Best folding saw: quieter and safer than an axe for most camp wood
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Quick answer
A folding saw cuts limbs and firewood with less effort and risk than swinging an axe, then folds the teeth away for carrying. Pick by blade length: Silky lists its PocketBoy at 170 mm and 0.55 lb for packs, the Gomboy Curve at 240 mm and 0.63 lb for camp wood, and the BIGBOY 2000 at 360 mm and 1.05 lb for bigger limbs. Silky fits coarser teeth to its longer saws.
Three Silky saws compared
| Spec | PocketBoy 170 Outback | Gomboy Curve 240 Outback | BIGBOY 2000 360 Outback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | 170 mm straight (about 6.7 in) | 240 mm curved (about 9.4 in) | 360 mm curved (about 14.2 in) |
| Folded length | 8.27 in | 10.63 in | 15.94 in |
| Teeth | 8.5 tpi | 6.8 tpi | 5.5 tpi |
| Weight | 0.55 lb (248 g) | 0.63 lb (288 g) | 1.05 lb (478 g) |
| Replacement blade | Listed (751-17) | Listed (753-24) | Check listing |
Specs are from Silky Saws' product pages, checked October 2026; inch conversions are plain arithmetic.
Blade length and teeth per inch
- Length sets the limb size: a longer blade makes longer strokes, so it handles thicker limbs with less effort; the 360 mm BIGBOY is more than twice the 170 mm PocketBoy.
- Teeth per inch (tpi): Silky's larger saws use coarser teeth (5.5 tpi on the BIGBOY, 6.8 on the Gomboy) and its smallest uses finer teeth (8.5 tpi on the PocketBoy).
- Straight vs curved: the Gomboy and BIGBOY Outback saws have curved blades; the PocketBoy is straight.
- Cut angles: Silky says its Mirai-Me teeth have four cutting angles for rip, cross and slant cuts.
- Taper-ground, non-set teeth: Silky says this reduces resistance for smoother cutting.
Sizes and weights in plain numbers
- Ounces: 0.55 lb is about 8.8 oz for the PocketBoy, 0.63 lb about 10.1 oz for the Gomboy, and 1.05 lb about 16.8 oz for the BIGBOY, multiplying pounds by 16.
- Folded vs blade: the PocketBoy folds to 210 mm around a 170 mm blade; the BIGBOY folds to 405 mm around a 360 mm blade.
- Weight per inch of blade: the BIGBOY carries about twice the blade of the PocketBoy for under twice the weight (1.05 versus 0.55 lb).
- Handles: Silky says the Outback composite handle gives grip in wet, cold and game-processing conditions.
- Low glare: Silky says the Gomboy's black plating reduces reflection.
Why a saw before an axe
- Control: a saw cuts with steady strokes instead of swings, so there is no glancing blow toward your legs.
- Weight: even the 360 mm BIGBOY weighs 1.05 lb; see our camping axe guide for hatchet weights to compare.
- Quiet: useful near neighbors or in a campground.
- Pair them: saw to length, then split small rounds with a hatchet if needed.
Using a folding saw safely
- Open the blade fully and make sure it is locked in place before cutting.
- Support the wood so the cut opens rather than pinching the blade.
- Keep your free hand clear of the stroke path, and wear gloves.
- Let the teeth work: push and pull with steady pressure instead of forcing the blade.
- Fold it closed as soon as you finish, and carry it folded.
- Overhead limbs: stand clear of where a cut branch will fall, and leave large or hung-up limbs to professionals.
Care and replacement blades
- Plating: Silky says the Outback blades' black nickel and tin plating gives longer blade life and, on the Gomboy, reduces reflection.
- Hardened teeth: Silky says its impulse-hardened teeth stay sharp longer than non-hardened teeth; when a blade does dull, swap in a replacement.
- Replacement blades: PocketBoy (751-17) and Gomboy (753-24) Outback blades are sold separately.
- Clean sap: wipe sap and dirt off after use and dry the blade before folding.
Which one for your kit
- Go-bag or car kit: the PocketBoy 170 is the lightest and shortest folded, at 8.27 inches.
- Camp firewood: the Gomboy Curve 240 balances reach and weight; Silky says it can also cut bone.
- Storm cleanup and bigger limbs: the BIGBOY 2000 360 has the longest reach.
- Other tools: see our best machete guide for brush and vines.
What to look for when you buy
Lightest: Silky PocketBoy 170 Outback Edition
Best for: Go-bags, car kits and small limbs
Silky lists a 170 mm straight blade, 8.27 inch folded length, 8.5 tpi, 0.55 lb weight, a composite handle for wet or cold grip, and black plated, impulse-hardened teeth.
Watch out: Short stroke for thick limbs.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)All-around: Silky Gomboy Curve 240 Outback Edition
Best for: Camp firewood and trail work
Silky lists a 240 mm curved blade, 10.63 inch folded length, 6.8 tpi teeth and 0.63 lb, and says it cuts wood and bone.
Watch out: Curved blade takes a little practice for straight cuts.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Biggest reach: Silky BIGBOY 2000 360 Outback Edition
Best for: Storm cleanup and thicker limbs
Silky lists a 360 mm curved blade, 15.94 inch folded length, coarse 5.5 tpi teeth and 1.05 lb.
Watch out: Long when folded; too big for small packs.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What size folding saw is best?
- About 170 mm for packs, 240 mm for camp firewood and 360 mm for bigger limbs.
- Is a folding saw better than an axe?
- For limbs and firewood lengths a saw is light and avoids swinging; use a hatchet or axe for splitting.
- What does tpi mean on a saw?
- Teeth per inch; Silky uses 5.5 tpi on its 360 mm saw and 8.5 tpi on its 170 mm saw.
- Can you sharpen a Silky saw?
- Silky's teeth are impulse-hardened; Outback replacement blades are sold for when a blade dulls.
Sources
- PocketBoy Professional 170mm Outback Edition, Silky Saws
- Gomboy Curve Professional 240mm Outback Edition, Silky Saws
- BIGBOY Professional 2000 (360mm) Outback Edition, Silky Saws