Are you in the market for the best pocket chainsaw? The market is oversaturated with a vast selection of portable chainsaws.
Thus, if you are not knowledgeable about this particular overlanding accessory, it will be a daunting task to choose one for you.
To combat that issue, we have jotted this post down with reviews of some of the best pocket chainsaws available out there. Add in the fact, we will also share some useful information regarding portable hand saws as a comprehensive buying guide.
Best Pocket Chainsaw
Best Pocket Chainsaw – Reviews
This pocket saw from ‘We Do Lifestyles’ comes with a lot of great features. Along with that, you are getting it at a very reasonable price. One of the main features of this one is that it comes with more teeth. Matter of fact, it has blades on every link. As a result, it can cut faster and efficiently compared to the other options.
In addition, this portable chainsaw comes with a carry pouch with a belt loop and front clip. At the same time, it is also MOLLE compatible. The main chain is 24 inches long and it weighs about 4.2 ounces. This is a bi-directional chainsaw. That means it can cut both ways.
This is a multipurpose chainsaw. So, it will be useful at home to prune any type of trees, branches, or limbs. On the other hand, you can throw it on your overland essentials bag as a handy accessory. The chainsaw comes with nylon hand straps that are very comfortable and sturdy.
As there are no plastic or metal handles, it has become very much portable. You can even take it in your pocket without any issue. You can sharpen this with any standard chain saw blade sharpener. Overall, this could be a great pick if you are looking for a sharp and multipurpose pocket chainsaw.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The majority of the former buyers are very satisfied with the performance of the pocket chainsaw. They also liked that it is very much affordable. Some of them even said that this is by far the best chainsaw available for the price.
Pros:
- Comes with a carrying pouch with a belt loop
- It has bi-directional cutting teeth
- Easy to resharpen
- Comes with comfortable nylon hand straps
Cons:
- Nothing major to mention
Review of Nordic Pocket Saw Survival Chainsaw
Nordic has a great collection of survival chainsaws. But this is the ‘ORIGINAL’ version Nordic pocket chainsaw. This is available in 3 colors that are red, green, and orange. The overall length of the chainsaw with the handles is 43.7 inches.
Whereas the length of only the chain is 25.6 inches. The chainsaw is made with high carbon heat-treated steel. Due to that, it will be durable, long-lasting, and will cut through wood or other things like butter.
The handles of this chainsaw are made with heavy-duty nylon materials. These are extra-wide, flexible, and very comfortable to grip. The chainsaw weighs about only 132 gm. You will get a free portable pouch with this one.
The pouch is also made with hard-shell nylon material that will protect the chain saw from various outdoor elements. At the same time, your body will be protected from the sharp chainsaw blades because of the carry bag.
There are 33 bi-directional blades in this chainsaw. That indicates that it can be used for cutting in both ways. It has teeth on every link of the chain saw. For all these features, it is very easy to use this for fast cutting even large trees or branches.
On top of that, you can sharpen the chainsaw with a 4 mm round chainsaw file. As these types of sharpening tools are very common, you will not face any troubles re-sharpening the self-cleaning chainsaw from time to time.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This is another fan favorite product. Almost all the buyers of this chain saw considered it as one of the best chainsaws out there. They are praising the build quality and the ease of use feature of this portable saw. The users also praised the fast cutting ability of this product.
Pros:
- Durable, lightweight, and portable
- Comes with 5 years warranty
- It is a bi-directional chain saw
- Comes with a carry pouch
Cons:
- Nothing major to mention
Review of RelyOnUs Pocket Chain Saw
If you are looking for a cheap yet high-quality pocket chain saw, then you could check this one out. This one has almost all the similar features to the previous ones we have talked about. But it is priced very reasonably as well.
This chain saw is made with nickel-chromium-molybdenum heat-treated steel. The heavy-duty construction will offer you long-term service. In addition, it will not go dull after a few uses. This pocket saw comes with bi-directional teeth. That way, you can use it for cutting in both ways.
The length of the chains is 24 inches. It weighs about 5 ounces. However, it doesn’t come with teeth on every link. Rather, they have integrated cutting teeth on every third link. That way, it will not jam and the cutting process would be efficient.
The handles of this self-cleaning chainsaw are made with canvas materials. So, it is flexible yet strong and comfortable to grip. You will also get a free carrying bag with a belt loop. So, you can carry this portable chainsaw with you all the time without any issue. For the price, this portable hand saw could be a very good deal.
What Previous Buyers Said?
A few buyers stated that it could jam when used for the first time. But after that, it becomes smooth while cutting. Other than that, the buyers were very pleased with the performance of this chain saw. They also loved that it comes with a carrying pouch.
Pros:
- It has bi-directional teeth
- Comes with canvas strap handles
- Made with heat-treated carbon steel
- It has a lifetime replacement guarantee
- Comes with a carry bag
Cons:
- Would be hard to use it for the first couple of times
Review of Freehawk 25-Inch Saw/Survival Pocket Chain Saw
The next pocket chainsaw comes from ‘Multi Outools’. Now, this is also another budget-friendly pocket chainsaw. This chain saw is made with heat-treated steel material (high carbon steel). As a result, you can be assured that it will serve you for a long time.
This portable pocket saw has 11 sharp cutting teeth. You will also love the folding section design. Because of that, it will be very easy to fold it and throw it in a carrying bag. Speaking of carrying bags, you will get a free carrying pouch with this.
Both the pouch and the handles of this chainsaw are made with nylon. Due to that, you can easily extend the chain saw by adding rope to both the handles. Another pro of using nylon straps for handles is that it will be comfortable to grip. Nylon also has a long lifespan.
The total length of the chainsaw with the handle straps is 40.50 inches. Whereas only the chain has a length of 25 inches. The weight of the chain saw is about 4 ounces. You can see that it is a very lightweight chainsaw. So you can use it for both indoor and outdoor applications. It can easily be one of the most essential survival accessories while overlanding.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The previous buyers of this chainsaw had mixed feelings about this. A portion of the buyers have said that the chain saw takes a long time for cutting. They also said the handle straps could be designed more ergonomically.
On the other hand, some customers praised the price to performance ratio of this portable chainsaw. They have said that it is a great performer for the price.
Pros:
- Made with high-carbon heat-treated steel
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Very lightweight, portable, yet durable
- Comes with folding section design
Cons:
- Cuts slowly compared to other high-quality ones
Review of Paracord Pocket Chainsaw
If you are looking for a pocket chainsaw for gifting someone, then this could be it. Why? First off, it comes with most of the premium features that you will want on the best pocket chain saw. Along with that, they pack this chainsaw in a beautiful gift box. So this could essentially be one of the best choices when it comes to picking a chainsaw as a gift.
Another unique feature of this chain saw is that it comes with military-grade paracord handles instead of those generic nylon straps. This is definitely an ergonomic feature, which makes it very comfortable to use the chainsaw for a longer session.
If you are using this chainsaw for an extended period of time, it will not put stress on your hand. The ergonomic paracord handles can also come in handy in many survival situations if you simply untie it.
There are many chainsaws that are too short for cutting through hardwood. But not this one as it is a 36-inch long pocket chain saw. As a result, it makes cutting thicker limbs easier and faster. In total, there are 16 sharp blades in this chain saw and it weighs about 6 ounces.
You will get a free carrying pouch with this as well. The carrying pouch is also made with durable material. The chainsaw itself is made with heat-treated steel (high carbon steel). Overall, if you want a powerful, portable, durable, comfortable to use pocket chainsaw, then this should be on your top-priority list.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The majority of the buyers of this chainsaw are very happy with this. They have admired the heavy-duty build quality of the saw. They also liked that it has paracord handles, which can come in handy in many situations. Other buyers also praised the packaging quality of this product.
Pros:
- Comes with paracord handles
- Made with high carbon heat-treated steel
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
- It has bi-directional and self-cleaning teeth
- Comes with a carrying pouch
Cons:
- The price could be a bit lower
Review of UST SaberCut Chain Saw
The last one on our list is another 24-inch chainsaw. So, it could be a bit short for many of you. Like others, this is also another double-sided or bi-directional chain saw. Thus, it can cut both ways. The non-binding sharp cutting teeth can cut at various angels without any jamming.
On top of that, the blades are self-cleaning. So this will barely need any maintenance. You can also re-sharpen the chainsaw using any standard ⅛ inches saw blade sharpener. The chain saw features nylon wrist straps. These are flexible yet strong and very comfortable to grip. You will also love the inclusion of a carrying case with the chainsaw.
The pouch is made with nylon, which makes it lightweight and durable at the same time. Without the carrying pouch, the chainsaw weighs about 4.3 ounces. The length of the chainsaw with the straps measure to 39.5 inches. You can also extend the chain saw by adding ropes to both ends.
The storage case comes with hook-and-loop closure, so you can attach it to your backpack while backpacking. It could easily cut through woods, trees, limbs, without jamming. This will be a long-lasting chainsaw even without priority maintenance. For the money, it is not a bad deal at all. Rather, if you are running on a lower budget, you can check this one out.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The past buyers of this pocket chainsaw have left mixed feedback about this one. Some of them said that the wrist straps are not durable. Also, it could be a bit ergonomic for longer use sessions. While on the other side, most buyers are praising the sharpness and durability of the hand chainsaw. They are saying that it is a top-notch self-cleaning chainsaw at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Comes with nylon made carry case
- It is a bi-directional chainsaw
- It is a self-cleaning chainsaw
- Portable, flexible, and durable hand saw chain
Cons:
- Not great for thinker limbs
Buying Guide – Best Pocket Chainsaw
Why Use a Pocket Chainsaw?
A pocket chainsaw could be one of the most important accessories that you can carry in your Bug Out Bag. There are many advantages of using a portable chainsaw in your overlanding adventures. First of all, it can work as a standard chainsaw but it is not the same size as one.
You will use both a standard chainsaw and a pocket chainsaw for cutting trees, branches, limbs, etc. However, you know that it is very inconvenient to carry a big chain saw with you all the time while overloading or camping because of its large size.
Another drawback of the standard chainsaw is the noise. They tend to be heavier as well. On the other hand, you will need fuel or electricity to power up the standard chainsaw. But in the wild, it is not always possible to find a power source.
On the other hand, you will not face any of these issues with a hand chainsaw. For instance, you can carry it in your pocket or in a carrying pouch that almost all of them come with for free. Also, as they are manual, there will be no noise at all.
The only issue with the pocket chainsaw is that you will have to use physical labor to operate it. As a result, it might not be the most efficient and fastest way for cutting trees or woods.
But you know while camping or overlanding, a pocket chain saw can come in handy under various circumstances. So, for outdoor enthusiasts, a pocket chainsaw is a must-have accessory.
A pocket chainsaw would definitely do the job here
When would you need a Pocket Chainsaw?
Bug out bag
If you have already prepared a bug out bag or are thinking of getting one for emergencies, you should include a pocket chainsaw on the list. It could be useful in a variety of scenarios like cutting hardwoods, building shelter, removing obstacles, etc.
Survival Kit
A survival kit will not be completed if you don’t have a pocket chainsaw in it. These are so space-saving that you can slip one in your survival kit anyway. Because you never know when it could come in handy.
Gift
It goes without saying that pocket chainsaws or any pocketknives could be an amazing gift idea. If you have any friends or family member, who is an outdoor enthusiast, you could light up their day with this simple yet effective cutting tool.
Factors to Look Out For When Considering a Chainsaw
Build Quality
When it comes to cutting tools, you should be concerned about the build quality of the product the most. A pocket chainsaw is a very simple tool. It has a linked chain, blades, and a pair of wrist straps for handles.
Now all of the parts of the best pocket chainsaws would come with robust build quality. If you maintain your new portable chainsaw, it would last for years if it has a durable build quality. It is better to go for a chainsaw that is made with heat-treated carbon steel material.
Rust/Corrosion proof
Typically, all the good quality pocket chainsaws would be rust and corrosion-proof. However, you should still check before buying whether the one you are buying is rust proof or not. Otherwise, your chainsaw will be damaged if it comes in contact with any liquid or moisture.
Size and Weight
You can guess that all pocket chainsaws would be fairly portable and lightweight. Then again, they come in various sizes and weights. The best portable pocket chainsaw would be compact, lightweight, portable yet efficient in cutting. So, try to find one that strikes the perfect balance between portability and cutting quality.
Teeth per Inch
There is a correlation between the teeth per inch and the quality of cut using a pocket hand chain saw. Simply put, if there are more teeth per inch in a chainsaw, it would be very smooth and effective to operate. Also, it would deliver cleaner cuts. On the other hand, it would take a long time to perform the cut compared to a chainsaw with fewer teeth per inch.
So, it is up to you which one you are going to prefer. Depending on that choice, you should pick your next pocket chainsaw. But in general, more teeth per inch is the ideal choice for campers and overlanders. Plus, you should look for bi-directional teeth in a chainsaw.
Best Books On Overlanding
Storage Pouch and Accessories
The best pocket portable chainsaw should come with some additional accessories. For instance, most top brands will provide a free storage pouch with the chainsaw. Now, you should see whether the carrying bag is of good quality.
Typically, most good quality and durable carrying cases would be made with nylon. Also, it is better if the bag is MOLLE compatible or comes with a belt loop. As always, the inclusion of other accessories like fire starters, compass, whistles, sharpener, etc. could be a great plus.
Handles
One of the main parts of a pocket chainsaw is the handles. Most portable chainsaws come with nylon wrist straps for handles. However, some high-quality ones come with paracord handles. On the flip side, only the low-quality ones come with plastic handles.
If the chainsaw handles are not ergonomic and comfortable, then you will not be able to use it for an extended period of time. Thus, a comfortable and durable handle could change the way you use your pocket chainsaw.
Maintenance and Warranty
In the case of most heavy-duty pocket chainsaws, they don’t require much maintenance. Because most of them come with self-cleaning teeth. So if you take care of the chainsaw properly, it should serve you for a long time.
Also, make sure that it can be easily re-sharpened with a standard sharpening chainsaw file. On top of that, you should buy the product from a brand that is known for top-notch after-sale service and has a great warranty policy.
How much raw power should a Pocket Chainsaw pack?
There is no specific parameter here. Every best pocket chainsaw would come with an ergonomic and efficient design. The chainsaw should be able to cut through both thin and thick blocks of wood easily. At the same time, it should be able to endure the highest pulling force applied by the user.
How long should a good Pocket Chainsaw be?
Pocket chainsaws come in different sizes. Typically, you will find pocket chainsaws between 24 inches to 36 inches. In some cases, the length of a few particular chainsaws could be higher or lower. But we would suggest going with a portable saw that is between 24 to 26 inches.
Now, it is up to you to find the perfect balance when it comes to the length of your pocket chainsaw. Yet, it is better to go for a longer one than a shorter one. Also, if you need you can extend the length of a pocket chainsaw using ropes.
Sum Up – Best Pocket Chainsaw
The best pocket chainsaw would be a featureful one. For instance, it should come with bi-directional teeth, more teeth, razor-sharp blades, comfortable wrist handles, etc. On top of that, it should be durable and long-lasting as well. Above, we have reviewed some of the best pocket chainsaws that are also affordable.
So, we hope you will be able to find one that is the most suitable for your specific needs. But if you are still stuck making a decision, you can go with the ‘Paracord Pocket Chainsaw’. It is a very long chainsaw with paracord handles and many unique features. Also, it is very durable and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
