A bow saw is a must-have tool or equipment to trim and maintain tree branches in the backyard (or) to get rid of the bushes and weeds in the garden. It is designed with a straight sharp-teeth blade in a curved metal frame for tension. This tool is used by survivalists, gardeners, roofers, carpenters/woodworkers, craftspeople, and framers. This low-maintenance garden tool is easy to use, simple in design, affordable, sharpest, durable, and portable that is powered by either corded or cordless. They are designed to use on small – medium-sized branches for cutting logs (firewood), trimming, and pruning shrubs and branches. Before investing in the bow saws, we suggest you consider the following key factors to get the best option. Blade Length – Usually, the blade length of these bow saws will range from 12-inch to 36-inch. This length will determine the wood size a given bow saw can handle. Shorter blades with a length of 12 – 15 inches are perfect for small cuts, where long blades are unable to function like cutting dry branches or small greens. Longer blades up to 30-inch can easily and quickly cut 8 – 12 inches wood log. Frame Material – If your bow saw does not have proper structural rigidity, then it will not be viable enough for cutting harder wood. Hence, it is essential to check its frame material. Mostly, a tubular steel frame is the better option than an aluminum one in terms of its durability and structural strength. Portability – While not everyone may require this feature, you should check the weight of the saw if you wish to use it for portable usage. A lightweight bow saw of around 500 grams is going to be much more practical than a saw of 800 grams. Also, look for foldable designs when you are working on multiple worksites, as they let you carry them around easily. To get a clear idea of these covers, we came up with a detailed “Buying Guide” Also, using the same information, we have shortlisted some Best Bow Saws with a brief review of each product, including its specifications, pros, and cons. Read on to ease up your selection process and pick the best option.
Best Bow Saws in 2023: Table
Best Bow Saws in 2023: Reviews
1. Bahco 10-24-23 Bow Saw (24-inch)
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Bacho is a highly popular brand of bow saws as it has been making all kinds of saws for a pretty long time all of which generally prove to be great options for heavy-duty usage. The Bahco 10-24-23 bow saw comes at the 1st position of this list since it is quite an ergonomic option despite being made for heavy-duty usage. Thanks to its 24 inch saw size, you can easily use it for cutting most tree branches with ease. Apart from having an ergonomic and comfortable to use handle, you will also get a tubular steel frame with this bow saw which is there for proper rigidity. A great thing about this bow saw is that you get a unique tensioning system with it for straight cuts. Unfortunately, you only get a 30-day long warranty with this Bacho bow saw. Best Features:
Offers a saw size of 24 inches Uses a tubular steel frame Comes with a 30 day long warranty period
Pros:
Great for heavy-duty usage Ergonomic and comfortable handle Includes a tensioning mechanism
Cons:
Poor warranty period
2. AGAWA BOREAL21 Bow Saw (21-inch)
Even though Agawa and most of its bow saw models are quite a premium offering, they can be a great option if you want a feature-rich saw for using in your garden or backyard. Agawa’s Boreal 21 bow saw comes at the 2nd position of this listicle as it is one of the best options for portable usage. Despite having a decently large 21 inch saw size, you can still take it with you thanks to its foldable design. While it is also quite lightweight at 530 grams, it uses an aluminum frame for the same which is not as durable as steel. Thankfully, you do get a steel blade along with a fiberglass handle for extra strength. Agawa also includes a decent 1-year warranty with this bow saw. Best Features:
Offers a saw size of 21 inches Uses an aluminum frame Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Offers a foldable design Lightweight and highly portable Decently large steel blade
Cons:
Does not use a steel frame
3. Truper 30255 Bow Saw (21-inch)
Truper is a fairly new brand of bow saws when compared with most other options out there that can still be a great option if you want a high-strength saw for using in your garden. This Truper 30255 bow saw comes at the 3rd position of this article because it uses various high-strength materials for easily cutting hardwood. Starting with its blade, it uses a 21-inch blade that is made out of steel and combined along with a cam lever tension system so that the blade stays straight at all times. To further increase the rigidity of this bow saw, Truper also uses a high-quality tubular frame for its construction. While it does not have any specific cutting depth, it is surely quite higher than others. You will be glad to know that this Truper bow saw comes with a 15-year warranty for your peace of mind. Best Features:
Offers a saw size of 21 inches Uses a tubular steel frame Comes with a 15 year long warranty period
Pros:
Ideal for heavy-duty usage Pretty high cutting depth High strength steel blade with tensioner
Cons:
A bit on the heavier side
4. GreatNeck BB24 Bow Saw (24-inch)
GreatNeck is one of the most affordable options out there which can be ideal for all those of you who are looking for a bow saw that still manages to offer excellent performance. The GreatNeck BB24 bow saw happens to be the best value for money option stated here. This is primarily due to the reason that even at its entry-level price tag, you get a 24-inch blade with it. Its blade is made out of chrome alloy hard steel which is great for extra strength. Similarly, you also get a tubular steel frame combined along with a tension adjuster for high precision. Thanks to its large size frame, you get a very high cutting depth of 6.5 inches as well. But the best part about GreatNeck is that even its given price tag, you get a lifetime warranty with it making it ideal for long-term usage. Best Features:
Offers a saw size of 24 inches Uses a tubular steel frame Comes with a lifetime warranty period
Pros:
Excellent value for money Super warrant period for long term usage Large size blade for heavy-duty use
Cons:
Not the most portable option
5. Spear & Jackson B9824BOWSAW Bow Saw
Spear and Jackson has over 250 years of experience in developing and selling innovative agricultural and landscaping tools. Their 24 predator bow saw is a professional quality bow saw which comes with ergonomic soft feel handle that is in-built for safe usage. It comes with adjustable blade tensioning mechanism which lets the user make quick and clean cuts. Every bow saw comes with peg tooth which is perfect for cutting dry wood and hard wood. It is made from high-quality materials which offer superb service and long lifespan as well. It is quite easy to change the blades. And the teeth are specially designed to cutting fast in both sides – front and backwards. Best Features:
Made from carbon steel Easy to replace blades Ergonomic soft handle
Pros:
Reliable brand Durable quality Cleaner cuts Adjustable tensioning mechanism
Cons:
Nothing much
6. Husky 12 in Bow saw (12-inch)
Husky is a fairly new brand of bow saws that you can keep in mind if you are looking for something affordable and ideal for portable usage at the same time. This Husky 45420 bow saw is the cheapest option stated here in this list. Even at its given price tag, it happens to be a combination of a bow saw and a hack saw making it highly versatile. Although, it is not ideal for heavy-duty usage since you only get a 12 inch saw size with it. Unlike what you would expect from such an affordable bow saw model, you still get a tubular steel frame with it. This is combined along with a decent 1-year warranty for your peace of mind. Just like most other bow saws, this one also includes a basic tension system to ensure that the blade stays straight at all times. Best Features:
Offers a saw size of 12 inches Uses a tubular steel frame Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Quite an affordable bow saw Also works as a hack saw Sturdy steel frame for rigidity
Cons:
Cannot be used for heavy-duty usage
7. Hooyman Bow Saw
The last but not least product on our list is from a famous brand called Hooyman which is well-known for providing high-quality products. Their bow saw comes with SK5 stainless steel construction and hardened teeth which provides clean and quick cuts without any mess. In addition to that, it ensures quality, reliability and durability. It is equipped with Hooyman’s signature no-slip H-grip which ensures safe cutting. It features an adjustment tension knob which makes blade maintenance and replacement quite easy. This bow saw is light in weight and comfortable handle. It comes with limited lifetime warranty duration. Best Features:
Offers 21 inches blade High carbon SK5 steel material No-slip H-grip Longer cutting life
Pros:
Features tension adjustment knob High density EVA grip Secure grip Durable quality
Cons:
A little bit pricey
How to Choose your Right Bow Saw:
Selecting your right option is a bit hard task from a wide range of bow saw options in the market. Some are meant to cut metals, while others are ideal to cut green wood or trees in the garden. Here are some factors to consider while shopping for the bow saw.
1. Blade Types:
Raker tooth blades and standard peg tooth blades are two different blade variants available for bow saws. A clear idea about these blade designs will help you choose the correct option as per your cutting needs. Raker Tooth Blades – Bow saws with this blade design are used to work with green, wet woods effectively. They pull out the wood shavings of the cut to make it easy to cut wet or green woods. Peg Tooth Blades – With its single shape of tooth that cut on both back and front stroke, they are used to cut through dry woods. Some manufacturer designed their premium models with reversible blades, in such a way that peg blades on one side and raker & peg blades on the other side. You can switch to a different blade type by removing the blade and flipping it over. This type of reversible blade is handy for those going to a jobsite. So, it is essential to check the blade design the bow saw model has and pick a saw that is suitable for your requirements.
2. Blades:
Teeth per inch (TPI) is used to rate the blade’s cutting efficiency. The saw with more teeth will provide a smoother cut. Yet a blade with high TPI results in catching sawdust in the gaps between teeth or gullets that in turn overheat the blade or slow down the cutting process. The blade cutting efficiency of the bow saw will range from 3 – 14 TPI, in which low TPI is ideal for greenwood, and high TPI is perfect for cutting lumber. Some manufacturer won’t mention TPI, yet specifies the cutting preference (dry or wet cutting).
3. Blade Material:
Bow saws are exclusively designed to cut through the wood by using both the pull and push stroke, yet it happens only if it has sharp blades that are taken right out of the box. Prefer to use blades that are made of stainless steel or hardened carbon steel to enhance the durability, and strength of the blade along with making it stay sharp for a longer time. If using carbon steel, then ensure the blade has rust resistance to prevent rust or corrosion. While stainless steel has a sharp edge to work for a longer time. Irrespective of any material, the blade won’t last long and you need to replace it occasionally. So, ensure to check the blade material and select the perfect option as per your sawing requirement.
4. Blade Length:
The blade length of the saw will impact the size of wood your bow saw can handle easily. The general blade lengths of these saws will range from 12 inches (shorter blades) to 36 inches (big blades). Shorter Blades – With its length ranging from 12 – 15 inches, this bow saw is a perfect option for small cuts (such as dry or small green branches). They provide the compactness required to cut in tight spaces, where you can’t use long blades. Longer Blades – It let you perform bigger cuts with a stroke length that supports quick cutting of 8 – 12 inches wood log. But a blade length of around 30-inch is required to do some serious tree work.
5. Frame:
Without the frame of the bow saw, you won’t be able to properly cut down the branches especially if they are quite strong. Therefore, it is highly important to ensure that your bow saw has a durable and sturdy enough frame before buying them. For the same, you can simply check the material used for the construction of your bow saw. Except for a few lightweight folding bow saw models that use aluminum frames for a hiking or camping trip, almost all other options come with a tubular steel frame which offers proper rigidity to your bow saw. Since these are prone to rust, a powder coating finish will offer protective plastic skin.
6. Bow-Shaped Vs. Triangular:
Usually, these saws come in two main shapes – bow and triangle. Triangular-shaped saws are used to maneuver in tight spots (like trimming small trees). Since these are smaller, they are unable to handle larger wood. Whilst, a bow-shaped saw is widely used to efficiently cut through wood of a large diameter.
7. Type of Wood:
Based on the type of wood you want to cut through, you have to decide which type of blade suits best for your saw to make proper cutting. For instance, a sharper blade with longer teeth is the best option to cut harder wood effortlessly when you plan to cut seasoned wood. Whereas, pick a saw with rakes-type teeth that are widely spaced to clear paddock of small, green wood/trees.
8. Tension Adjuster:
It is quite common that the tension gets loosened in humid situations and upon frequent usage. The same happens in the bow saw and the result is the blade becomes wobbly, dangerous, and inefficient to perform its sawing task perfectly. To get rid of this problem, the manufacturers of premium models featured an automatic tension adjuster to set the blade tight every time it loosens. Some models let you manually adjust the tension. You have to twist a thin wire or cord and pull on the wooden frame to adjust the tension in the traditional bow saw models. However, it works well but at times it has to be replaced. Now you can notice either a cam level or adjustable screws (or both) placed on the handle end of modern metal-framed saws. The cam level hooks into predetermined holes and tensions to close, which is a common and quick way of adjusting the tension. Whereas, adjustable screws offer accurate variation in the blade tension to make it work aptly.
9. Secure Grip:
The frame is used as a grip in traditional wooden bow saws, whereas, some grip on a single side is used in modern metal saws. Also, it acts as a tensioning system for the blade, in which the handle locks the blade. This grip style offers a sturdy surface to grasp onto when you use the saw. Also, a D-ring is included over the blade interior that prevents sliding your hand off the grip surface (a most preferred option that offers additional leverage on forward pushing stroke. Pistol-grip style is another secure grip option that wraps around the metal bow to deliver a tad textured surface and thereby keep them firmly in your hand without slipping. Moreover, some other bow saw models won’t offer any grip and you have to hold the frame properly. So, we suggest you test the way you hold the saw and then select the model with your preferred secure style.
10. Handle Design and Knuckle Guard Design:
The handle of the saw is essential to consider before making its purchase. It is used to transfer the user power from the arm to the blade in a back and forth fluid motion. Since these saw blades cut on the pull and push stroke, you have to check the model with a comfortable and ergonomic handle design that offers a better grip on the saw. The bark and other trees/wood branches get into contact with the fingers and knuckles of the user while applying power strokes at the time of cutting. Ensure that your bow saw handle comes with this knuckle guard to safeguard your hands from these harmful effects when doing the sawing process.
11. Replaceable Blades:
A saw with high-quality steel blades is steady, durable, and makes the sawing process faster and easier. Even though there is a difference in the cutting capacity of the blade, they won’t last long and has to be replaced after some time. So, instead of buying the saw, we advise you to look for models offering replacement blades that let you switch easily.
12. Protective Sheath:
The blade of these saws has extremely sharp teeth which might result in any unexcepted injuries to the operator during the sawing/cutting process. So, select a saw model featuring a protective sheath to cover your blade without exposing its sharp teeth and thereby prevent any possible injuries.
13. Bright Color:
Bow saws are available in different colors, in which we advise you to pick a model having a brightly colored handle. This will help you to find out the saw easily whenever you left or place it in the trees or ground while working, specifically sawing the dense growth.
14. Protecting the Blade:
Blades with heat-treated steel teeth of the bow saw retain their sharp edge for several years, only when used and cared for properly after every use. Cutting green wood/log results in wet blades, so wipe off the blade to prevent rust formation on these steel blades. Then ensure to apply a thin oil (WD40) slightly on the blade to deter rust and keep it sharp and long-lasting. Some saw models come with a foldup design that hides the blade to protect them from any harm while not using it. Some models offer a plastic protective sleeve that covers the blade and deters the sharp teeth of the blade from getting damaged. All these will protect the saw blade effectively to enhance its cutting capacity and longevity.
15. Cutting Depth:
While not every bow saw might mention this, you have to check the cutting depth offered by it to get an idea of its cutting performance. This depth determines the thickness of the branch or tree that you can cut using the bow saw. Generally, the cutting depth will be around 4 – 6 inches whereas a higher cutting depth is ideal for cases, in which you work on larger trees. Although, a higher cutting depth also results in a larger bow saw resulting in slightly worse portability.
16. Portability:
Even a bow saw is not a large tool, yet it is difficult to carry around. If you are one among those who want to take their bow saw to different locations for some reason, then its portability is a must to consider feature. The first thing to check is its weight, which should range from 400 – 500 grams but not beyond this range. Apart from the weight, you have to choose a foldable bow saw (portable option) when you are backpacking, camping, or hiking to move them easily. This foldable model will properly cover the blade which prevents the risk of tear up or injury when packed in your bag with other tools and equipment.
17. Safety and Comfort:
An ergo handle and knuckle protector are two common safety features in modern bow saws that keep the hands and fingers safe and comfortable while operating this saw. However, it won’t matter for those who use the saw for few times yearly. Yet for daily users, pick the saw that is easy to use and features a protective sheath to protect from the sharp blade while storage.
18. Price:
The general price range of these bow saws will be from $11 – $40 depending on the features, warranty, size, and length of the blade. You have to choose the model that balances the cutting requirement and budget range. Apart from the original price, you have to consider the price of replacement bow saw blades. A cheaper saw blade cut poorly and rarely offers better value, whilst a higher price provides a better-quality saw blade.
19. Warranty:
Alike other gardening tools in the garage, you also need the saw to function the same even after a long time. Therefore, checking the warranty offered by the bow saws is always a great idea. Other than the typical 1-year long warranty offered by most bow saws, you can also find some options that include a lifetime warranty for much better longevity and peace of mind.
Safety Tips:
The blades of these bow saws are sharp and are dangerous if used improperly. So, we are here with some safety tips that you have to follow for safe and effective usage of these bow saws. Wear Safety Clothing – You have to wear heavy-duty, work boots or closed-toe shoes, and long pants that are made of durable and thick material. Safely Carry – Carry the saw at the metal frame center with the teeth pointing towards the ground. You can pass it to others with the saw’s handle end. Replace the Protective Sheath – Place the protective sheath after you complete the saw and cleaning process over the blade for its protection. Area Preparation – It is essential to keep the kids and pets away from this work area, and won’t leave the saw on the ground. This would be dangerous, so arrange the work area properly.
How to Use a Bow Saw:
Take a look at the following detailed procedure that explains how we use the bow saw properly.
Cut the branch from the upper surface towards down with pressure on the push and pull stroke. Ensure that your position should be above the branch, especially work from waist height. The blade has to rest in a vertical position over the wood. Always operate the saw with the dominant hand and support the limb with your non-dominant hand. After cutting the wood, clear the blade to get rid of moisture. Go with gentle first few cuts to prevent the saw from sticking or snagging, which in turn results in skipping and bending of blades. Make sure to work slowly before you completely apply the pressure. Don’t bend the arm much and use the full length of the blade while cutting or operating the bow saw. Simply push the blade down and then forward or backward using a push stroke without applying excessive pressure at a 40-degree angle, which helps for quick and efficient cutting.
Conclusion
Those of you who want to cut a lot of branches, bushes and plants in their backyard or garden must consider getting something more substantial than a pair of hand cutters. One such viable option can be the best bow saws stated above. Thanks to their features and factors present earlier in this list, you can easily use them in your garden for cutting both dried and green wood with ease. To help you in picking the right bow saw, we have also explained a comprehensive buying guide regarding the best bow saws. That being said, if you are still not able to pick the best bow saw yet, you can simply get one of our ideal picks for the best bow saws:
Unlike most other bow saws, the Agawa Boreal 21 Bow Saw is quite unique as it offers a foldable design allowing the user to easily take with them. Its 21 inch saw size also offers a great balance between portability and blade size. Agawa also includes a decent 1-year long warranty with its aluminum frame which is used to get a lightweight body. The GreatNeck BB24 Bow Saw most likely offers the best value for money compared to other options stated above. Even at its price, you get a very large 24-inch blade which is combined along with a high-strength tubular steel frame. But the best thing about this bow saw is that it comes with a lifetime warranty making it perfect for long-term usage. In case that you do not have a high budget for a bow saw, then you can potentially go with the Husky 45420 Bow Saw which also acts as a hacksaw thanks to its convertible design. Although being the cheapest option present above, its saw size is quite small at just 12 inch. Thankfully, Husky still offers a tubular steel frame as well as a 1-year long warranty to the user.
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