The best bow saws on the market today are nothing like the bow saws your dad and grandfather used when you were a kid. The newest models are much more strong and durable than what used to be available. You can even find collapsable bowsaws on the market, allowing you to be able to fit a bow saw into your tool kit no matter what kind of storage capacity you have.
However, it can be difficult to find the best bow saw for the bow saw uses that you have planned. Listings for bow saws can be filled with jargon that makes it difficult to find a top rated bow saw that works the way the bow saw reviews say that it will.
Thankfully, there are plenty of amazing and easy to use bow saws for sale on the internet today, so you will be able to find the bow saw that has all the features that you need. This straightforward article will guide you towards the bow saw that will help you complete your project.
Table of Contents
View The 5 Best Bow Saws on the Market Below
1. Bahco 10-24-23 Bow Saw With Ergo Handle – Best Overall Bow Saw
The Bahco 10-24-23 is our pick for the best overall bow saw because it can get a variety of different projects done with ease. This bow saw comes with the choice of a dry wood or green wood blade, so you can choose which one is best for you based on what type of projects you’re going to be doing.
However, don’t fret if you need to be able to do both dry wood and green wood projects, you can order the other blade and interchange them as necessary, allowing you the freedom and flexibility to work on all different types of projects.
The frame of this bow saw is lightweight, but it is also very durable, so it will last you a long time. You won’t have to worry about it breaking even though it is so lightweight.
One of our favorite features on this bow saw is the knuckle protector. This isn’t as common of a feature on a bow saw as one might think. This bow saw also comes with a tensioning mechanism that allows you to adjust the blade tension with ease.
The only thing that we dislike about this bow saw is that it comes with a blade protector that isn’t really up to our standards. This is not a huge issue, however, as you can easily purchase a better blade protector in order to ensure that the blade stays sharp and doesn’t damage any surrounding tools or objects.
- You can choose either a green wood or dry wood blade, and they are interchangeable
- Comes with a knuckle protector
- Has a lightweight frame
- Has a great tensioning mechanism
- Doesn’t have a great blade protector
2. Truper 30255 – Best Value Bow Saw
The Truper 30255 has a sturdy frame that is very strong without being the heaviest bow saw frame on the market. It wins our choice for the best value bow saw because it comes with a knuckle guard while still being at an affordable price.
We also like this model because it comes with a high-quality tensioning system which helps to ensure that you are getting accurate cutting done on your projects.
However, you should be aware that this bow saw only comes with a blade that is made for cutting green wood, and it does not come with a blade that is made for cutting dry wood. There isn’t a blade that is made for cutting dry wood that is available, unfortunately. So, before you purchase this bow saw, you need to ensure that you are going to be working on projects that will be green wood only, or you will have to purchase a separate bow saw that has a blade for cutting dry wood from a place like amazon com.
We do love this model for green wood projects, however, because it is very inexpensive. That makes this bow saw a high value buy that we can definitely get behind.
- Lightweight
- Perfect for a novice woodworker
- Rip wence and a miter gauge for accurate cutting
- Easy to manuever
- Very affordable
- Motor works hard but gets very hot
- Difficult to adjust
- Not great for bigger projects done by professionals
3.Truper AJT-24 – Best Budget Bow Saw
The Truper AJT-24 is a great camping saw that is lightweight and highly affordable. While this isn’t a bow saw that you are going to want to buy for long-term use or highly technical projects, it is a great bow saw to add to your camping gear and is one of the best bow saws for cutting logs.
This bow saw has longer teeth that make it great for making quick work of logs and other types of green wood. You will find that its lightweight construction makes it an easy addition to your camping gear and that you will be glad that you purchased it. For a little more than $15, it is one of the most affordable bow saws on the market today.
- Super affordable
- Lightweight
- Great for Camping
- Not very durable
- Isn’t made for dry or harder woods
4. AgawaCanyon Folding Bow Saw – Best Premium Bow Saw
This bow saw from AgawaCanyon is lightweight and portable, which is why it is one of our top picks. It folds down into a small size and can be put into one easily transported package. When you need a saw that is going to perform without any issues, whether you are camping in the great outdoors or getting work done around the house, this is the saw that you are going to want to have on hand.
This bow saw has an auto-tensioning blade, making it quick and easy to use. It also folds and unfolds in seconds, so you can be sure it is going to be ready to go when you need it, whenever you need it. The easy to handle nature and its ability to be stored without issue makes this our top pick for a premium bow saw. However, you should be aware that it comes with a price tag that certainly denotes how truly high end it actually is.
- Compact and foldable design
- Lightweight
- Great packaging to keep everything save
- Auto-tensioning blade
- Expensive
- No knuckle guard
5. Great Neck Saw BB24 – Best Two Foot Bow Saw
This is a simple and straightforward saw by Great Neck. It doesn’t have many frills or extra features, but it is 24″ long, making it one of the longer bow saws on our list today. The long blade will give you plenty of stroke length to work with.
The long blade is made of S2 steel, so this is also one of the most durable blades on the market. This also makes it the best bow saw for cutting logs. This sturdy saw has a two-piece design, blade, and frame, making it straightforward and understandable even for the novice log cutter.
While this is certainly a no-frills saw, because of this fact it has a very affordable price point that makes it a great saw to use for everyone who is looking for a bow saw but doesn’t have a lot of extra money to spend.
You will have to watch your stroke depth while you are using this saw as there is no knuckle guard on it, which could mean that it isn’t safe to use if you are on the clumsier side.
A lot of saws on the market today are an ergo bow saw, and it is important to note that the Great Neck BB24 saw is not an ergo bow saw. If you are only planning on using your saw for short periods at a time, you may be okay with this. However, if you are planning on doing a lot of cutting for hours at a time, you are going to want to get one that has a more ergonomic frame and handle.
- Strong and durable blade
- Strong and durable frame
- Very inexpensive
- Does not come with a knuckle guard
- Does not have an ergonomic handle on the frame
- Does not have a tensioning system
Hack Saw vs Bow Saw – Which One Should You Buy?
Not sure if you need a bow saw or a hack saw? Read our guide on Hack saws vs Bow saws.
Bow Saw Buyers Guide
Now that you have seen our top five picks for the best bow saws on the market today, you may want to continue your search to find the perfect bow saw for your projects. Not to worry, we have a complete buyers guide here for you so you can know exactly what it is you are looking for.
Blades
As we discussed in some of our reviews, bow saws can come with two different types of blades. Some are meant for green fresh wood, and some are made for drier, harder wood. The raker tooth blades that have longer teeth are the blades that are meant for cutting that wet fresh wood that you may find will gardening or cutting through underbrush while trying to clear a path while you are camping. The blades that come with the peg teeth are the type that is made for cutting the harder drier wood that you may need to cut for a project or for making firewood.
While you are choosing which saw is the right one for you, you will have to determine which type of blade each saw has as well as determine what kind of wood you are going to be cutting the most often. Make sure to sharpen your blade periodically to make better cuts
Tension Adjusters
While it may seem odd, there are many different environmental factors that can affect the tension of your blade day to day. The biggest culprits here are heat and humidity. The bow saws on the market that are going to work well for you are going to have some type of tension adjustment system included on the frame of the saw itself.
This feature can be crucial if you live in a hot and humid environment in order to ensure that your blade is going to be able to cut the wood that you are trying to cut. If you are using your saw to do more precise work, a tension system is going to be absolutely crucial to ensure that you are getting the most precise cut possible.
You should also note that the blade of a bow saw is going to weaken over time, so it is good to have a tension adjustment in order to make your saw last longer. While the blade weakens, the tension adjustment system will help keep it straight so that you can use the blade safely for much longer than you normally would be able to.
Knuckle Guards
Knuckle guards are going to be important for your bow saw so that you do not hurt yourself. If you are a novice, you should invest in a bow saw with a knuckle guard so that you can be sure that you don’t have any expensive accidents.
Frames
Picking a frame that is going to be right for you can be a tricky business. On one hand, a steel handle will be the most durable frame that will allow your bow saw to last for a very long time. On the other hand, steel can make a frame very heavy. If you are planning on taking your saw camping with you, for instance, you are going to want to choose a saw that has a lightweight frame.
Project Types And Frequency
You are going to want to consider what types of projects you are going to be working on, and the frequency, before you choose what bow saw is going to work for you. There are many a screwfix bow saw, but buying a bow saw screwfix can mean that you are paying an exorbitant price. The best thing to do no matter what type of project you are doing is ordering your saw on Amazon in order to ensure that you are getting the best price no matter what kind of bow saw it is that you are going to need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do I Need A Bow Saw And Not A Chainsaw?
Bow saws are not very versatile, but they are great at cutting wood. Bow saws can make quick work of cutting logs, fallen trees, timber, and stray branches. However, you might be wondering why you would need to invest in a bow saw when you could just purchase a chain saw.
Bow saws can be a better option than a chain saw for quite a few different reasons. A bow saw is very light and portable, making it a much better option for activities such as camping or hiking. You can easily fold a foldable bow saw and put it in a backpack.
The lightweight and compact saws are going to be the most ideal for this. You can use these for pruning, as well. Most bow saws are constructed with a hollow arch that is tubular, which is how they achieve such a lightweight construction.
By comparison, a chainsaw is very heavy and dangerous. When you use a chainsaw, you need to make sure that you are taking all of the appropriate safety measures and make sure to proceed with extreme caution. Using a chain saw is also going to mean that you are going to need to be much more precise.
These heavy pieces of machinery take much more manpower to hold them and transport them. This makes for very labor-intensive work, especially when you consider the amount of time it takes to start up a chain saw, fuel it, and make sure it’s ready to go. For smaller jobs, you likely would get it done with a bow saw in a much shorter amount of time.
Bow saws are also going to be much more affordable than chainsaws. Firstly, the up-front cost of a bow saw is much more approachable as these are very simple tools whereas a chainsaw is a more complicated piece of machinery. Over time, you have to consider that chainsaws cost money to run as you will have to purchase fuel, lubrication, and potentially replacement parts over time. With bow saws, all you’re going to need is a little elbow grease.
Bow saws have one final advantage, and that is that they can be used in small, confined spaces. You need quite a bit of room in order to use a chainsaw safely. Additionally, the emissions that come from a chainsaw can harm you if you are in a small and enclosed space, whereas a bow saw is emissions-free and can fit into that small space without any worry at all.
What Is A Bow Saw Good For?
A bow saw is great for quick projects or for portability. You aren’t going to want to use a bow saw for precise projects such as furniture building, but a good saw can make quick work of logs or trees that you need to get out of your way or turn into fire wood.
What Saw Is Best For Cutting Trees?
If you are cutting very large trees, you are going to want to go ahead and invest in a chainsaw. A bow saw simply is not going to have a strong enough blade in order to get through thick trees, although it can get through green small trees with ease while you are trying to clear a path or clean up your yard. If this is what you are wanting to do, make sure you are getting the correct blade for your project when you are choosing a saw to buy.
How Do You Fell A Tree With A Bow Saw?
You can fell smaller trees with a bow saw by using the same tree-felling methods that you would use with a hatchet or chain saw. Start on one side, don’t go all the way, and then continue on the other side. It is best to make sure that you start on the side that you want the tree to fall, so that when you come at the tree from the other side, it is going to fall in the right direction. Again, you are going to want to make sure that you have the correct blade for whatever project you are trying to do.
What Is The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Logs?
For cutting logs, you are going to want to make sure that you have a bow saw that has a dry blade. A dry blade is going to do the best work on a dry log. If these are very fresh logs that are wet, you are going to want a green blade.
We think you may be interested in: Best Hand Saws
Conclusion
While the bow saws on our list are great ones to start with, there are many more on the market that might be better for you. No matter what, use our buying guide to ensure that you are getting the bow saw that is best for your projects, and make sure that you are following all the safety standards that you need to in order to ensure that you are using the bow saw safely.
Expert Tips
Our experts recommend getting a bow saw that has a great tension adjustment system, an ergonomic handle, both blades for both green and drier wood, a great storage system, and is lightweight and foldable for easy and portable use. Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for, so if you are planning on using your bow saw all the time, you are going to want to make sure that you are investing in a good one.
Amazon Recommends:
- 30 inches long
- Designed to cut through Green wood
- Designed for demanding applications and tough environments of construction sites
- Innovative tensioning mechanism for high blade tension and straight cutting
- Made of lightweight, high quality steel tubing for durability and easy handling
- Most Versatile Add-On Fence: XT XTENDER 46” Fence stands 5” tall, includes three T-slots along the top for feed control accessories, milled clamp attach slots for multi-position set up, special slot to add BOW Feed Supports accessory, and a slot for attaching to Delta UniFence and Harvey fences. Robust Aluminum extrusion with anodized finish and 3 sizes for all your needs. Use with XT Feed Supports to extend smaller tabletops and improve stability, cut quality, feed control and safety.
- Extend Fence and Table Surface: XT XTENDER Fence works in tandem with optional XT Feed Support Accessory. Bow Feed Supports attach to the Fence and function as a shelf extending the table surface for infeed and/or outfeed. Transform the smaller tabletops by extending feed support and control over a wider area. The 46” XTENDER Fence is perfect for extending small Portable jobsite saws, benchtop saws or bandsaws. Improves safety as wood is easier to control and kept square to the blade.
- Fast Set Up: XTENDER Fence attaches and detaches from your existing fence in seconds with T-Track Clamps (Required; Sold Separately. Part # XT2). Bow XT T-Track clamps are designed to fit most portable saws, bench top saws, bandsaw, and full cabinet saw fences. Fast Set up ensures convenience to use XTENDER when you need it. Includes special Slot for Delta UniFence and Harvey Fences for quick attach as well. (See kits below)
- Multi-Position Fence Placement: Milled Clamp Slots are located on the back of the XTENDER Fence and offer multiple positioning options in relation to your Saws fence. Ideal when using a fence longer than your table surface and paired with Bow Feed Support accessory (Part# XT1). Position XT XTENDER Fence forward for greater infeed control; position back for outfeed control; or center placement for infeed and outfeed control. Slots accept Bow XT T-Track Clamps.
- Add Bow Safety Accessories: Take full advantage of the Bow XTENDER Fence System. Three T-Slots on the face, Top and Back of the fence enable adding woodworking accessories like Bow FencePRO Featherboards, stops, etc. T-slots run the length of the fence and accept 5/16” or 1/4" T-bolts. Check out the kit options and make your saw safer with better control, better cuts and added stability when cutting longer boards. View our available bundles below.
- Kickback Prevention: FeatherPRO virtually arrests kickback. EVA material combines with our living hinge design to pinch board against the fence and absorb kickback forces. 5x greater kickback resistance versus plastic or wood feathers.
- Ultimate Feed Control: EVA feathers increase the amount of surface contact on the work piece, ensuring a smooth glide across the table and superior infeed control. Substantially reduces wiggle you get with plastic feathers. Equipped with a 3/4-Inch miter bar that fits U and T-shapred miter slots.
- Cleanest Cut: EVA Feathers absorb vibration and minimize chatter for a cleaner and more precise cut. Feathers are non-marring on even the softest woods and will not damage your workpiece or saw blade.
- EVA Feathers and Safety: Feathers are reversible, replaceable, and interchangeable. FeatherPRO is versatile in that you can switch out between Standard and UltraFLEX Feathers. Feathers will NOT harm carbide blades or router bits in case of accidental contact. Feathers conform slightly to the wood. EVA will NOT set off Saw Stop. EVA will NOT absorb fluid as it is a closed cell material. EVA will NOT bleed color or shed material.
- AnchorPRO Hardware: FeatherPRO uses our patented AnchorPRO miter hardware that offers fast expansion and super strong hold in the miter slot. T Bolt is used as the expansion bolt in the miter bar. Use T Bolt for T Track mounts. Comfortable Ergonomic Knobs.