5 Best Bow Saw Blade (for Cutting Logs) in 2023

Tired of all the blades that have been bending on you? How many times has your bow saw let you down because of that worthless blade?

Your frustration could easily escalate when you’re cutting a log, and the blade starts to bend. That fear has probably made you decide to check this out.

Don’t worry. We took the liberty of browsing through 20 products and picked the top five picks. This list will hopefully help you find the best bow saw blade for you! 

We know!

Picking the right one for your bow saw might be a tough ask. So we’ve also included additional tips at the bottom of the page. So be sure to check those out if you’re not running short on time.

1. Bahco 23-21 Bow Saw Blade

Bahco 23-21 Bow Saw Blade

  • Material: Steel
  • Length options: 5
  • Wood compatibility: Greenwood
  • Tooth type: Raker’s tooth
  • Item weight: 0.05KG

Starting off with this steel blade from Bahco. The Swedish company makes decent products for the tools industry. But are their blades sharp enough to cut through the smaller tree branches to clear a path?

Well, what sets this one apart is its ability to cut through soft or greenwood. The teeth are made in such a way that they provide the forward-backward motion effectively. So it shouldn’t get stuck in moist rots. 

Bow saws are pretty helpful when you have to clear a path during a trail or cut off smaller branches. And when they’re equipped with a blade of high caliber, they automatically become a great tool.

So, the question is, is this blade from Bahco of high caliber?

Well, let’s start off with what the blade offers. The fact that it comes in five different size options is a good thing. That’s because you can pick any size depending on the bow saw that you have.

This gives it an edge since not a lot of companies offer this many options.

They do claim that the finish is treated for rust prevention. But how accurate is the claim, you might ask? The blade seemed to hold up well in terms of the rusting. But whether it can survive the more challenging conditions is another concern.

If you’re one of those interested in the packaging, you might be delighted with the sleeve it comes in. But truth be told, you don’t get a ton of value because of this.

You might want to order a few blades at a time so that your workflow doesn’t slow down when one of them needs repairing.

We’re not too sure of its limits, but it should be able to cut through a log of 3-4 inches in diameter. 

Although it might not precisely cut through like butter, you might not have to struggle with it. It’s also safe to say that it’s compatible with the Bahco handle.

Another critical observation leads to us thinking that it does take a hit when it comes to cutting smaller branches. This could well be due to the larger gaps in the tooth pattern.

2. Bahco 51-21 Bow Saw Blade

Bahco 51-21 Bow Saw Blade

  • Material: Hardened and tempered steel
  • Length options: 5
  • Wood compatibility: Hardwood
  • Tooth Type: Peg’s tooth
  • Item weight: 0.04KG

Up next is another trooper from Bahco. Don’t get the wrong idea. We’ve got our reasons to pick two blades from the same company consecutively. So, let’s talk about it.

We’ve come up with a few takes with this one. So let’s start with what we liked about this blade. 

The biggest positive that came to our mind is the wide range of size options. You can get a blade as small as 12 inches or as long as 36 inches. So if you have multiple-sized bow saws, you can take advantage of these options.

Unlike the first one on our list, this one comes with a different tooth pattern. That’s right since it’s made for cutting hardwood, you will notice a slightly different pattern with this one.

They claim to have a good corrosion resistance treatment. But it’s going to be interesting to see how that holds up in the long run. 

We gave it a go against a few types of logs, and we saw decent results. It was enough to cut through maple, dry oak, poplar, and pine without much fuss. So you can probably assume that it should work decently with the dry logs.

But the blades do start to show their flaws when it comes to cutting greener wood. The blade pattern isn’t the best at cutting through the moist, soft patches inside the branches.

That’s probably why they stated that the blade is for cutting dry and hardwood only. And the claim is pretty decent considering the consistent pattern of the teeth of the blade. 

And if packaging gets you excited, you might be fascinated by this. Just like the first one on our list, this one also comes in an individually wrapped sleeve.

The suggestion of buying more than one of these blades remains for this one too. If you’re buying replacement blades for your bow saw, why not buy them in bulk? Multiple blades will allow you to swap them out when one requires repairing.

3. Truper 30273 Bow Saw Blade

Truper 30273 Bow Saw Blade

  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Length options: 3
  • Wood compatibility: Greenwood
  • Tooth type: Raker’s tooth
  • Item weight: 2.4 oz. 

Here we have one from Truper. It’s got a few things we’d like to bring to your attention. And you’re going to figure out why it isn’t any further up the ladder in this list too.

Let’s start with the options that you get. It’s the best thing about this one. You can get three lengths for the blades. So this gives you the freedom to choose.

Another big point you need to keep in mind is that you can even pick a saw along with the blade if you go for the 21 or 30-inch models. Replacement blades need to be super sturdy to keep up with the saw. 

So it’s rather difficult for a lot of brands to meet the requirements. You might even say that it’s the same for this one from Truper.

Just like any other bow saw blade, you have to replace the old rusty or bent blade before you can stick this one in. We’ll be getting into the details a bit later.

Since they were made with the raker tooth pattern, you would assume that they are good against softwood. But that’s clearly not the case with this blade.

You might have to deal with stuck blades, which would severely hamper your workflow. The problem that we’ve had is that the teeth are not that aggressive. It immediately leads to the teeth getting stuck on the softer patches on wood.

This is undoubtedly concerning since you would assume that a blade like this would suit greenwood. I mean, if it can’t fulfill the sole purpose for which it was built, what good is it?

If you’re in for hardcore wood-cutting, then this isn’t it, chief. You can most certainly find better options for the price you have to pay for this one. 

4. GreatNeck BS21 Bow Saw Blade

GreatNeck BS21 Bow Saw Blade

  • Material: Steel
  • Length options: 3
  • Wood compatibility: Greenwood
  • Tooth type: Raker’s tooth
  • Item weight: 1.58 oz. 

Coming in at fourth place is the BS21 from GreatNeck. We wouldn’t leave this one out just because of the naming. With our short time with it, we got to pick up some interesting points. And now, we’re about to share them.

First things first. If you want the absolute cheapest option among all the blades on this list, then this is it. But the cheaper price might take a dig at the build quality. So it’s only fair to say that you might not get the most out of this one.

GreatNeck does claim that the blade is built with “durable” material. But we aren’t too sure about that as the claims are pretty easy to make. The question is when push comes to shove, will this blade hold its own?

Well, the company also says that the blade is pretty flexible. I don’t know why that’s something that should be important to the end-user. But that doesn’t stop them from the claims.

You can probably wiggle it into the bow of the bow saw if that’s what they meant. It’s also said to be heat treated. Steel like these may get the heat treatment to increase durability. 

But we’re still not sure how this will hold up in a year or two. Let’s get real if you’re really buying something that cheap, are you hoping that it will last you too long?

We have to disagree with the company when it comes to rigorous use. But if you want this blade for occasional use, be my guest. It should do its job.

The teeth sharpening is another concern. Apparently, the teeth aren’t that sharp. Some of you might even say that they’re pretty dull. 

There’s also the fact that a layer of varnish is applied on top. This coating might grab wood while you’re cutting back and forth. So keep that in mind if you’re willing to pay for this.

Like we said, if you just want to clear some branches on a trail, this is decent at best. But you can’t get heavy-duty performance out of it. 

5. Fiskars 70259635J Bow Saw Blade

Fiskars 70259635J Bow Saw Blade

  • Material: Steel
  • Length options: 1
  • Wood compatibility: Greenwood
  • Tooth type: Raker’s tooth
  • Item weight: 0.16lbs. 

We’re at the end of the product reviews. So, if you’re still here, feel free to read on. This one from Fiskars might get your attention in more ways than one. So let’s dive right into the details.

Since it’s at the bottom of the list, you might automatically assume that it’s the worst of the bunch. But hold on to that thought. You might want to reconsider.

There are actually quite a few good things that the company claims about this blade. But the fact that you only get this in one size is a bummer. You can only buy this if you have a 21-inch bow saw frame.

They claim that the steel has a heat-treated surface which makes it more durable. But if you’ve been around this long, you should know that these kinds of claims don’t hold up too well.

We didn’t get a ton of time to test out the durability. But the blades should be able to clear out a path on a trail, for the most part.

This blade from Fiskars is also pretty decent for cutting the smaller limbs from trees. Those branches do cause a little trouble at times. So it’s good to know that this can at least live up to expectations if your expectations aren’t too high. 

But we can’t really let Fiskars off the hook just yet. They should have offered more size options, even if 21 inches is the most common length. 

Even after all this, if your mind’s really fixed on buying this blade, then go for it by all means. 

How to Install a Bow Saw Blade?

best bow saw blades

Since you’re searching for a good bow saw blade, it can only mean that you already have a bow saw. You also need to know how to wiggle that blade in.

So, if you’re willing to position that shiny new blade into the bow saw, read through the following steps. You can ignore this if you’re a true professional.

We’re going to divide the process into a few sections, so it’ll be a bit more intuitive for you. 

1. How is Your Current Blade Attached?

Before we can move forward with talks of the new blade, we need to find a way to get rid of the old one. If this is your first replacement job, be extra careful.

On the metal frame, which we call the “bow,” the blades are held in place. Only a couple of metal pins are enough to keep the blade in place.

If you have the new blade at hand, you will see that the blade has two holes on each end. These are where the pins go. Remember, the blade needs to be fully stretched to work precisely. That’s why it’s tightened with a wingnut. 

Now that you know about the positioning of the mechanism, time to remove it!

2. Removing the Blade

Step 1 – The Wingnut

The first thing to do while removing the blade is to turn the wingnut of the handle or the frame. Turn it in the anti-clockwise direction.

If you’re not too familiar with how the clock works, just remember the lefty loosey righty tighty technique. In this case, turn it left to loosen the wingnut. 

This nut controls how the bar below the handle works. You can move it forward by turning the wingnut anti-clockwise. This will allow the blade to come to a relaxed position. 

Step 2 – Unhooking the Blade

If you move the metal bar forward, the tension gets released. As we’ve said already, the blade comes into a relaxed position. So this is when you unhook it.

The unhooking mechanism is pretty simple. First, you have to unhook the side which is closer to the handle. Then you can pull the other end out with ease. 

3. Time to Install the New One

Now that you’re done with the old blade, let’s bring out the new shiny blade. 

Step 1 – Loosening the Wingnut

You have to loosen the wingnut even further so that the new blade doesn’t face any tension. Insert the blade into place and line the holes with the metal pins. 

Step 2 – Finishing Off

With the new saw blade in place, gently start to turn the wingnut again. Guess which way you’re going to be turning it this time. That’s right! In the clockwise direction!

Once the wingnut is fully tightened, your blade should be fully secured. Just give it a little wiggle to see if it’s fully stretched or not. You shouldn’t be able to move it sideways at all.

If you can move it, it means it’s not tight enough. Continue turning the wingnut till you can’t turn it anymore. And then you’ll be done! 

Is Green Wood Easier to Cut Than Dry Wood?

This is a question for the ages, isn’t it? I wouldn’t say that green wood is necessarily easier to cut than dry wood. That’s because this depends on the combination of a lot of factors.

Some would even say that cutting dry wood is way easier. Cutting green or softwood is trickier because there are a few softer patches inside the logs and limbs.

And your blade can quickly get stuck on these patches. That’s why blades designed for greenwood have a different tooth pattern called raker tooth. 

The unique pattern makes it easier to cut through the patches due to the two-directional teeth. You can easily slide back and forth with these blades if you have one that screams quality! 

Bow Saw Tips You Didn’t Know

If you’re searching for a bow saw blade, it’s probably because you already have a bow saw sitting in your garage. And you already know what you can do with it.

But we’re going to get through a few points that you probably haven’t heard about before.

A bow saw blade or the swede blade is typically used for crosscutting branches. If you’re an expert, you should know that they can easily cut through firewood with the cross-cutting technique. 

You can easily cut off tree limbs that went haywire. They can cause a bit of trouble, especially in trails or maybe even your garden. So clearing a path with these swede saws is a good idea.

What you don’t know is that they struggle to cut through trees with bigger diameters. But that’s a given because that’s what chainsaws are for, right?

There used to be giant bow saws back in the 70s, but now the most common longer length is 36 inches. The bigger the blade, the bigger the log it can trim. So do keep that in mind. 

You also have to keep in mind that the bigger saws are harder to handle. Your hands can quickly get tired after a few minutes with those. But if you enjoy the exercise, who’re we to stop you? 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Does the number of teeth on my blade matter?

Answer: It does matter at times. It depends on the finish you want on your final wood pieces. Since bow saws aren’t used industrially to cut the wood into pieces, this shouldn’t be a huge issue. But more teeth do generate a finer surface.

Question: Should I tighten my blade with another tool?

Answer: We don’t recommend doing that at all. Your thumb and your index finger should be enough to tighten. Remember, you don’t want the blade to move sideways, but you can ignore a bit of flex. 

Question: Should I loosen the wingnut when I’m not using the saw?

Answer: Some people do advise to loosen the nut when you’re not using it. The concept here is that you might stretch the steel since it’s pretty thin. But we don’t think that should truly affect the sharpness of the teeth. 

Final Words

With that out of the way, it’s time to part ways. It’s been a long ride, but we hope you liked it. This article should help you find the best bow saw blade for you.

Don’t forget to get back to us when you’ve finally gotten your hands on the blade. Stay tuned for more content on woodworking. Good luck!

Kevin Smith

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