If you are in a hurry I recommend the Silky New KatanaBoy Folding Saw as the best camping saw for its extremely sharp blade, long durability, and compact size.
As a camper, there will come a time when you need to cut through some thick wood. Maybe you’re trying to get your fire started, or maybe you’re trying to make some repairs around the campsite.
In any case, having the right camping saw can make all the difference. In this article, we will teach you about the different types of camping saws available and help you decide which one is perfect for you.
Choosing the Best Camping Saw
There are a ton of variations of camping saws in the market and each has it’s own unique advantages.
If you’re looking for something sharp to perform simple tasks like cutting string or sharping sticks, you’ll want a camping knife rather than a saw.
Saws are for cutting your firewood or fixing gear and you’ll want a combination of features that make functionality a breeze and transportation easy.
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when you’re browsing the list of camping saws.
Types of Camping Saw
You need to know exactly what your options are before you start busting your wallet out.
Camp saws come in three major types: bow saws, folding saws, and pocket chainsaw.
Bow Saw
A bow saw is going to look like a traditional saw you might find in your dad’s garage or in shop class in school.
It usually has a rectangular handle that is big and wide like the handle of a bow and a long blade running along the bottom attached on both sides that acts like the string of a bow.
The bow is great for cutting larger pieces of wood because it has more teeth with the longer blade length so it takes less pulls to cut through.
Folding Saws
The construction quality of a folding saw is what makes it unique for camping.
It’ll usually have fewer teeth than a bow and a shorter blade length but it is more versatile since you can use it on branches and pieces of small wood.
It folds down into itself to make it easily portable but a locking mechanism helps it stay in place when it’s chopping time.
Pocket Chainsaws
Pocket chainsaws are pretty unique in that they look nothing like the first two types of camping saws.
Instead, a pocket chainsaw looks pretty much like a bike chain with sharp spikes sticking out and you have to alternate pulling between both hands to get the cutting movement.
A pocket chainsaw is the least efficient way to cut wood but they are also the best at cutting huge pieces of firewood and they work great as a survival tool.
Durability of Materials
You’re going to notice that a pull saw is going to be made out of a lot of different materials.
Even if they are made from the same material there might even be different ratings within that material that signals quality.
Anytime you see carbon steel it’s a good sign. A rating of SK5 is going to be ideal in camp saws and you’ll find those and SK4s on this list.
You’ll want to check the handle as well and make sure you aren’t getting a cheap plastic or inexpensive grip material.
You won’t find any of those on this list, all the ones below have durable handles and some have ergonomic designs.
Blade Length & Teeth Per Inch
The blade length is going to be important because it will determine what you can actually use the saw for.
If you plan on cutting large pieces of fire wood you’ll obviously want a larger blade length but you also want to check the teeth per inch.
This is usually measure in a rating from 1-10 and you’ll see it often written as TPI (teeth per inch).
The higher the number, the less pulls it’s going to take for you to cut through your material.
Teeth of Your Camping Saw
Believe it or not, the actual teeth shape will make a big difference in how the saw cuts.
You don’t want them to be inches thick because you’ll want them small enough to cut through with short pulls.
Most of the modern saws will include a triple sided design that has three cuts within one tooth on your saw that helps them penetrate your material easier.
How Portable Is Your Camping Saw?
There is only one saw on this list that doesn’t fold up into a small, compact size.
You don’t really want a huge blade just hanging around the site unattended.
You want your saw to be able to travel with you and possible in your pocket or attached to your belt.
If you do a lot of car camping you won’t mind a bigger blade that stays straight but chances are you want one folds down into a small size.
Safety Features
Always, always, always make sure your saw has some kind of locking mechanism.
Every single one below does but not all the locks are going to be the same. Some snap into place easily while others require an attached piece to lock the saw in place, and others might just have a screw you tighten.
If there is an automatic locking piece that clicks in place and all you have to do is press a button to unlock, that’s what you’re looking for.
You’ll also want to make sure the handle has some kind of super grip surface that won’t allow your hand to slip while you’re sawing.
Just as a side note, you should always wear gloves that are cut resistant when using a saw.
Some saws are so sharp you won’t have time to move your hand if there is an accident.
Silky New KatanaBoy Folding Saw
You won’t get a higher quality saw than one made in the Ono region of Japan where they’ve been hand-crafting premium Japanese steel for over 100 years.
The Silky KatanaBoy Folding Saw is about as good as it gets. It has about five teeth per inch and it is dangerously sharp.
You’ll be able to cut wood faster than you probably ever have and you really only need one hand with this folding blade but two hands fit just fine.
There will be no problems cutting firewood with the KatanaBoy and you could even clear fallen logs if you needed.
The nonslip rubberized grip makes it easy to hold on to the thin blade without it moving around while you’re sawing.
You can resharpen the portable saw with the right materials and it comes with a convenient carry bag you can sling over your shoulder.
If you’re looking for a folding saw that’s going to last forever and cut through wood like it’s paper, the KatanaBoy is your go-to option.
AGAWA – BOREAL Folding Bow Saw
The Agawa Boreal Folding Saw is more of a bow saw model you might recognize from shop class back in school or your dad’s garage.
It’s got a locking mechanism that’ll keep it from folding in on you while using and it pops out easily from the folded position.
The Agawa collapsible bow saw is not quite a folding saw but the blade slides down into the handle pretty well so you can easily slip it into a backpack.
You’ve got a 21-inch Swedish steel blade length so you’ll have no issue cutting most pieces of wood for a campfire and it has some real blad sharpness to it.
Camping saws like the Agawa Boreal make it easy to cut wood and fix gear around the site without taking much effort.
Bahco Laplander Folding Saw
The first two top blades on this list are fairly large but the Bahco Laplander Folding Camp Saw is a seven inch blade that when folded can easily fit in your pocket.
You’ll get a leather tassel that makes it a handy tool for attaching the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw to your belt or backpack so you can keep it on you at all times.
There are seven teeth per inch on the Bahco so it has no problem shredding through wood or other materials you need it for.
The safety lock right near the blade makes it a safe traditional folding saw you can easily bust out and pack up in seconds.
Great for smaller branches during your camping trip, the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is a must-have item in your camping gear if you aren’t trying to get a larger blade.
HARDTWERK Zen Japanese Pull Saw Foldable
Combing both a high carbon steel blade with a solid 9.5 inch blade, the Hardtwerk Zen Japanese Folding Saw is a great option for camping.
The blade folds right into the ergonomic handle so you can pack it up and not even know it’s there.
The 3D chrome-plated toothing makes the cutting process extremely easy and fast while the super-grip rubber handle makes sure you hand stays out of danger.
Most camping saws either focus on being big enough to cut down a small tree or small enough to fit in your pocket, the Hardtwerk hits the right middle ground between the two.
Corona Tools 10-Inch RazorTOOTH Folding Saw
The Corona 10-inch is deserving of a spot on this list even though I’ve already covered the 13-inch model.
What makes this better for camping is the folding mechanism so you can make it compact enough to fit in your bag without taking up much room.
You’ll get extra sharp teeth on the saw blade thanks to the impulse hardened and three sided teeth.
It’s also made with high carbon steel that should last you a few cutting sessions without having to resharpen it.
The rubberized non-slip grip makes it easy to use with one hand without reducing your cutting power.
The combo of size and ease of use make the Corona 10-inch one of the best camping saws to try in the outdoors.
MOSSY OAK 3 in 1 Folding Saw
What makes the Mossy Oak special is that you can use it as a folding saw, camping saw, and pruning saw all in one.
How? By using the three different sliding saws that come it.
One is specifically made for pruning, one for plastics or cutting wood, and the other to cut metal.
With the safety lock in place, you can get enough torque with both the push and pull to make cutting through materials a piece of cake.
The Mossy Oak an extremely lightweight saw that will fit into your pocket and is a great choice for taking on camping trips.
Rexbeti Folding Saw, Heavy Duty 11 Inch Extra Long Blade Hand Saw
Even though the Rexbeti might not look like anything unique, the longer blade stands out among other folding camping saws.
You’ll get a carbon steel blade that should last a few seasons and the 11 inches in length is enough to cut through branches 6″-7″ in diameter.
The cutting power is strong with this one and that shouldn’t be a surprise with the staggered teeth that make cutting smooth and easy.
The Rexbeti a compact folding saw even though it has a long blade making it a perfect addition to your outdoor gear while camping.
Sven-Saw 60th Anniversary Engraved 15″ Folding Saw
Sven Saw has been making high-quality triangular frame saws for over 60 years and this anniversary edition even has the inventor’s name engraved on the side.
What makes the Sven Saw perfect is they have a bow saw type of design but they easily fold up into themselves so that they’re no bigger than a ruler.
You’ll use it just like a pull saw so the pulling motion will be easy to move back and forth.
The Sven Saw is perfect for using on larger diameter logs and the saw blade is made from hardened Swedish steel.
You won’t have to worry about the pull stroke with this cutting tool because the Sven Saw is large enough to keep your hands out of the way and still get the job done.
Corona Tools 13-Inch RazorTOOTH Pruning Saw
When you’re looking for a curved blade pruning saw, few others make one better than Corona Tools.
The 13 inches of razor-sharp three sided teeth cuts a ton of material every time you make a pass with it so you should get the job done in half the time.
The ergonomic handle only has room for one hand but there’s a finger hook at the end to keep your hand from slipping as you cut through wood.
The only downside to the Corona is that it isn’t as portable as other camping saws on this list because it’s 19 inches long and there’s nothing you can do to shorten it.
The Corona Tool is made from Japanese SK5 steel so you know it’s got great blade sharpness and it’ll cut through green or dry wood.
Bearhard Folding Saw, 10inch
The Bearhard is a lot like some of the other camping saws on this list.
It does have an impressive seven teeth per inch on the saw blade so you’ll have no issues when it’s time to prepare firewood.
It’s got a super secure grip thanks to the non-slip rubber handle and the secure lock makes the saw’s blade stay put on your push and pull stroke.
You’ll need a first aid kit by your side with the Bearhard because the high carbon steel blade can slice through any small branches with ease.
FAQ
What is a camping saw used for?
A camping saw is a handheld tool that is used for cutting wood. It can be used to cut through small and large branches, depending on the size of the saw blade. The best camping saws are those that are lightweight and easy to fold up, so they can be easily carried in a backpack or tool kit.
How well do wire saws work?
Wire saws are a great option for camping trips because they’re lightweight and can easily be stored in a backpack or tool kit. However, they may not be as durable as other types of saws and can quickly become dull if used to cut through tough materials like metal.
Which saw is most versatile?
The Rexbeti Folding Saw is most versatile because it can be used as a folding saw, camping saw, and pruning saw. It comes with three different sliding saws that make it perfect for a variety of different applications.
The Best Camping Saw
I recommend the Silky New KatanaBoy Folding Saw as the best camping saw for camping and for good reason. The Japanese carbon steel is sharp enough to turn wood into paper and tough enough to last for several seasons before needing to resharpen. It folds up nicely and comes with its own carrying case. You will never regret investing into the KatanaBoy.
