Folding saws are supposed to be sturdy, and reliable, unfortunately, that cant be said about most folding saws today. However, this guide is aimed at showing the best folding saws money can buy. If you are interested in getting the best folding saws, then you should read through this guide. Folding saws are not as long as pole saws.
BUYER’S GUIDE
The following factors should be considered when purchasing a folding saw:
Intended use
Not all folding saws are made the same. Some are better for use around your home and garden, while others are more rugged, making them better for things like camping or hiking.
Saw size
No matter what you’ll be using your folding saw for, you’ll want it to have a medium-sized blade. If you get one that is too large, it will be too big and cumbersome to carry with you. If you get one that is too small, it may not be big enough to handle the job that you need it to do.
Saw weight
A saw’s weight is directly affected by its size. Get one that is heavy enough to handle your needs, yet light enough for you to carry for extended periods.
Blade adjustability
The most versatile folding saws have screws that you can tighten or loosen to alter your blade. You can make it longer or shorter, or you can swap it out entirely for a stronger one.
Grip and comfort
You need a saw with a handle that’s the right size and shape for your hand. If you can’t get a good hold on it, you won’t be able to use it. Some grips can be changed if necessary.
Lefty or righty
Some good folding saws’ designers fail to factor in left-handedness. By including an operable lock, a folding saw becomes impossible for use by a left-handed person. Therefore, if you are left-handed, then you’ll have to consider a saw without the operable lock.
Fast cutting
The best folding saws to make quick cuts are the ones that are made for camping. They require stronger, more durable blades.
Safety features
Safety is vital for anything sharp. Every folding knife should have a lock in the handle that will hold the blade in when it’s folded, and hold it firmly out when it’s open.
Number of teeth
The number of teeth a saw has is referred to as TPI, or teeth per inch. Larger TPI counts will give you smoother cuts.
Size of teeth
Larger teeth will cut faster than smaller ones and are better for softwoods. Medium teeth are best for cutting hardwoods. Small teeth, when used slowly, will make fine cuts in hardwoods, unlike wood burning tools that just burns wood.
Aesthetics
You don’t have to be a professional landscaper to have a beautifully landscaped lawn. Pruning saws make it easy to have uniform shrubs as well as have gorgeous trees and bushes.
Material and quality
Make sure the blade is made of a material that’s durable enough to withstand the duties it will perform, and still last for more than a year or two, and cut through anything, like soaker hoses, and artificial grass.
There are several variations in the materials saw blades can be made from. For a folding saw, you will most often find some sort of steel. High carbon steel is great because it is very durable. You can also find pruning saw blades that have a special coating to help reduce friction. This makes the job much less tiring.
Blade Type
You will find that your pruning saw can either have a straight or a curved blade. While straight blades are more common in folding saws, you can find some with a slight curve. For this decision, it is important to be familiar with the types of branches you will be cutting.
A curved blade is considered better for smaller branches. A straight blade is easier to work through a thicker branch. That being said, many people report not noticing a difference between the two.
No matter the shape of the blade, you will want a razor-sharp one. A dull blade will take forever to cut with.
Look for a pruning saw that has a blade you can easily replace. Some will come with spare blades. Others can be ordered online. With some saws, changing out the blade can be done with simple tools in a matter of minutes. Others are nearly impossible to do yourself.
Can folding saws be sharpened?
Sometimes. Some brands of saws will recommend replacing the blades rather than sharpening them. This is because it’s impossible to get the sharpness back to its original condition, so sharpening only extends the blade’s life for a short time.
Do Folding Saws Only Cut On the Pull Stroke?
No. The cutting stroke is determined by the angle of the teeth.
Price
Even though there is a big temptation to get the cheapest saw on the market, it shouldn’t be. Most inexpensive saws are flimsy. Here is a secret, think of the purchase as an investment and buy a high-quality folding saw even if it looks too expensive. Look at the long term value of the saw.
Compactness and portability
Look at the folding mechanism – it should be easy to manage and fold or open regardless of the intended use.
BEST FOLDING SAWS
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw
|
Made with high-durability components and materials.
Reduced friction to make sawing easier. Replaceable, hardened blades. Ergonomic handle design. Built for efficiency. |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Silky Professional Series BIGBOY 2000
|
5 teeth per inch (6.5 teeth per 30 mm) teeth configuration
1 pound (450 grams) weight Comes in a blister pack Product applications include pruning & trimming, lawn & garden, construction |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Travel Folding Hand Saw
|
7 INCH RAZOR TOOTH HAND SAW
FOLDABLE COMPACT DESIGN ERGONOMICALLY CUSHIONED HANDLE PERFECT ADDITION TO ANY TOOLBOX |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
|
Comfortable two-component handles giving an excellent grip
Convenient folding saw with low friction rust prevention coated XT hardpoint tooth blade A robust knife with a fixed stainless steel blade for multipurpose use Overall product length 220 mm, blade length 102 mm |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Home Planet Gear EverSaw Folding Hand Saw
|
Easy to tighten or loosen as needed.
Locks down, making it easier to carry. Triple-cut sharp teeth. Eight-inch saw blade. |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Primos Hunting Folding-Saw
|
Lightweight and compact
Offset teeth Push-button lock |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| SOG F10N-CP Folding Saw
|
Inexpensive
Compact size Sharp, rust-resistant blade Lifetime warranty TRC handle |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Kershaw Taskmaster 2555X Folding Saw
|
XT Toothing, 7 TPI. The blade is specially coated for rust protection and low friction.
Two-component plastic handle for perfect grip, with a leather strap. Specially designed for wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, and campers Equipped with safety lock for both lock-in and lock-out |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Silky 340-13 Folding Landscaping Hand Saw
|
rust-resistant,
hard chrome-plated, Blade Size: 5 Inches. Weight: 35 Pounds |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| TABOR TOOLS Folding Saw
|
Easy to use,
portable, safe and durable |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw
Corona uses impulse-hardened high carbon steel. Impulse hardening is a different process than typically hardened high carbon steel, and the higher price of the saw reflects the difference. Impulse hardened steel blades remain sharp three times longer than conventionally hardened high carbon steel blades.
| PROS | CONS |
| Well designed to get every task done | Its blade isn’t as durable as expected as it gets broken after several uses |
| Can be folded for proper storage | |
| A high-value tool with a comfortable grip | |
| Perfect locking mechanism for safety | |
| Cuts fast and nice too |
Silky Professional Series BIGBOY 2000
Silky’s large, multi-purpose BIGBOY saw is every outdoor worker’s dream. With its 14.2-inch blade and rubber-cushioned, double-fist handle, you’ll have all the cutting power you need waiting right in your back pocket. BIG BOY utilizes Silky’s MIRAI-ME tooth technology that delivers fast cutting action and long blade life. Suitable for cutting green or dried wood.
There are folding saws and then there is the BIG BOY. With a blade length of over 14 inches, the BIGBOY offers a larger cutting capacity, extended reach, and longer stroke for fast cutting. This saw can handle large limbs, small trunks, and even many construction projects with no problem. Lightweight, with a thicker and stronger aluminum handle and longer blade, the BIGBOY is perfect for cutting larger jobs down to size.
| PROS | CONS |
| Recommended for camping activities | Heavy |
| Cuts with less effort | Not for heavy-duty use |
| Folds easily for proper storage | |
| High quality saw with a flexible sheath which won’t crack easily |
Travel Folding Hand Saw
This razor-toothed folding saw uses a straight blade made out of completely corrosion-resistant materials, allowing for accurate cuts and maximum durability at all times. Then folded down, it’s only 8.2 inches long and 2 inches wide, and the ergonomic pistol grip style handle makes it easy to hold on to the saw while you’re cutting through thicker materials.
| PROS | CONS |
| Very compact in its closed position. | None |
| Ideal for precise cutting. | |
| Able to cut through varied materials. | |
| Ergonomically designed handle. |
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw
The Laplander Folding Pruning Saw has a thicker blade with a friction-reducing coating and BAHCO XT Toothing. It is best suited to general cutting along or across the grain.
| PROS | CONS |
| Low-friction rust-resistant coating. | None |
| Secure lock system. | |
| Two-part handle that increases grip. | |
| Perfect for cutting through a range of materials. |
Home Planet Gear EverSaw Folding Hand Saw
If you want a quality hand saw for cutting wood that isn’t flimsy, stay sharp, reduces binding and friction, has a gear style lock which locks in for safety as well as coming with a firm and solid grip then looks no further as the EverSaw folding hand saw is the ideal tool for you.
Unlike other hand saws available today, this saw comes uncoated which helps to reduce friction and this, in turn, allows for a smooth push and pull flow, and steel blades are made using high-quality carbon material which provides flexibility but yet makes it extra sharp.
Using this hand saw ensures that you can cut up to a four-inch diameter of wood, plastic, or bone and it comes backed with a lifetime warranty thanks to the durable material used in its construction.
| PROS | CONS |
| Works well | Its blade is also flimsy |
| Sturdy | Cuts poorly |
| Comes with extremely sharp blades | |
| Ideal handy tool | |
| Cuts well |
Primos Hunting Folding-Saw
The Primos Hunting 6018 Folding Saw is compact, long-toothed, and made for hunters. Its offset teeth cut cleanly through wood and bone while being easy to store in your pocket for long hikes. It’s also easy to afford on a budget.
We could spend a lot of time complaining about this saw – about how, for example, the one-button latch only locks the blade open, not closed, or how the handle is cheap plastic underneath the molded rubber.
All of those are real drawbacks, but they don’t change the fact that this is a cheap, convenient saw that fulfills your every need as a hunter.
| PROS | CONS |
| Highly portable | Weak blade |
| Carrying case | Cheap construction |
| Offset teeth cut wood and bone quickly | Inconvenient locking mechanism |
| Affordable |
SOG F10N-CP Folding Saw
The Folding Saw has an 8.25″ blade of hardened and tempered steel that makes short order of branches, small logs, and brush. A comfortable handle helps to cut deep and true on every pull stroke. The extremely sharp teeth are differentially tempered for long life and work on the green as well as hardwood
| PROS | CONS |
| Lasts a long time | Possible stability problems |
| Low price | Thin blade |
| Very light |
Kershaw Taskmaster 2555X Folding Saw
The Kershaw Taskmaster 2555X Folding Saw has a seven-inch carbon steel blade that releases to open with one hand. The handle is coated in rubber to give you a sure grip and has a lock mechanism built-in, though we found that it’s made of low-grade plastic.
The biggest problem with this saw is the blade. It’s thin, so it has a lot of flex in it. You have to cut slowly, and it takes a lot of effort and determination to get through your cut. There is also no coating on this blade, so it binds up easily.
| PROS | CONS |
| Locking mechanism | Locking mechanism made of low-grade plastic |
| Rubber grip | Thin blade |
| 7″ carbon steel blade | Takes lots of effort |
| One-handed release | No coating on the blade |
Silky 340-13 Folding Landscaping Hand Saw
The Silky Saw POCKET BOY is a compact folding hand saw that is ideal for campfire prep on backpacking trips when you want to process small branches for kindling or fuel. It folds up tiny and comes with a plastic protective belt case that ix worth carrying if only to avoid losing the saw when you put it down in the forest.
Silky Saw blades have a well-deserved reputation for being very sharp, and it’s true, they go through wood like butter. Made in Japan, the blade cuts on the pull stroke, not on the push, which requires less energy to saw and gives you more control over the blade.
| PROS | CONS |
| Non-slip handle. | none |
| Extremely easy and comfortable to use. | |
| Great for small-scale cut based tasks. | |
| Plenty of teeth in each inch of the blade. | |
| Extremely easy to carry in a pocket or case. |
TABOR TOOLS Folding Saw
It has a sturdy construction capable of cutting through branches that are up to 4 inches thick in diameter. Per one pull stroke, it makes a 7.5-inch blade cut. The blade is rust and friction-resistant. The open/close unobtrusive lock helps avoid accidental cuts when not in use.
Pruning is also made safer with its non-slip grip. This item only weighs 4 ounces and measures 9.4 x 1 x 2.4 inches. It certainly is a good buy.
| PROS | CONS |
| Works extremely well with wood. | None |
| Can be locked in both the open and closed position. | |
| Curved blade for better cuts. | |
| Easy to carry when folded up. | |
| Non-slip handle design. | |
| Easy to carry when folded up. |
CONCLUSION
These folding saws reviewed above are sturdy and reliable, they promise to do the job you buy them for with efficiency. You should make this one time purchase of any of these folding saws, and you will be pleased you did.