When you’re out exploring in the wilderness, having a reliable and easy-to-use bushcraft saw can make-or-break your trip.
Whether it’s clearing a trail, cutting firewood, or building your own lean-to for the night, you need a saw that will make the cut (literally). With so many Bushcraft saws and axes on the market, how do you choose the absolute best bushcraft saw?
Here at Outdoorsr we’ve helped narrow down your search and compiled a list of only the best of the best.
Best Bushcraft Saws
Below, we have 11 top-notch bushcraft saws that we love and think you will too.
Silky Professional Series PocketBoy Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 6.7 inches
- Blade thickness: 1.2 mm
- Cut capacity: 3.4 inches
- Weight: 0.45 lb (0.6 lb with case)
- Price: $
Best Folding Saw for Bushcraft:
If you are looking for the best all-round folding bushcraft saw, look no further. Weighing in at under half a pound, with a folded length of only 8.1 inches, the Silky Professional Series is compact and lightweight, but will get the job done.
With 2 different blade locking positions and a clear carrying case, this saw is ready to go whenever and wherever you are.
The PocketBoy comes with a 6.7 inch blade, perfect for slicing through any branches about three and a half inches or smaller like butter.
The blade is made of a high carbon steel that is resistant to tree resin and easily wipes clean. All Silky blades use their smooth cutting MIRAI-ME Technology, ensuring a fast and clean cut every time.
The PocketBoy Folding Saw comes standard with a medium blade (8.5 teeth per inch(tpi)), which is perfect for softer woods and general trail usage.
However, depending on your specific needs, Silky manufactures four different blades for this knife (7, 8.5, 17, or 22 tpi respectively) allowing you to take down anything (pun intended) from green wood to bamboo.
At only 1.2mm, Silky’s main downfall with the PocketBoy is that the blade is relatively thin. Because of this, it has been seen to break on occasion when trying to take on tougher tasks. For your average bushcraft, however, the blade stands up just fine.
Lightweight, compact, easy to travel with, and easy to use, we hope it is no wonder why the Silky Professional Series PocketBoy Folding Saw comes in as our highest recommended folding saw for all your bushcraft needs.
Top it all off with an included lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects, and how can you go wrong? We guarantee this is one saw you’ll want in your Pocket, Boy (or girl!).
PROS
- Lightweight
- Small
- Interchangeable Blades
- Comfortable Handle
- Tree-Resin Resistant
CONS
- Smaller Cut Capacity
- Thin Blade
KatanaBoy 500mm Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 19.7 inches
- Blade thickness: 2 mm
- Cut capacity: 9.9 inches
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Price: $$$$
Best Saw for Extra-Large Jobs:
Silky once again makes our list with their KatanaBoy Folding Saw.
If you want a big saw with a big bite, this is your guy – or should we say (Katana)Boy. This saw is equivalent to a heavy duty machine, taking down trees up to almost 10 inches in diameter with ease.
While the KatanaBoy has a bulky 26 inch carry length and weighs 2 pounds – making it one of the largest and heaviest saws on our list – the load is lightened with its included black nylon over-the-shoulder carry bag. It’s no-slip handle is easy to grasp, and helps you control this giant with minimal effort.
The KatanaBoy features a 2mm thick high carbon steel blade that is almost 20 inches long. That’s over a foot and a half of sawing power! While we don’t think the Silky KatanaBoy Folding Saw is for everyone, if you have a huge job that needs blade power without electric power, this folding saw is for you.
PROS
- Large Cut Capacity
- Shoulder Bag
- Non-slip grip
- Heavy duty
CONS
- Carry Dimensions
- Weight
- Price
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 7.5 inches
- Blade thickness: 1 mm
- Cut capacity: not specified (reviews up to 4 inches)
- Weight: 0.45 lb
- Price: $$
Best Saw for Extra-Large Jobs:
The Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is the perfect bushcraft saw for day hikes and outdoor gardening.
With a 7.5 inch stainless steel blade that has been coated to resist rust and be low friction, this saw is ready to take on your average bushcraft tasks and cut down those smaller pesky branches that are in your way.
Overall, this folding saw is fairly comparable to the previously reviewed and recommended Silky PocketBoy Folding Saw.
At similar sizes and with similar, light weights, the main differences seems to be that the Bahco is a few dollars cheaper and- with that- is made of slightly lesser materials.
With a 1 mm thick blade (0.2mm thinner then the PocketBoy) and plastic handle, this saw is a great bushcraft option, just perhaps not the best option.
The blade itself is about ¾ of an inch longer than the Pocketbody blade, however, unlike the PocketBoy, the Bahco Folding Saw does not have a variety of interchangeable blade options. The cut capacity of the Bahco is also unlisted, although reviews and blade length would lend it to having a similar cut capacity as the PocketBoy: 3.5 inches.
We think the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is best for day hikes along with outdoor gardening and pruning.
It might not be the best of the best, or the saw you want with you on a week-long trek through the forest, but it is a solid bushcraft saw option and offers a decent amount of cutting capability in a small package.
PROS
- Coated Blade
- Safety Lock
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Plastic Handle
- Unknown Cut Capacity
Primos Compact Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 6 inches
- Blade thickness: 3 mm (approximate)
- Cut capacity: not specified
- Weight: 0.45 lb
- Price: $
Best Budget Bushcraft Saw
If you are in search of an inexpensive but reliable bushcraft saw, look no further than Primos’ Compact Folding Saw.
Coming in as the cheapest saw on our list, this folding saw is lightweight, portable, and compact.
Primos’ saw features the shortest blade on our list at a mere 6 inches, but it boasts one of the thickest and sturdiest blades with a whopping 3mm blade thickness.
While the cut capacity is unknown, blade length and reviews would lead us to believe this pocket-sized saw can only slice through branches around 3 inches or less, lending it to have the lowest cut capacity on our list.
The Primos Compact Folding Saw does come with a velcro carry case, and a sure-grip rubber coating over the handle, helping you both store and use the saw with ease, respectively.
Our biggest concern with the Primo Compact Saw is it’s hard plastic handle. While most saws on our list are made with carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, or a combination, this folding saw is all plastic and nylon other than the blade, including the locking mechanism. This leads us to question the durability of the saw over many uses.
While Primos Compact Folding Saw might not be suitable for long-term use, if you are looking for an inexpensive solution for your bushcraft needs, that you are only planning on using a couple of times, this should definitely be your pick.
The price cannot be beat!
PROS
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Carrying case included
- Sure-grip handle
CONS
- Plastic handle
- Short blade
Coghlan’s Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Blade thickness: not specified
- Cut capacity: not specified (reviews up to 3.5 inches without rotation, 8 inches with)
- Weight: 1.0 lbs
- Price: $$
Best Triangle Saw for Camping:
Coghlan’s Folding Triangle Saw is the perfect alternative for those campers and hikers who want the benefits of a bow saw that will fit into tighter spaces between trees and other hazards.
Coghlan’s Folding Saw is comprised of an anodized aluminum frame and 20 inch blade that will get most light to medium jobs done in a flash.
The saw allows for extra blade storage in the frame and the included wood blade is interchangeable with similar 20-inch meat or metal blades (sold seperately).
Our only complaints about this saw are it’s lack of handle cushion and awkward carry dimensions. The Coghlan’s Saw lacks any sort of rubber or no-slip cushion on the handle, making it less comfortable to saw with for prolonged periods of time.
The saw is also less compact than most folding saws, and does not include any sort of carrying case, making it awkward to stow away when not in use. Not a huge deal if you have room in your pack for it.
Overall, if you are a fan of bow saws but hate the bulk when using them, we recommend giving Coghlan’s Folding Triangle Saw a shot.
PROS
- Blade storage
- Interchangeable Blades
- Fits in tighter spaces
- Anodized aluminum frame
CONS
- Handle comfort
- Carry Dimensions
Corona RS 7041 Razor Tooth Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 7.0 in.
- Blade thickness: Not Specified
- Cut capacity: 3.0 in. diameter
- Weight: 7.52 oz.
- Price: $$
At this point in time, anything with the name Corona is probably not going to be at the top of anyone’s list. Don’t let that stop you though, as this thing is an absolute beast in the bush.
The only real downside to this saw is the cutting capacity, which slightly falls short of other 7 inch saws. Other than that though, this just about ticks every box you could have when it comes to an ideal saw for bushcraft.
It’s easy to carry thanks to its folding design, features a pistol style handle for extra grip, and is constructed out of extra durable material. For example, the blade itself is made using high carbon Japanese SK5 steel, which is particularly ideal for outdoor use thanks to it’s hardness and roughness.
One thing to be aware of though is getting the steel wet, as it’s fairly prone to water corrosion. Just be sure to dry it off when ever you get home from your trip.
PROS
- Affordable.
- Solid grip on the handle.
- Secure locking mechinism.
- Lightweight.
- Foldable - easy to carry.
CONS
- Not the best cutting capacity.
Kershaw Taskmaster Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 7.0 in.
- Blade thickness: 1/16″
- Cut capacity: 4.0 in. diameter
- Weight: 9.2 oz.
- Price: $$
Up next we’ve got the Kershaw Taskmaster, another awesome folding saw perfect for bushcraft. The saw itself weighs in at around 9.2oz, which is slightly heavier than some of it’s competitors, but still fairly lightweight in the grand scheme of things.
The blade measures in at 7 inches in length, making the entire saw around 16.5 inches when fully extended. As with folding saws, the locking mechanism is incredibly important, the last thing anyone wants it for the saw to close in on itself when in use. Fortunately, Kershaw have implemented a secure lock to prevent this from happening, even when under rigorous use.
The blade of the saw is made using high carbon stainless steel, which is incredibly durable and can maintain it’s sharpness for a solid amount of time.
Kershaw has also used a textured handle which provides a little extra grip when using the saw. The material also adds to the overall durability of the saw thanks to it’s increases resistance to general wear and tear.
From gathering firewood, to building shelters, this is the perfect saw for any outside project.
PROS
- Good cutting capacity.
- Easy to carry - foldable and lightweight.
- Secure locking mechanism.
CONS
- Need to dry the blade if it gets wet.
Opinel No. 18 Folding Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 7.0 in.
- Blade thickness: 1/16″
- Cut capacity: 4.0 in. diameter
- Weight: 6.3 oz.
- Price: $
Opinel have a couple of nice folding saws perfect for bushcraft, the number 12 and the number 18. The only difference between the two is the size, with the No. 12 featuring a 5 inch blade, and the No. 18 featuring a 7 inch blade. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be taking a look at the No. 18, has it’s likely to have more practical applications for bushcraft.
The first aspect of the No. 18 worth mentioning it it’s cutting capacity, able to saw its way through branches with a diameter of up to 4 inches. This is towards the higher end when it comes to cutting capacities of saws this size.
What I particularly like about this saw is the teeth. Opinel have made use of a double row design, with each tooth being slightly angled towards the handle. This allows for smooth and efficient cutting.
One aspect to be aware of is the blade itself, which is made is the carbon steel material. As I mentioned earlier, this steel doesn’t process the best anti-corrosion properties, so make sure you give it a good dry if you’re out in a wet or humid environment.
All in all, the Opinel No. 18 is a saw that cuts as good as it look, and is definitely a worth investment for any outdoor enthusiast.
PROS
- Great price.
- Nice aesthetic.
- Anti-corrosion coating.
- Double row of teeth.
CONS
- Need to dry the blade if it gets wet.
Zippo AxeSaw
Features:
- Blade length: 15 inches
- Blade thickness: not specified
- Cut capacity: 4 inches
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Price: $$$
Best Axe Saw for Bushcraft
It’s a saw! It’s an axe! It’s a mallet! It’s the Zippo AxeSaw! Providing you with the perfect multi-purpose camping tool, Zippo makes our list with their AxeSaw.
As the name implies, this tool is both axe and saw, along with a mallet head to drive those stubborn tent stakes down with ease.
The Zippo AxeSaw has a 15 inch stainless steel saw blade that attaches to the axe handle to form a triangle saw.
When not in use, the blade can be conveniently stored away – along with an additional back-up blade (purchased separately) – in the polymer handle. The saw features a self-adjusting tension compensator that keeps the blade tight while sawing. The cut capacity without rotation is about 4 inches, slicing through medium-sized branches in a breeze.
The Zippo AxeSaw also features a 5 inch stainless steel axe blade, so getting firewood and shaving tinder has never been easier. You can stay warm by the campfire all night with minimal effort!
The versatility of this tool does come at a price. The Zippo AxeSaw is the heaviest saw on our list, weighing in at over 2 and a half pounds.
It also only condenses to the carry size of the axe, making it bulky to carry, especially compared to some of our folding saw options. If you are looking for one multi-use tool and can sacrifice by carrying some extra weight in your pack, we think the Zippo AxeSaw is the best saw for bushcraft.
PROS
- Multi-purpose tool
- Dual-Function Handle
- Self-adjusting tension compensator
- Additional blade Storage
CONS
- Heavy
- Less Compact
Agawa Canyon – BOREAL 21
Features:
- Blade length: 21 inches
- Blade thickness: not specified
- Cut capacity: 6 inches
- Weight: 1.17 lb
- Price: $$
Best Bow Saw for Bushcraft:
If you are looking for a multi-purpose bow saw to suit all of your bushcraft needs, look no further. The Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 is a saw that is ready to use at the drop of a hat, and can accomplish almost any task. It snaps together in seconds, and is one of the safest saws with no need to touch the blade while opening.
The Boreal 21 has an aluminum frame with a fiberglass reinforced nylon handle. It has stainless steel hardware that is weatherproof and won’t rust in the rain. Weighing in at just over a pound, this both saw is not too heavy to carry and will add power but not much bulk to your pack.
While we recommend the all-purpose blade to help with the myriad of tasks you might encounter on your trek or camping adventure, the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 has four exchangeable blade options.
If the all-purpose blade is not for you, Agawa Canyon also offers a hunting blade, dry wood blade, and aggressive blade for more intensive tasks. The best part is that no specialty tools are required for a blade change, so go ahead and splurge- get more than one!
While the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 does have a 21-inch-long carry dimension, it is relatively thin and a mere 2 inches wide, which we think is perfect to slide into a backpack and find easily when you need it. Overall, we think the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 is the bow saw on the market, and that’s why it’s one of our top picks.
It’s easy to carry in a pack, quick to open, built to last, and powerful enough to conquer any tree up to 6 inches thick- more if you can rotate it!
PROS
- Unfolds in seconds
- Weatherproof hardware
- Interchangeable blades, no tools required
- Medium-large cut capacity
CONS
- Carry Dimensions
- Handle Comfort
Silky Professional Big Boy Saw
Features:
- Blade length: 14.2 inches
- Blade thickness: 1.8 mm (also 1.4mm)
- Cut capacity: not specified
- Weight: 1.25 lbs
- Price: $$$
Best For Medium to Large Jobs & Projects
Silky makes our list for a third time with their Professional BigBoy Saw. When you need to take on small tree trunks and other medium sized bushcraft activities, the BigBoy Saw should be your accessory of choice.
The BigBoy is the ideal compromise between your lightweight, compact folding saw like the PocketBoy and your extremely heavy-duty, very large folding saw like the KatanaBoy.
As with the PocketBoy, Silky uses their smooth cutting MIRAI-ME Blade Technology, ensuring a quick and crisp cut every time.
The Professional BigBoy Saw also features four different high carbon steel blades, that have 5.5, 6, 8.5, and 11 tpi respectively. The included blade on the BigBoy XL is a curved blade with 5.5 tpi. This is the only one of the blades that is curved, making it ideal for above-head or below-waist cutting.
The Silky BigBoy Saw has a no-slip rubber cushioned handle, and requires a two handed grip for effective cutting. While a specific cut capacity is not stated, it is estimated to be around 7 inches.
The downfalls of the BigBoy are it’s 16 inch carry length, and the fact it comes with no carrying case, as the KatanaBoy boy does.
The BigBoy, however, is much less expensive and lighter weight than the KatanaBoy, and shorter than most other bow saws on our list as well, so perhaps we can overlook the lack of a nylon carry bag.
When you need a saw that can take on heavy duty tasks without a heavy duty price, the Silky Professional BigBoy Saw should be your bushcraft saw of choice.
PROS
- Non-slip grip
- Heavy duty
- Interchangeable blades
- Curved blade
CONS
- Carry dimensions
- No carry bag
How to Choose the Right Saw for Bushcraft
If you still aren’t sure exactly which bushcraft saw is right for you, we’ve included a list of other considerations you should take into account when considering your saw options.
Overall Size & Portability
When you are trekking through the woods or packing to camp by the lake for a weekend, the last thing you want is a bag full of bulky, hard-to-carry tools.
The portability, overall size, and carry dimensions of your saw are a huge part of purchasing the right tool.
No one wants to shove an entire handsaw in their backpack. Folding saws are ideal for bushcraft, camping, gardening, and other outdoor activities. They are generally lightweight, quick to set up, and take up less room in your bag by collapsing to a smaller size.
The folding saws on our list vary from almost 0.5 to 2.5 pounds, and range from 6 to 26 inches in carry length. It’s key to find a saw that you are able to carry easily while still meeting your outdoor needs.
Blade Size & Thickness
With blade lengths from 6 to 21 inches and with thickness from 1 to 3 mm, the size and thickness of the blades among our top 8 bushcraft saws varies greatly.
The blade size greatly affects cut capacity and how easy the saw is to control. It also affects the carry dimensions and how heavy or lightweight your tool will be.
The blade thickness can affect the durability of the blade along with the cleanness of the cut. These factors can determine how easy or difficult it will be to cut down or trim your branch, tree, or shrub.
Cutting Capacity
Are you planning on sawing down trees, cutting off branches, or trimming back a bush? Building shelters or chopping firewood?
The cut capacity on just the limited saws included on our list range anywhere from 3 to 10 inches depending on blade length and saw configuration.
Not every saw is suited for every task. You must consider the ways you are planning on using your bushcraft saw and purchase one with a cut capacity that fits your needs.
Type of Teeth
There are several different styles and sizes of teeth available on saw blades.
Many bow saws have cross-cut teeth, which are good for cutting across the wood grain. Some folding saws have offset teeth which cut in both directions as you saw. Dual-Purpose teeth can slice with or against the wood grain easily.
The teeth per inch(tpi) of a blade allows you to cut different materials with ease. Blades with lower or higher tpis might be better suited to cut dry wood, green wood, bamboo, bone, or metal.
While many blades are multipurpose, it’d be difficult to cut metal with the same blade you are using to cut down a dead tree.
It is crucial to look up what blade your bushcraft saw includes, and recognize how that blade is best used. You might need to purchase additional, different blades as required.
Safety
What type of locking mechanisms are on your saw? Is there a spring to keep the blade of your bow saw tight?
Is the blade sheathed when not in use? How easy is the blade to change out if it breaks or gets dull? How far away from the blade are your hands when in use?
It is important to look at the safety features that are included (or not included) with any bushcraft saw you are considering purchasing.
Consider locking mechanism styles and materials. Look at handle grips, and see if they have no-slip features or if you might need to bring a protective pair of bushcraft gloves.
Contemplate the type of blade your saw comes with and what materials it is recommended for. Most saws on our list have a standard wood blade, but if you want to cut extra dry wood, wet wood, animal bone, or metal you’ll need to make an additional purchase (if the options are available).
Safety should be your top priority when using any sharp objects or tools, and here is no exception. Consider how you are going to keep yourself – and your fingers – safe.
It is also a good idea to wear protective equipment such as a good pair of bushcraft gloves, and some bushcraft pants that effectively cover your legs.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s for bushcraft, hiking, camping, or gardening, the best bushcraft saw is out there for you. While we have chosen the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 or the Silky Professional Series PocketBoy as our top 2 picks, we recognize that people have different needs and these two saws are not all-encompassing.
No matter which bushcraft saw from our list you decide to purchase, we guarantee it will make the cut- we woodn’t recommend it otherwise.
Helpful Resources
- https://bushcraftuk.com/what-saw-is-good-for-you/
- https://toolshaven.com/different-types-of-saws/
- https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/toolmanship-how-to-use-a-handsaw/
