396-LAP Laplander

Few tools have maintained such a steadfast presence in the field as this Swedish folding saw. Built with a roughly seven-and-a-half-inch coated blade housed in an olive composite handle, it is designed for backpackers, bushcraft instructors, and camp chore duty where gear must endure abuse without babying. The design is utilitarian, avoiding complex mechanisms in favor of rock-solid mechanical reliability.

In the wood, cutting dynamics differ sharply from modern Japanese pull saws. The Laplander uses alternating XT toothing that cuts on both the push and pull strokes. The steel blade is relatively flexible, which makes it far less prone to snapping when jammed or bound in green timber by an overzealous cut. It will not match the surgical cutting speed of an impulse-hardened Silky, but it reliably chews through seasoned hardwood and fibrous pine without demanding delicate handling.

At roughly seven ounces, the tool packs easily into a side sleeve or hip pocket. A spring-loaded push button securely locks the blade in both the open and closed configurations, preventing accidental deployments inside a pack. Against harder-cutting competitors at similar price points, it remains the standard choice for anyone who prioritizes blade durability and forgiving field manners over raw cutting cadence.