Like anything else in life, having the right tools while camping makes a difference. A huge difference. And for anyone looking to go boondocking (or dry camping or minimalist camping), you’re not bringing a whole lot. Part of the idea is to make do with what nature makes available. Even with an RV parked nearby, a big part of being able to do that means that you’ll need cutting tools for camping. And five are absolute must-haves.
The cutting tools for camping that you simply can’t do without are a folding saw, a buck saw, an axe, a camping knife, and a multitool. The trick is that these tools need to be small enough to pack up easily and safely, but they still need to be able to do their jobs efficiently. For example, a camping axe needs to be easy to pack and transport. But also, a great camping axe must be perfectly designed to make short work of splitting firewood. Perfectly designed axes are ergonomic, and have both a sturdy poll and an edge that stays sharp. There are a lot of camping axes on the market, but there are only a few great ones find that perfect balance — between weight and function — for RVers.
Wandering in the Google-search forest for the perfect cutting tools for camping can be agonizing. Soooo many options. That’s why I’ve cut things down. This list is of edged tools that not only apply to camping, but that reviewers say they won’t camp without. Whether you need to build a campfire or fry up some freshly caught fish, these cutting tools for camping will be your best friend in whichever wilderness you park.
A Folding Saw to Stash Away
Corona RazorTooth Folding Saw
Folding saws are one of the handiest edged tools to have in your camping tool kit. A good folding saw is easy to pack. Easy to deploy. It should be sturdy — and cut through branches and small logs in seconds. Because it does all these things, the Corona RazorTooth folding saw receives more love from reviewers than its jagged-toothed peers. Reviewers also loved its ergonomically designed grip and curved chrome plated 5SK carbon steel blade. It makes slicing through logs fast and effortless. Plus, the RazorTooth folds into a locking cover to protect its sharp teeth when its not in use.
Here’s another thing. The Corona RazorTooth folding saw’s six teeth per inch and curved blade are impulse-hardened. That means it should last through a lifetime of camping seasons. Even so, Corona sells replacement blades just in case you manage to break the blade. Overall, it’s easy to understand why reviewers regard the Corona RazorTooth Folding saw as an outstanding value purchase.
A Buck Saw That Fears No Log
Agawa Canyon 24 Folding Bucksaw
A folding camping saw is enough to get you through branches and small logs. But when it comes to bigger logs (or downed trees), you’ll need a bigger, more substantial saw. A camping bucksaw is the perfect tool for this. (Especially when you don’t want the hassle — or weight — of a chainsaw.) The Agawa Canyon Boreal 24 folding bucksaw is durable bucksaw that’s designed to provide many camping seasons worth of high-performance cutting. So much so that the company offers a lifetime warranty on every part of this saw except the replaceable stainless steel blade.
The Agawa Canyon’s fiberglass reinforced nylon handle is available in two color options: yellow and green. The rest of the trapezium shaped frame is made of sturdy, lightweight aluminum. By the way, a simple lever design quickly folds this bucksaw neatly for storage when you aren’t using it. When it’s in storage mode, its sharp teeth are protected inside the frame to avoid damage. Reviewers loved the Agawa Canyon Boreal 24 folding bucksaw’s rugged design. And its sharp blade. And, of course, its ease of deployment. One reviewer said he loves using his so much he whips it out whenever possible. At just under 1.5 pounds, this bucksaw is easy to carry on hiking adventures too.
An Axe to Make Firewood Tremble
19 inch Gränsfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
As previously mentioned, a good camping axe needs to be lightweight and easy to pack. But equally important, it needs to be worth packing. In other words, it needs to be able to split firewood quickly — with as little effort as possible. Reviewers love that the Grãnsfors Bruks small forest axe does all this in a compact, yet functional size. The 19-inch Gränsfors Bruks small forest axe isn’t cheap. However, it’s one of those camping tools that’s handcrafted to last a lifetime. Each Gränsfors Bruks ax head is stamped with the mark of the smith who forged it.
Indeed the craftsmanship in this perfectly balanced axe is phenomenal. It’s probably the most beautiful tool you could have in your camping tool kit. Beauty aside, this axe is the ideal size to be useful without being cumbersome. Reviewers love how razor sharp this axe is. They also like that it comes with a leather cover to help ensure no one is inadvertently injured by that razor sharp head. With a 2.5-pound weight, it’s not the lightest camping axe out there, but it’s sharp blade and perfect balance make it the best axe by far.
A Survivalist-Style Knife
Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife
A great camping knife has to be sturdy, ergonomic, and stay sharp. And not just when you order it. A good knife keeps those qualities even after you use it to filet fresh caught fish, split kindling, and whittle sticks for roasting marshmallows. The Morakniv Kansbol fixed blade knife is a camp favorite, especially when it comes to choosing a tough, ergonomic, and multifunctional camping knife.
This knife’s 4.29-inch stainless steel blade is meant to stay sharp throughout the heavy demands of camping. In total, it weighs a measly 6.25 ounces. On top of being highly functional, the Morakniv Kansbol fixed blade knife comes with a survival sheath, which features its own integrated fire starter and a handy built-in sharpener. Reviewers also liked that the Kansbol comes sharp, right out of the box. But they were also impressed by the overall quality of the Morakniv Kansbol knife. Many reviewers described it as a great all around camping knife.
A Multitool to Handle Odd Jobs
Leatherman Signal 19-in-1 Multitool
Leatherman has long been renowned for providing the most versatile tools around —to have with you no matter what you’re taking on. And for good reasons: These well-made multitools have loads of features you don’t find in any other tool in its class. The Leatherman Signal 19-in-1 multitool is no exception.
The Signal’s ability to provide every survival tool necessary to get through nearly any emergency was well appreciated by reviewers. It’s a fully featured tool. Reviewers found a lot to love about this surprisingly compact, 4.5-inch tool. For starters, they loved that it has a functional saw that can saw through small sticks. And, of course, there’s it’s very sharp versatile knife which can be used for sharpening sticks, splitting kindling, or cutting food. The detachable ferro rod and striker are handy for starting a campfire. Not to mention always-useful Leatherman pliers that have a built in wirecutter.
The Leatherman Signal packs a lot into a tool that’s small enough to fit in a pocket comfortably. (It also has a built-in clip to hold it there.) However, if you don’t like having things in your pockets, it also comes with its own holster that you can attach to a belt, and a combination bottle opener/carabiner clip that allows you to clip it onto a backpack or belt loop. Reviewers felt even for its somewhat hefty price tag, the Leatherman Signal Multi-tool is a great value because it’s useful for so many camping tasks.
Final Thoughts on Cutting Tools for Camping
Like we said, having good tools makes all the difference — especially when you’re parked somewhere that you either have it or you don’t. The cutting tool for camping share certain qualities. They’re both functional and highly durable. Doing tasks around the campsite can be fun when your tools do the job efficiently and don’t quickly lose their edge or fall apart. Up front, it can be a real game changer. Having sharp, efficient tools makes it easy to enjoy camping tasks. And if you don’t believe me, just try the alternative. When your tools aren’t up to par, camping tasks are agonizing. But with these tools, you can cut that out altogether.
Leave a Reply