12 Best Camping Saws (Review) In 2021

How We Choose Our Selection Of Camping Saws

If you have camped outdoors for any length of time, it should be obvious by now that when it comes to collecting wood for a campfire or when you need to work on larger pieces of lumber, a traditional axe will not always get the job done. In fact, when we looked at the best camping saws, we were interested in products that are collapsible, compact, and easily stored in a backpack or other hiking gear. We also looked at:

• Brand
• Customer Reviews
• Design
• Price

Features To Look For In Camping Saws

When choosing the right camping saw, it is important to understand what it is going to be used for, how often, and whether you need to carry it from one location to the next. Beyond those most basic criteria, there are other features to consider.

Use – If you are a mechanic working on a car, you undoubtedly know what certain tools are used for. The same applies when camping. Buying the right camping saw depends on what you need to use it for. Some saws are use-specific, for sawing logs to the proper dimensions, trimming tree branches or heavy shrubs, or even carving notches to assemble makeshift furniture. There are even multi-tool combination saws to consider, with the Zippo AxeSaw a worthy contender as an ideal survival saw.

Blade Material – Most saws today are made from high-quality steel. Steel is abundant and inexpensive, simple to shape – even as a chainsaw blade – and strong compared to other materials. For camping and other outdoor uses, most blade material has been coated to be weather resistant. It is important to make sure any folding saw you choose has a blade made of the right material, so do not be afraid to ask your retailer questions.

Blade Type – Virtually any camping saw has a blade with serrated teeth, some spaced out further than others. A folding saw has perhaps the most recognizable blade, featuring large, serrated teeth. A bow saw has the longest and thinnest blade, but the teeth are still serrated. The blade of a pocket chainsaw resembles a normal chainsaw blade, or a bicycle chain, because it is made of riveted steel sections that feature many small, sharp teeth. A pocket chainsaw blade has small teeth ideal for cutting thick wood.

Handle Design – The design of the saw handle depends on the type of saw itself. For instance, a folding saw is more contoured in shape to fit the hand naturally; most pocket chainsaws do not have a handle, but instead loops for each hand; a bow saw has a large handle shaped like a bow or a crescent moon, with the blade stretched beneath it.

Locking Mechanism – If you are looking for one of the best folding saws for backpacking, this feature is a must-have. For safety, most folding saws include a locking mechanism, usually a button or toggle switch of some sort, which allows the blade to stay rigid while fully extended. This prevents the blade from collapsing on itself while being used and is a must-have feature.

Size & Weight – Camping saws come in different sizes and weight, based on the type of saw and the intended use. Saws that feature all-steel construction, including the blade and handle, are the heaviest, while a bow saw may be the largest depending on the size and thickness of the raw lumber it will be used to cut.

Portability – If you are backpacking and regularly on the move between camping sites, then one of your first considerations should be portability. Some folding saws feature blades that are several inches long but fold neatly and fit into a sheath or carrying case that can be easily stored in a backpack or attached with a carabiner loop. This is an important feature to look for when choosing a camping saw.

Types Of Camping Saws

Folding Saw – If you are looking for an indispensable tool for the great outdoors, something durable and portable, then you are probably in the market for a folding saw. These handy tools are best known for a double row of teeth for sawing wood in both directions. Even with a wooden handle and large blade, the best folding saws are not too heavy to become burdensome. Folding saws are often considered the ideal saw for camping because they can handle tasks large or small, such as carving joints into material, cutting tree limbs, and cutting down boxes.

Pocket Chainsaw – Unlike their gas-powered cousins, these kinds of camping saws are powered by a person as you actually pull the chain backward and forward. As you may notice, this is the most minimalist of the three types. It is true they save on space, but you need to think equally of how often you expect to need such a tool. Regular use during more than a few camping trips may bring this saw’s durability into question.

Bow Saw or Buck Saw – It is true. You may know this saw by different names. Depending on where and with whom you may camp, it would not be unusual for someone to refer to this saw as a “buck saw,” “swede saw,” or even “finn saw.” Durability in frame design, longer blades, and efficiency of cutting green or wet wood leads many experienced campers to think if this saw as the “top of the mountain.” Other nice features include quick disassembly and storage for convenient transport – even though they are large and heavy. Of the three kinds of camping saws, the buck saw is the most expensive.

Camping Saw FAQ

Q: Why do I need a camping saw?

A: A saw is one of the most essential tools you can use while camping. With the right saw, you can easily cut through full size tree limbs, wild brush, bushes, or any other impediment that needs to be removed with a blade. A smaller folding saw also can be used to cut ropes, plastic tarps, fishing line, and many other items needed while camping.

Q: Which type of camping saws should I get?

A: The type of saw depends on what you will use it for, and how often. For casual camping of the weekend variety at a state park, for instance, you can probably get by with a compact folding saw. Durable and lightweight, these can fulfill a variety of cutting or sawing needs.

Q: How do you clean resin from a saw blade?

A: To clean resin from a saw blade, it is recommended that you follow instructions and safety precautions from the manufacturer. Ideally, you will use a pre-bought saw blade cleaning kit which consists of a liquid solution that is sprayed or brushed on the blade, a wire brush, cloth, and pan. But if you are camping and can get by with minimal effort till returning to civilization, then a wire brush should do the trick.

Q: Should I oil my saw?

A: In an ideal world, yes – oil your saw blade, especially after heavy usage. Paste wax is the preferred lubricant, but a spray can of WD-40 also works nicely. A small bottle of WD-40 is probably the best oil solution when you are camping, as it can be tossed in a backpack and comes with a small plastic straw, allowing the oil to be dispensed in a folding blade locking mechanism or the teeth of a pocket chainsaw.

Q: How do I sharpen my camping saw?

A: You should only sharpen a camping saw by following the manufacturer instructions, and if you have the proper tools and safety equipment. Tools that you need to sharpen your camping saw include a saw vise, saw jointer and mill file, a properly sized triangular file, and saw set. It also is a good idea to use safety gloves and goggles.

Q: Can I get replacement blades for folding saws?

A: Yes, replacement blades for folding saws can be purchased from the retailer where you bought the saw. They also can be bought directly from the manufacturer or online.