And we can turn any chain blade into a one direction "pocket chainsaw".
I've never tried that. In theory it could work, but in practice I suspect it would take a LOT of effort and be quite inefficient.
A bow saw would be my choice every time. A couple of these saws and a good stock of replacement blades will get you through a big pile of wood.
I once helped a relative salvage some mesquite fence posts for firewood. He was using a chain saw which required frequent sharpening ( about every other fence post). A nice Swedish bow saw actually cut faster than the chain saw. I'll go for a bow saw every time, as well.
I heated an old farm house in Kansas one winter with old lumber
from the dump cut with a bow saw.
We did spend a lot of time downstairs by the stove. Couldn't
heat the whole drafty house.