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Folding saws have been round for fairly some time however have not too long ago develop into rather more in style. That recognition is thanks, partially, to their outstanding look on a number of survival exhibits and in style YouTube channels.
Their makes use of go nicely past survival and bushcraft, although. Hunters, campers, backpackers, and gardeners use them too. Why? They’re helpful instruments that may tackle all kinds of duties with out the majority of a standard noticed and with out the dangers of an ax.
When you want a handy and moveable instrument for chopping limbs, you’ll want one of many two forms of folding saws: bow saws and straight saws. I examined each varieties that will help you discover the most effective folding noticed.
How I Examined the Finest Folding Saws
To check folding saws, I reduce four-month seasoned maple and a few 10-month seasoned cherry firewood within the following diameters:
- 1.5-inch maple
- 4-inch maple
- 6-inch cherry
- 10-inch maple (giant saws solely)
Realistically, I wouldn’t wish to have to chop a 10-inch log with any folding noticed for quite a lot of cuts as a result of they aren’t made for chopping timber that large. However, when you’ve got the necessity to clear a forest street or a logging path of some downed timber, the larger saws will definitely get the job carried out when wanted.
The Finest Folding Saws: Evaluations and Suggestions
Finest General: Agawa Boreal 21
Key Options
- Weight: 18 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 17.5 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 21.25 inches / 21.5 inches
- Bow Noticed
- Worth: $80
- Made in Canada with some international elements
Execs
- Accepts any 21-inch bow noticed blade
- Sturdy development that’s higher than my fastened bow saws
- Comfy grip
- Computerized blade tensioning
Cons
- Heaviest noticed examined at 1 pound 2 ounces
The Agawa Boreal 21 is essentially the most well-thought-out folding noticed I’ve ever used. The blade is completely hid when it’s folded, and the grip is snug for prolonged chopping. The blade is stiff, safe, doesn’t rotate, and by no means wants adjusting. One more reason I selected this as the most effective folding noticed total is that the vertical grip is much less tiring to make use of than the horizontal grips of a straight noticed.
The Boreal can also be out there in 15 and 24-inch configurations, however I believe the 21-inch I’ve is the candy spot. It’s deep sufficient to chop via 7-inch diameter logs with out rotating them, but it’s helpful and controllable sufficient for trimming small stuff. The Agawa made it via the 10-inch maple log after I modified my chopping angle. I used to be utilizing the all-purpose blade, however “aggressive” and “bone/meat” blades can be found, making this a really versatile noticed. Altering blades is simple, and the noticed comes with an additional set of circlips for the blade pins, which is a pleasant contact. If you would like your noticed to chop quick and be capable to do nicely in virtually any scenario, the Agawa Boreal 21 needs to be on the high of your listing.
Finest Straight Noticed: Corona RazorTOOTH 7265
Key Options
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 10 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 21.125 inches / 12 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Worth: $25
- Made in Korea
Execs
- Alternative blades out there
- Blade locks open and closed
- Comfy grip
- Light-weight
Cons
- When closed, a number of the enamel are uncovered because of the deal with form
The Corona Noticed was initially designed to be a pruning noticed for the orange groves in Southern California, nevertheless it discovered its approach into loads of different environments as a result of it really works so nicely. I don’t know if it was due to the curved blade, the extraordinarily sharp enamel, or a combo of the 2, however the Corona RS 7265 actually ripped via the cuts in my testing. Regardless that there have been just a few saws with longer blades, the Corona may reduce via with the identical variety of strokes and was flat-out spectacular. The hook on the finish of the deal with additionally helped when actually getting after it by locking in my hand and permitting for extra power with much less effort. There may be additionally rubber on the grip up close to the entrance if you’re doing smaller, extra managed cuts. The Corona reduce quick, felt snug, and locked within the open and closed positions. This can be a nice noticed for logs as much as about 6 inches for straight cuts nevertheless it may go greater if the log was rotated. The Corona additionally manages to be fairly gentle whereas retaining a sturdy really feel.
Learn Subsequent: A Beginner’s Guide to Bushcraft
Finest for Massive Jobs: Silky Professional BigBoy 360
Key Options
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 14 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 30 inches / 16 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Worth: $78
- Made in Japan
Execs
- Alternative blades out there with completely different tooth counts
- Two place lock when open for various chopping angles
- Safe rubber grip
- Easy chopping resulting from specifically floor enamel
Cons
- Just a little large and heavy for one-handed use
- Doesn’t lock within the closed place
The Silky BigBoy actually lives as much as the “large” in its title. It was the most effective noticed for chopping via the 10-inch piece of wooden, and the grip was snug for two-handed chopping. If you would like the aptitude to chop some greater logs, the BigBoy is the noticed for you. I wasn’t an enormous fan of the noticed when utilizing it with one hand, and it felt a bit lengthy and cumbersome in comparison with the smaller folding saws. The BigBoy may reduce quick once I used the complete size of the blade and each palms. Mine has medium enamel, however there are tremendous and large-tooth blades out there. I believe with the aggressive blade and two palms, this noticed will actually fly via greater items.
I by no means felt like I used to be sliding on the deal with, which meant I didn’t need to grip as exhausting and used much less vitality. If you would like a folding noticed that may tackle the massive stuff, look no additional than the Silky BigBoy.
Finest for Backpacking: Sven Saw 15-inch
Key Options
- Weight: 10.8 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 15 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 19 inches / 17.25 inches
- Bow Noticed
- Worth: $42
- Made in USA
Execs
- Widespread blade dimension means straightforward replacements
- Easy development
- A number of grip places
- Light-weight and simple to pack
Cons
- Simple to arrange until your fingers are chilly, then the wingnut will be tough
- Blade can transfer if not correctly tensioned
The Sven Noticed is in its sixtieth 12 months of manufacturing up in Duluth, Minnesota and it’s nonetheless going robust. Just like the Agawa, this makes use of frequent bow noticed blades, that are gentle and broadly out there. That is the most effective backpacking noticed as a result of it’s light-weight, and the best to pack when folded. No portion of the blade is uncovered, and it’s barely greater than .5-inch thick and 1.5-inches extensive. When you make camp, put it collectively and get some firewood prepared.
The noticed’s grip and body are exhausting anodized aluminum with a pleasant crimson shade that makes it exhausting to lose within the woods. Whereas there are barely lighter saws on the market, I believe the Sven Noticed performs higher, and is extra snug to make use of than lighter choices. The deal with extends down under the blade so you may get a full stroke with out worrying about smashing your fingers into the log whereas chopping. You too can brace your different hand towards the highest of the deal with for further oomph on the push stroke. Whereas many saws solely reduce on the pull stroke, the blade on the Sven Cuts in each instructions. Whereas it may be a bit of cumbersome to arrange in case your fingers are numb, it’s nonetheless simple to do and efficient as soon as it’s collectively.
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Finest Compact: Silky Professional PocketBoy 130
Key Options
- Weight: 6.25 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 5 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 11.5 inches / 6.5 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Obtainable in giant, medium, and fine-tooth blades
- Worth: $44
- Made in Japan
Execs
- Compact development suits in your pocket
- Comfy grip
- Two place lock for line cuts and flush cuts
Cons
- Brief blade limits the scale of the piece that may be reduce
- Doesn’t lock within the closed place
The Silky PocketBoy is a tenacious little noticed. Whereas it might simply slot in a entrance or again pocket, it might nonetheless chew via items as much as 4 inches in diameter. Mine has giant enamel, that are essentially the most aggressive cutters, and I used to be very impressed by how rapidly the little noticed took care of enterprise. This can be a nice noticed for pruning timber and bushes round the home and flattening branches whenever you’re placing up a treestand. The grip is snug, and the noticed could be very straightforward to manage. When you want one thing to make smaller, extra exact cuts for a bushcraft undertaking, the PocketBoy is a superb possibility for you.
Gerber Freescape Camp Saw
Key Options
- Weight: 14.6 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 10.5 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 14.75 inches / 14 inches
- Bow Noticed
- Accepts 12-inch bow noticed blades
- Worth: $55
- Made in China
Execs
- Stiff body with no wiggle
- Comfy rubber overmolded grip
- Adjustable blade rigidity
Cons
- Heavy for its dimension
- Blade retention hook spins simply, affecting rigidity
The Gerber Freescape Noticed is simple to unfold and fasten, and does a great job as soon as deployed. Whereas bigger wooden will be reduce by rotating the wooden or altering the place of the noticed, the Freescape is absolutely meant for wooden 4 inches and below. Once I was utilizing the noticed, the grip was snug and safe, however once I was sawing quick, I did bang my knuckles into the piece just a few occasions. A bow noticed this small will at all times run into that downside. However for those who can hold your strokes to the correct size, the Freescape could make a pile of firewood briefly order. This might be a great noticed for automobile tenting and shorter backpacking journeys the place weight and chopping bigger items aren’t a precedence. General, the Freescape was a stable performer for a compact folding noticed.
Silky Gomboy 240
Key Options
- Weight: 9.3 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 9.25 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 20 inches / 10.6 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Worth: $55
- Made in Japan
Execs
- Quick chopping
- Comfy rubberized grip
- Two place blade
Cons
- Blade doesn’t lock closed
- Blade bends simpler than some others
The Silky Gomboy has been a well-liked folding noticed for fairly some time now as a result of it simply works nicely. It has stable development, good chopping efficiency, and a number of blade choices. My noticed has the medium blade, which is an all-purpose blade that’s pretty aggressive however may also make good clear edges on cuts. One in all my solely complaints in regards to the Silky is that the blades are extra prone to bending and breaking than others. If the wooden binds and pinches the blade as you might be pushing exhausting, there’s a risk that you’ll bend the blade. Mine has a slight warp on the top from getting caught. All folding saws can have this downside after they bind, however I’ve discovered the Gomboy, particularly, to have a better tendency to bend. That being mentioned, I’ve a Gomboy that’s about three years previous and have reduce a ton with it whereas making brush blinds and setting tree stands, and it hasn’t failed me but.
Bahco Laplander Folding Saw
Key Options
- Weight: 6.75 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 7.25 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 15.8 inches / 9.25 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Worth: $25
- Made in Sweden
Execs
- Robust blade that not often bends
- Cheap, however not cheaply constructed
- Comfy textured grip
- Locks in open and closed positions
Cons
- On the slower facet for chopping
There was a time the place the Bahco Laplander was thought-about the usual folding noticed in most bushcraft circles. It stays sharp, performs nicely, has muted colours, and isn’t costly.
The Laplander has seven enamel per inch, making it an all-purpose blade, however the shorter enamel aren’t raked as a lot as some others, which suggests it offers up some chopping velocity. However the Laplander makes up for that velocity in longevity. I’ve one Laplander that’s about six years previous, and it’s nonetheless fairly darn sharp. The Laplander additionally comes with a lanyard, which, if nothing else, offers a way to make sure it received’t fall out of a pocket. Tip: I tie a lark’s head knot on one other strap for further insurance coverage.
When you’re in search of an affordable, robust noticed, and that doesn’t need to be the quickest cutter, take a look at the Laplander.
Opinel No.18 Folding Saw
Key Options
- Weight: 7.25 ounces
- Reducing Edge: 7.1 inches
- Open / Closed Size: 16 inches / 9.25 inches
- Straight Noticed
- Worth: $45
- Made in France
Execs
- Aggressive enamel reduce nicely
- Strong beechwood grip is robust and durable
- Rigidity lock retains blade from wiggling
Cons
- Skinny blade cuts nicely, however bends simply below ahead stress or pinch
- Wooden grip is polished and will be slippery with gloves
The Opinel No.18 Folding Noticed is a reasonably stable medium-small folding noticed that cuts nicely, and appears cool. The skinny blade means you don’t need to take away as a lot materials, but additionally makes the blade extra vulnerable to bending. With my first use, I bent the blade twice in about 5 seconds. I wanted to lighten my ahead stroke in order to not bind and bend the noticed. The bends have been straightforward sufficient to appropriate by hand, however simply remember it takes some finesse. With a lighter contact, the Opinel performs nicely, and lives as much as the nice popularity it has for its stable, cheap knives. For lighter use within the backyard or for pruning brush, the Opinel will reduce cleanly and rapidly and serve you nicely. For heavier use, simply be aware about not binding the blade up.
Select a Folding Noticed
![Testing the best folding saws by cutting wood of different diameters.](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Best-folding-saws.jpg?w=2400)
Use Case
As with most out of doors objects, the primary consideration in selecting a folding noticed is how you propose to make use of it. Would you like an all-purpose noticed for house, camp, your searching pack, and constructing a shelter that has to have the ability to reduce bigger wooden? Have a look at the Boreal 21 or Silky BigBoy.
Or, are you simply trimming some branches and untamed bushes round the home? Properly, any of those will do for that. Are you curious about making an attempt your hand at bushcraft, however are on a finances? Seize the Laplander.
The necessary half is to be sincere about what you’re doing with the noticed. You don’t wish to have an excessive amount of noticed for little jobs, or be caught chopping an 8-inch log with a 5-inch blade.
Fashion
The subsequent consideration will probably be model, and I don’t imply how the noticed suits your décor. I imply a bow noticed or a straight noticed. When you’re primarily bucking firewood and flattening bigger branches, I discover the extra vertical grip of a bow noticed extra snug and fewer tiring.
However, in tight areas with plenty of limbs, a bow noticed will get in the best way. A straight noticed, nevertheless, shines in tight areas and the place maneuverability counts. They may not be as cozy for tons of chopping, however they blow a bow noticed out of the water in a good spot. In addition they are inclined to weigh much less for a similar blade size.
Worth
The saws right here vary wherever from $25 to over $80, and a few get rather a lot greater than that. Dearer doesn’t at all times equal higher for you. In case you are on a finances, don’t hesitate to select up the saws on the decrease finish of the vary. They are going to serve you very nicely. However, if you would like most functionality, the dearer saws are greater and more durable to deal with the additional work and larger logs.
FAQ
This usually refers back to the TPI, or Enamel Per Inch, in straight folding saws. “Massive” means much less enamel per inch, often round 6 TPI. Medium often works out to 7-9 TPI, and Nice has a TPI round 15-18. The much less TPI, the extra aggressive the reduce, which often means velocity. A better TPI makes finer cuts, not ragged or tough, however takes longer to make the reduce.
A: Technically sure, however not virtually. Sharpening these kind of blades would take specialised tools and actually isn’t sensible. So long as you aren’t hitting rocks or steel, these blades will keep sharp for a very long time, and will be changed with out an excessive amount of expense. These blade may also break, and for those who’re planning on plenty of heavy work out within the backcountry, it’s not too exhausting to hold a spare. The bow saws can accommodate spare blades alongside the one on the noticed.
No, not likely. However most saws can do sufficient in an effort to get by with only one. For me, a bigger folding bow noticed is my go-to for greater quantity work, and a medium-sized straight noticed covers the tight spots and smaller work. With a arrange like that, you possibly can care for nearly all the things you may have to.
Ultimate Ideas on the Finest Folding Saws
Folding saws are nice instruments for tenting, searching, maintaining your property, or having enjoyable with bushcraft. They’re much better than an ax for bucking up wooden and making exact cuts, and require much less ability to make use of. In addition they don’t include all of the dangers that an ax does. When you actually assess your wants, choose the noticed that may go well with them finest, and have at it.