The Survivalists Guides

survival chainsaw, double sided pocket chainsaw

Top 5 Best Pocket Chainsaw Reviews for Survival 2025

Whether chopping logs for firewood or shelter while camping or removing fallen trees off a hiking track, a good pocket chainsaw comes in very handy.
survival chainsaw, double sided pocket chainsaw

In search of the top pocket chainsaw? Choosing the appropriate equipment is essential whether you’re preparing for a wilderness excursion or simply need to do some difficult trimming at home. Pocket chainsaws are ideal for portability and fast, effective cutting.

An excellent instrument for felling a tree or chopping up a log is an axe, or even better, a chainsaw. However, neither tool is useful for splitting up a log for firewood on a backcountry camping trip, nor for clearing a fallen tree on a mountain bike trail due to their size and weight. You will most likely require a pocket chainsaw for these kinds of scenarios. Instead, you should consider the use of a pocket chainsaw.

With the help of two sizable nylon handles and chainsaw blades up to 36 inches long, users of this practical survival gear may easily chop through medium-sized trees and branches. A pocket chainsaw, in contrast to its heavier counterparts that run on gas or batteries, weigh less than 0.5 pounds (6 or 7 ounces) and can be conveniently carried in a belt or pack thanks to their compact design.

Let’s examine the best choices accessible to ensure that you can easily locate the pocket chainsaw that suits your demands.

What is a Pocket Chainsaw?

A pocket chainsaw is a small, lightweight saw with handles fastened to both ends of a chain blade that resembles those on regular chainsaws. By moving the chain back and forth, you can manually cut through wood. When trimming tree limbs, pocket chainsaws come in handy because they don’t have the weight or space allocation requirements of a regular chainsaw. For outdoor activities like hiking, camping, or general outdoor survival scenarios where chopping wood fast and efficiently is required, this tool is perfect.

best pocket chainsaw, camping chainsaw

How Pocket Chainsaws are tested

Even if pocket chainsaws don’t cost a lot of money, buying one and having it break is still annoying. To be sure they had what it takes to be on the list, all of the saws on it have been through practical testing. Firstly, we compiled a list of the most crucial characteristics a portable chainsaw needs and then spent hours thoroughly researching items to compile a list of those we thought best meet the requirements.

rope pocket chainsaw, survival hand chainsaw

Our Favorites

I have selected some of the top pocket chainsaws available and have listed them below. The choices were influenced by various factors, including the length of the saw, the number of teeth on the blade, and the robustness of the handles. Medium-sized trees and their branches that you would generally cut while out on a camping trip can be cut with any of the products listed below but pay attention to the reviews if you want something for those bigger jobs.

Our Top Pick

Campndoor 36-Inch Heavy Duty Pocket Chainsaw

Campndoor 36-Inch Heavy Duty Pocket Chainsaw
Product Details 
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Teeth: 48 Tiger Claw/Anti-Clog Dozer teeth
  • Blade Material: 65Mn Carbon Fired Steel
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Weight: 0.5 lbs
Pros
  • Relatively lightweight
  • Comes with a carry case that can easily be attached to a backpack or belt
  • The 48 Tiger Claw and Bulldozer teeth are able to cut quickly and smoothly with ease
  • The nylon handles are thicker than some others making them strong and comfortable when cutting
Cons
  • No additional accessories like weight bags or fire starters included in this kit

For those seeking a combination of cost and quality, the 36-inch Campndoor pocket chainsaw could be the best option available. According to Campndoor, the chain on this saw can endure 4,000 Newtons (roughly 900 pounds) of force. This chainsaw has exceptional durability and cutting power with 48 Tiger Claw/Anti-Clog Dozer Teeth and is made of carbon-fired steel. The chain itself is thicker than a lot of the cheaper alternatives on the market and remains sharp after substantial periods of use.

The two nylon handles are also much thicker than some of the other models making them much stronger and more comfortable. To keep it safe and secure when working or hiking, it comes with a thick, sturdy carrying bag with a belt loop and a hook-and-loop closing.

Although there were no extra attachments included with the saw, it had one of the best carrying cases in this list. It is perfect for camping, hiking, and emergency scenarios thanks to being lightweight, easy to carry, and fits well into any survival pack.

The ‘Big Job’ Pick

Nordic Pocket Saw Arborist Pocket Chainsaw Kit

Nordic Pocket Saw Arborist Pocket Chainsaw Kit
Product Details:
  • Length: 32 inches
  • Teeth: 43
  • Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Weight: 2.73lbs
Pros:
  • High limb removal using the 33-foot handle attachment straps
  • Chain is double sided so you can cut without having to adjust
Cons:
  • High limb cutting requires two people to correctly operate

With the Nordic Pocket Saw Arborist chainsaw kit, you can easily make your way through branches and trees. With its 32-inch chain that has teeth pointing in two directions on both sides, this pocket chainsaw can swiftly cut through wood in any direction. It can also chop off limbs up to 26 feet above the ground thanks to the handle attachments.

The arborist chainsaw is equipped with multiple accessories to get the bigger jobs done including two 33-foot straps, two extra adjustable nylon handles, three weight sacks for tossing over limbs, and a carrying case for the chainsaw itself.

This is truly a must have for anyone wanting to tackle those bigger projects in the hard to reach places. The ease of use with having the saw teeth on both sides, which lets you start cutting as soon as you toss it over a branch without having to adjust, is a huge time saver. Additionally, the weight bags and case are made of very high-quality materials. The saw seems more robust and dependable than any other on this list due to the thick nylon straps, heat-treated high-carbon steel chain, and steel teeth.

This pocket saw can quickly chop through dense wood since it has an aggressive design with 43 teeth per side, which sets it apart from the others. Though it works great with one person without the straps, the biggest criticism is that once the extension straps are on for the higher limbs, this quickly becomes a two-person job.

Best Budget Option

Sumpri 36-Inch Pocket Chainsaw and Firestarter Kit

Sumpri 36-Inch Pocket Chainsaw and Firestarter Kit
Product Details 
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Teeth: 16
  • Blade Material: Carbon Steel
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Weight: 8.4 ounces
Pros 
  • Includes a whistle, nylon pouch and fire starter
  • Longer chain with teeth that stay sharper for longer.
  • Affordable price making it a good starter option
  • The carbon steel chain cuts smoothly
Cons
  • May not last for the long term due to the chain and handles being on the thinner side

Because of its low cost, this pocket chainsaw is a valuable tool for survivalists, trekkers, and mountain bikers on a tight budget. Although the blade may not be as good as those of more expensive models, its heat-treated steel and long chain provide plenty of cutting force.

The lengthy straps of the Sumpri chainsaw fit snugly around the wrists, ensuring a stable fit when imparting the necessary tension for cutting. After cutting is finished, the chain slides into a convenient nylon carrying bag, which fastens shut with a clip to keep the chain safely closed. Mountain biking or trekking can be done with the carrying bag easily accessible by attaching it to a belt. To light the chopped wood, there is an all-weather magnesium fire starter supplied with the kit. With the fire starter included, the package weighs only around ½ pound, making it quite small to fit in a pack or wear on the hip.

Considering its low cost, this pocket chainsaw is a great addition to any emergency kit or survival backpack. Although it doesn’t cut swiftly, it does provide a clean cut and the teeth kept sharp. Though it may pose a problem for long-term durability, the thinnest handles and chain in the test contribute to its lightweight nature. The Sumpri was a great value for the money, especially for someone who only intended to use it in an emergency.

Comfortable Grip Pick

Skyocean Pocket Chainsaw With Paracord Handle

Skyocean Pocket Chainsaw With Paracord Handle
Product Details
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Teeth: 16
  • Blade Material: Carbon Steel
  • Handle material: Paracord
  • Weight: 5.6 ounces
Pros
  • With its versatile paracord handle, it’s ideal for camping, hiking, and emergency scenarios.
  • The broad, rounded paracord hands makes for a comfortable grip
  • It’s lightweight so wont weigh down your emergency kits or backpack.
Cons
  • Slow cutting with only 16 teeth
  • Needs ongoing and regular maintenance as the teeth don’t stay sharp for long.

The majority of pocket chainsaws have a nylon handle, however Skyocean have decided to ditch that idea. The handles are made of broad, rounded paracord that wont cause painful pressure points making them the most comfortable on this list. The handle can also be untied and unraveled to create a 23-foot emergency rope that can support up to 220 pounds, making it unique in the market.

This pocket chainsaw features sixteen bidirectional, heat-treated steel teeth with a cutting length of 36 inches. With a weight of slightly more than 5 ounces (⅓ pound), this chainsaw is convenient to store in an emergency kit or backpack. This saw’s main drawback is that, despite being smooth, it takes a while to finish a cut because it only has 16 teeth that require regular maintenance.

Compact King

Yokepo Pocket Chainsaw Survival Kit

Yokepo Pocket Chainsaw Survival Kit
Product Details 
  • Length: 24 inches
  • Teeth: 33
  • Blade Material: Alloy Steel
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Weight: 6.4 ounces
Pros 
  • Lightweight design for easy carrying in on a belt or in a backpack
  • 33 bidirectional teeth for faster cutting
  • Sharp long-lasting teeth.
Cons 
  • Shorter length making it not suitable for bigger jobs and you will have to bend over slightly further when using it
  • The thinner handles aren’t the most comfortable

Although Yokepo’s hand chainsaw is only 24 inches long, it has a lot of bite compared to most of the others. Compared to most longer variants, it features more than twice as many cutting teeth. In addition, those teeth are robust due to their high-carbon steel construction, which keeps their edges sharp.

The wide nylon handles of the saw can be held in your hands for greater control, or you can wrap them around your wrists for extra leverage. Weighing less than half a pound, this pocket chainsaw kit also includes a paracord bracelet that doubles as an emergency whistle and a fire starter which is a nice added bonus.

The 33 teeth enable it to cut through wood quickly and cleanly. It rolls up into a much smaller bag than other saws thanks to being on the shorter side, and it weighs less. This saw requires a little more bending over than the others, but because of its large number of teeth, you won’t have to do so for very long. The downside with this pocket chainsaw is with the grips being relatively thin and uncomfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Pocket chainsaw vs camping axe, how do they compare?

Each has benefits and drawbacks. An axe is much heavier than a pocket chainsaw and cant cut through branches and trees as swiftly. However, axes can have more uses. For example, they can turn over and hammer in tent stakes. Large tree stumps can also be split by them, making them valuable firewood.

Q. What is the best length for a pocket chainsaw?

For ease of usage, a pocket chainsaw should have a minimum length of 24 inches. With more cutting blades per inch, shorter variants can cut more efficiently; longer 36-inch ones with fewer blades need less force to operate.

Q. What is the best method for sharpening a chainsaw?

To sharpen a pocket chainsaw, use a round file. Spread out the chainsaw over a sturdy surface, such a metal vise, and use a file to individually sharpen each blade by rubbing it against the chain at a 45-degree angle to each tooth and perpendicular to the chain. To generate a sharp edge, run the file over the tooth’s sides.

Q. How long does a pocket chainsaws last?
A pocket chainsaw’s lifespan is influenced by build quality, maintenance, and frequency of use. The chain’s lifespan can be greatly increased by timely sharpening, good storage, and routine cleaning.

Q. What else can you use a pocket chainsaw on?
Wood cutting is the main purpose of pocket chainsaws. Applying them to other materials, such metal or plastic, may cause the chain to become dull or break.

Q. What are pocket chainsaw safety considerations to keep in mind?
It’s important to use a pocket chainsaw safely. It is advised to wear gloves and eye protection to prevent splinters and particles. It’s crucial to make sure the wood is firmly in place and to continue using the right cutting technique and body balance.

Q. Can you use a pocket chainsaws in the wet?
Pocket chainsaws may have trouble in wet situations because moisture reduces friction, which makes cutting efficiently challenging. Generally speaking, using them on damp wood is not advised.

Q. Can a manual chainsaw replace a powered chainsaw?
Although pocket chainsaws are quite portable and helpful for light cutting, they are not appropriate for heavy-duty operations like falling large trees. Because of their power and capability for cutting, traditional chainsaws are more appropriate for these kinds of activities.

Scroll to Top