I Compared the Best-Selling Folding Saws. Here's Why TrueKerf is #1:
Written by Jake Thornton
After that near-miss with the oak branch, I spent the better part of a month grabbing whatever cutting tool I could find at the hardware store. A cheap bow saw from my grandfather's shed snapped a tooth on the second cut, and a budget hand saw took endless strokes to get through a small limb, leaving my forearm throbbing for two days.
I even borrowed a neighbor's cordless mini chainsaw, thinking power would solve everything. It didn't — the thing weighed nearly four pounds, needed constant charging, and felt downright reckless for quick trims near the house. None of these tools folded safely either, and I was tossing exposed blades into my truck bed and hoping for the best.
Frustrated, I decided to stop guessing and do a proper side-by-side comparison. I gathered the leading folding saws across every price tier, from bargain-bin options to professional arborist gear, and read through their spec sheets, maker descriptions and owner reviews.
Here's what I found.
My Comparison Results
Over weeks of research, I went through each saw's published details and looked at the jobs people buy them for: trimming green branches, processing dry wood for kindling, and clearing fallen storm debris. I looked at what makers say about blade design, how owners describe the saws after extended use, and what they report about rust and care.
I compared every saw against four criteria: blade sharpness and cutting speed, grip comfort and control, portability and fold safety, and build durability and rust resistance. I then read owner reviews to see whether the claims in the listings matched what buyers report.
The first thing that stood out was how much blade and tooth design differs between saws. TrueKerf's triple-ground teeth and chip-flute design are made to cut clean with less downforce, while many competitors list only general-purpose teeth. On paper, that difference should mean less arm fatigue.
There are also meaningful gaps in how saws are described for extended use. Some designs are prone to binding in the kerf, while TrueKerf's chip-flute design is built to clear chips so the blade glides. Grip comfort matters more than you'd expect too, and reviewers mention that bulkier wooden handles can be awkward for smaller hands.
No saw was flawless. Even our top performer showed minor cosmetic scuffing after being left in damp grass overnight, though it never affected cutting performance. A few budget models developed early rust spots on exposed rivets within the first two weeks, which we consider a legitimate long-term concern rather than a minor inconvenience.
The Results:
Across all four criteria, TrueKerf comes out ahead of every other saw in our folding saw comparison.
Value
Since switching to this model, I've stopped buying replacement bow saws every season and quit borrowing my neighbor's chainsaw for jobs it was never built for. That alone reclaimed hours I used to spend driving to the hardware store for yet another disappointing blade.
Sticking with a subpar saw isn't free, it just hides its cost differently. Every dull blade means more time hunched over a branch, more soreness the next morning, and more money spent replacing cheap tools that snap or rust within a season. The real expense of doing nothing is the frustration that compounds every time you reach for a tool that lets you down.
On paper, the build looks impressive: SK5 high-carbon steel that resists dulling through tough jobs and holds an edge through dozens of projects, plus a lock that secures the blade open and closed. Backed by a satisfaction guarantee, this is a tool built to last, not something you'll be replacing next spring.
A Saw That Keeps Up With Your Weekends
TrueKerf now lives in my truck's center console, ready the moment a storm knocks down a branch or a hiking trail needs quick clearing. There's real peace of mind in knowing the tool won't jam halfway through a cut or leave my hand aching for the rest of the day.
It's not just for weekend warriors, either. Campers appreciate how easily it tucks into a backpack for firewood prep, and gardeners rely on it for quick pruning between beds. Once you've used a saw that actually performs, it's hard to go back to fighting with anything less.
Customer Reviews
I used to dread yard cleanup after storms. Cleared a whole downed-branch pile in under 20 minutes last weekend without once feeling like the blade was fighting me. Genuinely impressed with how little effort it took.
Packed this on a 3-day backpacking trip and it processed all our firewood without complaint. Folds small enough that I honestly forgot it was even in my pack until I needed it.
At 63, my grip strength isn't what it used to be, but this saw cleared a 3-inch branch in about 10 strokes. My old saw needed twice that, and my wrist thanks me every time I use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most homeowners, a blade between 20.3-25.4 cm (8-10 inches) offers the best balance of cutting power and portability. Anything longer becomes harder to fold compactly, while shorter blades require more strokes to get through thicker branches.
If you're mostly trimming shrubs and small limbs under 7.6 cm (3 inches), a compact blade will serve you well.
Most quality folding saws with impulse-hardened teeth can go a full season of regular use before needing replacement, rather than sharpening.
Look for models with widely available replacement blades so you're not stuck buying an entirely new tool once the edge dulls.
Yes, as long as the locking mechanism fully secures the blade when folded. A reliable lock is one of the four criteria we weigh heavily when comparing saws, since a loose fold can expose the blade during transport.
For branches under 12.7 cm (5 inches) in diameter, a quality folding saw is often faster to grab, quieter, and safer than firing up a chainsaw for a quick job. For heavier storm cleanup or felling trees, you'll still want a powered tool.
Pull-stroke saws, common in Japanese-style designs, cut on the draw stroke and typically use a thinner blade for cleaner, less-effortful cuts.
Push-stroke saws cut on the forward stroke and tend to be more familiar to Western users, often with slightly more aggressive tooth geometry.
Wipe the blade dry after each use, especially if you've been cutting green or wet wood, and store it somewhere dry rather than a damp shed.
Our top pick uses SK5 high-carbon steel, which needs just a quick wipe-down and a drop of oil now and then to keep cutting clean.
Yes, this model's tooth configuration is one of the most versatile we've come across. The maker says it cuts hardwood and softwood clean without extra force. That versatility is part of why it comes out on top across our four comparison criteria.
Budget models often cut corners on steel quality and locking mechanisms, while premium options can cost significantly more for marginal gains in most home use cases.
Focus on getting the best combination of blade quality, grip comfort, and safety features you can find rather than chasing the lowest or highest price tag.
Purchase and Delivery Process
Ordering is refreshingly simple since the saw is sold exclusively through the manufacturer's site, cutting out retail markups entirely. I'll be honest with a fair warning though: when I went to buy mine, it was completely sold out and I waited nearly two weeks for a restock notification.
Demand has consistently outpaced supply since it hit the market, so if you see it in stock, I'd recommend ordering before it disappears again. Once your order goes through, shipping is quick, with most customers reporting delivery within a week.
Where Can I Buy the TrueKerf?
Getting your own TrueKerf with a 50% discount is simple. Just follow these steps: