View Full Version : Trail saw
doda man
06-11-2009, 21:52
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.
warraghiyagey
06-11-2009, 21:59
A saw for when you're hiking?? Why would you need one. . . .:confused:
Survivor Dave
06-11-2009, 22:01
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.
Stihl and Makita are good, but they don't run on stove fuel.:D
Ditto to Waraghyagey, why would you need one, there are plenty of dead fell trees around that can be broken fairly easily.
Rifleman
06-12-2009, 01:12
Jeez, give the guy a break. Maybe he just wants to do short hikes where a little extra weight is not a problem and cook a couple of steaks over a real campfire.
I used this saw a couple of weeks ago on the Shining Rock Ledge:
http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/CLNFSS.html?srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=17-32564495-2
At a lot of places on the AT there's downed wood in the 3"-6" diameter range that doesn't break too easy by hopping on it or slamming it against a tree.
There's better and lighter mini-buck saws out there. Lowes or Home Depot would be a good place to look.
R.
McKeever
06-12-2009, 01:53
I hope you realize that a person must be a Certified Sawyer AND certified in First Aid to use a chain saw or cross cut saw on the AT. After my thru hike I went through a weekend session in Asheville and obtained my certifications and did some work instead of complaining about the trail but need to renew them now. The certifications are only good for a couple of years. You can use loppers though and cut over 1" branches.
This is a compact saw and it's easy to get replacement blades. It is 1 oz more than the Coghlan's saw
http://www.rei.com/product/769770
Mr. Clean
06-12-2009, 04:52
I can't think of the name of it, but the saw I use for trail work came from Ben Meadows. It is a bow saw that comes apart and fits into one of the handles for easy packing. I've cut trees 12" in diameter with it. If you want I'll see if it has a name on it...I've had mine for several years.
Stihl and Makita are good, but they don't run on stove fuel.:D
Ditto to Waraghyagey, why would you need one, there are plenty of dead fell trees around that can be broken fairly easily.
I think he means Hand Saw...................:-?
bigcranky
06-12-2009, 08:46
Any basic folding saw in the classic Sierra Saw design would work well. You can find them at gardener supply houses and hardware stores.
Alligator
06-12-2009, 09:16
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.Are you a maintainer or are you just looking for something for when you are hiking?
OldStormcrow
06-12-2009, 09:23
The aluminum Sven saw is available at most backpacking outfitter stores. They're razor sharp and fold up flat. Be very careful when using one of these, though. A friend of mine almost cut his finger off when it "skipped" on a piece of hardwood. Take a good first aid kit.
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.
http://www.unbelievable-saw.com/
http://www.unbelievable-saw.com/
That was impressive. :-?
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.
This is what your looking for. Lite, compact, been around since dirt, and works well.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___81032
vamelungeon
06-12-2009, 09:47
My Swiss Army Knife has a very usable saw. It works well on small diameter limbs.
I have a 6" Fiskars pruning saw. Lightweight and cuts on both strokes.
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=11151&catalogId=10251&categoryId=10894&productId=11207&page=products
World-Wide
06-12-2009, 09:57
A saw for when you're hiking?? Why would you need one. . . .:confused:
Why would you need one.....for this reason of course!! :eek: W-W http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZj5kU8KbGA&feature=related&pos=6
mister krabs
06-12-2009, 11:15
I have a 6" Fiskars pruning saw. Lightweight and cuts on both strokes.
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=11151&catalogId=10251&categoryId=10894&productId=11207&page=products
Gerber makes a similar one. (http://www.google.com/products?q=Gerber+Sliding+Camp+Saw&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=9HAySszkLsmMtge6jNH4Dg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title)
OldStormcrow
06-12-2009, 11:29
http://www.shop4campinggear.com/files/2024884/uploaded/saw1.jpgThe classic sven saw in action.
Gerber makes a similar one. (http://www.google.com/products?q=Gerber+Sliding+Camp+Saw&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=9HAySszkLsmMtge6jNH4Dg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title)
yeah, they are so alike I'm almost convinced they are made by the same manufacturer.
Nasty Dog Virus
06-12-2009, 12:14
The aluminum Sven saw is available at most backpacking outfitter stores. They're razor sharp and fold up flat. Be very careful when using one of these, though. A friend of mine almost cut his finger off when it "skipped" on a piece of hardwood. Take a good first aid kit.
The Sven Saw is by far the best all-around saw that I have used. Available at REI...
Those gerber/fiskar pruning type camp saws, with the blade that curves down, are very fast. At 4oz they are lighter than a 16oz hatchet and just as fast, and capable of more precision cuts with sapling if you want to make a nice hiking staff, or you are hiking or camping some place in winter where you might want to or need to make a more serious survival shelter. A hatchet is more versatile in some ways, like chopping through ice, or using as a hammer. The pruning type say is also good for digging up spruce roots for making cords for lashing stuff together. Both are good in winter when it is below -10F and you need even just a small amount of wood fuel but don't want to remove your mitts or gloves. When it is that cold snapping twigs isn't enough because all twigs snap when its that cold so you don't know if they are dry or just frozen. With a saw or hatchet you can use somewhat bigger branches to be sure to get down to some dry stuff. Also in winter, you might need a bigger fire, and when you do you are more likely to need it in a hurry. Saws and hatchets are good for that. Regular sized bics rather than minibics are good for that also. Mini bics are too hard to work with cold hands.
Even on a trail where you wouldn't normally scavenge wood, a good 4oz saw, not so much a 1 pound hatchet, would be worth bringing along in winter for emergency purposes, along with a full sized bic. I just have a cheap pruning saw, made in china, but it works really well around the yard and I made a shelter of saplings for my daughter, which I slept in last winter. We dug up some spruce roots for a school project also. Its gotten a bit dull. The fiskar and gerber camp saws look much better, and are lighter.
medicjimr
06-12-2009, 12:54
I agree the sven saw is the way to go excellent product.
I have the gerber + a copy, I go for lite but have really liked a saw at times, picked up the copy in a trail town when I had opted to not carry the Gerber, around a shelter or camp site the hand break wood is used up but you can always find fallen stuff to saw
doda man
06-13-2009, 17:20
Looking for a good trail saw, any recommendations.
I do alot of trail maintenance for the PATC and was looking for a light weight pack saw for small limbs. Not a chain saw
Wise Old Owl
06-13-2009, 23:13
I do alot of trail maintenance for the PATC and was looking for a light weight pack saw for small limbs. Not a chain saw
Then here is my vote.....light compact and a real work horse.
http://www.shop4campinggear.com/files/2024884/uploaded/saw1.jpg
Wise Old Owl
06-13-2009, 23:22
Jeez, give the guy a break. Maybe he just wants to do short hikes where a little extra weight is not a problem and cook a couple of steaks over a real campfire.
I used this saw a couple of weeks ago on the Shining Rock Ledge:
http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/CLNFSS.html?srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=17-32564495-2
At a lot of places on the AT there's downed wood in the 3"-6" diameter range that doesn't break too easy by hopping on it or slamming it against a tree.
There's better and lighter mini-buck saws out there. Lowes or Home Depot would be a good place to look.
R.
After a lot of "real" campfires - for cooking, and in use for dutch oven. All the wood collected for the cooking fire is not thicker than collected branches at 1" or less in a large bundle. In other words if you can break it bare handed its right for dirty steak and other stuff. Logs are unnecessary, They are more for warmth and flames. cooking is about coals and no flame, hense charcoal brickets and small stuff.
It's hard to beat the Silky saw..Light compact and cuts better than most.
RITBlake
06-14-2009, 01:54
I hope you realize that a person must be a Certified Sawyer AND certified in First Aid to use a chain saw or cross cut saw on the AT.
Says who? Doesn't seem right.
Dances with Mice
06-14-2009, 02:22
Says who? Doesn't seem right.Rest of the story: Volunteer trail workers are required by the Forest Service to have those certifications for the sawyer to be covered under Workman's Comp insurance in case of injury. The FS also requires those workers to wear the appropriate protective gear: hard hat, chaps, gloves, boots.
But if you want to take your chainsaw out to areas not designated as wilderness or practice using a crosscut saw, no one will stop you AFAIK.
Toolshed
06-14-2009, 09:32
Double Dittoes in the SVEN saw. I used to carry one in the 80's and 90's - especially on shorter weekend trips with organized groups where we would have campfires. It also served very nicely for years winter camping in the Adirondacks as well as cutting down at least 18-20 christmas trees over the years and assorted yard work around the home.
The original blade is still razor sharp - and YES, Be cautious with this thing, I have cut/nicked my fingers a couple of times setting it up or breaking it down. It is a snap to use, but it is very sharp and lightening fast.
Rockhound
06-14-2009, 15:47
LOL ROTF LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A TRAIL SAW!?!? Thanks for the laugh. I needed it. A TRAIL SAW!?!? Stop it. you're killing me.LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Try a Husquavarna. Don't forget the gas and bar&chain oil and a file.
YoungMoose
06-14-2009, 15:55
http://www.unbelievable-saw.com/
That was impressive. :-?
I have that saw. It sucks. It always get stuck and takes forever to cut through a 6inch log. Its not sharp and there is just nothing good about it.
shelterbuilder
06-14-2009, 17:00
The Sven saw is good - I've had one for over 20 years. I also have a regular bow saw (30 inch, from Sears) with a COVER FOR THE BLADE that also works well for trail maintenence.
Don't forget the work gloves and a good first aid kit - any saw can skip out of the cut and find your hand or fingers!
Wyoming Saw, they make them in two sizes, the small one weighs 18 oz. and they break down for easy packing. http://www.cabelas.com sells them. I've got one but I don't carry it backpacking.
Desert Reprobate
06-14-2009, 19:52
Another vote for the Sven Saw. Mine is 25 years old and still going. Made of Swedish Steel,
by Swedish Craftsmen, in Minnesota.
I have that saw. It sucks. It always get stuck and takes forever to cut through a 6inch log. Its not sharp and there is just nothing good about it.
Six inches is about the upper limit for this thing, and it does have a tendency to get pinched halfway through.
warraghiyagey
06-14-2009, 22:32
LOL ROTF LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A TRAIL SAW!?!? Thanks for the laugh. I needed it. A TRAIL SAW!?!? Stop it. you're killing me.LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Try a Husquavarna. Don't forget the gas and bar&chain oil and a file.
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gifhttp://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif
I have that saw. It sucks. It always get stuck and takes forever to cut through a 6inch log. Its not sharp and there is just nothing good about it.
Lots of tools suck when you don't know how to use them. The ones you have to master a skill to use suck the most.
Turtlehiker
06-15-2009, 10:47
I have a Sawvivior that I carry mostly in the winter or on shorter base camp hikes. Nice and light 9.6oz really sharp and the company has great customer service, replaces my saw no questions, just sent me a new one, I had it in a few days.
http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Equipment/sawvivor_folding_pack_saw.htm
Saint Alfonzo
06-15-2009, 15:13
I carry a Gerber folding saw i have had for better than 20yrs. It cuts on the pull stroke and its light, about 4ozs. I like a fire at night...
garlic08
06-15-2009, 15:32
I do alot of trail maintenance for the PATC and was looking for a light weight pack saw for small limbs. Not a chain saw
This works well for brush work: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004R9YE
The Sven saw is good for large tree limbs and saw-horse work, not so great for getting into brushy stuff.
Ridgerunner50
06-15-2009, 16:12
When out on shorter hike, I carry a Pack-Saw by Outdoor Edge. Collapes into handle with no exposed teeth. Nice little saw! http://http://www.outdooredge.com/product_detail.php?cat_ID=5&prod_ID=8