A bow saw is a perfect tool among so many types of hand saw when you are planning to cut wood limbs such as shrubs and other green woods. It is capable of cutting tree limbs and branches with a maximum diameter of 10 inches.

Its unique shape and sturdy straight saw blade make it ideal for the job. Moreover, its lightweight enables you to easily shift the speed of your stroke depending on the wood type you’re working on.

Here, we are going to show you a complete guide on how to choose the best bow saw available for 2020. We are going to touch on its important features you need to look for to make sure it is the right one. Likewise, we included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for our top 10 best bow saw for 2020.

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Best Bow Saw (January 2022) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews

MODEL	PRICE	OVERALL
Bahco 10-24-23	check price
Truper 30257	check price
Agawa Canyon A2B1C1	check price
Great Neck BB24	check price
Fiskars 7029	check price
Bond BS21	check price
Task Tools T22303	check price
Gilmour 521	check price
Black+Decker BD1857	check price
AB Tools-Toolzone TE570	check price

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Bow Saw

In order to have a better chance of choosing the right tool, you need to know the important features it must have. Below are some of the common features you need to look for a bow saw.

1. Blade Type

The kind of blade for this tool matters for it dictates the capacity to do work. There are two kinds of blades for this saw: peg tooth saw blade and the peg and raker tooth saw blades.

The peg saw blade tooth is intended to have an efficient cutting through hard and dry woods. In terms of looks, the blades are triangular in form and are grouped in three’s. Consequently, three triangular saw tooth grouped closely then a gap is in between by another set of three sawteeth.

Meanwhile, the peg and raker tooth style is intended for efficient cutting on wet woods. In contrast to the first type, this still has a triangular shaped sawtooth but the groupings are in four. Each group has a one “raker” in between before the next set consisting of four triangular sawteeth. The raker is a regular sawtooth but its tip splits into two.

2. Blade

The blade used for this type of saw is a straight one which can be removed from its bow frame. The common lengths of this blade range from 300 mm to 900 mm. The blade has enough strength to withstand the strokes for cutting hard and wet woods.

3. Teeth per Inch (TPI)

The numerical rating or number of teeth per inch (TPI) affects the fineness and ability of the blade to cut through various wood diameters. A higher TPI (18 to 32) is good for making fine cuts with woods, metals, and plastics that have a smaller diameter.

Whereas, a lower TPI (2 to 3) would give a coarser cutting finish and is suitable for resawing and cutting woods of larger diameter.

A peg saw blade tooth has a TPI ranging from 6 to 8 while peg and raker saw blade tooth has a TPI between 4 to 6.

4. Gullets

The gullet is the round space in between the sawtooth. This is where wood wastes such as dust and chips are accumulated and removed in every stroke.

The gullets of a bow saw are deep and its teeth are larger to have a more aggressive performance in every stroke.

5. Grip Handle

Most bow saw has an enclosed grip handle that is pistol like in shape. This shape is intentionally made to provide a better grip for aggressive stroking when using this type of saw. It provides an excellent anti-slip ability for the user.

Top 10 Best Bow Saw reviews 2020

1. Bahco 10-24-23 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake sawtooth

• Blade length: 24 inches

• Handle: closed pistol type

• Weight: 1.65 lbs

pros	cons
• 24-inch saw blade	• Nothing so far
• Strong blade tension	?
• Good blade sharpness	?

Best for Overall

Among hundreds of saws, this is our top pick for overall features and performance. It provides excellent cutting experience and convenience for all users.

First, the blade is 24-inch long, this is ideal for having long strokes to make a smoother and more efficient cut. Others have complained about having a hard time putting back the cover of the blade. We find this unreasonable because some have not seen the flanged side of the blade cover which can be folded back. Consequently, this makes it easier to cover the blade.

You will have less chance of having hand fatigue because this is lightweight and the pistol grip handle feels comfortable. Moreover, the tension system of the blade is strong enough to resist breaking when cutting through hardwoods.

Nothing not to like from this one.

2. Truper 30257 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and raker

• Blade length: 24-inch

• Handle: closed pistol grip handle

• Weight: 1.5 lbs

pros	cons
• 24-inch durable peg and raker sawtooth blade	• Grip handle seems to be flimsy
• The excellent blade tension mechanism	?
• Effective cutting for wet woods	?

Best for Blade Tension

This saw in our second spot is best for its blade tension system. This mechanism paired with the peg and raker sawtooth style makes it a good saw tool for cutting wet woods.

Its cutting performance is comparable to the expensive brands but this one is sold at a cheaper price. The strength and sharpness of the blade are fairly good to accomplish its task in cutting almost all sorts of wet woods.

Considering its overall features, we find this saw tool to last for a longer time which makes it cost-efficient.

3. Agawa Canyon Bow Saw BOREAL21

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and raker

• Blade length: 12 inches

• Handle: plastic

• Weight: 1.2 lbs

pros	cons
• Lightweight and easy to use	• Smaller blade length
• Highly portable and space saver inside the bag	?
• Peg and raker saw tooth and excellent blade tension	?

Best for Folding Bow Saw

If you are planning to go on camping or outing, this bow saw is a perfect choice because of its folding feature which makes it really portable and a space-saver in the bag.

Some of the things downsized due to its portability are its blade length and weight. It is not that bad because the saw still works as expected in making smooth cuts across wet woods. The peg and raker sawtooth style of this unit are well made.

The tension system of the blade is enough for its blade length and weight. No worries of wobbling blade when making hard and fast strokes. It is capable of making smooth cuts across a 10-inch diameter wood.

4. Great Neck Bow Saw BB24

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and raker

• Blade length: 24-inch

• Handle: steel

• Weight: 1.13 lbs

pros	cons
• Good blade tension	• The grip handle is not that comfortable
• Peg and raker sawtooth	?
• Very economical price	?

Best for Budget

If you want a bow saw with standard quality that is sold as such an economical price, this fourth bow saw in our list is your best choice.

It has a peg and raker saw tooth type which is ideal for cutting wet woods. The durability of its blade is sufficient to cut across a 10-inch diameter wood without any bent tooth.

Likewise, when doing aggressive strokes, you would observe its blade tension effectively resisting the wobbling motion of the blade. Overall, the housing of this bow saw is good and fair compared to its expensive counterparts.

5. Fiskars 7029 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and raker

• Blade length: 21 inches

• Handle: steel

• Weight: 2.4 lbs

pros	cons
• The blade has high corrosive resistance	• Grip handle does not provide sufficient comfort for long work hours
• Strong and durable hardened steel blade	?
• Safe blade tension	?

Best for Blade Strength

The fifth bow saw in our list is best known for its blade strength because it is made from hardened steel. Despite heavy stroke, it can stay sharp for a longer time.

Looking at the saw’s durability and tooth style, it is capable of making a clear cut in wet and thick limbs and branches. You would see there is a coating in its blade to help resist rust.

The weight and length of this hand saw type make a good synergy in accomplishing its claimed function. You would also notice the coating of the blade which increases its resistance to corrosion. Moreover, the blade does not wobble when aggressive strokes are applied. It’s because of the blade’s thickness and the tension system holding it.

Unfortunately, the grip handle is not that comfortable, particularly when using for long hours.

6. Bond BS21 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake

• Blade length: 21 inches

• Handle: steel

• Weight: 1.23 lbs

pros	cons
• Balance blade tension	• The grip handle is not that comfortable
• Peg and rake sawtooth with enough durability	?
• Sturdy bow steel frame with coatings to increase rust resistance	?

There is nothing extraordinary with this sixth bow saw in our list. However, for its affordable price, you would get a decent saw tool that will help you in making your garden clean.

Based on its features, we find this hand tool perfect for light to medium cutting works. It uses a peg and rake saw tooth, good for cutting wet woods with diameters up to 10 inches.

Other customers have complained about the blade for it is flimsy, the reason why they experienced the wobbling is due to not properly securing the blade tension before doing the work. This 21-inch blade and its overall strength and sharpness is totally a fair trade-off for anyone who wants a standard tool.

Besides that, the grip handle is made from steel which does not provide enough comfort when sawing for long hours.

7. Task Tools T22303 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake

• Blade length: 30 inches

• Handle: rubber insulated pistol handle

• Weight: 1.85 lbs

pros	cons
• 30 inches peg and rake saw blade	• Practice for using a longer blade
• Safe and reliable blade tension	?
• Comfortable pistol grip handle	?

Best for Blade Length

This bow saw is best for its long blade which is 30 inches in length. A longer blade length provides better force for a smoother cutting finish.

The only setback with a long blade is the wobbling. However, for this one, its blade has enough thickness and hardness to resist the wobbling, particularly when doing long, aggressive strokes.

Compared to other tools which have a steel grip handle, this one uses a pistol grip handle insulated with soft rubber. This feature is great for providing comfort when sawing for a couple of hours.

Likewise, it has rubber insulation at the other end, in case you will need to use two hands for cutting harder woods. The peg and rake sawtooth of this unit are fairly strong, so you won’t expect any bent tooth after cutting through wet wood.

8. Gilmour Bow Saw 521

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake

• Blade length: 21 inches

• Handle: steel tube

• Weight: 1.2 lbs

pros	cons
• The narrow tip of the saw tool	• The grip handle is not that comfortable and there is no anti-slip mechanism
• Peg and rake saw tooth, good for wet woods	?
• Strong steel tubular frame	?
• Safe blade tension	?

For a fair price, you get what you pay for with this bow saw. The nice features we admire from it are its blade and the pointed tip of the saw.

The tubular steel used for the bow frame has medium strength to resist bending. It uses a peg and rake sawtooth which gives enough force to pierce through wet woods. Likewise, the blade length and durability is of good combination. When the blade length gets longer, you need to have more durability to prevent the blade from breaking or wobbling.

The narrow tip point of the saw is ideal for cutting through narrow spaces. Likewise, the angle of the sawtooth is good for making a constant cutting direction.

9. Black+Decker BD1857 Bow Saw

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake

• Blade length: 21 inches

• Handle: hard plastic insulated with soft rubber

• Weight: 2.02 lbs

pros	cons
• 2 in 1 combo saw tool	• The blade’s locking system seems to be made from inferior materials
• Durable and corrosive resistant saw blade	?
• Folding saw which is vital for small cutting purposes	?

Best for Combo Set

If you are aiming to buy a two-in-one saw set, then this product from Black and Decker is a great choice. This combo set includes a 21-inch bow saw and a 7.5-inch folding saw. These two saw tools are a perfect combo for any outdoor or camping escapade.

For the bow saw, we are in love with the hard plastic pistol handle wrapped around with soft rubber for extra comfort. This is a hand tool, so you need to consider the comfort of the user. Meanwhile, the blade tension mechanism of this unit is easy to adjust and safe. You can tightly secure the blade so it won’t wobble while not worrying about breaking the blade.

Aside from that, this is a good saw for cutting wet woods because of its peg and rake sawtooth style. Moreover, the tubular steel bow frame is slightly larger in diameter, providing a better foundation for the whole hand tool.

Lastly, the folding saw is a great value-adding product for this bow saw. This folding saw is ideal for cutting shorter and smaller diameter limbs and branches.

10. AB Tools-Toolzone Bow Saw TE570

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FEATURES

 

 

• Sawtooth: peg and rake

• Blade length: 24 inches

• Handle: hard plastic with rubber insulation

• Weight: 1.54 lbs

pros	cons
• Easy blade replacement	• Nothing so far
• Reliable and safe blade tension mechanism	?
• A strong and sharp blade	?

This bow saw is a little bit above standard with features to love. Based on the features and specs of this tool, it has great versatility of work function. However, this tool works best in cutting wet woods due to its peg and rake sawtooth style.

Another convenient feature to highlight from this is its comfortable pistol handle. It fits in the knuckles and the rubber insulation provides better comfort and anti-slip mechanism when your hands get sweaty sawing for long hours.

Replacing the saw blade is straightforward and simple. The blade tension and its adjustment are simple and reliable, it removes your great worry for wobbling. Likewise, it also has rubber insulation on the opposite side of the pistol handle. It is vital when sawing using two hands.

The overall blade strength and rust resistance are fairly good. We recommend this for DIY, woodworking, camping, and repairs.