Folding Knife Sawblades & Experiences

[James Y]

My favorites are in the Victorinox line, in particular the Hiker and the Trailmaster models. For their small size, these sawblades cut very smoothly and effectively.
Around the yard I've used the old-fashioned folding saws before (large, long blade, small wooden handle, don't lock open. The SAK saws don't lock open either, but there's a difference. Each tooth is separately honed, and there is essentially 2 rows of them. I noticed in doing cutting chores they tend not to hang up or get stuck in the material, and the overall design is such that a lock mechanism is not really necessary. Also important is the toothy edge of these saws is thicker than the spine of the blade, rather than just a uniform flatness, enabling the saw to bite in and make way for the rest to pass through.

I haven't done any heavy cutting yet, only clearing up some plants with stems up to about 2 and 1/2 to 3 inches thick, and it takes a bit of time, but the cuts are very clean.

Anyone have their own experiences with these or other types of folding knife saws or plain old folding saws?
Jim

 

[brian w edginton]

Have used the SAK and Leatherman (Wave) saws.
No really heavy duty work.....I don't think that is what they are for. But they seem equally as efficient for small jobs on soft and hard woods.
I am happy with both.


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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343

 

[B. Miller]

Gerber has a exchange-a-blade saw that has slightly longer saws, and thus, is easier and quicker to use.
It costs about $16.00, and comes with a belt carry pouch. I think, "Discount Knives" carries it.

 

[Frank]

I've had good luck with the Leatherman, Gerber and SAK saws. They're good for light PVC cutting too.

 

[johno]

The SAK saws work nicely, where I've used them to cut off broken hickory hatchet handles so that it could be replaced. I'd guess that they'd work fine on bone too. I like the Corona 'Razor' pruning saws but the plastic handles seem to break easily. One of the Corona blades used with about an 18in piece of hickory sledge hammer handle has made for one of favorite saws as it offers good reach and can be used one or two handed. Gerber/Fiskars offers saws with similar shaped cutting teeth as on the Corona, but they seem to be stainless instead of carbon steel. In spite of that I picked up a very light Fiskars pruning saw at Sears for $10, it has a blade that slides oout of a nicely shaped handle, and have noticed it being sold under the Gerber label in sporting good stores at a higher price. Another handy saw that I ended up keeping in the car is a handle that accepts sawzall blades, Walmart has them for something like $5, and I keep a few metal and wood cutting blades of different teeth pitch with it.

 

[ptpalpha]

I've used the saw on my wave all summer while hiking across various states. If you don't ask too much of it, it works very well. I've also had the gerber saw for a few years to carry while hunting and it is a great performer. Replaceable saw blades for it are a nice plus. The one criteria a like in a carry saw are dual-directional teeth: they cut both on the forward and return stroke.

 

[FullerH]

My favorite knife saw is the Victorinox, about the only thing that I like about those damned things. I do also like the Gerber folding saw. My son was carrying mine at a Boy Scout Camporee and some officious jackass got on him for carrying a knife that was too large! I understand the guy's face turned scarlet with embarassment when Rob whipped it out and flicked it open. Of course our troop had something of a reputation in hte council as the best armed troop, given the number and variety of knives carried.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
Arlington, Virginia