Bahco Laplander 396-LAP Folding Saw Review

Overview

The Bahco Laplander (model 396-LAP) is a folding camp saw from Swedish hand-tool maker Bahco — a company with roots going back to 1886. It’s one of the most ubiquitous tools in any bushcrafter’s arsenal, and for good reason: it’s compact and lightweight yet has impressive cutting power for its size, cutting quickly thanks to a blade that is designed to bite in both directions. At around $25–30 USD, it sits squarely in the “no-brainer” price tier for anyone who processes firewood, clears blowdown, or builds shelters in the field.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
SKU	396-LAP
Weight	200 g (7.1 oz)
Blade Length	190 mm (7.5 in)
Folded Length	230 mm (9 in)
Teeth Per Inch	7 TPI
Blade Coating	XT hardpoint, rust-resistant low-friction coating
Handle	Two-component plastic with rubber overmold + leather strap
Locking Mechanism	Safety lock — locks in both open and folded positions
Blade Material	Swedish Sandvik steel
Blade Replaceable	Yes (Phillips/flathead screw pivot)
Comparison	See how Laplander Folding Saw compares to similar gear

Performance

Cutting

On camp, the Laplander’s blade is well adapted for cutting small logs and branches up to about four inches in diameter. It cuts remarkably quickly thanks to Bahco’s XT hardpoint toothing at 7 TPI — a tooth profile that cuts in both directions, on the push stroke as well as the pull stroke, making this a fast-cutting saw whether you’re dealing with freshly felled greenwood, seasoned timber, or deadwood.

In timed testing by one reviewer,

the Laplander averaged 12 seconds per cut on 2-inch pine branches, while an older folding saw took 22 seconds.

That said, the Laplander isn’t the most aggressive cutter in its class. One reviewer’s first impression of its cutting efficiency was “meh” — the bite didn’t seem very aggressive, and it felt like it took more strokes than it needed to. Reviewers who’ve compared it directly to pull-only saws like the Corona RS4040 found the Laplander’s straighter, less pronounced tooth geometry to be noticeably less aggressive on the bite. If raw cutting speed is your primary concern, the Silky Gomboy or a pull-only saw will outpace it — though at roughly twice the price for the Silky.

Beyond dry branches and seasoned firewood, the saw will cut through pieces of timber 3 to 4 inches in diameter in under a minute. The way it quickly cuts through branches of 10 cm diameter or narrower is seriously impressive — it takes less than thirty seconds to get through most things. Push it past 4–5 inches and you’re grinding, not sawing. The straight blade isn’t ideal for overhead cutting or large-diameter logs — you can muscle through them, but it’s not quick.

Build Quality & Durability

The Laplander comes from a long-established manufacturer of hand tools and doesn’t disappoint despite its very affordable price. It has a straight-edged Swedish Sandvik steel blade finished with a black low-friction coating that helps the blade glide through even knotty or sappy wood, while also protecting the steel from corrosion and staining.

The impulse-hardened teeth undergo a specialized heat treatment process that hardens only the cutting edges while keeping the blade body flexible — meaning the teeth stay sharp longer while the blade resists breaking under stress. Users report the edge holding up through seasoned oak, frozen pine, and even accidental contact with dirt.

Longevity is a recurring theme in user feedback:

one reviewer was still using their Laplander nearly three years after purchase, noting it had run “like a champ after almost daily use.”

After prolonged use the black finish starts to come off, but this doesn’t affect performance — though the teeth do eventually lose sharpness and the blade will need replacement.

Replacement blades run $8–12 and swap out with a single screw.

Handle & Ergonomics

The handle is a two-part design with a nylon frame and integrated liners, overlaid with a rubberized plastic grip ergonomically shaped for comfort. Molded grooves help minimize slippage even in humid or damp conditions.

The handle stays comfortable during long sessions and never feels like it’s going to slip.

Wet-hand grip is adequate rather than exceptional —

when wet it does give a better grip compared to wood handles, though it’s still not spectacular.

Lock Mechanism

The lock stays tight even after years of snapping open and closed.

The trade-off:

the button lock is not the easiest to depress, being particularly stiff when new, and compared to the lever-style lock used by most rival saws it’s slower to deploy — though Bahco’s design is arguably safer, since it locks the blade closed in the folded position as well as when fully opened.

For pack carry, that closed-position lock is genuinely valuable — a saw that can’t accidentally open in your hip belt pocket is a saw you won’t find out the hard way.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Bi-directional XT hardpoint teeth cut efficiently on push and pull, reducing fatigue
• Secure safety lock in both open and folded positions — no accidental deployments in the pack
• Blade replaceable via a single pivot screw — extends the saw’s life indefinitely
• Proven long-term durability; multiple reviewers report years of heavy use without failure
• Excellent price-to-performance ratio at ~$25–30 USD
• Low-friction, rust-resistant blade coating handles sap, moisture, and neglect well
• Compact folded length (23 cm) fits cleanly in a pack side pocket

Cons

• 200 g (7.1 oz) is on the heavier end for ultralight-focused packs; lighter options exist
• Straight blade geometry is less aggressive than pull-only curved competitors
• Lock button is stiff when new and slower to deploy than lever-style mechanisms
• Impulse-hardened teeth can’t be reliably resharpened; blade replacement is the intended fix
• No sheath included — only a leather wrist lanyard, which is a bit underwhelming
• Straight blade limits overhead cutting effectiveness compared to curved alternatives

Who Should Buy This

The Laplander is the right call for three-season backpackers, bushcrafters, and car campers who want a capable, durable folding saw without spending $50+ on a Silky. It’s a reliable and effective hand tool for camping, backpacking, bushcraft, and garden use — light and portable enough for weight-conscious packers, but trusted by outdoor users worldwide. If you don’t fancy carrying an axe but need to process firewood or build a shelter, this is an ideal companion. If you’re running a true ultralight base weight and processing wood is a secondary task, the ~1.5 oz savings from a lighter pull-only saw like the Corona might tip the scales. But if you want one saw that handles everything from trail clearing to camp chores without breaking or wearing out quickly, the Laplander is the default choice for good reason.

Verdict

There’s a reason the Bahco Laplander keeps showing up in backpacks, bug-out bags, and glove boxes — it’s not because it’s the newest or fastest saw on the market; it’s because it just works.

The bi-directional blade, bomber lock, replaceable blade, and multi-year durability all hold up under real-world scrutiny. It’s not the lightest option and it’s not the most aggressive cutter, but at 200 g and around $25, it’s hard to find a saw that delivers more confidence per dollar. Rating: 8/10.