Hand Chainsaws

[ksquared]

Has anyone tried tried these? They look like a useful piece of kit. Not too heavy and compact, but do they work? Who make the best one? thanks
-kk

 

[chopchop]

Has anyone tried tried these? They look like a useful piece of kit. Not too heavy and compact, but do they work? Who make the best one? thanks
-kk

I have a Supreme Products "pocket chainsaw" military version ( the one that comes without plastic handles or a little round tin... just a ring and paracord loop at each end and a canvas carrying pouch).

I've used it mostly to trim tree limbs in my yard with a rope tied to each end. It works pretty well for this, but can bind up if the wood is too wet or the angle is too sharp.

I've used it a couple of times camping, and cut up to 6" rounds with it. I usually put some thumb sized sticks through the loops to make the cutting a little more comfortable. It's a pretty good workout if you try and cut fast, but the thing eats wood, is sturdy, and packs up small and relatively light. I clean it after use and oiled it once, and it's rust free several years later.

I haven't had to sharpen it yet, so I can't say how easy that will be.

I will say that it seems a bit fussier than just whipping out the folding saw for anything wrist sized or smaller, especially if the limb can sway or move, but it will cut serious sized wood and you could field rig it as a bow saw or between two trees if you really wanted to process a lot of wood. I've not done that yet, though.

 

[Preacher Man]

I have the Ultimate Survival Saber Cut Saw. It works very well and it can be re-sharpen. Unlike some other hand chainsaws, its Use is very straight forward and it doesn't have problems with alignment, so it can be used by two people for cutting down larger threes.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

One of the reasons that I changed my mind about putting one of these in my PSK's is that if a hand or arm is injured, the saw becomes unusable, whereas a folding or sliding saw may still be used.

 

[Preacher Man]

One of the reasons that I changed my mind about putting one of these in my PSK's is that if a hand or arm is injured, the saw becomes unusable, whereas a folding or sliding saw may still be used.

That is true, IF you are injured. If not, the hand chainsaw is smaller than the folding saw and allows you to cut down much larger branches or whole trees if needed. I carry both in my kit; different tools for different uses.

 

[chopchop]

One of the reasons that I changed my mind about putting one of these in my PSK's is that if a hand or arm is injured, the saw becomes unusable, whereas a folding or sliding saw may still be used.

I read your post and have been thinking about it. This is a good point.


But if you had to (ie survival situation), I think you could probably use a foot and a hand or two feet if you could sit down. Or you could tie it in place and move the wood, or rig it as a bow saw.


In general, though, I think a corona folding saw or equivalent would probably be easier to deploy one handed, provided you could get it open.