Hand Saws

6 Best Hand Saw for Cutting Trees In 2024

by Carl Anderson

Updated on Jan 18, 2023

Looking for the best hand saw for cutting trees? We've rigorously tested 6 top-rated hand saws, focusing on ergonomics, effectiveness, price, length, and quality to simplify your choice. Our hands-on evaluations measured how well each saw cuts through branches, considering comfort, efficiency, and value. We examined each saw's design and performance in real-world conditions, ensuring our recommendations stand up to practical use. These top performers offer the best combination of functionality, durability, and affordability, making your tree-cutting tasks easier and more effective.


If you're interested in other tools, be  sure to check out our best chainsaws your next project. In addition, we've tested the best mini chainsaws, tree trimming tools, and we ranked some of the best tree loppers. We also investigated some of the best axes more suitable for lumberjack jobs around the house.


Editor's Note: We updated our hand saw review on March 3, 2024, to include alternative options for the best hand saws for cutting trees.

Top 3 Product Ratings

Short on time? Here's the BEST TREE CUTTING HAND SAW for 2024.

Silky KatanaBoy - The best and coolest tree cutting handsaw on the market right now. It's high quality, durable and can saw through just about any size branch. Check it out here.

Things to Think About Before Buying

Why You're Doing It

Before you start sawing away at that nuisance of a tree in your yard, ask yourself what is the reason? Do you really need to remove the tree? Do you even know how to cut down a tree with a hand saw? Should you use a hand saw? All good questions.

Your Ability Level vs. The Job

If you've never used a hand saw before, you should consider whether it's the smartest thing to do to start cutting trees or slicing up deadwood. We know we know. How complicated could it be? Just be safe.

The Size of the Branch

Some people ask us if it's smart to cut down a tree with a hand saw. We don't recommend it but you can certainly cut some branches or deadwood with a hand saw.

The Amount of Time It Takes

Cutting with a handsaw can take more time than using other tools. If you don't want to spend all afternoon hacking away at a tree, then maybe contact a professional.

The Top 6 Best Hand Saws for Trees - Full Analysis (Updated for 2024)

The Corona RS Razor Tooth is a folding hand saw that is great for medium sized to larger branches. You wouldn't want to cut down an entire tree with this saw so if that's what your looking for, you might need a bigger tool.


But if you have some branches you need cut quickly and efficiently with a tool that doesn't wobble around or take more skill like a bow saw, then go ahead and give those one a try. We like folding hand saws because they are compact but maintain efficient cutting.


It comes with 6 razor sharp teeth per inch of its curved blade. That's a good amount of teeth for a small blade. Makes it great for cutting thick branches.

best overall saw

PROS

  • Comes up three sizes: 8, 7 0r 10 in. so you can buy the right tool to cut the right size branch
  • Folding blade that can cut up medium to large branches, ideal for 5 to 6 in.
  • Ergonomic, comfortable grip so you can cut for longer durations
  • 6 teeth per in. of saw blade length for effective, efficient cutting

CONS

  • Not really a con to the blade but it comes in weird packaging that is difficult to open
  • Some of the blade is exposed in the locked position making it a slight safety issue but with proper care, shouldn't be an issue

The Mossy Oak folding hand saw is a cool blade that comes with a variety of purposes. Of course, that could just be the marketing because what is stopping anyone from carrying a handsaw out on a hunting or bushcraft trip? How it folds.


The Mossy Oak folds up and locks in place without any exposed teeth. The curved blade length is about 7.5 in. and it can cut through wood, plastic or metal.


Overall it's not a bad tool but we value durability. Some reviewers have complained this tool isn't meant for longer jobs, say, if you were an arborist so you might need something a bit stronger.


Folding mechanisms on any tool, let alone on a hand saw meant to cut through thick trees, don't last as long as fixed blades. If you want to prune a few branches in the backyard, then go for it.

mossy oak saw

PROS

  • 3 in 1 cutting ability meaning you can cut branches, plastic and even metal
  • Has no exposed teeth when its folded shut so no potential safety issues
  • Great not only for pruning in the year but has more than one use: pruning, bushcraft, camping, hunting and hiking
  • Green and black design is pretty cool
  • Comfortable grip

CONS

  • The knob holding the blade in place isn't as strong as it appears, some reviewers complained the blade can lock back in the wrong position
  • Not meant for longer jobs like some of the other tools we recommend

30 in. bow saw blade hat can cut through larger branches and even smaller tree trunks provided you have the strength and stamina to keep up with it. Bow saws are a bit more durable than folding saws but not as compact or as easy to carry around but certainly can get the job done.


This saw is designed to cut through dry wood and lumber so you know it can cut through pretty much any branch with ease. It's lightweight and you can easily adjust the blade for different types of cutting jobs.

best bow saw

PROS

  • Steady, ergonomic handle makes this blade great for cutting through living wood
  • Tougher design makes it ideal for construction environments and other harder work
  • Frames come in 21, 24 and 30 in. designs

CONS

  • Bow saws take a bit more finesse to cut with and might wobble on harder branches
  • Longer blades are harder to handle if you don't have much experience

The Agawa Boreal21 is 21 inc. folding bow saw that combines both the compact-ability of a folding hand saw and efficiency of a bow saw. The blade length is 21" so it can cut through large, thick branches making it a formidable hand saw.


This lightweight and balanced blade can cut through pretty much anything. It opens in no time and automatically applies the tension needed to make those tougher cuts.


Replacement blades are easy to install and you can cut with this saw for years to come. It comes with a sturdy blade. We really like this bow saw. Excellent, high quality pruning saw.

best heavy duty folding saw

PROS

  • Has the folding ability of a folding hand saw with the durability of a bow saw
  • 21 in. blade makes it a powerful saw for bigger branches
  • Weather proof and rust resistant materials
  • Also great for camping, backpacking, canoeing, off-trail, hunting, trail clearing, etc.

CONS

  • Bit of a beastly bow saw but it's foldable so you can make it as compact as it gets
  • The reassembly can be difficult for some users, always refer to the instruction manual if you can't get it back together

Okay, this folding saw is pretty sweet. Anything that has katana in the name is sure to get nerd tree enthusiasts intrigued - we are no different. Nothing cooler than feeling like a Samurai cutting through tree branches fearlessly.


The Katanaboy is meant for larger jobs. And it delivers. The impulse hardened blade cuts fast through branches as if they were butter. Larger blade means few strokes and less effort which is what you want when it comes to something as endurance heavy as cutting branches.


In the end, it's a giant, two handed folding saw. It's awesome. Highly recommended.

best hand saw for cutting large trees

PROS

  • Makes you feel like an Ancient Samurai in your very own backyard
  • Sleek, non-slip and rubberized grip
  • 4 TPI cuts faster than most comparable models
  • 19.7 in. blade length

CONS

  • It's expensive and probably not necessary but if money isn't a factor than you should totally buy this blade

Bahco's Laplander is a great tool for survivalists and other bushcraft lovers. It's a cheaper, budget blade that offers enough value for the price. Face it, times are tough, and this saw comes in at half the price of most of the others on this list!


It has a smaller blade length but it's a folding saw so those usually come smaller. Only downside to this is that it's much more difficult cutting larger tree limbs. May take more work



Folding handsaws are great for those who want something that can be packed up and put away. But the cheaper they are the more careful you need to be. This tool won't last forever.

best hand saw for survival

PROS

  • Blade length of 7.5 inc makes it small but it can cut through branches nonetheless
  • Straight blade type if you don't fancy curved blades
  • Replacement blades available if you are in a pinch

CONS

  • Cheaper folding saws come with a risk of breaking down faster
  • Not meant for pruning trees

Sweet New Earth's Top Pick for Best Hand Saw for Trees

In our opinion the best hand saw for cutting trees is the Silky KATANABOY. This larger-than-life blade looks cool, feels cool and delivers on small, medium and larger-sized branches. For those who want a cheaper option, the best choice is the Corona Hand Saw.


The almost 20" blade paired with the sleek, non slip grip makes it one of the best hand saws for cutting trees. It's versatile and has many different uses: pruning, trimming, branch cutting, doing construction projects, and garden work. Anything that involves maintaining the yard.


Silky themselves call it the 'man-powered chain saw.' We couldn't agree more. This is a great pruning saw.

CHECK AMAZON PRICE

Why Get A Hand Saw for Cutting Trees

Affordable

Not everyone needs a top of the line chainsaw to cut through a few branches in the backyard. Not everyone needs the most expensive tool to clear some dead wood. Hand saws are reliable, and they can pretty much cut through anything provided you have the strength. Before chainsaws, it was handsaws that brought down trees.

Lightweight

Hand saws are durable. If you get yourself a reputable brand, they aren't going to break... and therefore, they won't break the bank. Chainsaws are durable too but they require maintenance and are really meant for larger jobs with experience professionals.

Durable

Hand saws are durable. If you get yourself a reputable brand, they aren't going to break... and therefore, they won't break the bank. Chainsaws are durable too but they require maintenance and are really meant for larger jobs with experience professionals.

Easily Stored

You can stash a small saw pretty much anywhere. If it folds up, you can put it in your tool box. Larger tools usually get hung up on a wall or take up space in the garage. Not so with hand saws.

5 Things to Know Before Buying A Tree Cutting Hand Saw

Before you buy a hand saw, it's important to know what makes one great. The 5 things to consider are:

  • Design
  • Quality
  • Safety Features
  • Efficiency
  • Length

Design

Hand saws come in a few different designs. There's the bow saw, the folding hand saw, the non-folding hand saw (or the basic "saw"). You need to buy something for the job that you need to get done. The difference between this is really hand grip and the straight or curved blade style.


A folding hand saw is more ideal for smaller, easy jobs or campfires. They need to be compact, and lightweight. A bow saw is designed for construction and harder cutting jobs.

Quality

Quality is important. If you go to the local hardware store, you might find yourself with a useless blade in a matter of hours let alone years. Most arborists wouldn't settle for some cheap piece of garbage for one of their main tools.

Safety Features

Safety is critical with any type of blade. Folding hand saws have a tendency to break or fold back or overall just be annoying. Make sure the hand saw you buy has a good safety reputation.

Efficiency

You don't want to be changing your blade all the time, and you want to make sure it isn't super difficult to do. When you are looking into buying any saw, you want to make sure the saw can cut for a long enough time not to drive you crazy enough to have to switch the blade constantly.

Length

For larger branches, you need larger blades... simple math really. It's easier to cut bigger branches with longer blades. You wouldn't cut through a tree with a folding saw, and you wouldn't cut through a branch with a chainsaw.


The blade length is extremely important. The longer the blade, the more material you are able to cut. That means longer blades make bigger and faster cuts. But since the blades are bigger, the can be harder to use for newcomers.


If you only plan on making a few cuts here and there, go with a smaller blade. But for those who are cutting often, and want to cut fast, then the longer blade is the way.

Other Things To Know About Hand Saws For Cutting Trees

There are some other important things you should know about handsaws.

Teeth Per Inch (TPI)

We often talk about the teeth per inch with handsaws. The teeth per inch is how many teeth are there in one inch of the hand saw blade. The more TPI on the hand saw, the smoother the cut. The less TPI on the hand saw, the rougher the cut. With more TPI, the cut will take a bit longer. With less TPI, the cut will be rougher but much faster.

Curved or Straight Blade: Does It Matter?

You probably noticed that some hand saws come with either straight or curved blades. Does this matter? Yes, it can.


Straight blades are meant for slower, more controlled cuts. Taken to the extreme, think of the bow saw or the classic construction hand saw. They are slower but more precise with their cuts.


Curved blades are faster. They aren't meant for precision construction cutting, no. They are meant for faster cuts out in the wilderness cutting logs, sticks or other firewood. In the garden, they are far faster for cutting nuisance weeds or other debris. Unless, you need high precision cuts, you may want a curved blade.

Sharpness of Hand Saw Teeth

Believe it or not, you want to check out the teeth sharpness of whatever hand saw you are researching. You don't want to buy a hand saw that isn't sharp enough to cut. Some brands have quality issues with their products that reviewers will report.


With sharp teeth, you can through logs or wood straight and easily. Dull blades will lead to longer, sloppier cuts. You don't want to deal with that.

Electric vs. Manual Saw For Cutting Trees

This article focused solely on manual saws but there is something to be said on electric vs manual hand saws. Power tools are incredible and we will be doing a full article on electric hand saws in the future but we will discuss a little bit here now. Do you need an electric hand saw? The answer is why not?


If you are out in the back country or camping, then you probably don't want a loud, battery operated hand saw to cut through some firewood. Some people might be we personally would stick to something like the Laplander above.


Now, if you want to rip through logs in the backyard, or even make some precision cuts at speed, then an electric hand saw might be the best option. We all know what a sawzall is and what it can do and it would be a shame not to include it as one of the best electric handsaws.


That being said, we'll go more in depth on all the different types of electric hand saws in the future. Like we said, power tools are awesome.

Thanks for stopping by Sweet New Earth! Now you know all about how to use hand saws for cutting trees. If you enjoyed this page be sure to check out some of our other tree guides or more in depth reviews like the on the Hoss Tree Loppers.

sweet_new_earth_owner_carl_anderson

Carl Anderson is the main author of Sweet New Earth. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast who loves gardening. He spends his time reading, hiking and learning about new ways to optimize his garden. You can learn more about him here.

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