Bahco Laplander Folding Saw Review: The Compact Saw That Keeps On Cutting

Introduction

The Bahco Laplander is one of those tools that turns up again and again in camp kits, hunting packs, and bushcraft bags, and the reason is straightforward. It is a compact folding hand saw that weighs very little, folds down small enough to disappear into a daypack, and still cuts like a much larger tool.

The numbers explain a lot of the appeal. The handle measures nine inches and the blade seven inches, giving an overall open length of about 15.5 inches. Folded, the tool has a diameter of roughly 3.25 inches, and the whole thing weighs just 6.8 ounces. It comes in army green and black, and the blade is coated to resist rust.

The blade itself is carbon steel with a 7 TPI tooth pattern, which stands for seven teeth per inch. That is a relatively coarse, aggressive spacing designed for fast material removal rather than fine joinery, and it is the reason this saw moves through branches so quickly.

What follows is a practical breakdown of where the Laplander performs best, what its real limitations are, and the one cost consideration that matters most before you buy.

Who this product is for

This saw suits anyone who needs to process wood away from a power source. Campers cutting firewood, hunters, bushcraft practitioners, and hikers who want a genuine cutting tool rather than a token one will all find it useful. It is equally at home in a garden, a shed, or a garage, where it handles pruning and light cleanup work without complaint.

It is also a sensible choice for anyone who wants one small tool that covers many jobs. The blade has been used on dry wood, green wood, and hard species, and the manufacturer states it can also cut bone, with plastic listed as a further claimed use.

The clearest boundary is log diameter. Around four inches is the sweet spot. For anything meaningfully larger, a bow saw is the better tool, though a skilled user can push the Laplander further in a pinch.

Main strengths

Lightweight and genuinely packable

At 6.8 ounces, the Laplander weighs less than many pocket multi-tools, despite being a full-size hand saw. That is a genuine advantage when you are counting grams on a long approach or trying to keep a pack organised.

Folded, it takes up very little room, which means it can live permanently in a pack, a glovebox, or a tool bag without being noticed until it is needed. The handle swells slightly toward the top and bottom, and the rubberized surface has moulded grooves that make the grip feel secure whether you are cutting at chest height or down low.

A blade that cuts in both directions

The carbon steel blade uses a low-friction tooth design, and it cuts on both the push and the pull stroke. In practice that means less effort per cut and faster progress through branches than a push-only saw.

The coating keeps rust at bay, which matters for a tool that spends its life outdoors. The 7 TPI pattern is aggressive enough to handle hard woods without stalling, and it manages dry and green material equally well.

A lock and tension system that feels deliberate

The locking mechanism secures the blade in the open position while you are sawing and holds it closed when the tool is folded. The tension is well judged: firm enough to feel solid, light enough to open with one hand.

Blade tension is adjustable through a Phillips screw, and the blades themselves are replaceable. A leather lanyard at the base of the handle can be used to hang the saw from a branch or looped around the wrist to assist the grip. A straight blade like this performs best at waist level, where the geometry gives you the most control.

Things to consider before buying

Replacement blades cost almost as much as the saw

This is the one real caveat. Replacement blades sell for roughly $25, while the complete saw costs around $30. Availability is the other half of the problem, since blade listings have quoted delivery times of about six weeks.

The practical conclusion is simple: if a blade ever wears out, buying a fresh saw usually makes more sense than ordering a spare blade. Fortunately, wear is not something most owners will encounter quickly. The coated carbon steel blade holds its edge over years of use, and the tool is not one that needs to be babied.

Four inches is the practical limit

A seven-inch blade can do more than its size suggests, and it will pass through four-inch diameter logs without binding. Beyond that, the saw starts to feel like the wrong tool for the job.

For sustained work on larger timber, a bow saw is the more sensible choice. The Laplander is best understood as a highly capable compact saw rather than a replacement for a full-size frame saw.

Buying advice

At roughly $30, the Laplander is easy to justify. The construction quality, materials, and locking mechanism are all at a level that suggests decades of service rather than a season or two, and nothing about the tool requires careful handling.

When you first get one, spend a moment setting the blade tension to your preference with the Phillips screw. A little tension makes opening and closing feel more deliberate, while a looser setting lets the blade swing out with a flick. Either works, and it is a matter of taste rather than performance.

Buy it if you want a light, compact saw that handles firewood, pruning, and camp chores without fuss. Look elsewhere only if your regular work involves logs well over four inches in diameter.

Conclusion

The Bahco Laplander earns its reputation through the unglamorous things: low weight, a secure grip, a blade that cuts in both directions, and a lock that always feels solid. It is small enough to carry without thinking about it and capable enough to be genuinely useful when it matters.

The only real trade-off is the economics of replacement blades, and for most buyers that is a minor concern given how long the original blade lasts. For around $30, this is a compact saw that delivers far more than its size and price suggest.