Best Backpacking Saw [Updated for 2022]
A saw is one of the most useful tools you can take with you into the wilderness. With a saw, you can build shelters, make snares, create wood for a fire even when it’s damp, and lots more. They can indeed save your life too if you get stuck in a remote survival situation, not that that’s the plan.
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The idea of carrying a saw in your backpack already adds weight to the mind. You can imagine the weight of your multi-day pack and adding more to it goes against every ultralight bone in your body. But what if a good saw was small and light enough to not add much weight and take up less space than you’d think, would you consider it then? After all, the benefits would far outweigh the extra weight, wouldn’t they?
This leads us to take a look at what backpacking saws were on the market and in the end what we found inspired this article. There are quite a few backpacking saws out there that both light, compact, effective, and worth adding to your backpack on multi-day expeditions.
What follows is a review of the best backpacking saws we could find. We strip them down and look at their weight, size, durability, effectiveness, and more. Keep reading to find out if you’re willing to add one of these to your already weighty backpack. It’s worth it, promise.
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Best Backpacking Saw
Bahco Laplander Folding Saw
The Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a saw that’ll squeeze into their backpack without adding much weight. At just 7.1 oz. and thanks to its foldable compact size, you’ll barely notice slotting this into your backpack.
It comes with a 7.5-inch blade that is sharp and keeps its sharpness for a while. It’s good at cutting through both dry and green wood but the blade is a little thin and can get stuck quite easily.
One great thing about this backpacking saw is that the blade comes with a low-friction rust preventative coating, ensuring it’ll last a while. You can also find spare blades easily, so if the blade was to snap, it’s easy to replace.
The plastic molded handle is comfortable to use and very grippy, helping you avoid any accidents when it’s wet out. The saw also features a locking mechanism for both open and closed positions. This gives you peace of mind while carrying it around and using it. But, the lock can give when you’re putting a lot of pressure on it so be careful.
Overall it’s solid backpacking saw that’s affordable, light, compact, durable, sharp, and semi-safe.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact for squeezing into your backpack
- Easy to use and an effective saw
- Safety lock in both open and closed positions stops accidents happening
- Durable rust-resistant blade
- Easy to find spare blades
- The molded plastic handle is durable and comfortable to use
- Very affordable
Cons
- The blade is a bit thin and can get stuck
- The safety lock gives which can result in accidents
Product Information
- Weight: 7.1 oz.
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 7.87 x 11.81 inches
- Blade Length: 7.5 inches
EverSaw Folding Hand Saw
The EverSaw Folding Hand Saw is one of the best value saws in the review and despite its low price, it’s still an excellent quality backpacking saw. At just 10 oz and with compact dimensions, they have done a good job of tempting us into putting this into our backpacks.
The saw is foldable and the blade that rests fully enclosed in the handle opens out to give you an 8-inch blade. The blade is made from SK5 carbon steel and the teeth that feature on it are triple cut razor teeth. The teeth are hardened to hold their sharpness and reduce friction while sawing too.
When using the blade you’ll notice how sharp it is and how easily it gets through things. Once opened it is locked in place to keep you safe but there are some reports of the locking mechanism failing. So be careful with it.
The ribbed rubber handle is comfy, non-slip, and ergonomically designed to ensure your hands don’t suffer when working the saw hard. It’s so grippy that you should never really slip no matter the weather.
Bar the dubious locking mechanism, this backpacking saw is a steal and worth every penny, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- A tough 8-inch blade that does the job well
- The blade comes with triple cut razor hardened teeth for extra efficiency
- The handle is comfy and very grippy to avoid any accidents
- Durable product and comes with a lifetime warranty
- It's super affordable
- Light and compact for your pack
Cons
- The locking mechanism can break so be careful
- Only locks in the open position
Product Information
- Weight: 10.08 oz.
- Dimensions: 9.50 x 2.25 x 0.75 inches
- Blade Length: 8 inches
Zippo 3-in-1 Axesaw
You probably thought Zippo just made lighters and we did too before we stumbled upon the Zippo 3-in-1 Axesaw. Adding this to the line up is cheating a bit as it’s a little bit too heavy and bulky for any true ultralight backpacker to consider but it’s so awesome we had to.
This is not just a saw, no no no, it’s a saw, an ax, and a hammer. And it’s a great quality one of all three too.
The saw blade is 15 inches long and made from hardened stainless steel, making it not only tough and durable but corrosion-resistant too. Being so long is also a great advantage and it allows you to get through thicker logs quickly. The saw also features a self-adjusting tension compensator to reduce the chance of snapping it.
The blade is actually stored inside the axe handle, and you can pop it on when you need it, making it much easier and safer to carry.
The axe is full tang and comes with a protective sheath, which also acts as the handle for the saw. It has a 5-inch stainless steel blade and is ideal for splitting logs and shaving tinder. The back end of the axe also acts as a hammer to help get your stakes in the ground.
Overall it is a little heavy and large but if you like to carry an axe or a saw, why not carry both?
Pros
- It's an axe, a saw, and a hammer all in one
- Long 15-inch hardened stainless steel blade
- Quality stainless steel axe
- Has a self-adjusting tension compensator to ensure it doesn't snap
- Comes with a safety sheath
- Exceptionally durable and useful
Cons
- It's very heavy compared to others but it is 3 tools in one
- Large dimensions will make it hard to pack
- It's more expensive than others
Product Information
- Weight: 2.64 lbs
- Dimensions: 20.3 x 1.6 x 8.6 inches
- Blade Length: 15 inches
UST SaberCut Chain Saw
The UST SaberCut Chain Saw is a backpacker’s dream. It packs down so small and is so light, you’ll have concerns about squeezing this into a backpack. To start, let’s be clear, this is a manual chain saw not a petrol one.
The saw consists of a chain saw strapped between two comfortable wrist straps. The best way to use it is to lift the log you’re cutting and place the saw underneath it. Then stand above it and use your weight and arms to saw through it. It is a little tricky to get used to but once you’re a pro man is it efficient.
The section of the chain-saw blade is 24 inches long and made from stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance. The blade is self-cleaning, so requires very little maintenance bar some oiling now and then. It’s also incredibly easy to sharpen, unlike a conventional saw. All you need is a standard 1/8-inch saw blade sharpener.
Overall this is an incredibly light, small, economic, and effective solution for a backpacking saw. It just might take some getting used to is all.
Pros
- Excellent grippy handles make using this very easy
- Easy and quick to cut through thick logs
- Much easier to sharpen than a conventional saw
- Packs down very small and is incredibly light
- Very affordable
- The teeth are self-cleaning
Cons
- Not easy to work out how to use at first
- Needs oiling quite often
Product Information
- Weight: 4.3 oz.
- Dimensions: 26 x 0.25 x 0.25 inches
- Blade Length: 24 inches
Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw
The Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw is similar to the Sbaercut above but a lot longer, a bit more durable and it comes with everything you need; a carry pouch and a file for sharpening.
The blade is made from quality high carbon heat-treated steel and is exceptionally sharp and durable. At a length of 35 inches, it makes cutting through large logs a breeze but it does slip a bit when used incorrectly, so be sure to have your technique down before you really go for it. The chain saw is also self-cleaning, so there is barely any maintenance bar the odd sharpening and oiling.
It comes with burley handles to ensure your hands don’t suffer and if they do you can always add some padding or some gloves to take the pressure off a little bit.
As with the Sabrecut, the benefit of these pocket chainsaws is how light and compact they are, making them incredibly easy to sot into your backpack.
Overall this a very effective and affordable backpacking saw that is light and packs down small.
Pros
- The blade is exceptionally durable and sharp
- The blade is made from quality high carbon heat-treated steel
- This backpacking saw is very affordable
- Lightweight and compact for squeezing into your backpack
- The blade is extra long for more efficient sawing
- Comes with a storage pouch and chainsaw file for sharpening
- Includes an iron clad lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Can slip easily when being used so be careful
Product Information
- Weight: 4.9 oz.
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches
- Blade Length: 36 inches
Corona RazorTooth Folding Saw
Don’t get put off by the ‘C’ word in the Corona RazorTooth Folding Saw, because it’s actually pretty good at what it does and we shouldn’t discriminate against it. We’re sure it was named before the global pandemic.
This is a solid choice of backpacking saw that is light and packs down small for slotting into your backpack for those multi-day adventures.
It features a 10-inch blade, longer than most other folding saws, that comes with triple sides razor teeth for efficient sawing. The teeth are sharp and have been impulse hardened to ensure they last longer than normal too. This saw will happily cut through 5 or 6-inch diameter logs and branches.
The saw comes with a latch for safety, so you can secure the saw while using it, knowing it’s not going to fold in on you. The handle is ergonomic and grippy but is a little thin and hard. You may find your hands begin to hurt after using the saw for a while.
Overall it’s great backpacking saw for the money with a durable, effective blade that packs down small and safely.
Pros
- A durable and sharp blade that lasts a while
- The teeth are impulse hardened and last a lot longer than others
- Good blade length that packs down into the handle for safe storage
- It's pretty affordable by anyone's standards
- Quite light and easy to slot into your backpack
- The blade is easily replaceable
Cons
- The handle is not that comfortable to use.
- Can slip while sawing
Product Information
- Weight: 12.8 oz
- Dimensions: 1.00 x 2.68 x 12.00 inches
- Blade Length: 10 inches
MACHEE Commando Wire Saw
The MACHEE Commando Wire Saw is great backpacking saw for keeping in your survival kit or bug out bag. It’s not quite robust enough to replace a proper saw but would be useful in an emergency.
This saw is made from four braided strands of stainless steel wire that are covered in sharp teeth, creating a kind of chain saw. The blade is 26.8 inches long and quite sharp, but it does take a lot of effort to use, hence the survival kit suggestion. The stainless steel is of great quality and will last you a while without any maintenance.
At either end are metal rings on swivels so you can pul the wire and use it as a saw. The rings aren’t the most comfortable to use and we would suggest adding some kind of handle to them.
The best this about this wire saw is how cheap it is and how small it is. You won’t find a more inexpensive, small saw anywhere. So it’s probably just worth buying to check out and have for an emergency.
Pros
- It's super cheap and worth having in your survival bag
- Made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Sharp and cuts well
- Exceptionally light and packs down small
Cons
- You use a lot of energy using it
- Ok for survival bags but shouldn't replace a proper saw
Product Information
- Weight: 2.4 oz.
- Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.8 x 0.7 inches
- Blade Length: 26.8 inches
Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
The Gerber Freescape Camp Saw has a really smart design. The glade folds down into the handle making it safe and easy to carry. You end up with just a long handle to pack rather than a whole saw. It’s pretty light at 16 oz (1lb) and is easy to slip into your backpack.
The saw uses a standard 12-inch blade that is easily replaced and is designed to allow you to cut larger diameter logs. The blade is a bit weak and not so durable, but that is what you get when using a standard blade that you can buy almost anywhere.
When opened, the saw is locked in position but the mechanism does tend to fail from time to time, so take it easy when using this saw. The handle, however, is excellent. Grippy, non-slip, and comfortable to use, it will stick in your hand no matter the conditions. The handle is also bright green, making it easy to spot in your backpack.
Overall quite a good backpacking saw that is affordable but buy some spare blades as they’ll wear out fast.
Pros
- The blade folds into the handle for safe carry
- Non-slip grip for use in all conditions
- Brightly colored so you can find it in your bag
- Replacement blades are easy to find
- Light and convenient to slip into your backpack
Cons
- Doesn't lock very well
- The blade is a bit weak and not durable
Product Information
- Weight: 16 oz.
- Dimensions: 17 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
- Blade Length: 12 inches
What To Look For In A Backpacking Saw
Weight
We all know that keeping your weight down is key to backpacking and shaving a few ounces of every item is the way to ensure your pack stays as light as possible. All the backpacking saws in the review are light and some are extremely light. It’s worth playing the balance hereof effectiveness vs weight. After all, you don’t want to carry anything around that’s not going to get the job done.
Size
Similar to weight considerations, size is also something to think about when backpacking. Bulky items are an annoyance in a pack, especially when you’re trying to access them and pack around them. All the backpacking saws in the review pack down pretty small and are quite convenient to get into and out of your backpack.
Safety
Safety is key as the last thing you want is to be injured in the wilderness, especially by a saw. Make sure to buy a saw with a good safety lock and a saw you feel comfortable using. If you do opt for one of the manual chainsaw options, it’s worth practicing at home and getting used to before you hit the trail.
Durability
Saw blades are a pain to sharpen and it’ll make life a lot easier if you choose backpacking saw that features a long-lasting blade or a blade you can swap out with ease. Manual chainsaws are very handy as you can sharpen them with ease.
Our Favorite Backpacking Saws
The best backpacking saw in terms of weight and packability is the Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw. This little guy is so light and compact, you’ll barely notice it in your pack. It’s also a very effective saw, with self-cleaning teeth and a blade you can easily sharpen. You may have to practice with it a bit, but once you’re proficient you’ll be able to cut through anything.
- 48 TEETH RAZOR SHARP TEETH - Our pocket saw has a longer, thicker chain that won't bind compared to others. The bi directional, self cleaning 48 chainsaw style cutting teeth tears through wood cutting both ways! Made of 65 mn high carbon heat treated steel, our saw cuts larger limbs with incredibly fast cutting times with razor sharp blades sawing 3 sides of a limb at once.
- A HEAVY DUTY CUTTING BEAST - Our saw rips through anything from thin branches to large tree limbs in seconds and cuts over head branches with ease. It has heavy duty rugged handles with metal brackets and can easily be re-sharpened unlike other sharp pointed pocket saws. The Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw comes with a tough nylon front snap storage pouch and belt loop with a free firestarter. Perfect Multitool for all your Bushcraft needs.
The best backpacking saw if you’re on a budget is the Corona RazorTooth Folding Saw. This more conventional saw folds away neatly, is light, and is easy to pack. The blade is durable and sharp, plus it’s easily replaceable once it wears out.
- 3 SIDED RAZOR TEETH FOR EFFICIENT CUTTING: 10" blade is ideal for cutting 5" - 6" diameter, small to medium, branches
- ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED, COMFORTABLE, CO-MOLDED HANDLE: Provides a comfortable grip for extended use
The best backpacking saw out of all of them is the Zippo 3-in-1 Axesaw. While it is the heaviest of them all, it is also the most durable and it’s an axe, a hammer and a saw all in one. The design is genius and all the parts are made from stainless steel, making it very robust. The saw blade packs into the axe handle, so you’ll just have to slot in the axe along the side of your pack to carry it.
- 5" full tang 420 stainless steel axe head & durable polymer handle with saw blade storage
- 15" hardened stainless steel saw blade
