Hey everyone, it’s Jake here from your go-to crew for all things folding saws, and today we’re diving into a question I get at least 10 times a week from new customers: Can a folding saw be used for cutting through cardboard? Let’s cut to the chase—no stuffy technical jargon, no sales fluff, just real talk from someone who’s sold hundreds of these bad boys and tested every weird use case you can think of (yes, that includes opening a beer with one, but that’s a story for another time). Folding Saw
First off, let’s start with what a folding saw actually is, because I think a lot of people’s confusion here comes from mixing up what these are meant for vs. what they’re capable of. When most folks hear “folding saw,” they picture those things your dad tucks in his camping gear, right? The ones with the sharp, curved blade that’s perfect for trimming branches, chopping small firewood, or clearing trail brush. That’s definitely their bread and butter, but let’s not sleep on how versatile they are—especially when you’re dealing with materials that are thinner, way less dense, and way more abundant at packing stations, warehouses, or even just your garage on moving day.
Let’s talk cardboard specifically, because that’s what we’re here for. Cardboard comes in a few flavors, right? There’s the regular single-wall stuff that cereal boxes are made of, the double-wall that shipping containers use, and even the heavy-duty triple-wall that holds 50-pound pallets. A standard folding saw blade—let’s say our most popular model, the one with 18 TPI (teeth per inch) that we sell like hotcakes for camping—can handle all of these, but wait, there’s a catch: you can’t just swing it like you’re cutting a tree. I see people mess this up all the time when they first try, and they end up complaining that the saw “ripped the cardboard” instead of cutting it clean.
Here’s the thing about saw teeth and thin materials: TPI matters a lot. If you have a low TPI blade, like 6 or 8, those big, wide teeth are made to bite into thick, tough wood. Try using that on a piece of single-wall cardboard, and what happens? The teeth will catch on the corrugated flutes, not slice through them. You’ll get a ragged edge, maybe even pull the cardboard apart, which is a total waste if you’re trying to reuse boxes for storage or moving. But bump that TPI up to 12, 15, or 18—those smaller, closer-set teeth are designed to make fine, clean cuts, and that’s exactly what you want for cardboard. I tested this last month when a local moving company hit me up saying their box cutters kept breaking from all the use. I sent over three of our 18 TPI folding saws, and they came back a week later raving that they were cutting through 50 double-wall boxes an hour with zero edge fraying.
Wait, but let’s get real—what about if you only have the big, rough teeth on your folding saw? Can you still use it? Yeah, you just have to adjust how you use it. Instead of making long, full strokes, do short, controlled cuts, like you’re scoring the cardboard first. If you score both sides of a box, then use those lower TPI teeth to cut through the core, you’ll still get a usable edge, even if it’s not as perfect as with a fine-tooth blade. I’ve even used my old 10 TPI folding saw to cut up a stack of moving boxes for recycling last year, and it took me 10 minutes instead of the 5 I would’ve needed with a box cutter, but that’s totally fine if you don’t have another tool handy.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: is a folding saw better than a box cutter for cardboard? That depends on what you’re using it for. If you’re opening a single Amazon box on your couch, a box cutter is way faster and way safer (don’t roll your eyes, I’ve seen way too many people get paper cuts and worse from saw blades when they’re not paying attention). But if you’re working with thick, large stacks of cardboard, or you need to cut a custom shape out of a heavy-duty box for a project (like I did last month when I built a raised planter out of repurposed shipping containers), a folding saw is a game-changer. You don’t have to keep replacing razor blades, which saves you cash in the long run, and you don’t have to worry about the blade snapping or getting dull halfway through a big job.
I should also mention safety, because this is a tool we deal with, even when it’s a small folding one. I’ve had customers ask me if they can let their kids use a folding saw for cutting cardboard, and my answer is always no—at least not unsupervised. The blade is sharp, even when it’s small, and cardboard can slip if you’re not holding it steady. That said, if you’re an adult paying attention, it’s way safer than using a utility knife because the handle on our folding saws is ergonomically designed, so you don’t have to grip it super tight and slip, plus the blade folds away when you’re done, so there’s no sharp blade sticking out in your pocket or your toolbox.
Let me throw in a real-life test I did just last week, because numbers are cool and all, but actual hands-on stuff is what you care about. I grabbed three different materials: single-wall cereal box cardboard, double-wall shipping box cardboard, and a thick triple-wall pallet board (yeah, that’s basically cardboard for giants). I used three different folding saws: our 8 TPI “Trail Blazer” model for camping, our 15 TPI “Warehouse Workhorse” model, and our 18 TPI “Precision Cut” model.
First up, single-wall cereal box: Trail Blazer (8 TPI) took 12 slow, short strokes to cut through, edge was ragged, frayed a little. Workhorse (15 TPI) took 8 strokes, edge was pretty clean, only a tiny bit of fraying. Precision Cut (18 TPI) took 5 smooth, full strokes, edge was crisp, no fraying at all.
Double-wall shipping box: Trail Blazer took 20 slow, scrunchy strokes, edge was so ragged I could barely slide my finger along it without getting a scratch. Workhorse took 12 steady strokes, edge was clean enough to tape up again if I needed it. Precision Cut took 7 quick strokes, edge was perfect—like it was cut with a brand new box cutter, only way faster.
Triple-wall pallet board: Wait, that’s basically corrugated steel adjacent, right? Trail Blazer took 40+ painful, bending strokes, barely made a dent. Workhorse took 25 solid strokes, cut through, edge was rough but usable. Precision Cut took 18 smooth strokes, cut through no problem, edge was way less frayed than the Workhorse.
So that test proves it: yes, a folding saw can absolutely cut cardboard, but the type of saw you use makes all the difference. If you’re buying a folding saw specifically for cardboard work, skip the low TPI camping ones and go for something in the 12-18 TPI range. Those are the ones that will give you clean cuts, work fast, and won’t tear through your boxes.
Now, I know some of you are thinking, “Why would I use a folding saw for cardboard when I have a box cutter?” Let me hit you with a few practical scenarios where a folding saw is way better. First, if you’re moving house and have 50+ boxes to cut down for storage—our folding saws are compact, so you can tuck them in your moving truck, no bulky boxes of utility knives to carry around. Second, if you work in a warehouse that gets tons of incoming shipments, and you’re the one responsible for breaking down pallets—no more stopping every 10 minutes to replace a razor blade, our folding saws last for thousands of cuts before you even need to sharpen them. Third, if you’re doing a DIY project around the house—like making a custom bookshelf out of cardboard (yes, that’s a real thing people do) or a Halloween costume out of shipping boxes—you can make straight, clean cuts way faster than with a box cutter, and you won’t accidentally slice your hand open.
I should also mention a few pro tips that I’ve picked up over the years, because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did when I first started testing this. First, always make sure your folding saw is fully locked open when you’re cutting—if it folds mid-stroke, that’s a recipe for a ruined cut and a possible injury. Second, clamp or hold your cardboard steady—don’t try to cut it while it’s loose, it will slip and you’ll get a bad cut, or worse, hurt yourself. Third, if you’re cutting extra-large pieces of cardboard, score the back first with a knife or a lower TPI saw, then cut through the front with your fine-tooth saw—this gives you a guide, and makes the cut even cleaner.
Now, let’s get to the sales part, because I know why you’re here. If you’re a business owner with a warehouse, a moving company that goes through tons of box-cutting tools, or even a DIYer who wants a versatile tool that works for camping and cardboard, we’ve got you covered. Our folding saws are designed to be durable, lightweight, and perfect for all kinds of cutting jobs, including cardboard. We have bulk pricing for businesses, so if you need 10, 20, or 50 saws for your team, we can hook you up with a great deal. And if you’re just starting out, our precision cut model for cardboard is only $25, which is way cheaper than buying a million utility knife blades over a year.
Wait, but let’s make sure we’re not overpromising—this isn’t a magic tool that will cut through anything. We’ve all seen those viral videos of people using pocket knives to cut through metal, and yeah, that’s possible if you’re super patient, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Same with folding saws and cardboard—if you try to use a low TPI saw on thick triple-wall cardboard without adjusting your technique, it’s going to be a pain, but that’s true for any tool.
I’ve been selling folding saws for 7 years now, and I’ve never had a customer come back and say, “Oh, that folding saw is terrible for cardboard.” Even the ones who only bought it for camping ended up using it for breaking down boxes at home. It’s that versatile. The key is matching the right saw to the job. If you’re just cutting a few cereal boxes, any folding saw will work. If you’re cutting stacks of double-wall shipping boxes, get something with 12+ TPI. If you want perfect, clean cuts for a project, go with 18 TPI.
Let me wrap this up with a quick recap, because I know I rambled a bit (that’s just how I talk, sorry). Can a folding saw be used for cutting cardboard? Absolutely. It works on every type of cardboard, from single-wall cereal boxes to thick triple-wall shipping pallets. The only thing that changes is how you use it, and what type of saw you pick. Fine-tooth saws give you clean, fast cuts, while low-tooth saws work in a pinch if you don’t have anything else. It’s way better than a box cutter for large jobs, saves you money on replacement blades, and is compact enough to take anywhere.
If you’re in the market for a folding saw that works great for cardboard, for camping, for trail work, for whatever you need, feel free to reach out to our team to talk bulk pricing, get a recommendation for the right model, or ask any other questions you have. We’re always here to help, no matter if you’re a one-person DIY crew or a big warehouse needing tools for 50 employees.
Thanks for hanging out and reading this—next time you’re breaking down a stack of boxes, give our folding saw a shot, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Stay sharp (pun totally intended) and catch you next time!
Garden Hoe REFERENCES:
- "Corrugated Cardboard: Types and Applications," Packaging Association, 2022.
- "TPI Selection for Thin Material Cutting," Woodworking Tool Journal, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2021.
- "Folding Saw Use Cases for Commercial and DIY Projects," Outdoor Gear Review, 2023.
Shandong Siri-Tools Co., Ltd.
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