Axe versus Saw Test with Data

Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
1,659
So, I bought this cool little saw because, well it was $10!

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I took it backpacking in the spring, and it worked really well on the wood I was cutting. I then picked up my axe (yes, I take my axe backpacking) and blew through the same wood amazingly fast. I thought "no wonder the saw worked so good."

But, it got me thinking, which one actually performed better for cross cutting wood to length? I decided when I got home I would do a more "controlled" experiment for my own curiosity.

That was 5 MONTHS AGO :D

Finally got around to it today ;)

Here we are. For Sh&^s and giggles, I threw a larger bow saw into the mix.

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The "test subject" wood is the dried aspen you see in the lower part of the photo. It is a decent size for firewood, an okay hardness, and overall a good selection for firewood in general. It was harvest dry, dead, and off the ground, making it a good choice.

Now, a REAL test would use a variety of woods. So, take this for what it is: ONE data point ;)

I tried to be as consistent as possible from tool to tool. Start the stop watch, begin work, when done, look at the watch and record the time. Any delay between starting time, starting work, and checking the clock should be consistent between tools.

First up, the gerber saw.

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Works very well. Time 12.39s.

Next up, the bow saw. I did not take a picture. The result "looked" similar to the small saw, except I shave the time down to 9.49s.

I would expect to perform better with the bigger saw, and if I did not, I would have been embarassed :rolleyes:

To be continued.....
 
Next, the Axe.

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First time; 9.36s. However, I was embarrassed by my axemanship. I had two horribly placed blows in that time. So, I repeated it one more time, with better form. Time; 7.46s. Still, I do not believe it was as good as I could do, but I was satisfied with that time.

Here is a pic showing how it went down (re-created after the timed event).

Second blow:

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Third blow from the other side, finished it all the way off.

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So.....that is it. My mini-experiement.

It is also important to note that both saws failed miserably at the splitting, batoning, fuzz stick making, and peg pounding portions of the test :D

It is what it is, so take my "one data point" for what it is worth.

B
 
I know that little Fiskers saw well. I've had one for probably 5 years or so. A couple of years back some brush snagged it from my pocket and it "vannished". I loved the little thing so that I bought a replacement. Of course a year or so after that the first saw turned up in a brush pile at my cabin. Woo hoo. The darn thing wasn't that badly rusted and still works well.

The best part of the saw is its portability. It weighs nearly nothing. Sure, I'd rather have a bow saw for lots of work. But I'll rarely carry a bow saw, even my folding Svensaw into the bush. One of the little Fiskers saws is almost always in my pack or my drybag when I'm canoeing. They are sturdier than they look. I've never had a mechanical problem with mine. Wish I could say that about a lot of other gear.
 
Yes....it is AMAZING how light those little things are. There is nothing to them, yet the seem to work well.

The "vanishing" part of your story made me laugh. Because it made me thing of how much other gear that has happened to :D

I used to have a brass pin on Marbles compass I would put on the strap of my backpack. My hiking buddy bought one too, and they worked great. Just glance down and get a general sense of direct fast. Well, my buddy lost his. So on a trip up north, we made a special stop to get him another. We setup camp for the night, went out hiking the next morning. Not 5 minutes into the hike, he looks down and says "bleep" my compass is gone! :D

...and that is only ONE story :D
 
Neat ! I keep looking at those Gerber saws but then put them back thinking I should look for a Sandvic instead, do they cut on the forward and backward stroke ?
 
And where did you get it for 10 bucks!??


Is the handle similar to the gerber/fiskers axes?

how is the connection between the handle and the blade?
 
pitdog said:
Neat ! I keep looking at those Gerber saws but then put them back thinking I should look for a Sandvic instead, do they cut on the forward and backward stroke ?
Click to expand...

Yes it does. However, you have to be a little bit careful, or at least have better technique than I do :D The reason I bought this is because I broke my Browning version of this saw and it is so old that replacement blades are no longer sold.

I tend to get going in a good groove, and then get a bit out of alignment, and then the saw binds. Since I am in such a groove, I push forward with lots of force, during a bind. Broke my last saw....bent this one already. I managed to straighten this one out with no issues.


Darkshadow said:
And where did you get it for 10 bucks!??


Is the handle similar to the gerber/fiskers axes?

how is the connection between the handle and the blade?
Click to expand...

I got mine at bass pro shops. Looks like they went up $2 since I bought mine.

I do not have extensive experience with the gerber/fiskars axes, but I know enough to say that the material thickness is thinner on the saw. And that makes sense....it does not have to deal with the impacts that the axes do. It kind of feels light and cheap, yet unbreakable at the same time. Hard to explain.

The blade has a bolt through it, that is then attached to the knob. You loosen the knob and the whole blade slides to the end where it is recessed for the knob to sit. You tighten down the knob and you are good.

That was honestly my biggest concern with the saw, as my previous Browning was a pivot style. I did have this one loosen and slip once, but I FULLY believe that it was my fault in not tightening the knob enough. Since then, I made sure the knob was fully tight, and I have never had an issue since.
 
NICE! great to see more tests like this!. love that ax you have there.

I have a Sandvik folding saw that is surprisingly fast to cut with. But i just enjoy using my axes more.....

if your saw (or axe for that matter) is binding or sticking when sawing or axing, spray the balde or saw liberally with BOSTICK blade coating. It makes the blade not bind in the wood.
 
I broke my saw (Bahco) the same way 2 weekends ago. I really like the saw for it's efficiency, but am really glad I carried a backup. I may end up getting a couple of Fiskars. Thanks.
 
Yes, the axe is a lot faster, and much more versatile. And it's not unsafe at all, if you know what you're doing. A lot people keep saying axes are so dangerous, but that is simply a matter of practice - and brains. The only thing going for the saws is "safety" and light weight, and those two are non-issues to me at least. Besides, the axe is a far more durable tool - that should count for something in a tough spot.
 
I've long though that a folding saw makes a darn nice light and compact emergency tool to have in a pack. They weigh less than some folding knives, go through wood quick and easy, and are cheap enough to have a couple stached around. An ax is a heavy tool to take along in a day pack for an afernoon or overnight trip.

The Opinel saw is another great one.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Especially if you're a schmuck like me who can manage to bind and break nearly any saw blade put before me.
Click to expand...

I know I, for one, have a neat pile of cheap backpack saws with bent blades!

I heart my Fiskars hatchet! Need to try a Wetterling.

Thanks for the great pics and the review!
 
neat little test, thanks.

i like a saw for cutting up rounds of wood that i'm going to split, makes things easier having the wood stand up on my chopping block.

also, i find that a saw doesn't wear me out as much, especially on the larger wood. if you do alot of chopping regularly, your stamina will be up there and you will be able to handle it...if you don't know what you are doing, don't chop alot, or have someone along that you want to have help somehow, a saw is a very good idea. even if someone has never held a saw before in their life you can teach them to be sawing in about 2 minutes...

anyways, thanks for the test, its a good idea to compare things like this.
 
Brian,
Thanks for posting this test. It is certainly one that needed to be done.
One important piece of data is missing if you are considering packing into your campsite.
How much does each piece of equipment weigh?
 
I've gone over the "axe or saw" argument with myself many times(Yeah, I argue with myself, what of it?). I have several 'camp saws'(a fiskars much like that in the original post that folds instead of slides, a bow saw, silly cable-type things, and even a saw inside an ax!) and multiple axes.

A properly sharpened axe is more versatile and perhaps quicker, but the energy spent chopping is much greater than that spent sawing. I have had the most satisfactory results with a simple Stanley sharp tooth, crosscut(the teeth are cut like a bow saw, to cut in both directions), something-or-other. The teeth don't clog and there are more per inch than the bow saw with a similar stroke.

Also, not trying to be argumentative or anything,(:D) but ive found aspen to be a poor choice for firewood. It just burns too fast. I've never been to Michigan, but here in New York, standing dead maple, oak or ash aren't too hard to find.
 
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