Before now, cutting woods used to be a back-breaking, tedious job and was hated by all and sundry. But with the best bow saw, it becomes easier, more convenient and fun, too!
Bow saws have come a long way since they were first invented. There are now stronger and more improved models. Although there are so many of this tool available on the market, there are those that stand out.
In this article, we take a look at the best bow saws as well as guidelines to help you make the right buying decision.
BEST CHOICE
Bahco 10-24-51 24-Inch Ergo Bow Saw
Best Bow Saws in Our Rating
- Bowsaw frame developed according to the scientific ERGO process
- Design for demanding applications and tough environments as construction sites
- Better and stronger blade fitting for easy and safe blade change
- Lighweight and easy to transport
Selecting the Best Bow Saws
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Most Ergonomic Bow Saw  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Value for the Money  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Compact Product  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Most Versatile Bow Saw  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Ease of Use  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Easiest to Assemble  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Professional Pick  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Most Lightweight Bow Saw  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Tension Mechanism  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Revolutionary Bow Saw  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Making a decision of the best bow saw based on what you see online can be a bit tricky, in view of this, we took the time to surf through the Internet and bring to you the top ten bow saws available, these products have been tested and we can guarantee their quality as well as efficiency.
1. Bahco 10-24-51 24-Inch Ergo Bow Saw: Most Ergonomic Bow Saw
The Bahco 10 bow saw is professionally designed with Bahco’s innovative Ergo design process for top-quality performance as well as durability. Constructed with high tension blade, it cuts through dry, mature wood in quick strokes.
With the deliberate and systematic spacing of its peg teeth, it saws through strong branches in a straight pattern while its triangular teeth are used for aggressive cutting of the wood on a pull and push motion.
The knuckle handle provides comfort, safety, and a firm grip while working, thereby making it ergonomic, this knuckle also prevents you from having direct contact with the blade or the material while working. Its enamel coated steel is lightweight and is resistant to rust as well as corrosion.
It is suitable for tough cutting of woods and can be used in areas such as forestry, construction, and also landscaping. The product features 51 model blade teeth made for pruning and also cutting. Its pointed nose is designed to have access to tight spaces, especially in gardening or roofing.
- Its knuckle handle provides comfort and safety
- The steel is lightweight
- Ideal for cutting tough wood
- It is resistant to rust and corrosion
- It has a subpar blade cover
2. Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw: Best Value for the Money
The Truper 30255 comes with a sturdy frame which, while being sturdy is not heavy in the least. Its knuckle guard protects your hand from wood chippings and contact with the blade; it gives you a comfortable grip while working.
It also has a quality tensioning system which ensures you are getting high-quality cut while you work.
However, note that this product comes with a blade meant for cutting green wood only and not for dry, mature wood, so it’s best to ensure you will be working with green wood before you buy this product.
It is pocket-friendly when compared to other products in the same category, which are more expensive. It gives you value for your money as it is efficient and durable. It has a 21-inch handy bow ideal for giant branch and comes with a Cam lever tension system which ensures the blade is kept tight while working.
- It has a knuckle guard
- It is affordable
- Made of quality tension system
- It is lightweight
- Can be used for greenwood only
- The tension lever is made of plastic
- It has no folding frame
3. Sven Saw: Best Compact Product
This product is ideal for wood cutting due to its rugged design. With its anodized aluminum handle and its Swiss Steel blade it can cut through any dry, mature wood. It is a lightweight, safe, and fast cutting tool.
However, the unique feature of the Sven saw is its compact nature. It can be folded into smaller parts with its blade folded in the handle.
It comes with a user guide with instructions on how to assemble the parts in quick, easy steps. The manual is not needed though as assembling is effortless and straightforward.
Although it is 21-inches long, it can be folded to a compact form of 24″ x 1 ¾” x 5/8″. With this feature you can carry it anywhere you go, on camping trips, backpacking, snowmobiling, hunting or just it in your garden, home or car, either way, is excellent.
- It is made from high-quality materials
- It is durable and efficient
- It is compact
- Comes in two blade sizes; 21″ and 15.”
- It has been known to cause some health problems due to the chemical substance found in it
- You may need to have a spare wing nut
- It can be a bit rusty while the colors might fade with time
4. Pro-Grade 31913 Bow Saw/Hacksaw: Most Versatile Bow Saw
It is designed with a robust tubular steel frame which gives more ease and comfort to the user while cutting. It comes with two different blades, one for cutting plastics and metals while the other is used for cutting wood.
It is affordable and made of top-quality material that is guaranteed to last for a very long time while also maintaining its efficiency. It comes with a lifetime warranty, if a defective bow saw is sold to you, you get a replacement almost immediately. However, note that there are terms and conditions applied to this.
Pro-Grade products are designed to withstand tough working conditions; they have an optional flare nut which is forged from chrome aluminum alloy and then heated for additional strength. They also have box ends, which are precision broached and made for a smooth, secure fit.
With two 12-inch blades (a hacksaw and a bow saw blade) this bow saw is ideal for cutting through sturdy woods and also other materials.
- It features two blades, which makes it versatile
- Affordable and convenient
- It has a lifetime warranty
- It is efficient
- The blades become blunt with time
- There are terms and conditions applied to the replacement of defective products
5. Bahco 21 Inch Bow Saw: Ease of Use
This offers the same cutting experience as the Bahco 10-24-51 24-Inch Ergo Bow Saw reviewed earlier and all other Bahco bow saws, with the only difference being the absence of Ergo handle in this particular product.
Hence, it is more suitable for short and fast cuts rather than the heavy-duty cuts, which last for an extended period.
It is designed with the same tubular steel frame which is coated with orange paint to make it recognizable.
The pointed nose design is the same for this product and can be used to reach tight spaces easily. Also, the Bahco 21-inch bow saw is compact and can be carried easily to the job site. Although it does not have the same cutting power as other Bahco bow saws, it is still very efficient and can be used for roofing and pruning.
- It is tough and durable
- Made of tubular steel frame and coated with orange paint for visibility
- Its pointy nose ensures it can get to tight corners
- It is compact and can fit into a work bag
- Absence of Ergo handle, which makes it less comfortable than other products
- Cannot be used for an extended period
6. Agawa Canyon-BOREAL21 Folding Bow Saw: Easiest to Assemble
The BOREAL21 bow saw cuts through the wood in an efficient manner; it can be folded and unfolded with ease for high precision cuts. It has a length of 21 inches, which is ideal for forward and backward cutting motion.
It has a three-hinged trapezium-shaped frame that enables you to cut your wood in a large diameter. It also has a blade safety mechanism that allows the blade to fold into the structure when it’s not being used. This protective mechanism not only protects you from injury but also the bow saw.
It features an auto blade tensioning system, and so you are not required to touch the blade when opening or closing it. The blade tensioning system also prevents any parts of the bolts and nuts from coming loose.
Furthermore, it is compact and lightweight and comes with a top-quality aluminum frame, a handle made of glass nylon and stainless-steel hardware. It is ideal for camping, hunting, canoeing, or any other outdoor activity.
- It has an automatic blade tensioning
- It takes only a few seconds to open
- Can be folded so it is compact
- It is designed with top quality materials
- Its warranty does not extend to the blade
- The tensioning cannot be adjusted
7. Bond BS21 Gardener’s Choice 21: Inch Bow Saw- Best Professional Pick
This product, with its wide range of applications, is ideal for gardeners. It can be used for woodwork and will come in handy when camping and hunting. It is lightweight, durable, and made from tubular steel.
Besides, it has a pull and push blade designed from dual cut steel; this feature makes it durable and efficient as it can cut through any material of low-density without stress.
It also has a release technique which can be operated with ease; the blade can also be changed at a swift pace; all you need do is push and pull the bow sideways to unlock the blade. It’s that simple!
Furthermore, the bow, with its superb handle support, can be used with one hand or both hands.
- The blade can be replaced with ease
- It is lightweight and durable
- The blade is made from double-cut steel, which makes it last long
- It has extensive hand support and can be used with both hands
- Not suitable for tight spaces due to its long handle
8. Bahco 10-24-23 Bow Saw with Ergo Handle: Most Lightweight Bow Saw
While purchasing this product, which has the same frame either way, you will be given the choice of having either a blade ideal for dry wood or the one suitable for greed wood.
If you are aware of what you need the blade for then, you are in luck as you can go ahead and make a choice. Even if you need both blade types, you can buy the other as an extra. This feature makes the Bahco 10-24-23 Bow Saw a versatile tool. It has a lightweight frame which is sturdy and durable.
It also features a knuckle guard, a unique quality as most bow saws don’t have this feature. The knuckle guard gives you a firm grip and protects your wrist and arm from strain. With its great tensioner, you can adjust the blade tension to suit your taste.
The only not-so-great feature we could detect about this product is that it has a subpar blade cover, which means it’s difficult to safely fix the blade and store the tool. However, given its many other great features, this minor problem can be overlooked.
- It has a knuckle guard handle
- Its frame is lightweight
- Has blades for both dry wood and greenwood
- It has a superb tensioner
- It has a subpar blade cover
9. Bahco 10-30-23 30-Inch Ergo Bow Saw: Best Tension Mechanism
From the stables of Bahco comes another great tool, the Bahco 10-30-23 30-Inch Ergo Bow Saw. This tool, with its 23-tooth blade, is made specifically for greenwood but can also be used for dry woods albeit lightweight dried ones.
It has an ergonomic design and a patented knuckle protector which gives you a firm, comfortable grip, this feature also makes it possible to be held for a long time without stress.
It is also capable of cutting through small branches of wood which are about 3 to 5 inches in diameter with just a snap. It has an oval tube frame which enables you to cut without the need to bend.
At the point of purchase, the factory blade is sharpened using the top-quality precision tool to give you a smoother, quicker cut. This is not all; it has an engineered tension mechanism which prevents the blade from loosening. It has a Snap-On blade guard, which seems to be added as an afterthought. Although it has a lightweight plastic frame, it still works well even without a blade guard.
- It is 30 inches long
- Features an advanced tension mechanism
- It is designed for challenging applications and tough construction work
- It is made of high-quality steel tubing which makes it durable
- It has a limited warranty
- Can only be used to cut green woods
- Its plastic frame is not so ideal
10. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw: Best Revolutionary Bow Saw
This tool is uniquely designed to fold up flat while still being completely assembled and all these without the fear of losing any of its parts. It makes use of four pivot points to cut through wood of larger diameter efficiently and effectively using the full length of the blade.
When the bow saw is folded, the blade is not affected as it can be kept safely in a camp bin or a gear kit.
Its bright green color, as well as its black rubber surface, makes it very visible amid other camp gear.
It has a Freescape textured handle which gives a firm grip and won’t slip no matter the pressure of the job being done. The 12-inch blade can be easily replaced when necessary. It is durable, efficient, and ideal for camping and cutting through sturdy dry woods, roofing, and pruning of woods. Although it has a plastic handle, it is lightweight and durable.
- Can be folded flat without the loss of any of its parts
- The blades can be easily replaced when required
- It has a rubber grip which gives comfort and ease of use
- It is efficient
- The frame is made of inferior material
- There have been complaints of the tool arriving with broken parts
Best Bow Saws – Buying Guide
Buying a bow saw is good, but buying one that will serve you well and meet your needs is even better and should be the desire of every customer. To make the best buying decision, consider the following:
Length of the Bow Saw
The smaller the length of the bow saw is, the smaller the cut is and vice versa. Ideally, a 21-inch bow saw length is the best as it can be used for a wide range of application. A 30-inch bow saw length, on the other hand, can be used to perform tougher jobs such as felling a tree but it is more expensive.
Tension Mechanism
This is designed to hold the blade to the frame of the bow saw and also releases the blade when it’s time to replace it. However, with constant use, the blade loosens up and hence will need blade tensioning. Thus, the need to have an adequate blade tensioning mechanism is of paramount importance.
Protective Sheath
While buying a bow saw it’s best to go for the one which has a protective sheath. As you know, bow saw blades are very sharp and can cause injury if left without a cover. Having a protective sheath for your bow saw ensures it can be kept safe and carried about if you wish to.
Tool Handle and Guard
It is also vital to select bow saws with ergonomic and comfortable grip; this is more important if the bow saw is to be used for a long time at a stretch. On the other hand, a handguard protects your hand from the wood materials when cutting back and forth.
Color
This may seem insignificant, but it’s also an essential feature to watch out for. You don’t want to waste your time trying to locate your bow saw among several other work tools, hence it is necessary to purchase one with bright color that can be easily spotted even from afar.
Spare Blades
If you are lucky to get a bow saw with an extra blade, then that’s good for you. However, you can purchase one that comes with blades for green wood as well as dry wood, this offers the highest form of versatility.
Tips on Safe Use of Bow Saws
Although this tool is easy to handle, if mishandled it can lead to severe injuries. To forestall this follow the safety tips outlined below:
- Keep your hands away from the blade while cutting
- Hold your material by placing your hand inside the frame rather than next to the blade.
- Always predict where your material will fall. Do not stand directly under a branch you are cutting; keep a safe distance.
- Once you are done cutting, avoid touching the blade immediately as it is most likely to be very hot, which can cause burns
- For bow saws with protective sheaths, ensure your bow saws are always placed in them.
- Always hang your bow saw in a high place and out of reach of children, do not leave it lying around to avoid home accidents.
Conclusion
As have been shown in this article, bow saw is a handy tool which can be used at home or on the field as it has a wide range of applications. It’s convenient, durable, and efficient, what’s more, it is affordable.
We can’t decide on our favorite of all the products reviewed; we can only assure you that any choice made from the list above promises to give you value for your money.
