The Bahco 10-21-51 Ergo Bow Saw is the best bow saw for the value it provides.
Do you spend a lot of time in your garden cutting branches, sawing trees, or pruning shrubs?
Maybe a shrub has grown out of proportion, maybe a branch is blocking light to your plants, or maybe you just want to saw a small log.
You might think of using a chainsaw but you don’t want to spend time fueling it and carrying that damn heavy tool around.
The best tool for you is the trusty old bow saw. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and cuts things fast.
But which bow saw should you buy? Let us help you pick the best bow saw that will meet your needs.
| Product | Rating | Price |
| Bahco 10-21-51 Ergo Bow Saw | 1 | |
| Truper 30255 Steel Handle Bow Saw | 2 | |
| Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw | 3 | |
| Bahco 332-21-51 Pointed Nose Bow Saw | 4 |
What is a bow saw?
A bow saw is a cutting tool that has a bow-shaped frame and a straight cutting blade.
The frame is made of hollow metal which makes the bow saw a lightweight tool. The blade is attached to the frame with rivets.
Most bow saws provide a tension adjuster that helps to tighten the blade so it doesn’t wobble when you are using it.
The bow saw has a handle at one end of the frame to help you get a good grip while sawing.
Do you need a bow saw?
You might already have a chainsaw or a hand saw. So do you really need a bow saw?
If you’re looking to cut small to medium objects like branches, shrubs, small trees, and logs, then I would recommend you buy a bow saw. Because it’s a fast, durable, and handy tool to have.
With a chainsaw, you have to spend time fueling it, checking the oil, wearing protective gear and lugging the big equipment around. And you don’t want to do that just to cut a few branches.
The bow saw is your best choice for fast cuts but be aware that it’s not a tool that will give you a clean finish on the cut.
How to choose a bow saw
There are some important factors that can help you make the best decision while choosing a bow saw for your needs.
Length
You can get bow saws that are 14 inches to 36 inches long. Which one should you go for? That depends on how you are going to use it.
Shorter bow saws are useful for small cutting jobs especially in hard to reach places like branches and shrubs. Longer bow saws will help you cut through thicker trees and logs with fewer strokes.
Blade
The blade is the most important part of the bow saw. So make sure you buy a good one.
The type of blade you need depends on the type of wood you will cut. Dry wood is the log of wood for your fireplace or the 2×4 for your patio. Green wood is wood from live trees and branches.
If you’re going to cut a lot of dry wood, you need a dry wood blade that has triangular teeth. If you’re going to be cutting trees and branches, you need a green wood blade that has triangular teeth as well as raker teeth that can chip the wood out so it does not clog the saw.
If you’re not going to be doing a lot of cutting then a dry wood blade should be sufficient to do any kind of cutting.
The price of the bow saw depends on the quality of the blade. A higher quality blade is going to cost a bit more.
So if you’re not going to be using the bow saw often you can opt for a lower priced blade with decent quality. But if you need a bow saw frequently then opt for a higher quality blade even if it costs you a bit more. You’ll save the money on replacing the blade often.
When selecting the bow saw, check that replacement blades are available. You don’t want to be stuck with an unusable saw in case your blade brakes.
Handle
Using a bow saw is going to be a good exercise for your hand. But you don’t want to get blisters. That’s why it’s good to buy a bow saw that has a good quality handle.
Check if the bow saw has a knuckle protector. As you may have guessed it protects your knuckles from getting injured. This could happen if the front of the blade gets stuck and sends your hand flying towards the blade.
A good handle can help you cut through things much easier and faster. If the bow saw has a knuckle protector then that’s even better. It helps in case your saw gets stuck and sends your hand flying towards the blade.
It’s not an issue if you’ll just do some light work. But it’s really useful to have a good handle and knuckle protector when doing the intense cutting.
Durability
A durable bow saw is what you should be looking for based on your budget.
No one likes a bow saw that has a broken saw after a couple of uses. Or has it’s rivets flying around while using the saw.
Make sure the frame of the bow saw is made of high-quality steel. The same goes for the blade that should be made of long lasting steel. You don’t want the blade breaking often and having to replace it.
The frame and blade are held together by rivets. Make sure they are of good quality and are not flimsy.
Weight
A bow saw is lightweight because of the hollow metal frame and the thin blade that it uses.
However, how heavy or light the bow saw is depends on the size of the bow saw. One with a 21 inch blade will be much lighter than one with a 31 inch blade.
If you’re looking for a lightweight bow saw then opt for a 21 inch one. But if you want a bow saw that’s going to be used a lot for cutting logs then a 31 inch bow saw will be the best choice.
Color
You don’t have to worry much about the color of your bow saw. But it does have a purpose.
Having a bow saw that uses a bright color like orange or red is useful to find the saw when you misplace it outdoors in some foliage.
If the blade is coated with a rust free coating then that’s a bonus to protect your blades and be usable for a long time..
Protective cover
Some bow saws come with a protective cover for the blade and some don’t. If not, you’re going to have to buy one.
This cover protects the blade from damage. It also protects you and other things from getting ripped up by the blade.
Price
What is the amount you should spend on buying a bow saw?
If you’re just looking for a bow saw that helps you in occasional cutting tasks for your gardening then it’s OK to go for a budget priced one.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of cutting then it’s best to go for a high-quality bow saw that might cost a little bit more. A high-quality bow saw will cut faster and will last much longer.
How to use a bow saw
Using a bow saw is quite simple once you know the technique.
Make sure the frame is sturdy and the blade is not wobbly. If it is, adjust the tension adjuster to tighten it.
Grab the handle and place the center of the saw at the position where you want to cut the wood.
Keep the other hand on the wood at a sufficient distance from the blade so you don’t injure yourself. This hand will keep the wood stable as you cut. If the log is thick, you might need to use both hands on the frame.
Make a small cut in the wood before you start sawing.
Move the blade forward and backward to start cutting the wood. Make sure to get the full range of motion on the blade.
You don’t need to put a lot of pressure while cutting the wood because the sharp blade will do all the work.
Precautions when using a bow saw
Here are a few precautions you should take when using the bow saw.
Make sure the blade is clean using sandpaper. You can wax the blade with a little candle wax so that it is easier to cut with.
Make sure you’re using protective gear like goggles, gloves, and boots.
Keep your hand stabilizing the wood at a good distance away from the blade.
Make sure there are no children in the vicinity before you start cutting.
Never touch the blade with your hand. Use sandpaper or cloth.
Maintaining your bow saw
There are a few tips you can use to maintain your bow saw and ensure it gives you a long lasting service.
Before using the bow saw, make sure there is no rust on the blade. If there is use WD-40 to remove the rust. Lubricate the blade with some oil or candle wax.
After using the bow saw, use a damp cloth to remove the chippings that might be stuck on the blade. And clean it with a dry cloth so that it does not rust.
Keep your bow saw in a clean, dry place when not in use.
If you find the blades getting dull, try to sharpen them if you know how to. Otherwise, go to an expert or just buy a new blade.
Reviews
- High tension sheets provide geradere cuts
- Country Of Origin: China
- Model Number: 10-21-51
Last update on 2023-11-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
This bow saw is designed for tough environments which means it has excellent quality. You won’t need to sharpen the blade or replace the blade for a long time.
It uses an innovative tensioning mechanism that will help your cuts be as straight as possible.
This is a 21 inch version of the saw but there is also as 24 inch and 30 inch version available if you want a bigger size. The 21 inch version weighs about 14 ounces and is quite lightweight.
I really like the handle and knuckle protector on this bow saw. It has a high quality ergonomic handle that makes it easy to saw.
The bow saw comes with a blade protector to protect the blade from damage. But users complain that the quality is not as good as the actual saw and you need to be a bit careful when using it.
The bow saw is manufactured by Bahco that has 130 years of expertise in creating innovative tools. So you are assured of a bow saw that is backed by a quality brand.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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- Ajt-21, 21" handy bow saw for larger branches
- Cam-lever tension system keeps the blade perfectly tight while you're working in the field
- Clean equipment after each use and oil for years of trouble free use
Last update on 2023-11-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
If you’re looking for a budget bow saw then the Truper 30261 can be a good choice. It might be inexpensive but it has a pretty decent quality.
This one is also an all-round bow saw. So whether you want to cut dry wood or green wood, it will get the job done though you might need to do a little bit more work.
The Truper bow saw uses a cam-lever tension system that helps keep the blade tight as you’re cutting wood.
It’s available in a 21 inch, 24 inch and 31 inch version. And as you already know, what length you choose depends on how much work you need done.
If you’re always cutting thick logs then choose the 31 inch version because you’ll get the job done in fewer strokes. If you’re cutting small branches and shrubs then opt for the 21 inch version that can reach in nooks and corners.
The blade is of decent quality and should last you a while. But it’s not the best quality so it’s not a bad idea to buy a spare one just in case the one you have breaks. The blade is cheap as well so I would recommend you buy it for your peace of mind.
There is the standard handle and knuckle protector on this bow saw. Nothing special but it gets the job done of protecting your hand.
I like it when bow saws come with their blade protector. Unfortunately, this one does not. But considering that it’s a budget bow saw, I’m not complaining. You should be able to buy a cheap one for it.
The only major weakness of this bow saw are the rivets that hold the blade in the frame. Users have complained that they are flimsy and tend to break.
Truper 30255 is manufactured by Truper which is a Mexican company that has been in the cutting tools business for around 40 years.
| Pros | Cons |
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Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw
The Fiskars 7029 bow saw is a good choice if you’re looking to cut thick branches most of the time.
The hardened carbon steel blade has a rust-resistant coating which is great to keep your saw in working condition for a long time.
This blade is 21 inches which makes it lightweight and easy to carry around. However, it might take a longer time to cut through very thick wood than a 30 inch bow saw.
The handle is very basic and does not have a knuckle protector. So make sure to use gloves when using this bow saw.
Some users have complained that the rivets connecting the frame to the blade look flimsy. But they are better than they look.
The best thing I like about this bow saw is that it had a lifetime warranty. This shows the faith Fiskars has in its brand and product quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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- Small and handy bow saw for all around use
- Pointed nose makes the saw ideal for use in tight spaces
- Used for pruning and roofing work
Last update on 2023-11-29 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The feature that stands out with this bow saw is the pointed nose. It’s useful for getting into hard to reach branches and shrubs.
The blade that it comes with is meant to work with dry wood. But it does work even with green wood as well.
It has an adjustable blade wing nut that helps to change the tension on the blade. This will help you ensure that your blade is tightly held in the frame and cuts efficiently.
This bow saw has a good handle as well as knuckle protector to protect you from injury.
Bahco seems to really invest in their products because this bow saw is also an excellent choice when it comes to quality.
The only downside to this bow saw is that it’s higher priced than the other saws mentioned above.
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Conclusion
Now you no longer have to dread about picking that nasty chainsaw when you just want to cut a few branches.
No more refueling, struggling to wear heavy protection and carrying that bulky chainsaw around.
Choose a handy bow saw that will make your life a lot easier while pruning and cutting trees and shrubs.
Based on the criteria of how to choose a bow saw, we believe the Bahco 10-21-51 Ergo bow saw provides the best value for money. It is a high-quality tool that cuts efficiently and lasts for a long time.
If you’re looking for a budget bow saw then go for the Truper 30255 bow saw that has decent quality and very inexpensive.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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