The best folding saw is something that every camper and survivalist should get. You might think at first that these saws are only meant to be used inside your garage and workshop. However, their capability to cut wood, clear areas, and other campsite errands made these folding saws a necessity these days.
If you are looking for the ideal folding saws that you can take in any of your outdoor adventures, you are in the right place. I've listed some of the top-rated folding saws currently available in the market. I guarantee the saws I tipped here offer performance and ergonomics, making them efficient and safe to use.
| Blade Length | Blade Material | |
| Silky Gomboy Curve Folding Hand Saw | 8.3 inches | Steel |
| Sven Folding Saw | 21 inches | Swedish steel |
| Agawa Gear BOREAL15 Folding Bow Saw | 15 inches | Swedish steel |
| Corona RS 7265D RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw | 10 inches | Carbon steel |
| Rexbeti Folding Saw | 11 inches | SK-5 Steel |
| Opinel No.18 Folding Saw | 8 inches | Carbon steel |
| Agawa Gear BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw | 21 inches | Swedish steel |
The Silky Gomboy Folding Saw presents itself as a perfect solution for various outdoor applications. It is an effective tool for pruning, trail building, and cutting firewood. Its blade has a length of 8.3 inches and includes 6.8 teeth per inch. Such a construction enables it to cut wood up to 4.2 inches in diameter. Since it features a curved design, the saw can quickly drive through the wood's fibers while you are pulling it. It enables quick and precise cuts.
Moreover, the taper-ground blade of the Silky Gomboy effectively reduces the friction on its side. In this way, you will be able to optimize your energy every time you are cutting wood. You don't have to struggle against friction anymore. Interestingly, the blade is chrome-plated, which means that it is resistant to corrosion and resin. Meanwhile, its rubber latex handle ensures a secure grip and reduces stress while using the saw.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
With its all-metal architecture, the Sven Folding Saw is ideal for rugged camping, backpacking, hunting, and scouting uses. It has impressive durability that makes it last for many years without deteriorating. Its blade is hand-crafted in Sweden; it is made from the most durable Swedish steel, so you can expect that it won't break, chip, or bend while doing rigorous tasks on the field. Its teeth are indeed sharp, enabling it to do quick work in any woodcutting errands.
Meanwhile, the triangular aluminum body of this saw optimizes its rigidity and stability while in work. It prevents the saw from wobbling or shaking while you are cutting sturdy wood and branches. The anodized handle of the saw guarantees amplifies the force you exert to the saw, allowing you to cut faster and more efficiently. The handle has a bright red paint for added visibility.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The Agawa Gear BOREAL15 Folding Bow Saw is a compact outdoor utility that packs with serious cutting power. You can use it for clearing trails, as well as doing camping and canoeing errands. The length of its blade isn't as long as other folding saws, but it has enough proficiency to make precise and speedy strokes. Because it is a lightweight and compact cutting tool, you can also bring it on ultralight backpacking excursions.
The frame of this blade serves as its protective sheath. It does not only protect the blade from the elements but also shields you from accidental cuts. The saw folds and unfolds quickly. It can snap into position without the risks of sudden dislodging, which could potentially harm you. The high-clearance, three-hinged frame also lets the blade make broad cuts. You'll also love its automatic blade tensioning system; it doesn't have loose components, which, in turn, stabilizes its performance.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Another impeccably constructed folding saw that you should consider is the Corona RS 7265D RazorTooth. This one features three-sided razor teeth for maximum versatility. Its 10-inch blade is excellent for cutting 5- to 6-inch diameter wood and branches. Moreover, it has an ergonomic co-molded handle that provides a comfortable and secure grip. As a result, your hands will not experience strains if you use this tool for an extended period.
It has to be noted as well that the blade is easy to latch, which effectively prevents injuries if you are not using the tool. The blade itself has a curved, tapered-ground architecture to ensure the safety of its users. I have no qualms when it comes to the durability of the blade. After all, the latter has been impulse-hardened so that it can survive frequent use. And once it is dull, you can replace it with another blade!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
You should also include the Rexbeti Folding Saw in your checklist. You see, this compact but powerful folding saw features durable construction. Its 11-inch blade, for instance, is crafted from SK-5 steel. It is a rugged blade material, capable of efficient and fast cutting work. You can use it on camping, bushcraft, survival, and other cutting-related errands in the yard. The blade can cut through wood and branches that are 6 to 7 inches in diameter.
Interestingly, the aggressive teeth profile of the blade maximizes the performance of the saw. Sawing sharply and smoothly through objects is doable because of the said ergonomic blade design. Meanwhile, its polymer handle has a rubber coating that secures a tight hand grip. Even if the handle gets wet by rain or moisture, it won't slip from your hands. Additionally, the folding mechanism of this saw is stable and secure. It doesn't flip off accidentally.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The Opinel No.18 Folding Saw is definitely a reliable cutting tool for camping and backpacking. Like the rest of the folding saws here, this one has a compact and lightweight construction. At the same time, it also offers foolproof cutting performance, thanks to its ergonomic construction. It has an 8-inch blade length that is crafted from high-grade carbon steel. The latter is not only durable but features exceptional sharpness retention on its teeth. Specifically, it has double rows of razor teeth which are oriented to execute effortless cuts. By the way, carbon steel is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Meanwhile, the Opinel Folding Saw features a Beechwood handle. The latter has been finished thoroughly so that you will be able to hold it as firmly as possible. It is easy to work with, which, in turn, lets you cut swiftly. Specifically, this is a tool that you can use for sawing wood and branches with a diameter of 4 inches or less.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The Agawa Gear BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw is the big brother of the BOREAL15 Folding Saw. Hence, you can expect that it has more powerful cutting capabilities. Many outdoor enthusiasts use this saw to accomplish serious woodwork. You can use it on various adventures, whether you are in the land or water. It has a 21-inch blade length that has been optimized for quick and precise cutting strokes. It is made from durable steel and features an aggressive teeth profile.
Despite having a burly performance, the Agawa Gear BOREAL21 still folds compactly so that you can bring it on ultralight hikes and expeditions. With its three-hinged, high-clearance frame, you will be able to cut branches with large diameters. The combination of a fiber-glass nylon handle and anodized 6063 aluminum frame ensures that the saw remains stable and precise while cutting stuff. Tool-less blade replacement is also possible with this folding saw.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The quality of the folding saw determines its performance. There are no "buts" when it comes to this matter.
The finesse of their construction and materials is pivotal when it comes to utilities like saws and other working tools. If you resort to those that have a scruffy and inferior design, you can't expect that they can make your life comfortable.
The primary use of these folding saws is cutting objects such as branches. They aren't designed for sawing large woods; such a task is reserved for larger saws. However, this doesn't mean that these folding saws should be treated lightly. They can still do some woodwork, especially clearing debris and cutting firewood.
With those things being said, a folding saw offer more potential if it has the following features:
As much as possible, you would want a folding saw that features a durable and rugged blade. Some ordinary saws have blades made from flimsy material. Hence, if they encounter sturdy branches, they chip off or get broken.
As much as possible, you would want your blade to be constructed from steel and similar variants. Steel is inherently sturdy; at the same time, it has natural defenses against the elements. You don't see it rust or corrode, especially if it has been properly.
Blades that have been hardened during their manufacturing phase are likely to hold their sharpness for an extended period. Advanced hardening procedures, such as impulse hardening, can make these blades seemingly impervious to damages.
But at the same time, sharpening them would be tricky, too, as they are made to be as sturdy as possible. If the blade teeth have complex patterns, that would add to the difficulty of resharpening.
So what happens if you don't want to resharpen? Let's move to our next point.
Another feature that a folding saw should feature is its compatibility with blade replacements. As you keep using your saw in your yard, workshop, or campsite, its sharpness gradually reduces--and that's natural.
Other people may opt to resharpen the blade of their saws if they get dull already. But as I've said, it is a tricky task, especially if you are not used to doing it. Many manufacturers are aware of this problem, so they have integrated blade replacement on the folding saws they make.
If the saw is compatible with replacements, you don't need to deal with extensive sharpening procedures. You simply have to remove the dull blade and affix the new one. Interestingly, some of these folding saws don't even require the use of tools for the replacement process. For me, that's an extra convenience that you would want to invest in.
I know that some of you are looking for folding saws with longer blades, with the thought that they work better than their shorter counterparts. Is this belief true?
Well, it can be a yes and no. It depends on the application.
A long blade will allow you to have a more cutting surface. That means that whenever you are sawing, you are cutting more wood with every stroke you do. But there's a catch to this. A long blade will require the saw to have a long handle, too. Always keep in mind that the blade folds into the handle, so the latter needs to be a little longer than the blade.
So what's the problem here? Well, if you are using a saw with a long handle, your control is reduced. In turn, this would cause you to exert more effort and attention while you are sawing.
With a small folding saw, your cutting surface is restricted. That's a given. But since of its small frame, controlling the saw is a lot easier. At the same time, you can move the blade faster to reduce the time needed for work.
Of course, since we are talking about camping here, portability matters. Between a large and small folding saw, it is quite evident which one is the most travel-friendly.
Another factor that you need to consider is the TPI, or teeth per inch. Specifically, this refers to the number of teeth per inch of blade. The TPI is a reference to the cutting applications that a saw excels at.
It is also worth considering the handle of the saw. If you want to take advantage of the saw's cutting prowess, you need it to have a handle that is securely attached to the blade. You wouldn't want to experience a folding saw snapping into two!
Of course, the handle should provide sufficient grip on your hands. As much as possible, it should have sufficient friction so that it won't slip from your hands, even if it is wet. You should also check if the handle is comfortable to hold. Ergonomically shaped handles and those that have been coated with rubber excel in this aspect.
With the best folding saws in your arsenal, you would be able to do multiple errands while you are at your campsite. From cutting firewood down to clearing debris, these tools will certainly help you out. Hence, it is always essential that you invest in them, especially if you are expecting some work to be done in the field.
To refine your choices, you should check out the folding saws I listed here. Trust me. They won't disappoint you.
That's it for now. If you have other related inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.
