Machete and axe people: take a saw along?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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I've been spending some time in the backyard with my GB SFA lately, and I'm really enjoying it. But, I got the wood halved and seasoned already. So I'm just breaking it down. So as it is, I don't need a saw.

But, if I was in the bush, and trying to section up a large piece of wood, seems like a nice long saw would be very helpful.

Do you take a saw into the bush along with your machete or axe? Why or why not?

L!

These are from my son::eek::thumbup::grumpy:
 
I have a folding, Corona-brand, pruning saw and a pair of ratcheting, pruning shears that I always take with me.

I have a lot of back and shoulder pain from injuries and multiple surgeries. I've also got two ribs that will flat-out dislocate in my back if I do the wrong thing, and that pain goes all the way around to my sternum. If you've never dislocated a rib in your back, all I can say is, hope that you never do; it hurts like hell, and you can't breath or move without wanting to kill yourself.

If I have to swing an axe or machete to get a bigger job done, fine; but I don't want to do it any more than absolutely necessary because I end up in pain very quickly, and I get a lot of pain if I exceed a certain range of motion.

Simply put: for most of the cutting I do, a saw and shears are way more efficient with my limitations.
 
It's nice to have a folding saw.I find it easier to cut down larger trees with it,than with an axe or a machete :)
 
Most definitely! It takes a lot less time and it is easier using a saw, especially on dry firewood. Heck they don't weigh anything so why not. I just have a cheapo folding one from the hardware store.
 
When I was living outside I carried not only my kukri but kept a swede saw tied to the pack as well.
 
I have a small Silky that is awesome. I rarely use an hatchet or machete for cutting logs. That being said, my CS tomahawk makes short work with stuff 1.5 inches or under with minimal effort.
 
No. Not unless I am specifically out getting firewood. For camping? An axe, or kukri is all I need. I find it faster to fell with an axe than a manually operated saw.
 
Just some food for thought...

Three advantages of a saw are they are lighter, safer (in general), and you can use them in the dark.

However, if I needed to make a shelter and/or build a fire in wet weather, I would rather have an axe.
 
Yep. I have a couple Kershaw ?2550? folding saws and have been very impressed with them. They cut very aggressively, but weigh next to nothing.
 
In winter on a protracted trip I have a little bow saw that comes along. It doesn't weigh much and it's worth more than makes up for the trivial weight. I'll probably migrate to a big Silky to replace it at some point, just because I think it will pack better despite being big. And if it cuts as well as my bow saw I'll be happy, but I suspect it might actually cut a bit better. Not in any hurry to get round to that though. I wouldn't bother adding my saw in just on an overnighter even in winter, I'd do it all with the chopper.

To my mind saw and ax go together. The reason for the above is that for most of my trips the ax can murder anything I'm willing to chop up without any help. I think when you get into the zone of “when an ax really is the mandatory tool” the saw is invaluable.
 
i often take a folding corona saw along. light, easy.

for supported camping, i take a non folding corona 14 inch pruning saw. Man, that thing cuts.
 
I actually prefer a saw to an axe. Less chance of an accident. Dont get me wrong, I like axes, just easier, and smaller/lighter to pack a saw. I think a silky, my laconico, and a small fixed or folder is the way to go for me. A machete in there too. I took that combo on my last trip(except not a silky, I had my gerber saw) and I liked it alot. I beat the piss out of my machete, and it worked wonderfully. I had no trouble gettin a fire goin at all. In damp conditions, first thing in the AM, shivering, I had a fire goin in less then 5 minutes. That included splitting wood, etc......
 
Usually not. But sometimes they're handy to have around, although I dislike the small folding ones - rather weak by design. Of course, for really large work, saws are the tool of choice. Chain saws, that is.
 
Got this little beauty from Lee Valley Tools (Canada). The main tube is 24 inches long, and the whole unit weighs less than my Leatherman.
Very compact and easy to carry with my pack.
Cheers.

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I like my Silky Saw. I like my axe too though.
On the 7-day trip I did, the box saw we had saw a lot more use than the axe. The axe was a lot more packable though. I think my preferred setup is a small axe to carry with me, but a saw back in camp if I need it. I see the axe as a tool for quick use, and the saw as a tool for planned tasks. If I know I need section down a bunch of 4" trees, I'll bring the saw. If I'm just moving through the woods and might need to cut up something, I'm likely to carry the hatchet.

One thing of note, we found a few times when we needed a squared off end. The axe can't do that unless you're one awesome axeman. The saw makes a nice clean cut.
 
I think a saw makes a great companion to a hatchet. I have a few different brands and all seem to do what I expect from them. I have a couple of folding saws that take up so little room I couldn't imagine not taking one along.
 
i take a silky pocketboy - or sometimes a pocket chainsaw. the reason is simple - it's safer and if i'm tired or injured (or just lazy) i'm better off sawing wood for fuel or shelter.
 
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