There are mainly four types of camping saws on the market. These are the bow saw, pocket chainsaw, folding saw and a hand saw. Pole Saw’s can also be used however they cross over into hunting saw territory.
While most of them are versatile, each one has their own purpose, so it’s important to understand how they work in order to decide which one is the best camping saw for you.
- Bow Saw – One of the better performing camping saws in terms of speed and efficiency. While they can sometimes be bulky, we have found some that are specifically designed to be compact enough to fit in a backpack and carry around with you. The blades are replaceable, so you can rely on one for a long period of time.
- Folding Saw – These are a middle-ground between bow saws and pocket saws. Folding saws are small and compact enough to fit into your gear, whilst also being able to cut thick branches.
- Pocket Chainsaw – We consider this the most portable of all three, thanks to its incredibly compact size and feathery weight. Being able to slip this hand saw right into your pocket is crazily convenient. It also works great for emergencies.
- Hand Saw – A compact style of saw which handle sits neatly into your palm, most often with a fixed saw blade which doesn’t fold away, but does come with a sheath to cover the teeth, a good lightweight and portable option.
- Pole Saw – Perhaps not a traditional camping saw, but can be sued as one in the right situation. A saw blade that attaches onto a long extendable pole. The blades are usually foldable and can extend and shorten the distance with ease, perfect for branch cutting and tall bush.
Page Contents:
10 Best Camping Saws Reviewed
1. Agawa Canyon Boreal 21
This folding bow saw is so lightweight and durable that you can use it for all your camping needs. The design is genius– simply unfold and snap into place – minimum effort required.
Bow saws for camping can often be rigid and aren’t ideal to carry around, so this is one of the best folding saw options we have found – it’s basically a two in one hand saw design. You won’t need any tools for assembling or changing the blade, and an anodized aluminium frame means this folding bow saw is highly durable.
You’ll be able to clear trails quickly with the rust-resistant 21-inch blade that is designed for cutting large timber when you’re hiking, hunting, or doing general bushcraft.
Key Features:
- Automatic Blade Tensioning
- Stainless Steel Hardware
- Reinforced Nylon Fibreglass Handle
2. Sven Folding Saw
Take your adventures to the next level with the coveted Sven Saw, perfect for backpackers and campers looking for the best folding saw that is lightweight and stable. You can purchase a 15-inch or 21-inch Sven Saw, so you’re able to customize your experience.
Safety is key with the unique folding design that completely hides the blade for storage, plus the strong, heavy duty aluminium handle means it can even endure cold weather.
Known for its sharpness, this saw can cut through thick branches, making it an ideal camping saw for any and all bushcraft. I’ve found its versatility a dream, because it is lightweight enough to carry around for emergencies, but is strong enough to tackle large loads.
Features:
- Swedish Steel Tempered Blade
- Aluminium Handle
- Portable and Compact
3. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
One of the best folding saws you’ll find, it is compact enough to fit into your backpack, but strong enough to saw wood for trail clearing, building bushcraft, and so much more.
Stow safely without disassembling any parts thanks to the cleverly engineered folding design. We especially appreciate the high-grade rubber handle that makes it easy to grip and manoeuvre to cut in gliding strokes.
A great camping saw for both small and large tasks, its ability to cut smooth and fast means you can spend less time cutting and more time doing what you love among the wildlife.
Features:
- 12-inch Replaceable Blade
- 4-point Pivot
- Extremely Portable
4. Silky Hand Saw
Ideally used for pruning and trimming, this is a camping saw that you can’t live without. This will cut everything faster, easier, and smarter due to its chrome plating.
The blade features a ragged teeth design that is strong enough to cut through thick timber. We love the continuous blade that goes through the ergonomic rubber handle – it’s an ingenious way to lessen stress and eliminate breakage.
Transport this camp saw wherever you go with a custom sheath including a D-ring that you can attach to yourself, so you can roam freely. Weighing less than 2 pounds, it is one of the best survival saws based on its high quality.
Features:
- 5-inch Highly Durable Blade
- Rust Resistance
- Mirai-Me Blade Design
5. Bahco Laplander Folding Saw
A great option for campers and survivalists, this folding camp saw is constructed with a multi-component plastic hand grip for extra comfort. Thanks to the XT tooth pattern of the blade, you can cut green wood and dry wood, plastic, and even bone if you’re an avid hunter.
The safety lock makes sure the durable blade stays in place when in use, as well as when folded, so I admire that there are no flimsy parts. Also, the blade is coated to protect against corrosion and low friction for clean sawing.
You can achieve straight cuts in a fast amount of time, which is exactly what you need in a camping saw for cutting firewood or building a shelter.
Features:
- 7 TPI High Quality Blade
- Leather Strap
- Lightweight for Travel
6. Tarvol Folding Hand Saw
If you’re looking for quality on a budget, look no further than the Tarvol Folding Hand Saw. For camping, hunting, trimming, cutting firewood, and even off-trail bushcraft, the versatility is endless
Retracting down to just 8.5-inches with a width of 2-inches, you can throw this right in your bag or back pocket. Its affordability also makes it one of the best travel folding saws out there. Other details include a hole for hanging when not in use, and a sturdy locking mechanism for opening and closing.
Perfect for emergencies or small pruning jobs, this camping saw cuts fast and tough for a speedy outcome.
Features:
- 7-inch Razor Tooth Blade
- Cushioned Rubber Handle
- Erosion Resistant
7. Hooyman Cordless Pole Saw
One of the best camping saws on the market, the Hooyman Cordless Saw can save you energy and time with an awesome high-power motor. The 40V lithium-ion battery can last for hours with just a 60-minute charge time, plus you can transport it with you everywhere with the handy carry bag.
Reach high branches with a 16-foot extension or purchase an added pole extension for a huge range of 20-feet.
Whether you’re looking for a survival saw for cutting firewood, building your own shelter, or making way for shooting lanes, this is a camp saw that you can actually rely on. Also, weighing under 10 pounds means you don’t have to lug around a bulky camping saw.
Key Features:
- 8-inch Chainsaw
- Clear-View Window Auto Oiler
- Ergonomic Grips
8. Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw
Easy to use, store, and carry, this compact extendable folding saw is a must have for all outdoorsmen and women. With a massive extension of up to 10-feet, and retraction of 28-inches, you can use this camping saw for everything from hunting and survival, to pruning and trimming in your own backyard.
Boasting a stylish design, the I-beam aluminium structure makes it extremely durable, and let’s not forget about the ingenious positive lock system that makes sure everything stays in place.
I particularly love the exclusive MegaBite XP 4-edge razor design of the durable blade – it makes for super smooth cuts with minimal effort.
Features:
- SK5 High Carbon Steel Blade
- Convenient and Lightweight
- 12-inch Curved Blade
9. Chainmate Survival Pocket Saw
Ideal for cutting firewood, this awesome portable survival saw fits neatly in your pocket for ultimate convenience. This saw will open your eyes to the possibility of cutting safely and quickly, without the need for a dangerously heavy mechanical saw.
The carbon steel blade is designed to cut in both directions, so you can cut fast and with less effort. The razor teeth can even be resharpened to make sure you can use it for as long as possible. For cutting high branches, you can use an additional weight for leverage.
We’ve also noticed the robust strap handles are oversized to accommodate big winter gloves, which is a really nice touch if you like to brave the colder weather.
Features:
- Portable Nylon Pouch
- Patented Carbon Steel Teeth
- Flexible and Comfortable
10. Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw
Everything is better when it comes in a kit. The Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw is one of the best survival saws we have found to use for emergencies around the home, or as well for any camping situation.
Going on a spontaneous hunting trip? This survival camping saw will slide nicely into your pocket with the storage pouch, and will help you clear trails that can be difficult to cut through. Reach tree limbs of up to 20-feet through attaching rope to the handles and using weight to balance whilst cutting.
Every pocket folding saw comes with a complimentary fire starter measuring 8mm in diameter, so you will truly be prepared for anything.
Features:
- 36-inch Carbon-Treated Steel Chain
- Cross-Stitch Heavy Duty Handles
- Self-Cleaning Teeth
How to Choose a Camping Saw
When cutting wood, there are basically two major things we look for: speed and ability. While these are important, there are many other factors that we must consider so that we can choose the best camping saw for our outdoor escapades.
Quality
No one wants their saw to snap in half while cutting away, so choosing a camping saw that is high quality is so important. You want to pay attention to the quality of every component of your camp saw, which includes the blade, the handle, and any other smaller parts like added handle attachments, nuts and spare parts, and even if it comes with replacement blades. The quality of any survival saw is also based on the materials that are used. You want to look for high-grade stainless or carbon steel for the blade, and aluminium instead of plastic for the rest of the components.
Price
In most cases, you get what you pay for. However, our list has included some fantastic options that we have found are affordable, and get the job done just like any other expensive camping saw would. Great quality camp saws can be found for reasonable prices and work well for all kinds of bushcraft, so you can really get value for money.
User-Experience
Cutting wood can be a pretty tough job, which is why you need to feel confident while doing it. Like many of the saws mention above, an ergonomic hand saw that is designed with your comfort in mind is the way to go. Think about the shape of the handle, whether it’s grippy enough and won’t slide around, and definitely consider the weight of the camp saw. Most of the best survival saws are lightweight in structure to reduce fatigue, but still durable enough to saw wood for hours.
Credibility
We have chosen brands who are reliable and are masters in the field of camping saws. Best quality hand saws are typically produced by companies who create top-of-the-line outdoor products that have been tried and tested. We agree that you can find other great camp saws on the market, but we have found that these are particularly outstanding brands.
Condition
Using a high-quality camping saw is crucial when you’re working outdoors, as it can be a dangerous job. A lot of the hand saws we have mentioned feature parts other than just any ordinary saw – the pocket saws have hand attachments, and the folding saws have smart locking mechanisms. With these added components, you must make sure yours is a great quality in order to cut wood efficiently.
Blade Efficiency & Design
Understanding the teeth of a blade, and how they will perform for the type of wood cutting you want to do, is a big part of choosing the best camp saw. The teeth are measured using TPI (Teeth-Per-Inch) and we suggest using blades between 7-9 TPI for all-purpose cutting. The lower the TPI, the faster the cut, but this also means less accuracy.
The length of the blade on a camping saw is also something you must think about. Not only is this important for the type of cutting job you want to do, but it also affects how you transport and store the camp saw.
Pocket saws and folding saws are designed with portability in mind, so the size of the blade is considered. Hand saws with thicker blades may be heavier to carry around, but have an excellent cutting capacity.
The angle of a blade can also be different for many camping saws and can range from curved or straight. It depends on your preference, but curved saws typically work best for areas that are hard to reach and with thinner diameters. Straight blade saws work best for basic cutting jobs and thicker timber.
Travel-Friendliness
Being able to carry your hand saw with your everywhere is a huge advantage in the outdoors, and especially if it can fit in you backpack or even in your pocket. This also depends on where, why, and how you will use it. If you use a hand saw for larger bush trail jobs, it may take longer due to the smaller size, but the portability is extremely convenient. The best camping saws are usually lightweight and take up minimal space in your gear, so you don’t have to lug around any extra weight.
Handle Structure
Feeling comfortable when cutting wood should be your top priority, and the structure of the handle should be specially designed for ease of use. We recommend aluminium handles with a quality rubber grip, or for a more affordable option, highly dense plastic can also work well.
Conclusion
Whatever you’re planning on doing in the outdoors, owning a camping saw is a truly necessary part of any adventure. We have shown you that there is not just one type of survival saw, and that understanding the benefits of each one will help you decide what is the best camp saw that will suit your needs.
The camping saws we have mentioned were chosen thanks to their versatility and strength, and their ability to cut timber quickly and effectively. Combined with their clever designs that are built for convenience, we believe that camping today has never been easier with these top-quality camping saws.
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Should we wear gloves with these camping saws or do they have a solid grip on the handle already?
The top ones, like many in our list, do have moulded handles for added grip. The question regarding gloves is purely down to preference. For protection against slips, cuts and scrapes, gloves will serve you well.
I personally don’t use any, unless it’s a high-quality lightweight pair, like Kevlar. Reason being, some of the cheaper ones are quite bulky and weigh my hands down and restrict my movement, I don’t feel as though I have the saw properly gripped at times. I feel better gripping it with a bare hand.
However during winter months, sure is a great idea Penny.