Photo: Agawa Canyon
Backpacking and camping are a fun activity, but you never know what you’ll encounter during those adventures.
A backpacking saw is a handy companion you can use to cut through thick bushes, fallen branches that are blocking your path, or even cut small pieces of wood to make a campfire.
When choosing backpacking saws, consider one that’s lightweight, compact enough to be portable, and made of high-quality materials.
Dive into our top 10 backpacking saw reviews and buying guided to help you choose the models that meet your outdoor needs best.
In this post:
- 10 Best Backpacking Saws – Review
- 1. Gerber 46036 – Best Budget Backpacking Chainsaw
- 2. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 – Best Folding Backpacking Saw
- 3. EverSaw 8.0 – Best All-purpose Backpacking Saw
- 4. Fiskars 390470-1002 – Best Lightweight Backpacking Saw
- 5. Coghlan’s 8901 – Longest Backpacking Saw
- 6. Bahco 396-LAP – Backpacking Saw for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- 7. Corona RS 7265D – Ergonomic Backpacking Saw
- 8. Silky 446-24 – Backpacking Saw with Large Teeth
- 9. SOG F10N-CP – Versatile Backpacking Saw
- 10. Gerber 31-002820 – Easy-to-store Backpacking Saw
- How to Buy the Best Backpacking Saw
- Conclusion
10 Best Backpacking Saws – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Gerber 46036 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 2. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 (Best Folding) |
| |
 | 3. EverSaw 8.0 (Best for All-purpose) |
| |
 | 4. Fiskars 390470-1002 (Best Lightweight) |
| |
 | 5. Coghlan’s 8901 (Longest) |
| |
 | 6. Bahco 396-LAP (For Outdoor Enthusiasts) |
| |
 | 7. CoronaRS 7265D (Ergonomic) |
| |
 | 8. Silky 446-24 (With Large Teeth) |
| |
 | 9. SOG F10N-CP (Versatile) |
| |
 | 10. Gerber 31-002820 (Easy-to-store) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Gerber46036 (Best Budget)
|
2. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 (Best Folding)
|
3. EverSaw 8.0 (Best for All-purpose)
|
4. Fiskars 390470-1002 (Best Lightweight)
|
5. Coghlan’s 8901 (Longest)
|
6. Bahco 396-LAP (For Outdoor Enthusiasts)
|
7. CoronaRS 7265D (Ergonomic)
|
8. Silky 446-24 (With Large Teeth)
|
9. SOG F10N-CP (Versatile)
|
10. Gerber31-002820 (Easy-to-store)
|
1. Gerber 46036 – Best Budget Backpacking Chainsaw
Photo: Gerber
- Blade Length: 7.1 inches
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 8.7 ounces
Gerber 46036 is the best budget backpacking saw on our list. The tool’s reasonable pricing makes it the most accessible to backpacking professionals and enthusiasts.
This is not your usual saw as it comes with sharp interchangeable blades; the coarse blade is great for cutting wood, and the fine blade excels in cutting bone.
Its high carbon stainless steel blades are sharp, durable, and purpose-built for the ultimate versatility in supporting your outdoor endeavors.
When folded, this backpacking saw is very compact and can fit in the tightest of carrying spaces, including your pocket, which makes it a great outdoors companion.
An issue we noted with the Gerber 46036 saw is its rather short blade length of 7.1 inches, which limit’s the tool cutting capacity.
Also, the blade is notably thin and will bend if you subject it to heavy-duty cutting applications.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced and affordable
- Has multi-purpose interchangeable blades
- Sharp stainless-steel blades
- Compact when folded
Cons:
- Short blade length
- The blade is prone to bending
2. Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 – Best Folding Backpacking Saw
Photo: Agawa Canyon
- Blade Length: 21 inches
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 18.7 ounces
Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 is a uniquely-designed folding bow saw that offers superior blade length for high cutting capacity.
The folding design makes it great for use on multiple occasions including backpacking, camping, canoeing, off-trail, hunting, and tree clearing, among other applications.
It comes with a 21-inch blade, which is the longest of all the models on our list. This superior length offers higher cutting capacity than rival saws, making this model highly versatile.
Opening the saw takes seconds when you follow the accompanying user guide. You simply unfold, snap every part into position, and saw away.
This top-rated backpacking saw boasts of automatic blade tensioning, which has no loose parts. There is no need to constantly touch the blade while opening and closing it.
The only downside of the Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 is its high price, making it the most expensive model on our list.
Pros:
- Folding design for multiple applications
- Superior-length blade with a high cutting capacity
- Easy to open and assemble
- Automatic blade tensioning
Cons:
- Expensive
3. EverSaw 8.0 – Best All-purpose Backpacking Saw
Photo: EverSaw
- Blade Length: 8 inches
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Weight: 10.1 ounces
EverSaw 8.0 is a superb all-purpose backpacking saw that excels in tree pruning, camping, hunting, and also as a toolbox component.
It comes with a rugged 8-inch blade, which has razor-cut and hardened teeth that retain their sharpness for long. This combination makes the saw great for easy cutting of wood, bone, and plastic.
The saw has a gear-style lock for easy and safe carrying because its teeth remain sheltered away from accidental contact with your hands or other objects.
This tool also comes with an ergonomic non-slip, comfort-grip handle. You can use it for extended periods without worrying about straining your hands.
As a bonus, you get a lifetime warranty, which is backed by dedicated customer services. In case you are not satisfied with the saw, which is highly unlikely, you are eligible for a refund or replacement tool.
Pros:
- Ideal for a variety of applications
- Strong blade with hard teeth
- Effective safety features
- Non-slip and comfortable handle
Cons:
- The locking mechanism can be flimsy
4. Fiskars 390470-1002 – Best Lightweight Backpacking Saw
Photo: Fiskars
- Blade Length: 10 inches
- Blade Material: Steel
- Weight: 0.71 ounces
Fiskars 390470-1002 stands out as the best lightweight backpacking saw on our list. At only 0.71 ounces, this saw’s weight is almost negligible as far as the total weight of your backpacking gear is concerned. You can travel with it in all your outdoor ventures without worrying about bulk.
The saw boasts of a 10-inch Power Tooth blade with razor-sharp, triple-ground teeth that cuts through wood with superior speed and efficiency.
Its blade uniquely locks in 2 different open positions, which have been optimized for overhand cuts and undercuts. This feature enhances the saw’s flexibility. The steel blade is also fully-hardened and precision-ground for long-lasting sharpness.
For comfort during operation, the saw has Softgrip touchpoints that enhance comfort and tool control. Convenient storage is also a priority of this saw as it has a handle hang hole.
An issue you may encounter in the Fiskars 390470-1002 is its tendency to bind when you cut deep into a piece of wood, probably because its teeth are not splayed out adequately.
Pros:
- Lightweight and highly portable
- A long and sharp blade
- Multiple locking positions
- Softgrip touchpoints for a comfortable grip
Cons:
- Blade prone to easy binding
5. Coghlan’s 8901 – Longest Backpacking Saw
Photo: Coghlan’s
- Blade Length: 21 inches
- Weight: 16 ounces
Coghlan’s 8901 is the backpacking saw with the longest blade at 21 inches in length. The superior length makes this saw ideal for cutting large-diameter wood.
This saw has a higher cutting capacity than many of the other models we have reviewed because it utilizes the blade’s full length of 21 inches.
The tool comes with a rugged anodized aluminum frame capable of holding extra blades so that you don’t have to carry spare ones separately. With this capability, the saw also thrives in cutting meat and metal.
Its foldable design makes the saw great for camping, hiking, backcountry treks, and many other backpacking activities.
Unfortunately, Coghlan’s 8901 has a plastic hinge, which is prone to failure especially when you subject the saw to intensive cutting.
Pros:
- The long blade cuts large-diameter wood
- Utilizes entire length of the blade
- Aluminum frame supports more blades
- The foldable design supports multiple outdoor applications
Cons:
- Plastic hinge is prone to failure
6. Bahco 396-LAP – Backpacking Saw for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Photo: Bahco
- Blade Length: 7.5 inches
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 7 ounces
Bahco 396-LAP backpacking saw is great for outdoor enthusiasts. It is recommended for wildlife lovers, campers, and hunters.
The saw comes with a 7.5-inch stainless steel blade that is tough enough for cutting both dry and green wood, bone, and even plastic with its 7TPI with XT toothing.
Still, on the blade, it features a special coating that prevents rusting and reduces friction to prolong its durability.
You get a 2-component plastic handle that provides a comfortable grip. A leather strap is also included for ease of carrying and storage.
The only significant issue we noted with the Bahco 396-LAP is its blade length, which is among the shortest we’ve reviewed and my limit size of wood the saw can cut.
Pros:
- Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts
- High-quality blade for superior cutting
- A rust-resistant coating on the blade
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- Short blade length
7. Corona RS 7265D – Ergonomic Backpacking Saw
Photo: Corona
- Blade Length: 10 inches
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
Corona RS 7265D backpacking saw comes with anergonomically-designed, co-molded and comfortable handle.
This saw’s handle is designed to provide a comfortable grip especially during extended usage, which tends to cause some degree of arm strain.
The saw achieves efficient cutting using its 3-sided razor teeth on a 10-inch blade. This blade is ideal for cutting small-to-medium branches of 5-6 inches in diameter. The teeth are also impulse-hardened to extend the tool’s life.
When you’re not using the saw, you can easily latch the blade to prevent accidental injuries.
To achieve faster cutting, this blade comes with up to 6 teeth per inch. It is also curved for smoother and efficient cutting.
A potential drawback of the Corona RS 7265D is that since its blade is curved, some of its teeth remain exposed when it is closed. They are sharp and can snag on other stuff in your backpack.
Pros:
- Ergonomic and comfortable handle
- 10-inch blade with sharp teeth
- The blade can be latched to prevent injury
- Curved blade for smooth cutting
Cons:
- Some teeth remain exposed after the closing the blade
8. Silky 446-24 – Backpacking Saw with Large Teeth
Photo: Silky
- Blade Length: 9.4 inches
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
The Silky 446-24 backpacking saw is designed with large teeth to handle intensive cutting during your outdoor pursuits.
Its blade comes with a 6.4 teeth-per-inch configuration, which combines well with a curved design for maximum speed and efficiency.
The tool has been built using a strong and lightweight aluminum chassis, which makes this saw easy to operate and handle, especially when you include its easy-grip rubberized handle.
A straight-blade version is also available to handle pruning tasks with maximum efficiency. The tool’s aluminum frame is wrapped using a thick rubber insert to make the saw comfortable and stable to grip during operation.
An issue we noted with the Silky 446-24 backpacking saw is that its blade is slim and some may consider it too flexible. For this reason, it is not ideal for heavy-duty cutting.
Pros:
- Large teeth configuration
- Strong aluminum chassis
- Curved design for maximum cutting efficiency
- Thick rubber handle for a comfortable grip
Cons:
- The blade is thin and flexible
9. SOG F10N-CP – Versatile Backpacking Saw
Photo: SOG
- Blade Length: 8.25 inches
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Weight: 9.2 ounces
SOG F10N-CP backpacking saw is famed for its versatility, ruggedness, and abundance of premium features.
Versatility is achieved through the saw’s removable and replaceable blades, which you can easily replace using another SOG-compatible blade.
Still, on the blade, it is made using high carbon steel, which is lightweight and durable for long-lasting service. You can be assured that this tool won’t add bulk to your backpacking kit.
The saw boasts of a strong 8.25-inch blade that unfolds to make a 17-inch long tool capable of tackling both small and big cutting tasks.
Another handy feature of this saw is its protective sheath, which also has a secure belt loop. This sheath makes the saw easy to carry whenever you undertake your outdoor experience.
We did note, however, that the SOG F10N-CP saw’s locking mechanism is not the most efficient, and sometimes engaging it results in releasing the blade so that it falls.
Pros:
- Removable/replaceable blades for versatility
- Strong steel blade
- Saw unfolds to handle small and big cutting tasks
- Sheath supports ease of carrying
Cons:
- The locking mechanism may malfunction
10. Gerber 31-002820 – Easy-to-store Backpacking Saw
Photo: Gerber
- Blade Length: 12 inches
- Blade Material: Steel
- Weight: 16 ounces
Gerber 31-002820 has an innovative folding design that allows it to fold flat while maintaining a complete assembly, for easy storage.
This design prevents loss of tool components, which is common with saws that have to be disassembled for storage.
When folded up, the blade becomes protected and easily sheltered from accidental contact with your body or other camping gear.
Another innovative feature is the saw’s green accents that run along the black rubber surface to help with easy spotting of the tool in your camping gear.
It has a grippy rubber Freescape textured handle that remains firmly in the hand despite the operating conditions. The saw’s 12-inch blade is also easily replaceable when necessary.
An issue we noted with Gerber 31-002820 is its high prices, which makes the saw one of the more expensive models we have on our list.
Pros:
- The foldable design prevents loss of parts
- Protects the blade by folding up
- Green accents on saw’s handle for easy spotting
- Rubber-textured handle for firm gripping
Cons:
- Pricey
How to Buy the Best Backpacking Saw
Photo: Bahco
1. Types of Saws
There are 3 main types of backpacking saws: pocket chainsaws, folding saws, and bow saws. They are discussed further below.
Pocket chainsaw:
Just like folding saws, pocket chainsaws are small, compact, and lightweight to provide the versatility required for different kinds of cutting, for instance, on wood, bones, and plastic.
The blades are designed with aggressive tooth patterns for efficient and fast cutting.
It’s worth mentioning that sometimes, operating a pocket chainsaw can prove challenging because you may need to align it at just the perfect angle to execute an efficient cut.
However, once you are up to speed with the tool’s working, it proves to be a great backpacking companion.
Folding saws:
They are designed as multipurpose saws. Most models have two rows of teeth to facilitate cutting by pulling and pushing, which is the natural movement.
To succeed in different types of cutting applications and conditions, folding saws have diamond-shaped teeth on their blades.
They also strive to minimize their size to achieve the compactness necessary for supporting backpacking and hiking.
Bow saw:
As their name suggests, these saws assume the shape of a bow. Their unique designs allow them to utilize the full length of their blades.
Many of the bow saws in the market, as our reviews revealed, assume a folding design that doesn’t require disassembly of the tools for storage.
Bow saws are for pruning trees and shrubs with large branches because the tools tend to pack long blades, of up to 21 inches, sometimes.
They may, however, prove heavier than non-bow backpacking saws.
2. Blade
The length and material of your saw’s blade are important considerations to make when choosing the tool.
Aim for a high-quality blade made of materials such as stainless steel or carbon steel, which is durable and tough. It will cut through wood, bone, and plastic easily and efficiently.
If you intend to cut large-diameter wood, you should go for a saw with a long blade of 12-21 inches as opposed to shorter blades.
Blades shorter than 12 inches are great for light-duty cuts on small-diameter materials.
3. Handle
Your backpacking saw’s handle should be comfortable enough to minimize strain on your hands as operating the tool requires repetitive hand motion.
Many of the models we reviewed had molded, soft, or rubber grips to enhance handling comfort and control.
Ergonomic handles are also preferred to ordinary ones. Such handles are designed to fit hands’ curvature thus minimizing awkward, strained, and stretched grips that can hurt you, especially with extended tool usage.
4. Portability
The primary reason to own a backpacking saw is having a tool you can carry with you during your outdoor pursuits.
Therefore, such saws should be highly portable. Portability is achieved by minimizing the tool’s weight and maximizing its compactness.
Many of the models we reviewed weigh less than 10 ounces, which is considered lightweight. Also, most are foldable to make them compact for easy carrying and portability.
5. Safety
Safety is a key priority when operating and even storing your backpacking saw. These saws come with blades that have sharp teeth for cutting different materials.
Saw blades can cause significant injury when they come into contact with your body, especially accidentally.
To protect you from harm, many backpacking saw blades can be folded and locked away when not in use.
Such mechanisms hide the blades’ teeth to prevent accidental contact with your body and other objects in your backpacking kits.
Other models have sheaths for easy storage so that none of the saw’s components are exposed.
Conclusion
Having explored backpacking saws and their many useful features, you’re all set to hit the store and grab one.
When shopping for your saw, some important considerations to make include the type of tool you wish to buy, the blade length and material, handle type and design, portability, and safety. Lightweight saws are great for supporting portability.
If you want to make use of the entire blade’s length, try folding saws.
You can always refer to our top 10 backpacking saw review and buying guide to help you choose the model that best complements your outdoor pursuits.