7 Best Hand Saws For Cutting Logs of 2024

By Harry RamosLast update: 2024-04-27

In this technology era, people tend to stick with machines more than using a manual tool to get their jobs done, especially in some heavy and specialized niche like wood and log cutting. However, what if you are not an arborist or a pro, you just want to finish the daily gardening tasks and sometimes handle some harder work? You can’t go wrong with a hand saw!

And, below are our seven top picks of best hand saws for cutting logs. We also provide you with a detailed buying guide, so don’t miss this chance and stay tuned until the bottom lines!

Here are the best hand saws for cutting logs you can buy in 2024:

  • Best Overall (Folding Hand Saws): Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0
  • Best For Thick Logs (Folding Hand Saws): REXBETI
  • Best For Smooth And Fast Sawing (Folding Hand Saws): Coher
  • Best For Thick Logs (Bow Saws): Bahco 10-30-23
  • Best For Straight Cutting (Bow Saws): GreatNeck BB24
  • Durable (Crosscut Saws): Corona RS 7510D
  • Best For Thick Logs (Crosscut Saws): GreatNeck N2610
7 Best Hand Saws For Cutting Logs
Best Overall
Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0
  • Folding Hand Saws
Best For Thick Logs
REXBETI
  • Folding Hand Saws
Best For Smooth And Fast Sawing
Coher
  • Folding Hand Saws
Best For Thick Logs
Bahco 10-30-23
  • Bow Saws
Best For Straight Cutting
GreatNeck BB24
  • Bow Saws
Durable
Corona RS 7510D
  • Crosscut Saws
Best For Thick Logs
GreatNeck N2610
  • Crosscut Saws

Folding Hand Saws

Best Overall (Folding Hand Saws): Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0

Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0
Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • First-rate blade quality
  • Safe lock feature
  • Ergonomic
  • Versatile
Cons
  • SK-5 carbon steel is hard to sharpen and not stainless steel

Inspired by the Japanese-style pull cut sawing, here is the little boy from Home Planet Gear, the EverSaw 8.0. This is all you need when it comes to a portable, versatile hand saw.

Its 8-inch blade combined with the triple-cut teeth can easily slice through tree limbs, branches and narrow to medium-sized logs. Let us simply explain what triple-cut teeth are for you. There are two kinds of teeth, double and triple-ground. The double-ground is the regular type, but the triple-ground belongs to the superior category as it enables users to cut faster, smoothlier, and more efficiently.

It has 9 TPI, an ideal range of teeth that can provide you with deep cuts to quickly complete wood and log cutting and the greatly neat finish at the same time.

Its included gear lock also allows you to have a safe experience. The lock is firm and the handle fitting perfectly with the blade that no razor teeth can be exposed when closed will ensure that you will not suffer from any safety hazards.

The SK-5 carbon steel, as you know, is truly tough so undoubtedly that the blade will be very solid but unfortunately, this goes with the hard sharpening process.

Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0 Specifications

Weight

10.1 ounces

Length

8 inches

Material

SK-5 Carbon steel

Highlight Features

Triple-cut teeth; 9 TPI; gear lock; ribbed rubber handle; straight blade

Verdict

Home Planet Gear EverSaw 8.0 is the best portable saw for different cutting modes and purposes.

Best For Thick Logs (Folding Hand Saws): REXBETI

Pros
  • Long blade and handle
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy
  • Maneuverable
  • Portable
Cons
  • No locking system
  • SK-5 carbon steel is hard to sharpen and not stainless steel

With a longer blade and coarser toothed blade, REXBETI is the perfect tool for cutting thick logs among the folding hand saws. Possessing a 11-inch blade made from SK-5 steel, perhaps many of you would think that this is a heavy product, but instead, this one weights only 14.9 ounces, which is an excellent weight to carry around.

This model also includes triple-cut teeth and 7 TPI. With these features, cutting through thick logs with a six-to-eight-inch diameter is not a big deal with REXBETI. In addition, the handle is extra long and comes with anti-slip rubber wrapping around, which can bring you extended comfort when using it.

Unfortunately, this one has a big flaw, which is its lack of a locking system. Although the joining screw seems to be very solid, this is still a minus point for it.

REXBETI Specifications

Weight

14.9 ounces

Length

11 inches

Material

SK-5 steel

Highlight Features

7 TPI; triple-cut teeth; extra-long, anti-slip rubber handle; straight blade

Verdict

REXBETI is a great folding hand saw for thick log cutting.

Best For Smooth And Fast Sawing (Folding Hand Saws): Coher

Pros
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Multi-purpose
  • Ergonomic
Cons
  • Small size
  • SK-5 carbon steel is hard to sharpen and not stainless steel

Provided with a 9.6-ounce weight, Coher is the lightest folding hand saw on our list. It’s light but that does not mean that it’s weak. Instead, its ergonomic design and triple-cut razor teeth allows a smooth cut through logs like butter.

Safety is also prioritized with this hand saw as it has a safety gear lock, and an anti-skid handle. As a folding hand saw, there is no wonder that this product is portable. Moreover, an attached plastic case scabbard is also offered to make carrying this tool even more convenient. Just put the Coher into the case, tie it around your belt and you’re ready to bring your hand saw everywhere you want.

It is undeniable that the Coher folding hand saw is sharp and can be used for multiple purposes, but just small work. Its 6.7-inch blade length, to be honest, is unable to manage any logs thicker than 5 inches. Furthermore, its slow, fine cutting 12 TPI is another factor making this tool not suitable for large logs.

Coher Specifications

Weight

9.6 ounces

Length

6.7 inches

Material

Carbon steel

Highlight Features

Triple-cut teeth; gear lock; 2-angle cutting position; plastic case scabbard; 12 TPI; straight blade

Verdict

Coher is a backpacking saw for light-duty log cutting projects.

Bow Saws

Best For Thick Logs (Bow Saws): Bahco 10-30-23

Bahco 10-30-23
Bahco 10-30-23
Pros
  • Strong
  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Designed to cut through green wood
  • Long blade
Cons
  • Tricky blade guard
  • Not suitable for a confined space

When it comes to a hand saw to tackle extraordinary cutting projects like tree and thick log cutting, you can’t go wrong with the bow saw.

Its long 30” blade is truly resistant and can effortlessly cut down a tree. What’s more? It is coated with high-impact Enamel paint cover to protect it from rust and corrosion.

We know that the weight of 2.88 ounces seems to be ridiculous and unbelievable, but trust us, although we have not checked this model’s true weight, it’s still amazingly lightweight, compared to other hand saws as well as its size. The Bahco 10-30-23 also comes with a tensioning system, which allows you to easily tighten and adjust the blade, making it more suitable for a wider range of cutting purposes.

However, there are two hindrances that we do not like about this product. The first one is that its blade guard is quite tricky and unsafe, which requires you to really concentrate and be careful while using this tool or else you can get your fingers hurt. Second, with the 30” blade, this cannot deal with confined spaces.

Bahco 10-30-23 Specifications

Weight

2.88 ounces

Length

30 inches

Material

Steel tubing

Highlight Features

Innovative tensioning mechanism; enamel-paint coated; knuckle protector; straight blade

Verdict

Bahco 10-30-23 is one of the most lightweight but powerful bow saws.

Best For Straight Cutting (Bow Saws): GreatNeck BB24

GreatNeck BB24
GreatNeck BB24
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Sharp, long blade
  • Easy to manage heavy-duty tasks
  • Ergonomic
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Hand tensioning
  • Not durable as the Bahco bow saw

The bow saw is not designed to give you a smooth finish but it can cut straight aggressively and overkill tons of logs in the shortest amount of time. And, of course, the GreatNeck BB24 is not an exception.

Its blade is extremely sharp, and of course, with the length of 24 inches, it can cut hard wood like butter. The most selling point that made us into this product is definitely its reasonable price. Just paying around $20 dollars and you are able to get a powerful bow saw.

So, although this model is not equipped with many extra features, at its price range, it still can meet buyers’ basic needs and really worth giving a shot for some tight budgets.

Still, as made of chrome alloy, the GreatNeck BB24 is not as durable as the Bahco 10-30-23 mentioned above, but compared to its price, this issue is expected. Besides, you will have to tension the blade by hand but not a complete system so this might be a small problem to first-time bow saw users.

GreatNeck BB24 Specifications

Weight

1.13 pounds

Length

24 inches

Material

Chrome alloy

Highlight Features

Blade tightener; straight blade

Verdict

GreatNeck BB24 is a cheap-price but not cheaply-made bow saw.

Crosscut Saws

Durable (Crosscut Saws): Corona RS 7510D

Corona RS 7510D
Corona RS 7510D
Pros
  • Extremely durable
  • Strong
  • Comfortable to use
  • Sharp, impulse-hardened blade
Cons
  • Handle screw gets loose easily
  • Not versatile

This RS 7510D model from the Corona brand is the only curve-blade saw on our list. With a curved blade, it does have its own benefits, which is it can easily dig into the wood when you cut at the height over your head and below your arms.

Plus, it also comes with a chrome-plated cover on its blade, which works as a bonus barrier protecting the steel blade from getting rust. It means that this product can last longer than any other ones showing up here.

The Corona brand has advertised that it has thoroughly built its blade with heat-treated so that it can have an unbeatable strength. So, we believe that this tool can live up to your high expectations.

Unfortunately, a curve blade has a weakness. Besides cutting wood (log, firewood, etc), this design can hardly fit other cutting projects, meaning that it is not as multi-functional as the straight one. Still, if your purpose when buying a hand saw is only for cutting logs, then this is not a big matter. Moreover, the handle screws are not so tight and solid. So, in case you decide to buy this one, remember to check those screws out before beginning to cut.

Corona RS 7510D Specifications

Weight

1.1 pounds

Length

18 inches

Material

SK-5 carbon steel

Highlight Features

Triple-ground teeth; chrome-plated blade; D-shaped handle; 6 TPI; curve blade

Verdict

Corona RS 7510D is a durable and perfect crosscut hand saw for only wood cutting missions.

Best For Thick Logs (Crosscut Saws): GreatNeck N2610

GreatNeck N2610
GreatNeck N2610
Pros
  • Weather-resistant handle
  • Super hard, durable blade
  • Aggressive cut but pretty neat finish
  • Long blade
Cons
  • Huge and heavy

Here is another name from the GreatNeck manufacturer. Unlike the BB24 model, which is a bow saw, this N2610 one is a crosscut saw.

The most outstanding feature in this model must be its high carbon steel blade. Simply put, if you consider the SK-5 carbon steel’s hardness as level 1, then the high carbon steel must be level 2 or upper. This shows that this blade is ridiculously tough, durable and sharp.

This product is also featured with a vintage-look hardwood handle, which makes it really eye-catching and unique. For those who are confused about the lifespan of this wood material, don’t worry because it is weather-resistant, so it will last for long without being damaged by the impact of weather.

Only one problem that we do not like at this model is its size. Still, after all, with its 26-inch high carbon steel blade, and the hardwood handle, it comes as no surprise that it is heavy and huge. So, perhaps you should exercise and give your body some fitness before buying this!

GreatNeck N2610 Specifications

Weight

1.65 pounds

Length

26 inches

Material

High carbon steel

Highlight Features

Straight blade; 12 TPI; hardwood handle

Verdict

GreatNeck N2610 is an ideal crosscut hand saw for strong, bulky people.

How To Choose The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Logs?

“I’d like to buy a hand saw, but choosing a suitable one is too difficult as there are so many of them out there, different types, a variety of brands as well as numerous features. So, which one is for me, especially when I want to cut wood?” Well, that question must pop up in your mind countless times when you’re searching for the best hand saw for cutting logs on the Internet. A wide range of recommendations and top picks might totally confuse you, but don’t worry, this part is here to help you get out of that mind mess as we’re going to give you some handy hand saw buying advice!

You can see that the construction of a hand-operated saw is quite simple, so you can divide it into two primary parts, which are the blade and the handle.

Blade

Material:

Recently, carbon steel is considered as the best material to make the saw blade because of its durability and hardness. The more content of carbon is, the harder the blade will be. So, if any saw brand is using carbon steel to manufacture its product, you can believe that it's a good and reliable brand.

However, there is an exception, which is the bow saw. This kind of saw is quite special and unique as its blade can be tensioned, meaning that it requires a certain flexibility. And, that’s why carbon steel is too hard to make a bow saw blade. Powder-coating is also a plus point because it will work as a barrier protecting your blade.

TPI (Teeth per Inch):

Simply put, if you intend to just cut logs or wood, the ideal number of teeth per inch is 1 to 10, which is coarse to medium-toothed blade. At this fewer range of TPI, the teeth are larger and can cut deeper and faster. However, this also means that they’re too aggressive to give you such a smooth and beautiful finish.

Luckily, the range of 7 to 10 TPI can give you a pretty neat finish but if you want to cut something requiring precision and fine result, perhaps you should look for some slower options with more TPI.

Size:

Size or blade length is another important factor that you should carefully consider. We know that many of you do not have the habit of using the whole length of the blade while cutting. However, the most basic rule is never selecting a blade length that is shorter than what you’re going to cut. For example, it’s not wise, or we can call it crazy when you try to cut a tree with a diameter of 4 inches with a 3-inch blade.

Still, a too long one is not good though because it’s harder to control and tends to bend easily. So, make sure that you know exactly what you’re supposed to cut and choose the right blade length.

Thickness:

A thick blade is solid but it’s harder to cut through, and heavier as well. Otherwise, a thin blade is lighter and can provide you with a smooth cut, but a too thin one will lead to bending and breaking under high impacts and pressure. Generally speaking, the thickness must be at least 1.5mm at the saw’s thickest part, and then picking one that suits your bodyweight and fitness.

Handle

We have just gone through the blade, and now it’s about the handle. The first and foremost factor that you should look for in a handle is its ergonomy. It must have a natural curve like your palm so that you can handle it comfortably. There must be enough space on the handle for your fingers to grab on. If the handle is too short or small, you cannot control the whole saw effectively and remain the stability when cutting. It should also be made from anti-slip material or be covered with it.

The next thing that we want to focus on is the joining screw, which is the one that connects the blade and the handle. Frankly, you should choose the saw with at least two joining screws because those with only one are really dangerous, unstable and easy to detach, which means that the blade can unexpectedly loosen, rotate around and cut your fingers or hands. So, safety first, do not forget this element when picking up your hand saw.

Which Brands Make The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Logs?

There are tons of brands and product models now but not all of them can reach the required standard, indeed. So, to help you avoid ending up in choosing a bad manufacturer to rely on, we have listed down the most three reputable ones here:

GreatNeck

7 Best Hand Saws For Cutting Logs of 2024

Home Planet Gear

7 Best Hand Saws For Cutting Logs of 2024

Bahco

7 Best Hand Saws For Cutting Logs of 2024

FAQs

Do I get a curved blade saw or straight blade saw?

The curved blade design will fit the bill if you intend to saw out of the torso height. For example, when you do cutting work above the head, the hook of the curved blade can dig into the wood easier. And, of course, for a specific model like a pole saw, this curved construction is the first choice.

Otherwise, if you’re going to make cuts at the height between your shoulder and waist, the straight blade is an ideal design as it enables you to follow your body’s natural mechanic, so that you can control and make the saw’s teeth contact with branches. Moreover, this saw model is also suggested if you can only afford a single hand saw (except pole saws) as it will give you more pruning options and can be served for other purposes such as DIY house projects.

After all, just depend on your frequent cutting jobs to make a wise decision!

Can the blade be sharpened?

Yes, you can sharpen your dull hand saw blade whenever you want. As you know, there are a lot of hand saw types and each of them might have slight modifications in the sharpening process, so you should search and follow the specialized directions of your saw category.

Can you cut logs with a circular saw?

Yes, it can, but we do not recommend it for this task as it’s not an optimal choice. Moreover, if you’re not familiar with this kind of saw, it’s likely that you will encounter difficulties during the cutting process.

How do I maintain your hand saw?

Here are some essential tips to keep your hand saw’s lifespan longer as well as maintain its quality as when it was first given:

  • As the blade is made of steel, you should keep the hand saw in a moisture-free tool box or at least a dry place to avoid getting rusty.
  • Rub the blade with paste wax or WD-40 after each use is another way to keep your saw from getting rusty. With WD-40, you can leave it on after applying it on the blade with a rag, but you should remove paste wax after soaking the blade in it in around 10 minutes.
  • Instead of using silicon-wraparound handles, a lot of hand saws use the wooden ones. And, unlike the silicon, wood material will need a further caring step, which is oiling when it is scratched and becomes dry. You can use boiled linseed oil for this job, and don’t forget to clean up the built-up rust and dirt on it by razor blade or steel wool if any.
  • Remove blade rust with a 320-grit sandpaper or a razor.

How do you cut logs with a hand saw?

Actually, cutting logs with a hand saw is super easy! You just need to lubricate it first to make sure it will cut smoothly and then, you’re ready to go. However, as this is manual work, it still can easily cause you pains in some parts of your body such as your back, and arms. That’s why we will give you some other tips to minimize those issues:

  • Use both hands to help increase the pressure downward
  • Make use of the blade’s length to avoid arm overly bending
  • Don’t try to push and pull too hard as it can hurt your arms. If the blade is sharp enough, it can cut through the logs effortlessly
  • Sharpening your blade occasionally
  • Saw vertically and follow your body’s natural mechanic to protect your backbone and body structure

Conclusion

Now, let’s wrap everything up! To make use of this article, we suggest you should not only read the review part carefully to get detailed information about the product but also not miss any single word in the buying’s guide as well as the FAQs to equip yourself with some standard tips and knowledge. This will help you to make up your mind faster.

Last but not least, thank you for having gone through this long but informative article with me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!


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