View Full Version : Wood saw
Two Speed
01-03-2007, 19:31
I would like to carry a folding saw on more of my section hikes, both to get better firewood and to clear some of the smaller blowdowns I run across. I bought the Gerber folding saw (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47991675&parent_category_rn=4500579&vcat=REI_SEARCH). Frankly, I think it's a piece of crap; the teeth aren't offset, so the blade binds very quickly.
I was looking at MEC and found Bahco Laplander Folding Saw (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 5001&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696925&bmUID=1167866676641) and Buck Lightweight Folding Saw (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444261 8788&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696925&bmUID=1167866933817). I've also seen a saw made by Sandvik advertised and was wondering if anyone had used these saws and what their experience was if they had.
Thanks.
Earl Grey
01-03-2007, 19:38
Real mean use their teeth. :rolleyes:
But one of my friends has the Buck and its nice and light.
stumpknocker
01-03-2007, 19:40
I don't remember what kind of saw it was that Bob Peoples provided for maintenance, but they worked great and didn't bind.
Maybe someone else knows the brand....or maybe you could give Bob a call. :)
My preferred saw for trail maintenance is the 21 inch Corona Pro pruning saw. Corona also has smaller folding saws of good rep. if you are only doing smaller cuts. The 21 inch saw is good for up to 18 inch soft wood or 12 inch hardwood.
Two Speed
01-03-2007, 20:07
HOI, do you know if the teeth on the folding saws are offset? Did a little looking on the web and the price is right, so Corona could be a winner.
well I don't have one of the folding saws but from what I have heard of people that do they seem to like them and I can't see anyone liking a saw without offset teeth. The 21 inch saw is definately offset teeth (and dang sharp too)
Im really surprised to hear you dont like the Gerber. I got one (as a birthday present, of all things!) almost 2 years ago. It has worked wonders for my overgrown yard (no one ever mowed the back acre!) and on my farm. Ive even used it to field dress a deer once. I got 2 different blades with mine, fine and coarse. Could that be where the problems are arising from? I do hope you find what you are looking for tho!
Two Speed
01-03-2007, 20:24
Are the teeth offset on the blades you've got? I looked at a replacement blade at REI but it wasn't any better.
I've heard good things about the Sawvivor...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=49364&memberId=12500226
Two Speed
01-03-2007, 20:36
Is that a specialty blade? I've got a decent bow saw, but it takes 18" blades and is a pain in the patootie to lash to the pack. Always getting the pack snagged on the blade.
wrt a backed saw like a bow saw or the Sawvivor - I have found it much easier to use and generally useful for have a non-backed saw such as the Corona Pro - easier to cut in tight places and easier to use with a wedge. Franking I will never use a bow saw or other backed saw if I have any choice.
Two Speed
01-03-2007, 20:49
Yeah, the standard bow saw's out unless it's one of those "piece of cake" overnighter style trips.
HOI, I'm probably not in your class of sawyer. All I'm looking to do is be able to clear up some of the smaller stuff while out on section hikes. It's extremely unlikely I'll have a wedge along.
Unless I bring a selection of mauls, axes, hatchets and such. :p
Whatever happened to the good old Sierra saw ? I used to have one and it was light, had offset teeth that cut very well and lasted a long long time.
RAT
copythat
01-03-2007, 23:08
here's an odd review of three saws. one site i saw listed the bahco laplander at 6 oz. in a very quick google, couldn't find a u.s. supplier, but the laplander is available from the uk amazon site.
generoll
01-04-2007, 00:14
I recently bought a Gerber saw which came with an extra blade and sheath. The extra blade was I believe a bone saw blade. I used it last month on a two night trip and it worked very well. Just enough offset that the blade didn't bind. I also have a 'Sven' saw which folds up and works pretty well. You might have a look at those as opposed to a folding saw if the Gerber doesn't meet your requirements.
greentick
01-04-2007, 00:37
Try this.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13553&memberId=12500226
A teammate of mine had one. It was insanely fast and compact. Heavy at a pound tho.
Tipi Walter
01-04-2007, 00:59
I guess I'm just an oldtimer but the standard light 21" bowsaw was all I ever carried. It strapped to the pack easily(WITH the blade guard)and with a new rustfree blade cut just about everything. It helped to build sweatlodges in Pisgah and numerous tipis in various locales. Some people swear by the double headed axe as the all around homesteading tool but my all around workhorse was and is the humble bowsaw.
I just don't carry a saw now on my backpacking trips, probably since I rarely build a fire, but when push comes to shove and you gotta get set up quick in something more permanent than a tent and start laying in wood, the good old bowsaw is danged nice to have.
Ramble~On
01-04-2007, 06:00
I have one of the Gerber folding saws and I love it. I have had the saw for a long time and it has seen a lot of use...it still has the original blade and cuts like a champ. Another saw that is pack friendly is the Sven Saw
www.svensaw.com (http://www.svensaw.com) I've had one of these longer than the Gerber and it's a great folding bowsaw that is easy to pack in/out as long as I keep my eye on the wingnut that keeps trying to get lost when I put the saw together or take it apart.
I recently found these and........... maybe I'll be naughty and treat myself to one. http://crosscutsaw.com/1.html I imagine that one of these could make pretty quick work of wilderness area snags, widow-makers and blowdowns.
Two Speed
01-04-2007, 06:54
here's an odd review of three saws. one site i saw listed the bahco laplander at 6 oz. in a very quick google, couldn't find a u.s. supplier, but the laplander is available from the uk amazon site.Am I missing something there, because I'm having trouble finding a link or anything.
As far as the Gerber goes, I'm more than a little surprised at the thing myself. Gerber has a pretty good reputation, which is one of the reasons I bought one without a great deal of research. Have they changed the way they make the blades recently or something? There's plenty of room to accomodate a little offset in the slot in the handle where the blade folds, but the teeth are not offset the least little bit.
Slosteppin
01-04-2007, 09:34
Is that a specialty blade? I've got a decent bow saw, but it takes 18" blades and is a pain in the patootie to lash to the pack. Always getting the pack snagged on the blade.
A cheap protector for the blade is a piece of garden hose. Cut a piece the length of the blade and slit one side lengthwise. Then you only snag or cut something when you take the guard off.
Slosteppin
Paul Bunyan
01-04-2007, 09:45
Who needs a saw, just get a good size mual, or hatchet, wichever you prefer. ;)
This from Sly: I've heard good things about the Sawvivor...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226
Thats the one Sly! Best camp saw I've ever used!
Tipi Walter
01-04-2007, 10:41
I have one of the Gerber folding saws and I love it. I have had the saw for a long time and it has seen a lot of use...it still has the original blade and cuts like a champ. Another saw that is pack friendly is the Sven Saw
www.svensaw.com (http://www.svensaw.com) I've had one of these longer than the Gerber and it's a great folding bowsaw that is easy to pack in/out as long as I keep my eye on the wingnut that keeps trying to get lost when I put the saw together or take it apart.
I recently found these and........... maybe I'll be naughty and treat myself to one. http://crosscutsaw.com/1.html I imagine that one of these could make pretty quick work of wilderness area snags, widow-makers and blowdowns.
Ken Jones of the BMTA and a trail working fanatic carries a small crosscut saw for solo work and when he is working in groups uses a much larger 2 man saw. I saw him in December working solo on the Fodderstack in Citico and he had the smaller crosscut along with a single-head axe. The crosscut saw is not a backpacking saw, I wouldn't want to carry it on a daily basis, but it is what all the experts use for wilderness trail work.
Fannypack
01-04-2007, 10:45
This from Sly: I've heard good things about the Sawvivor...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226
Thats the one Sly! Best camp saw I've ever used!
ditto.. foam padding on handle is gone fast, just duct tape it before destroying it or wear gloves
D'Artagnan
01-04-2007, 11:06
I've got one of these and it's great:
http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/tb_bucksaw_24.html
Ken Jones of the BMTA and a trail working fanatic carries a small crosscut saw for solo work and when he is working in groups uses a much larger 2 man saw. I saw him in December working solo on the Fodderstack in Citico and he had the smaller crosscut along with a single-head axe. The crosscut saw is not a backpacking saw, I wouldn't want to carry it on a daily basis, but it is what all the experts use for wilderness trail work.
I agree a good crosscut saw will solve a lot of blowdown problems - when I am going after the bigger ones I use a 5 foot felling saw - somewhat lighter weight than the usual bucking saw but easier to carry in hand - good up to about 24 inch cuts - in larger cuts there is somewhat of a tendency to curve toward the sawyer instead of being a straight up/down cut when single bucking. For wedges the best I have found is to use the head of an old cheap hand axe that I have filed to blunt the edge - weighs about 1.25 pounds and works great as a wedge to keep the kerf open - I also will use a couple of the plastic wedges when needed to protect against twisting or side to side movement. One of the reasons I like the felling saw is that I can get the wedge in sooner than with a bucking saw - this is important when cutting the smaller stuff (12-14 inch for example).
Tipi Walter
01-04-2007, 11:41
Is a felling saw and a bucking saw both crosscut saws? Do they look the same?
Yes - they are both crosscut saws - a bucking saw will be wider in the center of the saw than the felling saw - usually the width of a felling saw is constant from end to end - the one I use is about 4 inches wide - the bucking saw will generally have a straight back and a curved tooth edge with the center of the blade being 6 to 8 inches wide. There are various reasons for the differences but mostly the felling saw was designed to drop trees with the use of wedges and the thinner blade allowed the wedge to be driven in sooner. The straight back edge of the bucking saw was designed so as to make it stiffer and to allow it to be easily used with an underbuck device (a thing that helps hold the blade up against the wood when cutting bottom up).
also the wider blade of the bucking saw tends to keep the cut going straighter - something noticable in the bigger cuts (30 inch and up)
Tipi Walter
01-04-2007, 12:15
Dangit, you seem to know your tools! By the way, will you be joining the Whiteblazers doing BMT trailwork on the Stiffknee? If I remember correctly, you and Sgt Rock do work down on the Slickrock section so I was just wondering. I think Spiritwind is heading it up around Farr Gap on January 8th and 9th. I hope to be out along the Stiffknee trail and Slickrock at the same time and it would be cool to run into other Whiteblazers.
I like my Gerber. I never used it on anything more than 3" across though. Just for fire wood and if I get creative with my tarp for poles. Peace. JJB.
Two Speed
02-18-2007, 18:41
Against my better judgement I followed Sly's advice and looked at the Sawvivor (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=12595216&parent_category_rn=4500579&vcat=REI_SEARCH). Looked good, so I defied my better judgement and bought one. I've had a chance to try it out once or twice.
Decent saw, seems well made, weight is close to the Gerber, but readily deals with wood in the 5 to 6" range. The only thing that isn't 100% in my book is that the cut wanders a little; rarely get a good, flat cut. However, the Sawvivor made cutting pieces of red oak up to the 6" range feasible and I ain't planning on doing any fine trim or cabinet work on the trail, so the Sawvivor is filling all my essential requirements.
The truly shocking thing is that Sly was right. :eek:
(OK Sly, I'm done yanking your chain. Thanks for the tip!)
Pedaling Fool
02-18-2007, 20:44
I use the SVEN saw, the blade seems to last forever.
A Sven saw?
Who is this guy?
(Sorry, I couldn't help it)
Saw a similar product to this used on a trail crew - they liked it.
http://www.kayakacademy.com/catalog/kayak%20accessories.html#CAMPING%20GEAR
Lyle
Forgot to mention, it's the second item listed under camping gear.
I've been in forestry and arboriculture for over 10 years. In my experience, Felco and Silky are top-of-the-line products. I have the Felco folding saw and it is great. Here are two links to check out:
http://www.felcousa.com/en/produits/modele.asp?IdModele=80 (http://www.felcousa.com/en/produits/modele.asp?IdModele=80)
http://www.silkysaws.com/foldingsaws.htm (http://www.silkysaws.com/foldingsaws.htm)
Happy hunting!
rswanson
02-19-2007, 16:39
The Sawvivor is a great little compact, durable saw. Ideal for your uses. You won't be dissapointed with it.
brotheral
02-19-2007, 19:10
I carry A Coghlan's folding saw with 21" blade. The blade stores nicely in the aluminum handle. Excellent for cutting larger pieces into premium firewood. I slide it under the straps on the outside of my pack. I cover the end with a piece of cloth to protect my pack. Weighs 16 oz. Never had any problem with it & I've had some great fires.
Happy Trails....Brotheral
brotheral
02-19-2007, 19:18
Regarding the Coghlan's 21" Folding Aluminum bow saw. The Blade stores in the frame (not the handle). You can also fit a spare blade in. Costs about $25.00.
atraildreamer
02-19-2007, 19:45
I bought the Gerber folding saw (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47991675&parent_category_rn=4500579&vcat=REI_SEARCH). Frankly, I think it's a piece of crap; the teeth aren't offset, so the blade binds very quickly. I bought a better saw at the dollar store, and the teeth were offset.
I also have the Sawvivor; I would recommend it for light woodcutting and for cutting logs up to six inches thick for firewood.
johnny quest
02-21-2007, 11:35
not trying to hijack this thread...obviously you guys are talking more about trail maintenance. but i was going to throw in what i carry. ive used it a good bit, when i felt like clearing a small blowdown. this happens more than normal as i like to hike in offseason times for the solitude.
its one of those rambo-type survival saw.(the higher quality 8 dollar ones) i threw away the circle rings on the end and use two of my screw-locking mini-carabiners that reside on my pack anyway. stores in a double ziplock. i dont use it often but when i have its worked on up to 3 inch limbs. the trick is to take your time and not put pressure on it. prevents binding.1469
Ronnwell
02-21-2007, 11:49
I purchased this little baby a few months ago. Was on a plane and "saw" it in the SkyMall mag and thought it might come in handy when I hike. It weighs about 5 ounces and so far it has worked very well for me. I can tear through 3 inch branches in 30 seconds with it. Its a pretty good workout too.
http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102176102
IdahoDavid
02-21-2007, 14:46
I recommend the Sven, too. It's a real workhorse for the weight and since it folds into its handle good from a safety and calateral pack damage standpoint.
Has anyone used this Kershaw saw
http://www.osograndeknives.com/Kershaw/kershaw_-_folding_saw.htm
I was looking at this the other nite at my local Knive shop, seems to be very well built
Mike
Two Speed
11-22-2007, 07:47
Gonna reheat this thread and offer a half baked long term report.
I have used the Sawvivor (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=49364) on a few trips to date, and am generally satisfied with this product.
On the plus side it "works" like a bow saw; generally fast and easy to cut soft and hardwoods up to 5" in diameter. It folds up neatly, occupying just a little room in the mesh pocket on my pack, and "deploying" it takes about 30 to 45 seconds, which ain't bad IMHO.
The weight is a tad higher than I wanted, but them's the breaks, aint they?
On the negative side the cut shows a substantial tendency to drift. This only matters on larger diameter logs if you're trying to get a good, square cut. Seeing as I don't do much trim carpentry in the woods that hasn't been an issue for me, but might for other folks.
On the average I find the Sawvivor to be superior to the Gerber folding saw for my purposes. While we're on that subject I do have a Gerber folding saw that I'm looking to get rid of.
A cheap protector for the blade is a piece of garden hose. Cut a piece the length of the blade and slit one side lengthwise. Then you only snag or cut something when you take the guard off.
Slosteppin
That sounds like a great idea. I've always used a piece of scrap wood. I cut a slot for the blade on my table saw, drill a couple of holes in the uncut portion and tie it on the bow saw with a shoe lace.
During the summer, I never carry a saw except when maintaining -- and then it's usually a chain saw. But I like a good fire on winter trips.
My major project this fall is to thin a grove of poplars that have grown up in and around the decayed remains of what used to be a tidal mill building on my 2 acres.
Maine law doesn't allow me to cut anything larger than 2 inches and a 21 inch bow saw is about as easy as powering up my chainsaw. The big chore is removing a dense growth of multi-flora rose brambles. For those I use an electric hedge trimmer at the end of a 200 foot extension cord I fashioned from number 12 wire.
A friend for years carried a gasoline-powered hedge trimmer for the several miles of the AT he had volunteered to care for.
Weary
faarside
11-22-2007, 11:13
I've heard good things about the Sawvivor...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=49364&memberId=12500226
Used it and like it. My first cutting utility tool was the Coghlan's Pocket Saw (Campmor Item# 22142)... Can't beat it for weight and size, but it is a bit limited in that it only works satisfactorily on smaller diameter wood.
i use a gerber but is not a folding, is a sliding blade cuts like laser through any type of wood (its in my gallery) i have this one too:-- http://www.upgradeinnovations.com/pack.php that is original and cuts wood up to 5" in diameter fast
Thoughtful Owl
11-22-2007, 15:15
I've heard good things about the Sawvivor...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=49364&memberId=12500226
I have used this saw for backpacking and when helping with some trail maintainence and it works great. Though it may be a little heavier than some others 9.5 oz isn't all that bad unless you are TH, in which case I would even consider carrying it.
I'll add one more vote for the Corona folding saw, one of the most useful things you can actually buy in Home Depot.
But I also use Fiskars geared bypass loppers from Wal-Mart, actually USA made even, which I find far more useful than loppers costing 2.5x the price from the like of Forestry Suppliers. When new (i.e. before they get twisted when I lend them out), they will cut anything that gets in their jaw, a lot faster and safer than any saw.
dessertrat
11-26-2007, 10:10
I briefly used someone's "Sawvivor" saw this weekend, and it seemed quite light and worked very well.
For a saw in the 20 to 25 dollar range the Corona is a good saw.I have used one the past couple of years and never had a problem with it.It has always worked well for me on cuts up to about 6 inches in diameter.
Remember that these saws cut when you pull on them,not pushing on them like a carpenters saw.Another good saw is a Silky.You can find them from a Tree Equipment Supply company,but they will cost you a little more money
Dakota Dan
11-26-2007, 15:28
i use a gerber but is not a folding, is a sliding blade cuts like laser through any type of wood (its in my gallery) i have this one too:-- http://www.upgradeinnovations.com/pack.php that is original and cuts wood up to 5" in diameter fast
I use the same retractable Gerber. Best 3oz saw ever made. (just can't replace the blades)
What is the weight on the Ipood?
agree on the decoy cord also, great stuff.
brotheral
11-26-2007, 19:18
I still stand with what I said in posts 39 & 40. I've cut alot of wood with this Coghlans saw while backpacking. Seldom more than than 6" diameter.
Sidewinder
03-13-2012, 09:25
bringing this thread back to life, the majority of the links in this thread are no longer valid
any new saws out there that are compact and light
On my last trip I removed the blade from my wooden handled garden saw. I could cut with just the blade by putting a nail or tent peg through the hole. Also, if needed I could quickly make a handle from a 2" branch. Saved alot of weight and bulk.