Compact/folding saws

dawsonbob said:
Silky Super Accel 210. It's all you need to know about folding saws.
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Mine lives in my hiking pack. I figure between that and the fixed blade and multi-tool on my belt, I'm pretty set for backpacking or an unexpected night out :thumbup: I don't have a ton of experience with folding saws, but I can say this is the most comfortable and smooth cutting one I've used so far. Quality.
 
I have the sliding Fiskars and it's pretty good on smaller stuff. Only weighs like 5oz too. If I'm doing more than 5 miles a day this goes with me (probably 10% of the time).

I also have the 18" Sawvivor and it is cutting machine. Anything less than 7" in diameter is a piece of cake. If you like to have big fires when camping it's the way to go. It weighs 10oz which is pretty manageable and still a lot lighter than most outdoor saws. Every time I use it I think "this is the best $30 I've ever spent". :D

Good luck!
 
I've played with a Sawvivor and it seems like a good saw. The design is quite sturdy. I wouldn't mind having one of those and a Trailblazer. When I need something larger than a Silky SA210 but smaller than a 36" bow saw, I presently use a Silky Zubat 330mm. Weighs a bit over a pound with the sheath. A favorite among professional arborists.

DancesWithKnives
 
OK, so the Silky Super Accel 210 seems to be the Silky to get for a backpack. What size teeth? Best place to buy?

TIA
 
I got mine with large teeth (IIRC, they only come in two sizes, with L being the coarser). As I said above, I won't claim tons of experience, but it seems to do a fine job on booth young green stuff and seasoned hardwood. I don't have the finer blade, so don't know how much better it is for the hard stuff.

I purchased mine for about $31 from amazon, not sure if they're cheaper elsewhere at the moment.
 
I have the silky super accel 210 and the fiskars.
I use the fiskars a lot more just because its cheaper, lighter and works pretty well.
No doubt the silky is superior, but that doesn't mean that the fiskars isn't a very good product. It is.
 
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I like the 10" Fiskar's sliding.

I just picked up a Corona folding saw at Lowe's that looks pretty darn good.

Both are in the $20 to $25 range.
 
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This is silky gomtaro 270mm. Obviously does not fold. Try as I might my initial impression of a must be made by silky Tajima G10 240mm as being too heavy (i want to be completely unencumbered) is hard to beat in a big way by the time you add scabbard weight -even with birch bark and duct tape

the gomtaro is kinda cool because it has an integral handle. the replacement blades are very light in and of themselves. with the sheath and cord 8.43 oz. The folder 9,94oz. the folder is 5 inches shorter. the gomtaro is about 10 inches long from the first to last gullett.(the folder 8.3/4 inch) With a plastic blade cover and just enough cordage for comfortable use I can strip that saw down to under 4oz.

The folding option is not as bad as my first impression. you can beat the mass of silky's rubber handle and metal folding lock until you need that damn scabbard- stripped to essentials a 4oz 10 inch silky pruning saw =potent power over wood
 
kgd said:
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.
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+1

I have the larger Trail Blazer and it is a serious cutting tool, not a compromise. If you know you're going to have to process a decent amount of firewood, it would be very hard to beat it.

For less demanding use, folding saws are great. I have a couple of the smaller Fiskars saws that slide out from the handle and slightly larger Gerber and Outers models that fold out. They are very handy, and inexpensive.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I've been toting around the small Fiskars (Gerber) sliding saw and have to say I'm very impressed w/ it- for a $10 "investment" it's even more appealing, that it weighs a scant 3.2 oz- even more so :D

^ is this the saw you need when putting up a lot of firewood or building a small cabin- definitely not, for most day trips or backpacking it's more than adequate for building small shelters or getting enough firewood for a long night- that's all I'm asking out of my saw, so that's all I need to carry
 
The Bacho Laplander is an excellent saw, probably the best, and certainly one of the best of it's type. I have one and use it extensively, and have used several similar ones.

I also have the Pocket Chain Saw. It is the only one of its type I have tried, but it works well, and is very efficient. Wear good thick gloves and be careful using it, it is easy to catch your hands if you are not careful (hasn't happened to me, but I can see it happening).
 
I think the Gerber/Fiskars slide out saw is the best "survival saw" available. My definition needs an explanation, though. I have the mentioned saw and I also have a Silky. The Fiskars/Gerber weighs right around 3 ounces. The Silky weighs almost 8 ounces. The Fiskars/Gerber is so ridiculously light, there's no reason not to throw it in the pack—even though I almost certainly will not use it. If I need it, it's a very capable tool that weighs almost nothing. If I know I'm going to use a saw, though, I always take the Silky. It cuts amazingly well!
 
Guyon said:
I just picked up a Corona folding saw at Lowe's that looks pretty darn good.

Both are in the $20 to $25 range.
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I picked one of them up two years ago and it will buzz through standing dead wood pretty fast.

So, Silky or Sawvivor, which should I get? The Corona would do, I think, it has not failed yet, but I am looking for a better saw and I really want the most bang for my buck. I think the Sawvivor would probably be better because I am planning on cutting (a lot) firewood when camping and perhaps a reflector and other things, tent pegs for a tarp, etc.
 
Unless you want to spend top dollar on a folding saw Bahco is the way to go hands down.
 
Folding Gerber saw here. The only difference between mine and the sliding one is the blades are replaceable so if you ever do bend the blade, and you will:D, you can just toss the metal and not the plastic. A little more enviornmentally friendly but in use, they're identicle. The one I have is slightly heavier though.
 
Shotgun said:
Folding Gerber saw here. The only difference between mine and the sliding one is the blades are replaceable so if you ever do bend the blade, and you will:D, you can just toss the metal and not the plastic. A little more enviornmentally friendly but in use, they're identicle. The one I have is slightly heavier though.
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does yours allow a swap w/ a bone blade? I'd sacrifice a little weight for the ability to have a bone saw as well

tia
 
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