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folding saws? a great tool for the woods!

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
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Ray Mears is one of my favorite outdoorsmen. I like his approach to bushcraft and living with nature. Anyway, here's a video of him using a very cool technique to split a log (maybe 4" thick). The thing of real interest is the part at 00:42 into the video, when he cuts through the log. Notice how fast and effortless the cut happens. The next video is Dave Canterbury making a bundle bow and talking a little bit about bushcraft and survival gear mentality. He introduces the folding saw at 02:25 into the video. Folding saws are dirt cheap, too, roughly in the $30 range for the top-notch brands (Bahco, Silky). I think a 8-10" folding saw and a 3-5" fixed blade knife are all you need. In my humble opinion, carrying a massive knife (8"+ camp/bowie/survival type knife) is counter-intuitive to me (as well as counter-intuitive to Ray Mears, Dave Canterbury, Horace Kephart, George Washington Sears (a.k.a. Nessmuk), etc.) because such a knife doesn't whittle or do simple bushcraft tasks as safely or as well as a shorter, thinner knife... but nor does it process wood as safely or as well as a much lighter folding saw (or an axe, which has many uses, too).


EDIT: Just to be clear, I don't include machetes/parangs in the group of "massive knife." I think machetes are excellent--even indispensable--in the right environment!


[video=youtube;lSOXU0rrqOM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSOXU0rrqOM[/video]

[video=youtube;kLBBRu47Gv4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLBBRu47Gv4[/video]
 
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It all depends on what you are doIng out in the woods, different tools have their roles. If the weather isn't too bad, and you are only going to be out for a short while, a medium fixed blade and a saw is a nice combo. But in the winter, especially if you are going to be out for a while, you may want to do some more serious woods work, so a Saw paired with a large fixed blade or Axe/Hatchet for splitting real logs will be very helpful.
My point is that different situations call for different tools, big and small blades both have their place.
 
Just as an Asside, I have tried a while bunch of folding and collapsible saws, best one hands down are Silky brand saws, Very pricey as far as saws go, but they work great.
 
One of the reasons I won't buy a large knife for use as a "chopper" is because I have a Silky Super Accel. I can't imagine chopping through limbs is as safe or easy as it is to saw through them with a Silky or some other quality folding saw. Plus the Silky is ridiculously light for how useful it is. I think choppers are overrated and honestly I don't see the point. A 4-6'' blade and a folding saw are more versatile than a chopper imo.
 
Agreed ....Silkys are awesome...ive got a Pocket Boy....can split a deer clean down the spine...easy...............................FES
 
I've never used a folding saw before, il have to pick one up and give it a try. I have always used a Wyoming saw with good luck and I can carry it in my back pocket if I need to.
 
I don't go camping without a Silky. I keep one in my truck and one in the RV at all times. Lost count of how many times they've come in handy over the years.

With the Silky and an 18" Tramontina, I can pretty much handle any wood processing chore that pops up around a campsite....although I do cheat with a 15" HI Ang Khola from time to time.
 
Here's a vid of a guy using a Bahco Laplander. Watch how fast he gets through logs up to 6" thick

[video=youtube;o1HT7Iwp9Iw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1HT7Iwp9Iw[/video]
 
I agree, I love folding saws. If I have the option, I will generally saw through anything bigger than about 2-3in. Anything smaller than that it generally feels faster to attack it with a larger knife/machete.

Also, the whole concept of a larger knife is that as a single tool, it can do pretty much anything you would need. That does not of course mean that it is the best tool for the job.

When camping I usually take a folding saw (corona) and a BK9 to do all of the wood processing, and its a great team.
 
Folding saws are great. Process wood very efficiently. Lots of good, inexpensive ones out there.

Battoning is a good skill to know. But, as with all things, it comes down to personnel preference.

When I can, I prefer to carry a folding saw, small hatchet and a med. knife.

Picked up this Corona saw at one of the 2 big chain home improvement stores ... (not Home Depot)

under $20, big enough for 2 handed sawing, yet folds up light and small enough for a daily pack.

6964073277_f610e1951e_b.jpg


6964072943_2cb7662a18_b.jpg


6964073567_1e73a00c62_b.jpg
 
I have bought a Silky Pocket Boy based on your recommendations. Nice saw that inspires confidence. Thanks.
 
So this is kind of related, has anyone used one of those "survival chain saws." I've been really curious about how they preform compared to a folding saw
 
Cleaver way of splitting wood . Must give it a try. Great videos. Cheers for that . Faron.
 
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