When you need to chop down a small tree, cuts some branches, or deal with a fallen log, but your chainsaw is all the way back at home, you'll wish you had a pocket chainsaw. These little handheld tools are typically found in any survivalist's bag. In fact, if you bought a survival kit, it probably came with a pocket chainsaw, but is it the best pocket chainsaw? Probably not. Some that are just add-ons can come with flimsy chains or handles, and they won't cut through a thick branch, let alone a log.

For the best pocket chainsaws, you need to scour the reviews from people who have bought them before you and found out what works and what doesn't. Keep reading and you'll learn more about what to look for in a chainsaw you can safely carry in your pocket, and the various situations in which you might need one!

5 Best Pocket Chainsaw Comparisons

IMAGE

MODEL

Features

LivWild 26

LivWild 26" Camping Pocket Chainsaw

  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 26 inches
  • Weight: ~10 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

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Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw 36 Inch Long Chain

Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw 36 Inch Long Chain

  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Weight: 4.8 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

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SUMPRI Camping Survival Gear - 36 Inch Pocket Chainsaw

SUMPRI Camping Survival Gear - 36 Inch

  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Weight: 12 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: 30 days

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UST Table

UST SaberCut Chainsaw

  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 24 inches
  • Weight: 4.5 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

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SOS Gear Pocket Chainsaw

SOS Gear Pocket Chainsaw

  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel, alloy
  • Length: 24 inches
  • Weight: 4.53 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

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What is a Pocket Chainsaw?

UST SaberCut Chainsaw 2

The short answer is: It's a chainsaw you can slip into your pocket. The longer answer is a bit more involved. Think about the chainsaw you have at home. It's a powerful workhorse that can buzz through brush, branches, and trees with little effort from you. All you have to do is hold it steady and keep the sawdust out of your eyes. The only problem with standard chainsaws is that they don't travel well. One, they're heavy, so you can't lug that with you everywhere you go. Two, you'd need fuel to power the chainsaw, which isn't ideal in some situations. Three, they're noisy, which can be a problem in some circumstances.

 

The pocket chainsaw is so small that you can slide it into a case and into your pocket to take it with you on your travels. Then whenever you need a chainsaw, you can just pull it out and start sawing. Of course, the fuel source is you, as this is a manual tool. But, you might say, I can do that with a regular saw. Sure, but where are you going to store that? And is its blade large enough for every task you may need it for? Likely not. Well, you might respond, there are wire saws. Sure, but are those teeth strong enough for anything thicker than 2 inches?

All that brings us to the next chapter on pocket chainsaws: When and where are you going to use one?

When Would You Need a Pocket Chainsaw?

If you haven't yet run into a scenario where you thought a manual chainsaw would come in handy, then this tool might not be for you. A mightier, gas-powered chainsaw is probably what you need to stick with. However, if it's coming up in all sorts of situations, then why don't you have one yet?

Survival Kit

SOS Gear Pocket Chainsaw

Take inventory of your current survival kit. Pull out your pocket chainsaw, if it came with one, or wire saw. Now imagine yourself sawing through logs with that thing. If you're picturing the hours that will go by using that small tool to do a big job, then you might need a pocket chainsaw. The thicker teeth, the bidirectional chain, and the higher quality handles are all going to contribute to a better experience for you. Keep it in your kit and keep your kit in your car or truck. You never know when it might come in handy.

Bug Out Bag

SUMPRI Camping Survival Gear - 36 Inch Pocket Chainsaw

Whether you're a doomsday prepper or not, a bug out bag might be something you have packed for whatever the future brings. If you haven't already stocked up on pocket chainsaws, then your list was incomplete. Sure, your personal emergency relocation kit is full of essentials to help you survive a disaster for a few days, but what if your machete or tiny ax isn't enough to get through some hardwoods, or whatever else you might need to cut down? And if those 72 hours turns into a more long-term living situation, you'll be glad you have a pocket chainsaw for building shelter.

Gift for the Nature Nuts

Campers

Disaster prep aside, a pocket chainsaw is a great gift idea for any outdoors lover. On a hunt, a hike, fishing trip, or camping – especially if you're roughing it – a collapsible chainsaw is worth its weight in gold (um, but they don't really weigh that much). Carry one with you in case of a fallen tree in your path on your hike. Or maybe you found the perfect lookout for deer, but there are some big branches blocking one view. Even if all you need is to saw down some logs for firewood, a pocket chainsaw might end up getting as much use as your pocket knife.

What to Look for in the Best Pocket Chainsaw

You could just head to a sports store or go online to find the first pocket chainsaw there is and buy it, but you might regret it once you're out in the middle of nowhere and needing to rely on your little chain to saw through stuff and it breaks. There are plenty of factors you should consider before you purchase the best pocket chainsaw.

Weight

Lightweight

The last thing you need to add to your pack is more weight. So, look for a pocket chainsaw that's lightweight and compact. It makes a difference.

Handles

Handles 2

Most pocket chainsaws come equipped with nylon handles that are loops you can slip your hands into and position around your wrists. Grip the edges of the connection to the chain, and you'll have a bit of leverage as you saw through branches and logs.

Blade

Blades

Some manual collapsible chainsaws come with teeth that are more like sawblades than chainsaw chains. Avoid those. Once they dull, it'll be difficult to sharpen them again. A chain with bi-directional cutting teeth will get through the wood faster.

Case

pocket case

While these are meant to be easy to just slip in your pocket and carry wherever you go, you don't want to do that without a case. Find one that comes with a durable case that protects the chain and your body.

Top 5  Pocket Chainsaw Reviews

LivWild 26" Camping Pocket Chainsaw

LivWild 26%22 Camping Pocket Chainsaw
  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 26 inches
  • Weight: ~10 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

 

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Create U-shaped cuts with the LivWild 26" Camping Pocket Chainsaw to make chopping off tree limbs easier and faster. The chainsaw blade includes sharp teeth at every link, which allows you to cut three spots of a limb at once. If and when the blades dull, they can be sharpened with a chainsaw file (look for a 3/16 round chainsaw file). The nylon handles are durable and comfortable to use, whether you're using this tool to clear fallen trees and limbs on a path, or you're trimming trees on your property.

This is one of those tools that you didn't know you needed until you use it, and it's an easy-to-use pocket chainsaw. The chain is durable and works well on all types of woods. It is a bit heavier than some of its competitors, though it's still under 1 lb. The carrying case seems sturdy, but there have been a handful of reviews that point out stitching coming loose, or the pouch coming apart altogether. Still, it has a 100 percent money-back guarantee, so there's not much risk in trying this one.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Strong material
  • Lifetime guarantee

CONS

  • Heavier than others
  • The pouch isn't reliable

PRO TIP

If you’re in need of a standard pocket chainsaw that includes sharp teeth at each link, this one might be for you.

Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw 36 Inch Long Chain

Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw 36 Inch Long Chain
  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Weight: 4.8 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

 

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There are pocket chainsaws, and then there's the Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw. This bad boy is 36 inches long and made of carbon heat-treated steel. The chain looks like one you'd get on a regular chainsaw because it basically is that. Its teeth cut bidirectionally, which means less work for you. And if you need to sharpen the chain blade, you can easily do so with a sharpening kit. It can cut through hardwoods as well as softwoods. The only hindrance would be your positioning, really.

When you're sawing through logs on the ground, this pocket chainsaw cuts through them like butter. Once you're done with the chainsaw, just slip it back into the nylon pouch and attach it to your belt. It's so lightweight that you likely won't even notice it on your body or in your backpack. The biggest issue people have had with this tool is that it binds a bit on thicker logs, but it's nothing a bit of lubricant can't fix. If you have trouble or don't like the chainsaw for whatever reason, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you can get a replacement or refund.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Long chain length
  • Strong material
  • Attach pouch to belt
  • Lightweight
  • Lifetime guarantee

CONS

  • Binds on thicker logs
  • Tough to use up high

PRO TIP

If you’re looking for a quality, durable pocket chainsaw that’s long enough to wrap around thicker wood, this may be the one for you.

SUMPRI Camping Survival Gear - 36 Inch Pocket Chainsaw

SUMPRI Camping Survival Gear - 36 Inch Pocket Chainsaw
  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Weight: 12 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: 30 days

 

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When you come to a fallen limb in your path while mountain biking, you'll probably be happy to have the SUMPRI 36-inch pocket chainsaw in your arsenal. Slide it under the limb and start sawing, whether you're alone or have some help. In seconds, you should have the limb sliced in two and you can easily clear the path to continue the fun. This 36-inch portable chainsaw has enough chain length to make it easy to pull longer strokes, which will prevent binding in tougher or thicker woods.

There aren't blades on every link of the chain, but it still pulls through tree limbs with ease, as long as you're using it properly. The pouch included is made of durable nylon and includes a loop for you to attach it to your belt, making it even more portable. It does weigh a bit more than other comparable chainsaws, but it's still lightweight. The handle loops are a bit small, though, so if you have large hands it may not work well for you. You do get 30 days to return it for a full refund.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Long chain length
  • Attach pouch to belt

CONS

  • Handles are small
  • A bit heavy

PRO TIP

If you need a manual, portable chainsaw with a long chain for larger tree trunks and limbs, this one may be right for you.

UST SaberCut Chainsaw

UST SaberCut Chainsaw
  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel
  • Length: 24 inches
  • Weight: 4.5 oz
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

 

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One of the most popular portable chainsaws that you can slip into your pocket is the UST SaberCut Chainsaw. It's quite lightweight at less than 5 ounces, and it comes with a durable carrying case that'll keep your chain and fingers safe. The stitching on it is the only single stitch, though, so that's an issue. For taking down limbs or fallen trees, this thing does come in handy, but you'll need to figure out the most effective and efficient techniques.

A big issue some people had was with the chain binding in thicker logs. After just getting halfway through a branch, log, or limb, the chain would get stuck. Also, don't kid yourself: This is going to be a whole body workout – especially with the larger pieces of wood you tackle. The good news is that this is a compact, easy-to-use tool. Also, this comes with a lifetime warranty.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Long chain length
  • Compact
  • Lifetime warranty

CONS

  • Single stitches only on pouch
  • Binds a bit

PRO TIP

If you’re in the market for a manual chainsaw that requires little to no maintenance, this could be right for you.

SOS Gear Pocket Chainsaw

SOS Gear Pocket Chainsaw
  • Material: Carbon heat-treated steel, alloy
  • Length: 24 inches
  • Weight: 4.53 oz.
  • Handle material: Nylon
  • Warranty/Guarantee: Lifetime

 

Check The Price

 

The best camper, hiker, mountain biker, and so on, is the prepared one, and with an SOS Gear pocket chainsaw, you can be ready for any situation in which you'd need to saw some logs. Whether you need to break down some limbs for firewood, saw logs for a makeshift lean-to, or cut up some branches that have fallen over your path, this portable manual chainsaw can help make the job easier. The durable chainsaw blade glides over wood, soft or hard until it catches. It can catch at the end of a sawing job, but that's true for almost any manual chainsaw.

You get your choice of chain length: 24 or 36 inches. And it comes with a pouch to carry it in. The nylon handles match the carrying case in camouflage print. Although this is easy to use and lightweight, there have been a few reports of the blades being dull from the beginning. You can sharpen them with a chainsaw file, but it's a bit inconvenient to receive an already dull product. At least it comes with a lifetime guarantee, though.

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Choice of chain length
  • Lightweight
  • Lifetime warranty

CONS

  • Dulls quickly
  • Catches sometimes

PRO TIP

If you’re looking for a chainsaw that’ll fit in your pocket and you get to choose the chain length, this one might be perfect for you.

Conclusion

Are you a savvy "sawvivor" with a pocket chainsaw? If so, then you already know how handy these tools can be when you're out in the woods or even at home. It's a good idea to keep one in your vehicle, your survival kit, or just your camping gear. While all these manual chainsaws are similar, there is one that stands out for its higher quality, better customer service, and glowing reviews.

The Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw 36 Inch Long Chain is, from handle to handle, one of the toughest, easiest to use, lightest in weight, and quickest pocket chainsaws on the market. There's a good reason why it's one of the bestselling collapsible chainsaws, and it goes beyond the quality of the product. The customer service is fantastic. If you have any issue at all, the support team goes to work trying to help you learn better sawing techniques, sending out replacements, or getting you a full refund if you're not happy.

*You might also like: Best Cheap Chainsaws: Affordable Choices To Get Your Job Done