Camping Panda
Roasting marshmallows while enjoying the warmth of a bonfire is one of the little pleasures of life. But finding the right logs and twigs to built and fuel your campfire isn’t always easy. More often than not, it will involve chopping wood or splitting kindling. Sometimes, you may even have to cut some branches. And while there are a number of tools you could use for the purpose, a saw could be your best bet.
Now, we’re not talking about the full-size tool you may keep in your home workshop, but of compact, camp-sized models. Curious to find out more? Read on to find the best folding camp saw for you.
Sharpness
Is it sharp enough?
Grip
Is it ergonomic?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Sharpening
Is it easy to sharpen?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Design
Is it practical?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
10
Hours Researched
15
Products Evaluated
9k
Reviews Considered
4
Sources Researched
The Corona RazorTOOTH manages to top the charts as one of the best folding saws around despite being advertised as a pruning saw. It brings outstanding value for money, impressing with both sharpness and balance.
A cutting diameter up to 6 inches make it ideal for small to mid-sized branches. Furthermore, a blade length of 10 inches make it perfect for most chores. We also like the balanced, ergonomic handle. Designed for gardening but perfect for camping, this is one of the best folding saws on the market.
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Small but incredibly functional, the Primos Camping Saw is proof that you don’t need a 10-inch blade to cut firewood. The solid blade is made from stainless steel and is coated against rust and corrosion.
The handle is shorter than average, but still easy to hold and ergonomic. Made from nylon molded with rubber, it delivers a pleasant, non-slip grip. We like that it comes in a convenient nylon sheath you can fix on your belt or backpack.
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Living up to its name, the BIGBOY is undeniably one of the biggest folding saws for camping. But it’s not its size that makes it outstanding. Its greatest strength is the heavy-duty blade that can cut though all kinds of wood, including green wood and hardwood.
Heavier than other models but still easy to maneuver, it comes with a long rubberzied nylon handle. Its non-slip grip provides comfort as well as secure hold even in adverse conditions. The saw also features XL teeth and boasts 5.5 TPI density. Perhaps too big for backpacking, but all that you need for car camping.
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Bahco Laplander is one of the most popular saws for adventurers, impressing with an ergonomic shape and outstanding cutting power. It’s not the largest one around, but it’s the pocket-sized dimension that attracts.
The saw features a stainless steel blade with very sharp teeth. Designed for general purpose, it can cut through wood, plastic, and even bone. Its handle may be made of plastic, but it’s really strong. No doubt, the right tool to have with you for leisure camping or hiking.
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Zippo is better known for its lighters than survival tools, but this 3-in-1 gear truly deserves your attention. Basically an axe that turns into a saw whenever needed, this is one of the most multifunctional camping tools on the market.
The saw features a 15-inch stainless steel blade that’s easy to attach or detach and stow away in the handle. The axe part is sharp and large enough to chop larger logs or branches. Furthermore, the back of the axe head can be used as a hammer. Lightweight for what it is and affordable, it is a great choice if you don’t want to break the bank buying separate tools.
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The Fiskars Folding Saw is similar to the Corona, in that it’s designed for pruning rather than camping. Nevertheless, it’s a great general-purpose tool you can use to cut green or dry branches, twigs, smaller bones, and even plastic.
Its 10-inch blade is large enough to handle tree limbs up to 9 inches in diameter. Sawing is made easy thanks to the soft grip handle. Made to last, it also impresses with a fully hardened, precision-ground steel blade that resists heavy-duty use and elements.
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The Kershaw Taskmaster could be the right survival tool to keep in your pocket as well as a dependable car camping saw. Sleek lines and an ergonomic design make it a comfortable tool to take out whenever you need it.
Compact but dependable, it boasts a strong, glass-reinforced nylon handle and durable high carbon steel blade. Sharp teeth can slice through green and dry wood alike, while the one-hand release button pops out the blade with a smooth, easy move. We also like the blade length and the overall feel – one of your best bets if you need a smaller camping saw.
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Wondering how to become one of the coolest guys around the campsite? Ditch the regular folding saws and get yourself a Skyocean Pocket Chainsaw. Boasting a versatile design, this is a true multi-tool you can use to cut logs, fix your tent, build weapons, and more.
Innovative design apart, you can expect performance. The saw has 11 strong teeth and a length of 36 inches, which is more than enough for slicing thicker branches. Perhaps the only downside is that you’ll need either both hands or a partner for operation. That said, if you want an original camping saw, this is surely it.
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The SILKY GOMBOY saw is another model that’s made it to our list thanks to its innovative features. Performance is guaranteed by the 9.5-inch long blade that’s interchangeable. Indeed, the handle can be paired with both folding and fixed blades, to use either at camping or in your garden.
Each kind of blade also comes in various teeth configurations, so you can match the type of blade to the application. Blades apart, the saw is ergonomic and easy to handle. An excellent choice if you want a versatile tool for both landscaping and leisure use.
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Concluding our list, the Hooyman is the best folding camp saw for hardcore camping. Its greatest advantage is that it is expandable, impressing with a reach of 5 feet. You can use it to cut tree limbs, thicker branches, as well as thicker logs.
It also boasts a durable, aluminum construction. The saw is made to withstand all challenges, while a convenient lanyard makes it easy to secure it on your wrist or backpack. Affordable for what it is, this folding saw truly deserves a place in your camping kit.
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When camping it is always better to be fully prepared, and sometimes the right clothing and gears makes the difference. A camping saw is one of the gear that is not commonly used but when you have it with you, it certainly makes tasks in camp easier.
This guide should be able to help you narrow down your choice for the best folding camp saw based on the reviewed items above. We will be discussing what features are needed to be considered and how to choose a saw that you can use when the need arises.
A saw comes handy in the outdoor world for when you need to work on larger pieces of wood, or when you need to do butchering in clearing your path or during hunting. Bringing a regular-sized saw is not acceptable when camping or hunting hence the need for a folding saw. Aside from the main feature of being foldable, here are the other features that you need to consider for your best folding camp saw.
Folding camping saws are designed to be small however you also have to consider that the smaller blade options limits the tasks it can do. Pocket sized folding camps may be good for pruning but will not be much of a help in chopping wood due to its thinner blade. The Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Saw is generally advertised as a pruning saw but can cut small to mid-sized branches. Thicker blades will be built more for heavy duty tasks but will consequently be more heavy and harder to store. The 15 inch blade of the Zippo Survival Tool is large enough to chop larger logs or branches.
One unique item in the list the is Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw that has an extendable blade that can reach up to 5 feet, making it ideal for cutting thicker branches or logs.
Material
Stainless steel is the most common material used for folding camp saws. Steel is one of the best materials when it comes to durability and a plus point is it is cheap. Most blade materials like the Primos Folding Camping Saw are coated to be weather resistant making them rust-proof, easy to sharpen and clean.
Saws in general have blades with serrated teeth. This is a feature of saws which made them unique gear and apart from any cutting gear like a knife or an axe. For folding saws that have large serrated teeth are better at cutting hard materials. Check out Silky Professional BIGBOY Folding Saw that boasts of XL teeth and boasts 5.5 TPI density is one of the biggest camping saw in the list. Not ideal for backpacking due to its size bit is a great tool for car camping and can handle more heavy duty demands.
Saws that have finer teeth are better for stubborn material like fabrics, but they will break easily when used on hard objects. The higher the number of teeth per inch, the finer the saw will be.
Consider the handle in which the blade is attached as well. Aluminum is the best partner to a steel blade due to its durability and lightweightness. A folding saw handle is commonly designed to be contoured for ease of use. And the design of the handle should be a consideration that it does not impose any strain and fatigue on the hands even on long hours of use. Fatigue in use may cause accidents when not controlled.
As with any camping gear, weight is of a great consideration. This will depend mainly on the material and construction of the folding camp saw. A folding saw that is all steel would be heavy duty but will be heavier compared to a folding saw that has a steel blade and aluminum or plastic handle. Check out as well the dimension of the saw when folded. This will be your carrying dimension from the car to your campsite. The Kershaw Taskmaster Folding Saw has an amazing folded dimensions of 7″ x 1″ x 1″ making it very easy to carry to and from your jump-off point or the car to your campsite.
Check out your camping saw’s over-all carrying capability. This is extremely important if you’ll be mostly using it on your backpacking trips. Given this, check out how you will carry your saw from the car to your campsite and vice versa. Some folding saws have short blades but folded neatly into the body of the handle or have a carrying sheath that will make the saw portable enough.
One great consideration for portability as well is the locking mechanism of the folding saw. Make sure that the blade will be kept in a safe position while in transport to avoid injuries and accidents. The locking mechanism is equally important when the saw is in use. Make sure that the blade will stay rigid while fully extended and in use. The SILKY GomBoy Curve Professional Folding Saw has its own carrying case that keeps the saw in a safe place when not in use.
The Corona RazorTOOTH is one of the best folding camp saws on the market. While it is primarily designed for pruning, it fits easily in a backpack and is versatile enough to serve most purposes.
Folding saws are relatively easy to sharpen. Simply open the saw and clamp it to a flat surface, then use a file to sharpen the teeth, working your way from the base to the tip of the blade. Pay attention to the direction, especially if not all teeth are pointed towards you.
A small folding saw is ideal for camping, but also for hiking or backpacking. However, if you’re car camping and want to handle thicker logs, than you could opt for a telescopic folding saw or a multi-tool – they are larger, but more suitable for heavier-duty jobs.
It depends on the type of saw you buy. Some models come with fixed blades that are not replaceable. Otherwise, the procedure is relatively straightforward and easy to accomplish with common tools.
A smaller saw is usually better for general camping purposes. Most camp saws can cut tree limbs up to 10 inches in diameter, but are small and light to carry. A bigger saw, however, is preferred for primitive camping and longer adventures, especially if you believe you’ll have to build a shelter at some point.
