Backpacking Beater Blade?

maskedbacon said:
What can I say, I have a thing for making my own mistakes :) Hopefully it won't do me in at some point... but I do try to take advice most of the time!

Which Bahco do you like? Amazon has a handful...
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&tag...rds=bahco folding saw&sourceid=Mozilla-search

Also, do you like Bahco over Corona or Silky? What's the best length for a pocket folding saw?

Thanks again!
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Personal 1st-person experience is more informative than 2nd-hand information :thumbup:

The Bahco I have has a 7.5" 396 XT7 blade. I got it because i liked the design and had heard good things about it. I've not used a Silky, but they're more expensive and not my preferred design is all. Same with the Corona, though they are less expensive. Hopefully someone else can chime in on those other two brands.

For size, 8" +/- (blade) gives you a decently compact and light-weight saw that still has sufficient length to accomplish a decent cut on a single pull/push stroke. A longer saw will require fewer strokes but is usually heavier and less packable; a shorter saw may be lighter and more compact but increases the effort required.

That's my $0.02, and it's not gospel. Have a great summer!
 
maskedbacon said:
Thanks for the specification. How much does that thing weigh? Would it be noticeable in a pack?
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I'm not sure about the exact weight on any of the saws, but you might be able to find that info on the net somewhere... (maybe even a post on this foum)

What I CAN relate is that it is much lighter than the pocket chainsaw. I've completely forgotten I've had it in my pack, only to discover it when unrolling my tarp ;)
These saws are plenty light... probably any of them at that length (of the brands you mentioned)
 
Well that sounds great :) I'll let you know how my next mistake works out (Gerber saw), and then learn my lesson and pick up one of yours :)
 
I carry the ESEE 4 for an all around camp / trail knife. Big enough to perform most tasks, not so big as to be unwieldy, cumbersome, or draw unwanted attention. I did remove the black coating however.
 
maskedbacon said:
Well that sounds great :) I'll let you know how my next mistake works out (Gerber saw), and then learn my lesson and pick up one of yours :)
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It was only a 'mistake' IF it doesn't work out! I'm hoping it performs admirably and is all the pack-saw you ever need on many a joyous journey :thumbup: I bet some would tell you that the Parang was a 'mistake', but if it works for you... :thumbup:

Again, I'm only speaking from my own experience with the saws I've used or seen used. Maybe my saws are crap or over-priced next to some other pack saws, but they're what I've got, they work for me, and I'll use them 'til I break or lose them.

Happy trails!
 
The Parang really surprised me too. I realize it's not the best metal and it's a little bulkier than what most would want to bring with them, but at only 1.5 lbs sheathed I don't understand why people would want a 6-9" knife instead. I mean, the BK-2 only weighs about 5 oz less (unsheathed). Watching videos of people processing wood with large knives just looks like so much more work than it should be. Perhaps in a more survival-y situation the big knife would make more sense but it's certainly less fun :)

So going on that when my Parang bites the dirt I'll probably replace it with the Junglas unless I find something better. And I'll of course let you dudes know how the Gerber cheap-saw works out.
 
Ratmandu just came in, and WOW, that's a hefty knife. Much thicker than I thought it'd be. The edge was pretty sharp but not razor sharp... I'll have to do a little work on it. It feels like a tank though.

The Mora also surprised me. It has to be the ugliest knife I've ever owned but it's also the most comfortable one I've ever held. And the blade is just wicked. I hate to admit it but I can imagine carrying the Mora around more than the Rat. But it all depends on POU as one man once said :)
 
Heres my personal set-up

Esee-3 for the blade at my hip.

Bk-9 for a disposable chopper, i like the ESEE jungalas better but its more pricey so i dont want them to be beaters.

For a cheapie the big rock camp nice is actually a great knife, however id take an ESEE or bk11 as a back-up both cheaper and reliable.
 
My theory on backpacking is more miles = more fun :thumbup: Every ounce counts and there is just no way I would ever carry a pound of steel just for its wood splitting ability. My method is a folder in pocket(kershaw skyline) a leatherman micro in my kit and maybe a small fixed blade(esee3 or bk14). A fire is an added bonus or an emergency situation but is not mandatory. Due to regulations and elevation its not always advisable to have a fire. Isobutane or alcohol stove boil water just fine. But hey if I did not like big blades why would I be obsessed with them,:D just not when im backpacking.
 
Out of the hundreds of knives I own and can chose from , my Esee 4 comes on every trip without fail. It's proven itself to me over and over as a super-versatile , tough knife.
 
maskedbacon said:
Backpacking Beater Blade?
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Well call me old but when I used to backpack, the idea was to be entirely self contained and not leave any trace you had been through the area. To carry as little as possible was the goal. An SAK was pretty much what I used and never felt underknifed.
 
knarfeng said:
Well call me old but when I used to backpack, the idea was to be entirely self contained and not leave any trace you had been through the area. To carry as little as possible was the goal. An SAK was pretty much what I used and never felt underknifed.
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Us kids are hard to please these days :)
 
Throwing in my 2 cents here....
Unless u are going backpacking/hiking/camping in a jungle or very thick vegetation (and woods aren't usually like that), where u would need a machete or large blade to make ur own path, big blades are not that useful and u end up carrying useless weight. A good 4' fixed blade will be enough for any use, I would recommend a Mora, a Puukko (I have a Martiini that always served me well) or eventually an ESEE 3 or 4 (going up with budget). Apart from pleasing urself, a longer blade would just be unnecessary weight IMO. Maybe bringing a multitool or SAK could be good depending on ur plan...personally I do carry my SAK all the time.
If u plan to process wood (or u wanna be prepared for it) bring a folding saw. My friend has one that we carry when backpacking: it's light, it does its job, and we never missed anything more than that.
:cool:
 
mora clipper around your neck, SAK in your pocket, and light folding saw in your backpack. If you feel like you may need pliers a small multi tool on your belt.
 
I own a BK-2 and would take that knife. I also have a Ontario SP47 Gen II knife and think that would be a good choice. I think it is slightly lighter than the BK-2. I have several models of the Gen II knives, they are all made from 5160 steel. Some are 3/16" thick and some a 1/4".I think that these knives are overlooked by many but they are all very tough knives and if you shop you can find most models in the $50-$65 range.
 
I've beat the beejezsus out of my RC-6 (now known as ESEE), and it's probably my favorite field knife. I haven't tried a RMD yet. I will have to admit, however, that an ESEE-4 or 3 would be more suitable for primitive camping or backpacking due to the weight/benefit ratio. BK's are good, but I prefer the factory micarta grips on the ESEE knives.

and don't forget that ESEE has a lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty. :thumbup:
 
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