A folding saw is one of the handiest tools to have at camp. It cuts fallen branches to fire-pit length in a few strokes, it weighs next to nothing, and the blade folds safely into the handle when you’re done. For firewood up to about the thickness of your wrist, it’s quicker and safer than swinging a hatchet.
We’ve reviewed four. Here’s how they compare and which one suits what you do.
Quick picks: the best folding saws comparedQuick picks
| Product | Score | Price | Blade | Weight | Teeth | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overallWorkpro Folding Camp Saw | 9.4 | Budget | 180 mm | 170 g | Triple-ground | Check price at Amazon |
Most durableBAHCO Laplander Folding Saw | 9.2 | Mid-range | 190 mm | 192 g | XT hardpoint | Check price at Amazon |
Longest bladeFiskars Folding Saw | 8.9 | Mid-range | 250 mm | 210 g | Triple-ground, push and pull | Check price at Amazon |
Lifetime warrantyFiskars 7-Inch Pruning Saw | 8.7 | Premium | 180 mm | 206 g | Triple-ground | Check price at Amazon |
Price: Budget under $30, Mid-range $30–39, Premium $40 and up, based on what we paid.
Best overall: Workpro Folding Camp SawBest overall: Workpro
The Workpro scored highest of the saws we’ve tested, and it’s also the cheapest. The blade was sharp out of the box, it slices cleanly through wrist-thick branches, dry or green, and a safety button locks the blade both open and closed. It folds small and weighs next to nothing.
There’s no sheath, the handle could be grippier, and it’s not ideal for heavy logs. It has earned its permanent spot in our car.
Workpro Folding Camp Saw
Scored 9.4 out of 10Our take: A light, affordable folding saw that’s sharp out of the box, locks safely and slices through wrist-thick branches.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Lightweight and compact
- Razor-sharp with triple-ground teeth
- Locking blade for safety
- Cuts both dry and green wood cleanly
- Affordable price point
What we don’t
- No sheath included
- Handle could be grippier
- Not ideal for heavy logs
Most durable: BAHCO Laplander Folding SawMost durable: Laplander
The BAHCO Laplander feels like a proper tool. Its hardpoint blade is very sharp and cuts both green and dry wood well, the coating protects it from rust, the safety lock holds the blade both open and closed, and the handle is comfortable to work with.
It doesn’t come with a pouch, the blade can bind on the push stroke, and it’s not made for large logs. If you want a saw that lasts for years, it’s the one.
BAHCO Laplander Folding Saw
Scored 9.2 out of 10Our take: A sharp, 192 g folding saw that cuts green and dry wood with ease and locks securely, a light alternative to an axe. It comes without a pouch and isn’t for large logs.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Cuts green and dry wood well
- Very sharp XT hardpoint blade
- Extremely lightweight at 192 g
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- Secure safety lock when folded
What we don’t
- No carry pouch included
- Not for large logs
- Blade can bind on push stroke
Longest blade: Fiskars Folding SawLongest blade: Fiskars
The Fiskars has the longest blade here, which gives you a longer stroke on thicker branches. Its teeth cut on both the push and the pull, the blade lock is secure, and the grip is comfortable and non-slip.
The blade can get gummed up, the handle could feel a bit flimsy, and it’s the biggest of the four to pack. For thicker firewood, it cuts faster than the short saws.
Fiskars Folding Saw
Scored 8.9 out of 10Our take: A compact folding saw with razor-sharp teeth that cut on both push and pull, plus a secure blade lock. The blade can gum up, the handle feels a bit flimsy and it’s not for very large logs.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Compact, easy to pack and carry
- Razor-sharp, aggressive teeth
- Secure and safe blade lock
- Comfortable, non-slip grip
- Cuts on both push and pull
What we don’t
- Blade can get gummed up
- Not for very large logs
- Handle could feel a bit flimsy
Lifetime warranty: Fiskars 7-Inch Pruning SawLifetime warranty: Fiskars
The compact Fiskars has a hardened steel blade that folds into a curved, non-slip handle, it locks both open and folded, and it comes with a full lifetime warranty. It works almost as well as the Workpro, and we like it. We took it on our big trip, including camp at Coppermine Campground in the Grampians.
It has a shorter blade than the bigger Fiskars, and it cost more than any other saw here. For a saw you buy once and keep, the warranty makes it worth it.
Fiskars 7-Inch Pruning Saw
Scored 8.7 out of 10Our take: A 7-inch Fiskars folding saw with a hardened steel blade that locks open and folded, a curved non-slip grip and a lifetime warranty.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Blade locks open and folded
- Curved, non-slip grip
- Folds into the handle
- Hardened, precision-ground blade
- Full lifetime warranty
- Lanyard hole in the handle
What we don’t
- Shorter blade than the big Fiskars
- Costs more than the big Fiskars
How to choose a folding sawHow to choose
A folding saw does the jobs a knife can’t and a hatchet does badly: cutting firewood to length, clearing a branch over the track and trimming kindling. Start with the size of wood you’ll cut. For campfire branches, a short blade is plenty and keeps the saw small; for thicker wood, a longer blade gives a longer stroke.
Most folding saws weigh around 200 g, so weight hardly decides it. For splitting logs you still need a hatchet. There are three tools to choose from:
- Compact saw
<200 mm blade
Cuts kindling and campfire branches, and folds small enough for a pack.
CutsBranches up to a few centimetresWeightAround 200 gLike - Long saw
250 mm+ blade
A longer stroke for thicker wood. Packs bigger, which is no trouble in a 4WD.
CutsThicker branches, fasterWeightAround 200 g - Hatchet
Splits wood
For splitting firewood and big logs a saw can’t get through quickly.
CutsSplits logs and kindlingWeightHeavier than a sawLike
Also check
- TeethSome cut on both the push and the pull, which is faster; others cut on the pull only.
- Blade lockIt should lock open so it can’t fold onto your fingers, and lock closed in your bag.
- HandleYou’ll hold it with sweaty or wet hands, so a grippy handle matters more than it seems.
- What to cutOnly dead, fallen wood, where collecting is allowed. Live trees are off limits.
How we test
We buy the gear ourselves and take it on camping trips around Australia to put it to the test in real outdoor conditions, in the 4WD and at camp, and to see how it holds up over a few trips. We weigh everything on our own scale and photograph it ourselves. If we haven’t used something, we say so, and if anything fails later on, we update the review.
Scored out of 10 on
- Ease of use
- Performance
- Portability
- Durability
- Value
