The Best Backpacking Saw in 2026

If you’re a lover of the wilderness then you must be looking for the finest gear. The best backpacking saw we can recommend is the Bahco Laplander Folding saw.

In this article, you’ll know what to choose, how to choose, and the best backpacking saws we recommend. 

Top Backpacking Saw Reviews

Why You Should Start Looking for a Backpacking Saw

It’s always handy to look for a backpack saw that’ll be both useful and doesn’t need much space. You can use your backpack saw to cut wood for making a fire, to hunt for food, or to carve something beautiful while you’re enjoying the scenery.

You may even get lost, with no cell signal, and a pile of trees may face you ahead cutting your way forward. Not a beautiful thought, but if you’re an adventurous soul, it might happen.

The Selection Process

The best backpacking saw can save you a lot of troubles in the wilderness. You can use it to cut your way through. However, you can’t just buy whatever product you can find. There’s knowledge involved in picking the right tool, and we’ll teach everything you need to know about the best backpack saw you should have.

Just like any product, a backpack saw differs from one brand to the other. Deciding on what kind of backpack saw you should go for is crucial. 

You don’t want to be hasty and then get stuck with a product that you don’t like and you’ve no use for. Take your time and think of the following features before you set your mind on your purchase.

Types of Saws

There are more than a single type of backpacking saw found on the market.

Folding Saws

These saws come equipped with a diamond-shaped blade that deems them the more dependable and efficient type.

A folding saw comprises double rows of teeth, which is another plus. You can cut wood from both directions. These multipurpose saws enable you to not only cut but also prune and trim with ease.

A final advantage is, of course, portability. They are compact and can be stored with ease.

Pocket Saws

The only thing pocket saws share with a folding saw is being compact. They’re lightweight and are considered the most versatile option for various sawing tasks.

Their pointy teeth have a more aggressive style, and they will cut at a more efficient pace. It’s unfortunate that cutting at some specific angles does prove difficult with this particular type of saw.

Bow Saws

As the name suggests, this saw comes in the shape of a bow. They are highly effective in cutting and pruning.

They’re harder to handle and a monstrosity during storage, but come what may, you’ll appreciate the extra strength this type of saw offers.

What to Consider When Buying a Backpack Saw

Buying a saw might seem like an effortless chore to the inexperienced. A true enthusiast, however, will thoroughly inspect some main aspects of the saw.

From the previous section, it’s apparent that the first true step to buying the perfect backpack saw is to identify with which type of saw will be tailored for your specific needs.

Blade

There are two things you need to consider when choosing a backpack saw based on the type of its blade. You must look at its length and the TPI.

Whatever you plan to cut will decide the length of your blade. It’s obvious that larger pieces of wood will require longer blades. The material is also very important. The best blades out there are the ones made out of coated stainless steel. These will never rust or cause any friction when you use them.

TPI refers to the number of teeth per inch in your blade. Fine teeth will be useful for cutting hardwood while coarse teeth are useful for cutting softwood. The more TPI the smoother the cut. 

It’s also wise to consider a blade that is adjustable. That’ll give you more versatility when cutting your objects.

Handle

Talking about the handle of a backpacking saw is talking about safety. The handle must be made out of soft materials that’ll ensure a tight grip when cutting. 

Having the possibility of slipping from your hands is never good. A lot of accidents may arise from cutting wood with a saw that has a loose and slippery handle. So better be safe than sorry.

Size and Weight

If you’re a beginner and you’re planning your first camping trip, you should consider a medium-sized backpack saw. 

Since this will be your first time in the wilderness, you never know what kind of use you’ll need it for. Once you become more aware of your activities and your materials, you can then choose a size that fits your needs and your backpack capacity.

Length

Length is usually an important factor for the fit of your bag before your cutting efficacy. However, if you’re out to cut thick wood, a general rule of thumb is to choose a backpacking saw that’s 50% longer than the log’s diameter.

Use

Never buy a product before you decide exactly what it’s needed for you. That applies to backpack saws as well. 

Think carefully about what purpose you need it for: is it for hardwood, softwood, or anything else. You also need to consider where you’re going to be using it. Are you going to use it at home in your own garden, while camping, or anywhere else? 

Think before you act. Answer all the questions you have in mind then evaluate your situation. Once your mind is set, go ahead and order your best backpack saw.

Precautions When Using a Backpack Saw

If you’re new to camping and this is your first time needing a saw, there are things that you need to be aware of. You have to be careful because using a saw can be dangerous for beginners. You don’t want to hurt yourself while trying to have some fun in the wilderness.

Choose the Perfect Size

The first thing you need to consider is choosing the perfect size for your own grip. If you buy a saw that is bigger than your hand can handle it’ll be a problem. Imagine using it with full force then it drops from your hand. You may hurt your hands, or even your legs if the fall is too harsh. 

Don’t pay too much attention to dimensions and weight if there’s a hardware store nearby. The best way I used to find my perfect fit was by going to the store myself and trying some out.

Smaller backpacking saws can bulkier, and bigger ones can feel hollow and hard to manage. So, find the saw that truly fits your hands and doesn’t weigh too much on your back.

Never Touch The Blade with Your Hands

Once you buy your product, be careful of touching it with your hands. Some people try to test the sharpness of the teeth by running it on their palms. That’s very dangerous. A new saw will be sharper than your kitchen knife, so don’t try to be smart and always remember to be safe.

Check before Use

You must also keep in mind to always check your saw before using it. It may be broken somewhere and that may cause harm when using it. Once you’ve checked that your saw is alright, go firm and slow. You need to apply pressure only when you’re pulling. 

Keep It Clean

When you’re done using your saw, clean it before you pack it. You must also remember to never pack it open. You never know what will happen on your ride back home. You may even try to reach for it next time and have your hand sliced open because you forgot to lock your blade. 

These were a few pointers on how to use your saw and stay safe at the same time. You need to know and learn how to handle a saw before actually buying it. With time, you’ll be an expert, and these notes will be second nature to you.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned all that you need to know about backpack saw, you can go ahead and choose your favorite. 

Don’t forget to focus on your own needs. A backpack saw isn’t a decoration, it’s a tool for actual use. So choose wisely. 

Out of the products above, we believe that the Bahco Laplander is the best backpacking saw just because it is small, strong, and can cut through anything. It’s the ultimate saw for packing. 

If the Bahco Laplander is expensive for you, you can go with Tabor Tools Pruning Saw. It’s affordable and does the job right.

Your choice is a different story. It all depends on you and on your situation, so just go ahead and be smart about it.