Folding saws- Educate me!

A

ASharpCanadian

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Sep 12, 2011
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These things seem handy as hell, and Ill prolly be picking one up eventually. Ive heard the silky saws are great but I know almost nothing
about folding/wilderness saws. Sawvivor looks good as well but I need something light thatll cut things pretty much, and cut em well. I also wonder if there
are any weaknesses to the folding type saw vs the ones that come with a handle and sheath? folders of any sort are more likely to mechanically fail IMO so what do yall think for a winter survival/backpack situation?
 
I have used the Coghlan's Sierra tooth saw for the last couple of deer seasons and have no complaints. It cuts very aggressively and cleanly, is light, and best of all cheap. It does have a manual "lock" that could fail, but if it does, you could always remove the blade and rig it up to a piece of hardwood.
 
I have a sawvivor and like it very much, they also make a nice looking folding saw. I have also used the cheap ozark trail walmart folding saw and it actually worked good.
 
ASharpCanadian said:
so what do yall think for a winter survival/backpack situation?
Click to expand...

For winter wood processing a good buck saw is an absolute must - look into the Sven or Trailblazer bucksaw

I carry a Bahco folding saw all other times.
 
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for lightweight outings I carry a Fiskars/Gerber sliding saw- it works very well for it's size/weight- the price is right too :)

cuttingrounds.jpg


^ I agree with the above, for winter you probably want something more- that's when I add in my Trailblazer (as well as my Wetterlings)
 
I've got the same Gerber pictured, but without gloves, the groove will blister your hand. It's great for small, in the yard stuff though. I've also got a Bahco Lapplander, it's the Cadilac of folding saws. Locks up tight, cuts like a dream, & rubberized handle for when you find yourself with gloves. And you can replace the blade if ever it should break on you. Worth every penny.
 
The SOG Revolver is not a bad little knife/saw. It is a wicked saw. I'm mentioning it because nobody else has and it would be handy in a survival situation. No more weight than a folding saw, but you have the blade too. I would not want it as my only blade, but I could get by quite nicely with it and a good pocket knife in most situations. People have batoned them without damage, as they feel "flimsy", but looks and feel are apparently deceptive. I have the pre-Fusion version. Sheath on the Hunter version was very good. Now... not so great.
 
I've had the fiskars, cornado, and an unknown cheap folder. My favorite is the Silky.
 
I have the Fiskar in both the small and large(10in blade) and they work great. I have used the Silky saws and they are really nice too
 
I have a Bahco and a cheapy 8" Fiskars. The Fiskars has much more flex in the blade...I'm sure some of their other models are better. Bahco gets used almost every weekend for yard work...it's a trooper.
 
I keep the Fiskars (3 oz.) slide-out saw in a day pack. For its weight—why not? I almost never gets used but when it does, it works great. It I think I really might need a saw, I take a Silky Pocket Boy. If I had it to do over again, I'd get Silky 210 Accel instead. A week ago, I bought a Silky Zubat 300. I live on 4.7 mostly wooded acres. I need (and borrow) a chainsaw once a year or so. I expect the 300 Zubat to handle everything else. I used it to clear a trail a few days ago, and it's just amazing. I've not gone this big yet, but it should be great for anything less than 8 inches thick. It would be a great saw for ATV use. Silky's reputation is well deserved.
 
I use a sven saw, packs up small, light weight, eats thru wood like a beaver in crack. Only down side is a few sharp sides to the framework, nothing a metal file wont take care of, I pack it in the spring, fall and winter when using the kifaru shelters for the gather large amounts of wood for the backpacking stoves. I also usually take a large blade like a jungals or RTAK to split logs and just to chop thru the branches.
 
Lowes has a curved blade Corona 10" Pro Folding Saw for $20 that I highly recommend.
 
Good ol' wood handled Fiskars Woodzig 10 inch or a Wyoming Saw- packs up nice and tight, bombproof design/construction and easy cheap replacement blades. Sweet leather bushcrafty sheath.
 
We don't use folding saws in orchards for pruning. Won't take the abuse. So I carry a 10 inch non-folding ARS saw, fits in my pack with no problem.
 
A folding saw is a good, light tool to have in the filed. Conditions will not always be optimal for chopping, and a really good saw like the Silky can saw as fast or faster than you may chop. I have the Gerber exchange-a-blade sport saw, the Sawvivior, and the Silky Super Accel 210. I got them in that order and I tend to use the Silky the most.
 
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