Compact/folding saws

Joben

Joben

Joined
May 22, 2009
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There are a bunch of backpacking/survival kit type saws around. I was looking here and they have 7 different saws. Good grief!

I don't know much about them...What's good?

I've heard the wire ones can break.
I think in one of his videos nuttinfancy praised the sawvivor.
 
I use my Gerber folding saw (CountyComm) all the time. Works great, no real issues or complains. For smaller stuff, I just use the saw blade of my SAK.
 
The trailblazer take down buck saw is one that I used to have. It is unique out of those on that page in that it is a full size buck saw when assembled and cuts like one. The chief advantage of this saw, and unlike most back packing saws, is that you can get a firm two handed grip during the cut. This thing will bite through wood as well a bucksaw without compromise in cutting performance. The compromise is the weight. It does pack nicely in its tube and the tube does fit nicely in most packs, but it takes up much room or is heavier than the standard one handed folding saw.

If cutting 6-8" rounds from trees is something you are going to do regularly then this is the backpacking saw you want to have on hand. If you are cutting smaller pieces like 2-3" then most folding 'Sierra-type' saws will work. I haven't experienced them, but from what I've read on these forums, the Silky saw brand are considered the top brand to have. For the little stuff, though, just about any saw will do.

I've used the manual chain saws and they work, but they are kind of gimmicky and don't really let you get into a cutting groove. They are good emergency pieces because they fold flat and tight but are still kind of heavy. I found that a folding saw will outcut the manual chain saws. The wire saws vary in quality by manufacture. They are kind of crap for actually cutting wood but can be used as a piece of emergency kit. The little folding piece of hacksaw isn't meant for cutting wood. Its more meant for SERE kind of things, cutting through fencing on escape ect. or acting as a scraper for firesteels.

My recommendation - if you want to cut big wood, get a good axe and a the take down trail blazer buck saw. You can process a weeks worth of firewood in a day for base camping with that combination. If you are just out backpacking and will make a little fire for cooking or just some nightly entertainment, a folding saw and fixed blade will do you fine.
 
I got a Silky PocketBoy 170 a little while ago, and have used it quite a bit. It is a great little saw with good lock-up, but i would stay away from the coarse blade, it tends to bind up in dry hardwood.
 
I've had a SVEN saw for over 30 years. Don't use it much, but it carries light, folds into an aluminum stick and cuts very well.

think HD said he had one as well, but his needed sharpening.
 
I like the Silky Super Accel 210 for a medium size folder. It has an aluminum frame rather than the steel on the Pocketboy 170 so it's only slightly heavier despite a 40mm longer blade that is over 18% thicker.

I also have the Kershaw-imported version of the Bahco Laplander. It is slightly lighter/cheaper than the Silky and a very nice saw. However, all of my friends who have tried it with the SA 210 have preferred the Silky. They thought the Silky cut more cleanly, with a little less effort, and slid through the wood more smoothly. That said, none would have been unhappy with the Kershaw/Bahco.

I used a pocket chainsaw for quite a few years (the one that comes in the tin and has plastic handles available). It does a surprisingly good job on larger logs because it cuts from three sides at once. Mine is now dull and needs a sharpening. That's one thing you won't have to do often with a Silky: Rockwell 67 edge hardness on the SA210 and Pocketboy, plus the blade is hard-chromed for corrosion resistance, pitch resistance, and lubricity.

DancesWithKnives

[Forgot to mention: For the woods I cut in the West (mainly CA, MT, AK), I like the largest teeth on the SA210. Same goes for a couple friends who have Pocketboys. If you live in an area with vegetation like chewbacca encounters, you might have a different preference.]
 
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I'm another one who can't say enough good things about the Silky Super Accel 210. Best portable/folding saw I've ever used. For many uses a full size bow saw might cut a little better, but it's a bit much to carry around most of the time. The Silky Super Accel 210 fits in a pack easily. Heck, it'll fit in my pocket if I don't want to carry a pack. Big thumbsup.
 
I've had great luck for several years now with a Fiskars sliding blade saw. Very lightweight and rugged. A few years ago Dick's had a sale and I bought a couple extra to stash around in the car kit and the better half's daypack. We each carry one when we go out hiking or camping.
 
Another one for the Silky Super Accel 210 in L teeth :thumbup: (Thanks DWK2 for convincing me a while back:):thumbup:)
 
jackknife said:
I've had great luck for several years now with a Fiskars sliding blade saw. Very lightweight and rugged. A few years ago Dick's had a sale and I bought a couple extra to stash around in the car kit and the better half's daypack. We each carry one when we go out hiking or camping.
Click to expand...

I've had a lot of saws. l am probably in the minority in that I don't care for the Pocket Chainsaw all that much. I also had a 6 and 3/8" Opinel. It was very sharp, but too flexible and I snapped the blade too easily. I like the Deluxe Commando cable saws for emergency carry only. They are great for small limbs for shelters all the way down to cutting radiator hose. My favorite seems to be the Gerber/Fiskars sliding blade saw that jackknife speaks of (I think Gerber calls it their Sportsman's saw). It is inexpensive, light to pack, and cuts wood very quickly. It looks really chintzy and you'd think the plastic locking nut/bold would not hold, but it has amazed me at how durable it is.

gerber_sportsmans_wood_saw.jpg
 
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I've used the Fiskars slider and, despite my affection for the Silky and Kershaw/Bahco, I have to acknowledge that it is in the lead for low price and about the lowest weight out there (for its size). But I'm still willing to pay for the SA210 and carry the extra weight.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have at least 15 to 20 different saws. Over half of them are by Silky. You will be more than pleased with their products. As of now, they are the only brand that I will buy. Their Pocketboys are in all of my daypacks and BOB's. They are awesome, and I recommend them highly. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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