’s way and won’t rip any of your gear. They are also super lightweight and compact, which is a key consideration with limited pack space.
Sliding Saws
Sliding saws are similar to a traditional folding saw but often a little smaller and lighter. The blade slides into the handle and can be fixed in position using a tightening nut on the side. Sliding saws are not quite as easy to use or robust as folding saws, but they are just as effective at cutting wood for camping. They work especially well on smaller branches which can be cut through very quickly with such a thin blade.
Folding Bow Saw
Folding bow saws are the best for thicker logs and more heavy-duty wood cutting while camping. They have bigger teeth on the blade and don’t tend to bend so much, which makes cutting much more efficient. The support at both ends of the blade makes them much stronger than folding or sliding saws but also heavier to pack.
They do require some assembly, but the blades are replaceable with most bow saw blades which makes it easy to pack a spare. When the saw is folded, the blade is covered and so it won’t damage any of your gear or backpack.
Wire Saws
Wire saws or pocket chainsaws, as they are sometimes known, are flexible pieces of wire or serrated chains with a handle on each end. The user then wraps it around some wood, and with alternate pulling motions, the saw will chop through some decent-sized branches with enough effort. They work even better with a second person so that you each take turns pulling your handle.
The small wire saws you get in survival kits are fine for an emergency but are not strong enough to withstand any serious cutting work. The more robust pocket chain saws are better but still limited by the weakness of the handles and attachments.
Benefits of Having a Folding Camp Saw
The folding camp saw is not something that everyone knows about and carries around, but once you understand the benefits of having one of these saws, you will see just how important this small tool can become to your camping and backpacking equipment. Here are a few of the benefits of having a folding camp saw:
- Versatile: These saws are very versatile, and you will no longer need to damage your knife to cut through wood and prepare firewood. With the adjustable blades on many of the top models, they will become handy to have and carry around on all your future camping trips.
- Lightweight: These saws are mostly lightweight and can easily be carried for prolonged periods. They are intricately designed with a folding mechanism to reduce the size and will fit in virtually any storage space.
- Affordable: A multifunctional survival knife will definitely set you back a couple of bucks, but these saws are really affordable and can be maintained with ease. The blades are designed to take punishment and their durability means they will last you multiple years.
Key Features to Consider when Choosing a Folding Saw for Camping
With any piece of equipment, you will need to know which features to look out for. This enables you to get the best possible value for your money and avoid being ripped off by the cheaper knockoffs. Here is our complete list of features that we believe you should out for when choosing your next folding camp saw:
Size
While these saws will mostly be used for camping, they can often time be handy for backpackers as well. The size of the saw should not be too big, or it will be strenuous and frustrating to carry along. The size is generally available in the form of the dimensions, and having the right-sized saw will save you space and extra packing space. Some professional pruning saws can be used for a camping saw, but they are often much longer and have no focus on weight or portability.
Weight
The weight also interlinks with the size, and if the saw is too heavy, it will be quite troublesome to carry around and enjoy your trip. The weight is something that cannot be controlled, but by minimizing it, you will certainly make the trip much lighter and have the ability to carry more pieces of equipment. Compared to a small hatchet or even a large knife, the best folding saw for camping will often be far lighter.
Blade Adjustability
An adjustable blade will offer you more versatility, and you will be able to tighten or loosen the blade depending on the reason for your use. The most versatile folding camp saws also have interchangeable blades that can be swapped out if you need something stronger to cut through a bigger piece of wood.
Gripping
The grip might not seem as important, but it is a good benefit if you are able to securely hold the saw when using it. The grip can also be changed if needed, but to save yourself the trouble, it will be much better to get a good grip on your folding camp saw from the start.
Fast Cutting Action
You will mostly be using it to make small and fast cuts, and this is where the best folding saws for camping excel. The saw should be able to handle fast-cutting actions, as this will enable you to cut much faster when preparing firewood for your camp. The fast-cutting action also adds more versatility to the saw, and it requires a much stronger and more durable blade.
Safety Features
Safety is always important, and you will need to ensure that the saw has some safety features for when something does accidentally go wrong. The most important safety feature is the lock on the handle, and this should work properly to keep the blade from swinging around and causing potential damage to something or someone around you.
Safety is also something you should keep in mind when using these saws, as they could lead to serious injury, and using gloves to reduce the amount of sweat buildup is a great way to reduce the possibility of sweat causing problems.
How to Stop Your Camp Saw from Rusting?
The best way to prevent your folding saw from becoming rusty is to always store it in a dry place when possible. Another way to prevent rust is to apply some oil to the blade after cleaning it.
Should I Sharpen My Camp Saw or Replace the Blade?
Most folding camp saw blades are relatively inexpensive to replace and so it is not worth spending a lot of time sharpening old blades. That being said, if you give it a quick sharpening regularly, then you can prolong its lifespan without having to go through every serration. I like to use them until they are almost blunt and then replace them with new blades (which doesn’t happen very often at all).
What Type of Folding Saw Is Best for Camping?
You want something lightweight and compact but big enough to cut through at least a 4-inch branch. I would look for a 6-8 inch blade like the Bahco, which is excellent on a variety of different woods and limb sizes.
What Is the Best Type of Saw for Trail Maintenance?
For trail maintenance, I am not necessarily looking for lightweight but efficiency. And because I typically carry my saw in my hand when maintaining trails, I only ever use my Silky Bigboy these days as it just cuts through small branches like butter and will even work on fallen tree trunks.
How to Clean a Folding Saw?
It is important to clean your folding saw before putting it away, as this will help prevent rusting and damage. You can often do this with a quick blow and wipe to remove debris. Every now and then, you can use some soapy water to clean the whole thing but be sure to dry it thoroughly afterward and apply some oil.
We hope you found these Top 5 Best Folding Saw For Camping to be what you were looking for but feel free to leave a comment below if not.
