Folding Saws and Take-Down Saws: A Discussion

Kev,

I agree whole heartedly on the overall awesomeness of a saw.... I have a small opinel folding saw... its great for its size... however much like the pocket knives the handle swells when wet making opening and closing a chore.. I've been wanting to get a bacho for a while now...
 
I have never came to the need for a saw while out in the bush. However, I have come to realize that I have actually wanted a saw a lot more than once. And for this reason alone, I believe a saw is a crucial tool if you even slightly think you will need one, make sure you bring one. Even if it isn't the best, most expensive, it will help.
 
..has anyone other than me considered these guys? ..its a folding saw/handle that accepts sawz-all blades which come in a huge number of different TPI, bimetals, shapes, lengths, metal/wood/stone cutting abilities? ..it locks in 45, 90, 170 degree angles to the handle. ..if the blade gets dull, you can just swap it out.. ::shrug:: I use them all day cutting old 2x4s full of nails on one blade.. and a couple extra blades weigh nothing.. ..its cheaper to replace when the blade gets dull, too; you don't have to buy a new saw.

 
Just thought of sharing a picture of a successfully shaped saw and handle for me. I have used it heaps of times and on some pretty damn hard wood and she still plough's on

saw1.jpg


My fixed blade pruning saw. Folding saw pic to come later although I like this handle better ... less work and less strain on my wrist.

oops ... i'll have to reduce pic size more next time, sorry
 
Long time saw guy and self professed (camp) fire bug.
I did fine for years with a SvenSaw.
Now I have both sizes of the SvenSaw, a Bahco type from Holland, a 3 bladed "What-A-Saw" and a twenty something inch standard bow saw that was $3.99 in OddJob.

Each has it's pluses and minuses, but I wouldn't be without one.
Just remember to let the saw do the work.
Don't bully it, don't go zipping back and forth.
When you've got it right, it sounds like an old guy having...
uh...
Walking up a steep hill.
Yeah, that's it, walking up a steep hill!
:D
 
Magic Dot, I almost bought one of those, but passed on it due to it's weight. It is probably great for a working tool, but I like a little lighter gear in my pack.

To the OP, I take a full sized bowsaw when I know I need a lot of warmth, below 10F or so, and I used to take a Bahco for everything else until it broke. It was nice, but I don't think there is a good way to have a backup for it. Because of this, I haven't replaced it, and just carry a machete for chopping/splitting duty. The machete is more work, but more utilitarian, and less likely to break.

ETA, looking at my post, it looks like Magic Dot's saw would make sense when you counted the weight of a backup as well. Felt like an idiot when I read my post.:D
 
j williams said:
I recently purchased a folding saw from Lowes. Its a Corona clipper. I know its not a silky or whatever, but its been a damn good saw. It has a nice grip angle on it, w/ differant options and "feels" depending on where you hold the handle. Blade is sharp, and it is well made. Cuts on the pull stroke too, so it dosent bind up easy. Lifetime warranty.
Click to expand...

I purchased a Corona at Lowes back in October for a camping trip as I had not been able to purchase a Silky just yet. $20.00 and zip-zang-zoom, I buzzed through some elevated portions of downed trees for firewood. A few pieces just shy of Maxwell House 1lb coffee can diameter in well under two minutes, no muss, no fuss.

Two of the must have pieces of gear on my list are a Silky and a U-DIG-IT trowel. After that, some new sleeping pads and bags...
 
The Pocket Chain Saw cuts amazingly fast. This is partially because it cuts in an arc it essentially cuts smaller wood on three sides at the same time. When I first used one I thought it would be awkward to set up the saw - thinking it would flop on its side and be hard to start the cut, but that was not the case. Pretty darn easy.

You have the think ahead about how the branch might pinch the blade - so the blade doesn't get stuck in the pinch. Of course, you need to think about that with any saw.

Also, that company actually sells two versions of the saw:

http://www.pocketchainsaw.com/

http://www.unbelievablesaw.com/

The orange plastic handles are very comfy, but I worry a bit about the cord breaking over time - which would make it almost useless. The Pocket Chain Saw comes in that little can and the handles have to be packed separately. Some have had problems with the little wire hooks coming unhooked.

Still, when I know I'll need to cut a lot of bigger wood I'll carry my Trailblazer Takedown saw. Its not always convenient to carry though. I ALWAYS bring along a Silky Pocketboy which cuts nicely through smaller wood.
 
j williams said:
I recently purchased a folding saw from Lowes. Its a Corona clipper. I know its not a silky or whatever, but its been a damn good saw. It has a nice grip angle on it, w/ differant options and "feels" depending on where you hold the handle. Blade is sharp, and it is well made. Cuts on the pull stroke too, so it dosent bind up easy. Lifetime warranty.:thumbup:

Check out the angle of the handle....
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=10452-63731-RS7265D&lpage=none

I love a saw. I dont even own an axe, although I am "axe curious". One saw I used to have was a Gerber exchange a blade. It broke very quickly:mad:, and was just overall a piece of crap IMO. Id stay clear of that one.:thumbdn:

One saw Id like to try is one of the fiskers sliding saws. However, a Silky or the Fiskers will have to wait till the Corona craps out.

I also have a wood handle one made by tru-temper. It was cheapo, and seems to be holding up well, but I havent really put it through its paces yet.:confused:

I like the SAK saws for notching trap parts, and general utility, but they arent effective for long term use. Really get the hotspots. I also like the small opinel ones. They are a nice smaller saw. :thumbup:

Anywho, my 2 cents on saws....:o
Click to expand...

I have on of the corona saws and they work very well.
 
kgd said:
I grew up using a buck saw and I still prefer them for their rigidity and ability to use them double handled. For extended trips I like to bring my trailblazer take down saw. It disassembles into the handle and cut wood nicely.

trailblazer-1.jpg


The main issue with it is that assembly and disassembly is a bit of a trick and takes about 2 minutes to do compared to a standard folding saw.
Click to expand...
One of the guys (Jerry) had one of these when I was at WLC. It seemed very capable for its weight and small packed size.
For longer trips you can take an extra blade with you for a small weight penalty.
 
I've been quite apathetic about the saw thing. I think I've mentioned before here that one day I may try out a Silky if I'm actually in a shop holding one but 'till then I'm still shrugging. I did come across a huge folding Fiskars the other day – biggest one of those I've seen so far, well in excess of a foot long and very light, but the build didn't inspire confidence. The smaller more robust saws I've seen don't seem to offer me much of an advantage over my el cheapo bow saw for about the same amount of weight.

Below is what I use on those occasions I really need to carry a saw. Pack size isn't anywhere near the same priority that weight is if I'm going hardcore. That doesn't take up much bergan space anyway if I pack it flat against the frame. I think it cost me £1 in a £1 shop, or something like that.

Things I like:

1] At 1lb it is exactly half the weight of my Stanley saw that takes the same blades.
2]Blades are readily replaceable.
3]Not really anything to break on the frame.
4]Wing nuts are bug dumb simple.
5]A hacksaw blade taped to the spare blades may come in handy.

What sucks:

1] The hand bow on the inside saves space but prematurely limits the size of the material to be cut. I toyed with the idea of cutting the front of that guard off if it became an annoyance, just leaving the grip. So far that's been no issue. Even if I cut to the limits of the saw for the size of the stuff I need to cut anything left can be fractured under a boot.

2] Blaze orange. I don't like any of my kit looking like it belongs to a bin man at a rave. This is the law and utterly trounces issues like SFB and Alzheimer's forgetting where you put it beacons.

SW12tb9NAr.jpg
 
kgd said:
I grew up using a buck saw and I still prefer them for their rigidity and ability to use them double handled. For extended trips I like to bring my trailblazer take down saw. It disassembles into the handle and cut wood nicely.

trailblazer-1.jpg


The main issue with it is that assembly and disassembly is a bit of a trick and takes about 2 minutes to do compared to a standard folding saw.
Click to expand...

These are great saws, I took down two ten inch ash trees with one and trimmed it down with a gerber the one that slides out(which I swear by in the bush awsome tool), then logged up the trunks with the trailblazer,

IMHO a skilled guy could use that saw and a hatchet to built a nice cabin .

set up and tear down is a bit aof a P.I.T.A but for the saw you get its well worth it.

cya
jimi
 
From a purely functionnal point of view buck saws win hand down against folding saws.

Now buck saws are too bulky, and take down saws take far too much time to unfold, plus all the potential for loosing small parts, breaking stuff... while folding saws are almost instantly ready, with some training you can even one hand flip them open and close.

So unless you plan to stop for a long time and do a lot of sawing, folding saws are far more versatile. Compared bahco, opinel and fiskars and would recommand Bahco. Hear good words about silkies but not sure they are worth the extra money (plus silkies are harder to come by while Bahco is available in many gardening stores around here).
 
Ebbtide said:
Long time saw guy and self professed (camp) fire bug.
I did fine for years with a SvenSaw.
Now I have both sizes of the SvenSaw, a Bahco type from Holland, a 3 bladed "What-A-Saw" and a twenty something inch standard bow saw that was $3.99 in OddJob.

Each has it's pluses and minuses, but I wouldn't be without one.
Just remember to let the saw do the work.
Don't bully it, don't go zipping back and forth.
When you've got it right, it sounds like an old guy having...
uh...
Walking up a steep hill.
Yeah, that's it, walking up a steep hill!
:D
Click to expand...

What kind of blade does the Sven Saw take? Is it a special one or does any standard blade fit?
 
I have a Bahco folding saw which I find extremely useful. I have two different blades for it - one with hardened teeth designed for hardwoods, and another designed for green woods. Though it generally gets only fairly light, sporadic use, it does have some pretty serious cutting power for its size/weight.

That said, if I was going to do a large volume of sawing (ie. not just pruning branches) I would definitely take a larger fixed saw.
 
SvenSaws have their own blades.
There is a bolt attached to one end of it.
For travel the blade rides in the handle, with a wing nut keeping it in place.
For use the same bolt & wing nut keep it assembled.
81057_l.jpg
 
j williams said:
"feels" depending on where you hold the handle. Cuts on the pull stroke too, so it dosent bind up easy. .:thumbup:

I am "axe curious".
:confused: ;)

I like the SAK, Really get the hotspots. I also like the small ones.
....:o
Click to expand...

this confusion needs to be cleared up. thats what the college years are for.we also have a don't ask don't tell policy. :eek:

sorry guys, just a little blade ambiguity humor. :)

ryan
 
I like the Kershaw/Bahco saw. It is light enough and packs well.

The question for me is: what are you going to do with the wood?

For survival use, I want the saw on an SAK for cutting small stuff to use for figure 4 traps, a tent pole or a hiking staff. It's a better-than-nothing-at-all saw. Fine for 1" stuff or a session with one or two cuts on 2" stuff.

I would use the folding saw for more serious shelter building, cutting support poles and trimming off branches that are too rubbery to break off. I wouldn't mind using it to make a cut or two on small diameter logs that can be dragged to the fire and slowly fed into it. I could see doing a bunch of 2" diameter branches or a couple 4" cuts.

For serious wood gathering, it's time to graduate to something you can get two hands on and get a long stroke-- like the larger Sven saw.

On the collapsible buck saws, the fewer joints and parts, the better. I have one that is just a toy-- I wouldn't trust my life to it. Small diameter rods with fine threads are just stripped and broken fittings waiting to happen. If you don't get them ***tight***, the joints will start to work loose and will fail.
 
I carry my silky saw everywhere I go. The last time we went camping, we didn't use the axes much at all. Its just so much faster to use the saw.
 
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