Bahco Laplander
Score: 85/100
Suizan Ryoba
Score: 92/100Rankings
The Suizan Ryoba is a professional-grade Japanese pull saw featuring a 9.5-inch double-edge blade with 9 TPI for rip cuts and 15 TPI for cross cuts. It utilizes razor-sharp Japanese steel with a thin kerf to deliver clean, precise cuts with minimal effort, available in folding and fixed handle variants.
The Bahco Laplander is a compact, lightweight folding pruning saw designed for bushcraft, camping, and trail maintenance with efficient push-pull performance. While it offers clean cuts on small wood, it is slower on thick green wood and lacks the speed of specialized backpacking saws. It is ideal for backpackers and campers needing a reliable tool for processing branches up to 5 inches.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
7.48 inches | 9.5 inchesbest | |
7 TPIbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.42 lbsbest | 0.44 lbs |
15.75 inches | 23.62 inchesbest | |
— | 0.5 mmbest | |
— | 2.5 inchesbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Handle & Ergonomics(2) | ||
Handle Material | Plastic/Rubber | Cane-wrapped or Polypropylene |
Handle Type | Ergonomic | Interchangeable |
Dimensions & Weight(2) | ||
Weight (lbs) | 0.42 lbs | 0.44 lbs |
Overall Length (inches) | 15.75 inches | 23.62 inches |
Performance & Usage(4) | ||
Intended Use | Bushcraft/Survival | Woodworking |
Saw Type | Folding | Japanese Pull Saw |
Cutting Action | Push/Pull | Pull |
Suitable Materials | Wood/Plastic/Bone | Wood |
Blade Specifications(5) | ||
Blade Length (inches) | 7.48 inches | 9.5 inches |
Teeth Per Inch (TPI) (TPI) | 7 TPI | 9/15 TPI |
Blade Material | Carbon Steel | Japanese Steel |
Blade Thickness (mm) | mm | 0.5 mm |
Blade Width (inches) | inches | 2.5 inches |
Build & Durability(1) | ||
Blade Coating | Black Powder Epoxy | null |
General(1) | ||
Warranty | Limited Lifetime | null |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Bahco Laplander for its reliability, precise mechanics, and superior wet grip, calling it an invaluable tool for bushcraft and camping. While it offers clean cuts and efficient push-pull performance on small to medium wood, experts note it is slower on thick green wood compared to curved alternatives like Silky or Corona.
Everyday users commonly praise the saw's lightweight portability, sharpness out-of-the-box, and secure locking mechanism, noting it handles small wood with minimal binding. Recurring complaints include slower cutting speeds on green or thick material, handle slipperiness in very wet conditions, and the blade's length limitation for larger tasks.
Professional reviewers, including Jonathan Katz-Moses, praise the Suizan Ryoba as a personal favorite for all-around hand sawing due to its weight balance, sharp edge, and thin kerf. Experts highlight the efficiency of the pull-stroke design and the durability of the Japanese steel, though they note that users must adapt to the non-cutting forward motion.
Everyday consumers commonly praise the saw for its immediate sharpness, smooth cutting performance, and lightweight efficiency compared to Western saws. Users appreciate the versatility of the dual-edge blade and the value for Japanese quality. Recurring complaints focus on the difficulty of cleaning cane handles, the initial learning curve for the pull stroke, and occasional cosmetic cracks in the hand-wrapped handles.
“eats through small wood”
“invaluable”
“My personal favorite for all around hand sawing”
