Tool Tango is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
A camping saw is a useful, generally portable tool for any camper trying to step up their outdoor game. Ideally, the right camping saw can make many aspects of camping much easier. Similar to backpacking saws, they can be used for many tasks such as creating a shelter, creating fire, gathering materials, setting perimeters, or even building makeshift tools in a pinch.
While meant primarily for outdoor and portable use, these saws can also be used for at-home trimming and pruning when other tools are unavailable. Particularly the heavier duty folding saws, many of these saws can be multipurpose tools for the average owner.
Camping saws come in all skill levels, as well as many different styles and sizes. In camping, as in most endeavors in life, choosing the right tool for the job is very important, and this guide will help you find the tool best suited to your needs.
Comparison Chart for the Best Camping Saws
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw  | ||
EverSaw All-Purpose Folding Saw  | ||
Gerber Freescape Camp Saw  | ||
Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw  | ||
Coher Folding Hand Saw  |
Types of Camping Saws
There are many different types of camping saws that in a variety of different sizes and styles, but in general there are two distinct categories: those with fold-able blades and those with chains.
Folding saws tend to be a bit more rigid in use and can ultimately be more rugged as well. These can be large blades than fold into a handle with a single pivot point, or they can be more like hacksaws, with the handle and sometimes even the blade folding together.
Chain-based saws on the other hand can be much more compact, easier (and safer) to store, and are more flexible in where and how they are used.
Certain styles of saws can be particularly useful for certain hobbies, so be sure to do your research and decide properly which saw bets fits your intended use.
How to Pick the Right Saw
When shopping for a camping saw, there are many factors to think about. Durability, ruggedness, portability, size, weight, and blade type are just a few examples. How you will pack and store the blade should also be considered. Regardless, this quick buyer’s guide will help you contemplate what features are most important as you pick the perfect saw.
The first thing to do is define your potential uses. A folding, rugged-blade saw will be better for hunting, for example, than a chain-based saw. Alternatively, cutting small branches is often easier with a chain than a rigid blade. A blade with low teeth per inch (TPI) is generally meant for wood or bone, while one with high TPI (generally over 20 TPI) is meant for metal. Be sure to pick the right blade for the job, or you will simply be creating more work for yourself than necessary.
Additionally, you should think about portability and size. A backpacker, or someone who hikes in all their camping gear, will want a small, lightweight saw. On the other hand, a mountaineer staying in a cabin would likely trade portability for durability and power. Regardless, a safe latching mechanism that prevents a blade from opening during storage is a must.
Lastly, you should decide what you want to invest and how well you will take care of your saw. More expensive saws and premium brands often come with superior warranty plans, the best of which offer lifetime replacement on their products. Many blades also come with carrying cases and varying degrees of treatment, potentially reducing maintenance costs.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best camping saws:
Our Review of the Best Camping Saws
In the rest of this article, we will show you the best camping saws available on the market today. We will go through their pros and cons, as well as what makes each saw unique. Use the following as a buyer’s guide to ensure you are getting a quality saw that fits your needs.
1. Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Bacho 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw is a general-purpose folding saw generally built for moderate campers or light hunters. It is designed to cut through green wood, dry wood, bone, and even light and medium duty plastics. In general, this is a robust tool designed for the beginner and intermediate level enthusiasts alike.
The blade features a 7-inch blade with 7 teeth per inch, making it ideal for low to medium grade materials, but not for metals. Bacho’s premium XT Toothing ensures a smooth and graceful cut. The blade is also specifically coated for low friction as well as for rust protection, making it ideal for those potentially rainy campouts.
The handle is a simple plastic handle, designed to offer a perfect, albeit not incredibly comfortable grip. A leather strap is included to help maintain safety during proper handling. In addition to the strap, the blade is fairly safe due to its sturdy safety lock that provides for both lock-in and lock-out functionality.
This blade is generally for the intermediate user, although more confident beginners with strong arms can definitely make use of this saw. The warranty is fairly limited, but its simple design makes it easy to service, and Bacho does sell spare blades in case of disaster.
Bottom Line
The Bacho 396-LAP Laplander is not necessarily the saw for everyone. It is shorter than some other folding blades on the market, and does not feature the most comfortable handle.
That being said, it is an excellent cutting tool, especially for woodsmen looking to step up their game. Perhaps one of the best saws for smaller green and dry wood, the Laplander stacks up well against the competition.
2. Eversaw Folding Hand Saw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
A versatile, high-quality blade, the Eversaw Folding Hand Saw is one of the most impressive camping saws on the market. The 8-inch blade folds neatly into the 9-inch handle and it only weighs about 10 ounces making it somewhat portable. The handle is made of a comfortable, slip-resistant material, ensuring an easy yet perfect cut even when applying a bit of force. The ergonomic design also reduces stress on the hands from excessive use.
With 72 triple cut teeth, this foldable saw is built to cut through most materials one would find in the outdoors including wood, bone, and plastic. The strong blade allows it to easily cut through 4-inch diameters utilizing a Japanese style pull cut technique. The blade is uncoated, reducing friction and allowing for smooth flow, while being made out of carbon steel in order to maintain sharpness for long periods of time while still being light and flexible.
Best of all, EverSaw backs this product with their 100% satisfaction guarantee. They offer excellent customer support for any questions or issues, as well as a lifetime replacement warranty. Wrap all these excellent features together, and the EverSaw folding camping saw is one of the top contenders in the market.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the EverSaw folding hand saw is a fantastic saw for the more rugged and experienced user. While not ideal for small, wet cutting such as saplings or kindling, it’s powerful blade and ergonomic grip make it a very versatile cutting tool for hikers, campers, and hunters alike.
3. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Gerber presents the only foldable hack saw to make our list. The Gerber Freescape Camp Saw is designed specifically for both amateur and enthusiast campers.
It is able to fold up completely flat by utilizing four pivot points, making it easy and safe to store while still maintaining a great sized cutting blade. Unlike most hacksaws, it can be safely stowed in both bags and totes, so hikers rejoice.
When fully unfolded, the blade extends to 12 inches, making it suitable for cutting both small and large branches. This blade is easy to replace if heavy wear and tear occurs, but it is built to be robust and durable.
The easy-to-grip textured handle is made of rubber, ensuring a solid grip no matter what the weather conditions are.
Gerber’s only downside is the limited warranty. The saw itself is very lightweight and easy to use. It is also durable, versatile, and long-lasting.
At only 1 pound, this saw does quite a bit for a foldable hacksaw, just don’t expect to cut dense bone or heavy tree trunks with it.
Bottom Line
Gerber created an inexpensive yet very durable hacksaw. It folds and packs away safely and nicely, while being easy to find in a large pack or tote. The biggest downside is the limited warranty. If you are extremely hard on your toys, I would stick with the fold-able saws with lifetime warranties. Otherwise, this is an excellent saw for those who need something lightweight and incredibly portable while still getting the job done.
4. Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw (36-inch)
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Marketed more as a survival saw than a camping saw, the Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw outdoes the competition in many ways. This chainsaw is meant to be used by those familiar with this style of saw, although it is easy enough to use that a beginner could use it with a little practice.
The chain is made of a high carbon steel that has been heat treated to ensure longevity and hardness. It features bi directional, self-cleaning teeth that can be used in any direction.
Sportsman maintains an advantage over the competition by using a 36-inch chain rather than the industry standard 24 inch, allowing for greater cutting power as well as dynamic use.
Unlike folding saws, where your cutting diameter is limited by a short blade, the chain used by Sportsman allows this chainsaw to be versatile. It can cut through small branches like a breeze, yet it can still be used to tackle larger branches and even small trunks. Ultimately, this saw is as durable as it is effective; it will cut through most anything you encounter in the wild and it will do it for quite some time.
Backed by Sportsman’s fantastic customer service, the saw also comes with a 100% lifetime guarantee. Sportsman wants to make sure you are happy with this saw; therefore, they guarantee it for life. That means no questions asked, full money back.
Bottom Line
The Sportsman 36-inch pocket chainsaw is a hardy, respectable saw. The biggest drawback is that as a chainsaw it requires a bit of energy to use. Regardless, Sportsman’s design reduces this energy requirement as much as possible and delivers a fantastic chain saw through state-of-the-art design and proven quality. There is a reason this is the only chain saw to make our list: Sportsman did well with this one.
5. Coher Folding Hand Saw
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Coher folding hand saw is almost as much of a home gardening saw as it is a camping saw. Designed out of high carbon steel, the 6.7-inch blade is designed primarily for cutting small, dense branches with ease and reliability.
The blade locks perfectly into the handle, which is bright green so it is easy to find in your pack or tote. It also includes a sturdy plastic carrying case to ensure safe transportation. This scabbard also ensures the life of the product and the integrity of the blade by keeping it protected from the elements when not in use.
Using tri cut teeth almost like a modern gardening saw, the steel blade cuts through wood, dry or green, with absolute ease. The teeth are hardened steel and designed to last a long time.
The handle is comfortable and ergonomically designed. It features anti-skid gripping material and will make sure that even after rigorous use, you are not overworking your hands and arms.
Bottom Line
While a worthy saw, it is not quite as versatile as some of the others. It is less effective on plastic and bone. Hunters and anyone who dresses animals may stay away from this one.
Like many other saw brands, Coher offers a pretty solid warranty. They claim 100% satisfaction guarantee, letting you either get your money back or get a replacement tool if you prefer.
Conclusion
Ultimately, if you are going camping in the outdoors, a portable camping saw is one of the best investments you can make. Whether used to manage forestation, to gather materials for a shelter, or to help create a makeshift, yet respectable fire, all the saws on our list are premium products.
Our main choice, however, has to be the Bahco-396LAP. It is comfortable, potent, and absolutely easy to use. Backed by a fantastic warranty, this saw is great for the seasoned outdoors man and the amateur adventurer alike.