Folding saw

C

cybrok

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Aug 7, 2005
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I would like to keep one in my kit. A big blade or an axe do the job most of the time, but it would require less energy from me.

MEC keep the Gerber sliding saw and Meyerco folding saw. Any experience with these?
 
They have the Bahco Laplander model as well. Although it's more expensive as the other two mentioned, it's worth to consider it, since it is a very good quality saw.
 
I carry a Silky Super Accel 210 most often but also have the Bahco/Kershaw Laplander. As between the Bahco and the Gerber slider, I think the Bahco will be sturdier but the Gerber will be a couple ounces lighter.

DancesWithKnives
 
I've got a Gerber (also branded Fiskars) sliding saw and consider it one of the best $10 purchases I ever made.
it cuts great, and if you screw up and push while under tension, the blade is easy to bend back mostly straight with not much chance of damaging or snapping it.
 
Had the Fiskars sliding saw, same as the Gerber. I liked it fine. 3oz. weight disappears, and the $10 investment is minimal. I preferred it over other department store folding saws of similar. The "lock" is just a tension nut, so it may occasionally need some adjustment in use to stop from sliding around; no big deal, it's not gonna fold or anything. After upgrading saws, it saw (lack of) use in secondary kits that would just hang around, and I later stuck it in my partners kit at the time. The Gerber sliding saw I consider a fair investment; it costs little to buy or carry.

Raising your investment to $25 or so, is a japanese-style (pull cut) Silky saw. I use these now. I like the Silky SuperAccel 210 for the size-bracket, but the PocketBoys come with a water-resistant sheath/case, if you so desire. Compared to the Gerber/Fiskars sliding saw, they weigh about twice as much, but sturdier, and cut significantly better.

No experience, but the Bahco/Kershaw Lapplander seems rather popular with lots of bushcrafters, as well as having Ray Mears (bushcraft/survival instructor) seal of approval.
 
I bought my first Fiskars/Gerber sliding blade saw several years ago, and that saw is still going strong. It was such a impressive purchase for the price, I bought a few more to stash around, one in the emergency kit behind the truck seat, another in the better halfs day pack. The wife loves it as its soo easy to use and eats wood great. My original is still in my day pack, and gets used to harvest sapplings that I make hiking sticks out of to sell at craft shows. "Carl's Third Leg Sticks".

I've also played with the break down Sven saw. Very light weight and very effective on larger woods.

My pocket knife of the day and a saw does it for most of my outings. The only thing my mora gets used for is food duty and fishing.
 
I like the fine-toothed Gerber slider. It has a rougher finish then the regular one and lashing holes if you ever needed to lash it to a long stick and even though the teeth are finer than the normal one, I think they are actually perfect for that size of small saw.

Anything larger and I use my pocket chainsaw, that thing is awesome.
 
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Ceck out the Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw at:

"http://duluthpack.com/outdoor-gear/camping-hiking-gear/knives-saws-axes/saws/folding-saw.html"

Just got mine last year and I love it . . . lightweight, compact and will saw up a night's worth pdq. Can't beat it. :thumbup: Had a Sven for years that I absolutely loved but the Dustrude cuts circles around it. Anyway, something to consider.
 
I picked up a Corona folding saw from Home Depot. It was $20 or less and cuts great. Very comfortable to use and has a lifetime warranty.
 
I got a Spyderco Spydersaw 2 days ago and went out to do some minor testing yesterday. I took along my Swisstool to see how they'd compare.
I wasnt too impressed with the Spydersaw...On live wet wood they would both gunk up pretty fast, and the Spydersaw would bind often. I think its because the Spydies teeth are angled towards the handle, meaning it only cuts on the pull-stroke whereas the Swisstools have a neutral angle. On deadwood there was a noticable positive difference in performance.
Please note that i was only out for about 30 mins. I intend to take the Spydie out again today for some more extensive testing. The Swisstool feels much more smooth, but then again, its teeth are much smaller making it slower to cut the same diameter wood.

I dont know how the Gerber or Lapplander performs but from what people have to say i can only assume theyre better. The only thing the Spydersaw has going for it is its low weight, only 3 oz (84.5 g). Im guessing it would perform better had the wood not been so soaked. For cold-weather excursion i recommend a proven self-cleaning saw or better yet, an axe.

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my silky saw big boy rips through would quite nicely. i also have a bahco which works well but the overall quality of the silky saw shines.
 
I highly recommend the bahco saw. It's compact and light but the most important thing is the teeth on the saw cuts on both the push and pull. I've read that someone (I can't remember the article) compared the bahco with silky and he found the bahco was better because of the push/pull action vs the pull of the silky. If you google it you might find the article.

I also like the smooth shape of the handle and how the saw is completely covered when folded. Nothing to catch on clothing, in your pocket or in your pack.

I compared the bahco with a short chopper (CG Ash1) and even thou the Ash was a respectable chopper (I know it's not a battle mistress but it's still not too bad) through hard wood I found that the saw would sail through the small log in about half the time and with a lot less effort. That makes the saw faster and much more energy efficient to use.

With a large chopper the results may change but I do think that the saw would still be quicker and use a lot less effort.
 
The Bahco is good and inexpensive so why look further?
The Fiskars/Gerber seems good too from reviews. Never used it but opening mecanism looks not as quick to operate.

That said, when available, I'd take a bow saw other folding ones. Don't know about Sven saw and al. The triangular bow might not be the most suitable.
 
I have the gerber and silky saw.

Both are nice, but the silky saw (pocket boy) cut through wood real fast and easy. Its a really good built tool.
 
I have the Gerber slide saw and they work just fine. I like the Serria saw better though.
I paid $8.88 at walmart for mine.

IMG_0622.jpg


This is the wood pile I cut up with it so far and it is still going strong.
IMG_0523.jpg


I like that is has a little longer blade too than my Gerber saw.

Bryan
 
The ilky or Laplander are the best saws that I have tried, and I have tried most of them. The Buck tree saw is also good.
 
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