Handcrafted in Montana. Inspired by the Hunt.
Born from backcountry needs and built in a small shop,this saw is the one I always wanted.
the hamilton bucksaw story
The Saw I Couldn’t Find—So I Built My Own
It started with a hunt—just me, my son, and the kind of gear you regret carrying. I had a folding saw that rattled, barely cut, and felt like dead weight in my pack. Every year I told myself I’d find something better… and every year, I was let down. Eventually, I stopped looking. Instead, I started building.
I spent the next few years tweaking and testing. I used what I had, scavenged what I could, and leaned on decades of woodworking to create a saw that actually worked in the wild. One that was strong, lightweight, and versatile enough for limbs, firewood, and even meat. That’s how the Hamilton Bucksaw came to life—one cut at a time, in a little Montana shop, for anyone who’s ever been frustrated like I was.
Randy Mellinger - Founder & Craftsman
Meet the Makers
Randy and Jan Mellinger have been married for over 50 years and building things together for nearly as long. Randy handles the woodworking and design; Jan creates the custom carry packs. Their shared love of the outdoors—and distaste for poorly made gear—is what led to the creation of the Hamilton Bucksaw.
- Handcrafted in Montana
- Small-Batch Built
- Outdoor-Tested Design
- In-House Packmaking
- Real-World Experience
- Family-Owned Business
Hoyt, our loyal shop dog and trail companion. He’s been part of this story every step of the way.
Built With Purpose. Backed by Generations.
This saw isn’t just a product—it’s part of a legacy. Randy’s tools were passed down from his grandfather, and many of them are still in use today. He works the wood by hand, sanding every curve, shaping every notch, and fitting each piece like it matters—because it does. Jan builds each custom carry pack in her sewing room with the same care, using rugged materials and decades of seamstress experience.
Together, they’ve spent years refining this saw not to sell more—but to build better. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just the kind of gear they wished they had out in the field. Every Hamilton Bucksaw is proof that good things still come from small shops, strong hands, and people who take pride in doing things right.
Built One at a Time. Trusted Everywhere.
Pennsylvania
This saw has been a great purchase. I got one to always keep in my truck and one for camping/hunting. Its uses are endless from cutting firewood for a campfire to emergencies to assisting in the butchering process of wild game. I love the simple assembly and compact design. This saw was built to last with detail in mind. I highly recommend this saw.
Montana
I have been using the Bucksaw now for over two years. I have used and do use the bucksaw for backpacking, camping, hunting, and woodworking. I have used it on softwood, hardwood, plastic and the like. I have a tendency to be extremely hard on my gear in the field and this saw was no different. I have even left it out in the rain overnight. The saw has performed flawlessly on all occasions. This saw is very easy to use, compact and essential to my pack. I used to carry only a hatchet when packing in but this saw has made its way into my gear list and has saved me hours of work on just firewood alone while in the backcountry. Lastly, the craftsmanship on this saw is second to none. The care with which these are made and the attention to detail and user feed back is phenomenal. I highly recommend purchasing the bucksaw. It will give you decades of great use.
Montana
This Isn’t Just a Saw. It’s a Story.
Join the growing community of folks carrying forward the story of craftsmanship and quality.
I've been using my Hamilton Bucksaw for some time now and can't say enough good things about it. What makes it stand out the most is the superb craftsmanship. Not just the fine woodworking, or clever design, but even the heavy-duty case that it packs down into is designed to last a lifetime. It is lightweight, comfortable to use, and easily fits in my pack on hikes in the woods, or canoe trips for firewood duty. Overall, I am extremely happy with this saw, and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a quality product, and spends time outdoors.