6 Best Bow Saws For Clearing Thick Brush Around Fences Old Farmers Swear By
Discover the 6 best bow saws old farmers trust for clearing tough brush. We review top picks for blade tension, durability, and cutting power near fences.
There’s a moment every spring when you walk the back fence line and realize the woods are trying to reclaim it. Last year’s saplings are now woody teenagers, and thorny vines have woven themselves through the wire like they own the place. Your first instinct might be to grab the chainsaw, but for this job, there’s a smarter, safer, and quieter tool that old-timers have relied on for generations: the humble bow saw.
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Why a Bow Saw Beats a Chainsaw for Fence Lines
A chainsaw feels like the fastest solution, but it’s the wrong tool for fence work. The biggest risk is hitting a hidden T-post or a strand of wire, which can cause dangerous kickback and will absolutely destroy a chain in a split second. You spend more time worrying about what you might hit than you do actually cutting.
Bow saws, on the other hand, offer precision and control. You can slip the blade into tight spots between strands of wire to cut a sapling flush with the ground without ever touching metal. They’re quiet, so you can work early in the morning without waking the neighbors, and there are no fumes to breathe or engines to maintain.
This isn’t about raw power; it’s about surgical removal. When a young tree has grown through a section of woven wire, a chainsaw is useless. A bow saw lets you make careful, deliberate cuts on either side, freeing your fence with minimal hassle. It’s a tool that rewards patience and protects your property.
Bahco 10-24-23 Ergo: The All-Around Workhorse
If you only buy one bow saw, this is the one. The Bahco Ergo is a classic for a reason—it’s built from a solid steel tube that doesn’t flex or wobble when you’re putting pressure on it. The design is simple, rugged, and has been proven over decades of hard use.
The "Ergo" part of the name refers to the handle, which is designed to fit your hand comfortably and includes a knuckle guard. That small piece of plastic is a lifesaver when you’re clearing dense brush and your hand slips, preventing scraped and bloody knuckles against a tree trunk or fence post. It’s a small detail that shows the saw was designed by people who actually use them.
This saw comes with a high-quality blade that cuts aggressively on both the push and pull strokes, making quick work of green and dry wood. It has a simple, effective tensioning system that keeps the blade tight for straight, clean cuts. It’s the kind of tool you’ll hand down to your kids.
Fiskars 21-Inch Bow Saw: Lightweight Power
Not everyone needs a heavy-duty steel saw for light clearing. The Fiskars 21-inch saw is a modern take on the classic design, focusing on reducing weight without sacrificing cutting performance. If you have a long fence line to walk, the lighter weight makes a real difference by the end of the day.
Fiskars is known for smart design, and this saw is no exception. It includes a plastic blade guard that snaps on for safe storage and transport, so you don’t have to worry about the sharp teeth snagging your clothes or the seat of your truck. The handle is comfortable, and the tensioning mechanism is easy to use.
The tradeoff for its light weight is a frame that might feel less substantial than a Bahco to some. But for clearing saplings and limbs up to a few inches in diameter, it has more than enough rigidity. It’s an excellent choice for someone who values ease of handling and modern features.
Agawa BOREAL21: Best Folding Saw for Portability
The Agawa BOREAL21 solves the biggest problem with traditional bow saws: they’re awkward to carry. This innovative saw folds down into a compact, self-contained unit, with the blade safely tucked away inside the frame. You can toss it in a backpack or the toolbox on your ATV without a second thought.
Unfolding it is quick and automatic. The blade tensions itself as you snap the frame into place, so you’re ready to cut in seconds. This makes it perfect for carrying on long walks to check fences or for stashing in a vehicle for unexpected blowdowns across a farm lane.
This level of engineering and convenience comes at a higher price. It’s also a bit heavier than you might expect due to the sturdy aluminum frame and folding mechanism. But if you value portability and safety during transport above all else, the BOREAL21 is in a class of its own. It’s a specialized tool that does its one job exceptionally well.
GreatNeck BB21: A Solid, No-Frills Budget Saw
Sometimes you just need a tool that works without breaking the bank. The GreatNeck 21-inch bow saw is the definition of a no-frills workhorse. You’ll find saws like this in just about every barn and hardware store in the country because they are simple, cheap, and effective.
The design is basic: a tubular steel frame, a simple handle, and a wingnut or lever for tensioning. There’s no ergonomic grip or fancy blade guard. It’s just a saw. For occasional use or for a "truck saw" that you won’t cry over if it gets lost or rusty, it’s a perfect fit.
The biggest weakness of most budget saws is the blade they ship with. Do yourself a favor and spend a few extra dollars on a quality replacement blade from Bahco or Irwin. With a good blade, this simple saw can cut nearly as well as models costing three times as much.
Corona Razer Tooth Saw: For Tough, Green Wood
Not all wood is created equal. If your property is overrun with soft, sappy green wood like willow, poplar, or sumac, the Corona Razer Tooth saw is your best friend. The blade is designed with extra-sharp, three-sided teeth that slice through green fibers without getting gummed up.
Where other saws might bind or skate on wet bark, the Corona bites in and clears sawdust efficiently. This aggressive cutting action makes it feel like the saw is pulling itself through the wood, which reduces the amount of effort you have to put in. It’s a real powerhouse for clearing new growth.
While it will certainly cut dry, seasoned wood, its true purpose is tackling living trees and fresh-fallen limbs. If the bulk of your fence clearing involves fighting back the fast-growing stuff that springs up every year, this saw will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Truper 30-Inch Steel Handle Saw for Big Limbs
When a 21-inch or 24-inch saw just isn’t enough, you need to step up in size. The Truper 30-inch saw gives you the reach and cutting capacity for larger limbs that have fallen across a fence or are blocking a gate. The longer blade allows for a longer, more efficient stroke, letting you power through wood 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
A saw this big is a specialized tool. It’s heavier and more cumbersome to use in tight, brushy areas where a smaller saw would be more nimble. You wouldn’t want to use it for clearing small saplings. But when a winter storm drops a big oak limb on your high-tensile fence, this is the tool you’ll be glad to have.
The solid steel frame and simple tensioning system are built for heavy-duty work. It’s a simple, powerful tool designed for one purpose: cutting big wood by hand when a chainsaw is impractical or unsafe.
Blade Tension and Care: Keeping Your Saw Sharp
A great saw is useless without a sharp, properly tensioned blade. Blade tension is the single most important factor for making a straight, easy cut. A loose blade will wobble, bind in the cut, and can even pop off the frame, which is a safety hazard.
Before you start cutting, check the tension. The lever or wingnut on the frame should be tight, and the blade itself should make a high-pitched "ping" when you pluck it like a guitar string. If it makes a dull thud, it’s too loose. A tight blade is a safe and effective blade.
Blades are disposable items. Don’t waste your time trying to sharpen one. When a saw starts cutting slower or requires more effort, simply replace the blade. They are inexpensive. After use, especially on sappy green wood, wipe the blade down with a dry rag to prevent rust and resin buildup. This simple maintenance will keep your saw ready for the next time the wilderness tries to reclaim your fence.
Choosing the right bow saw is less about finding the "best" one and more about matching the tool to your property and the work you do most often. Whether it’s a lightweight Fiskars for long walks or a big Truper for storm cleanup, the right saw makes maintaining your boundaries a simple, satisfying chore. A clear fence line is a good fence line, and with one of these saws in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to keep it that way.
