Recommendations on a good saw

[Deere Man]

Hi, I'm in the market for a decent saw that I can pack in a backpack for hiking and camping. I'm hung up on wheather I want a folding saw or a "pocket chainsaw". Does anybody have any recommendations on which is better or a good brand of either? Thanks.

 

[Kyp Degal]

I've heard nothing but good about the Bahco folding saws, in fact one of these is on my short list right now.

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

I haven't used a pocket chainsaw,so I can't comment on them.

I've been using a Bahco Laplander & I'm real happy with it:

The Gerber/Fiskars sliding blade saws & the Opinel folders are good ones too.

Cliff

 

[WhiskyJack]

How do the Bahco compare to SilkySaws?

 

[udtjim]

I have both a Laplander and a Silky, However I have not used the silky yet. The Laplander works great. BTW, The Buck Tree saw works very well too.

 

[orrey45]

I have a Pocket Chainsaw and I think its awesome. Ditch the handles that come with it and tie one some paracord loops. While out in the field just put your fingers in the loops and cut, for prolonged cutting use two sticks.

 

[go2ndAmend]

+1 on Baho Laplander.

 

[Mack]

Silky!!!!

 

[peripatew]

I've had a pocket chainsaw for 10+ years, and I like it quite a bit. For long term use, it really helps to make some handles on the spot (instead of just paracord handles). You could tackle much bigger pieces with it as well. I've not experience with Silky's though. I'm currently looking at this take down buck saw: http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/products/list/showcase/?id=27

L

 

[Lanturn]

Opinel makes two folding saws. The compact #12 and larger #18 model.
I have both and they work well. Look around for the lowest price.

http://www.crystalfallstradingcompany.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=102&products_id=530

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/e...earchText=opinel&Search=1&Mode=Text&SKU=OP687

 

[antonio_luiz]

i did professional pruning for a couple of years and my personal preference for a folder is Barnel - their Samurai steel is awesom - I've had blades bend almost 90° and spring back without a kink.

http://www.barnel.com/triedgesaws.php

 

[fishiker]

I've used both and think the pocket chain saw does a better job on larger pieces of wood. I normally carry a folder when just hiking or for an overnighter and have used several different ones that worked well.

 

[PB Wilson]

I've got a Felco folding pruning saw that works great. Light, reasonably compact and sharp. I've still got the oroginal blade on it and it's still going strong after three years of yard work.

 

[bigox]

How do the Bahco compare to SilkySaws?

I would like to know this too.

I have a Silky Pocketboy 170 and I absolutely love it but I have no experience with the Bahco.

I just recently broke the last inch of of my Silky. It was my dumb fault and I would be surprised if any saw would have survived. It still works great just missing about an inch of blade. From what I have been able to find so far I can buy a whole new Silky for just a couple dollars more than what a replacement blade costs!

 

[mymindisamob]

Bahco products are very good. I use their hatchets quite a bit. But for saws, I use Silky.

 

[udtjim]

Some time today I will run out and try the Silky and the Laplander back to back and report back here. It is time I try the Silky.

 

[kenk]

I did a little "saw-off" last fall while out camping. I brought along:

-Fiskars Folding Saw
-The Unbelievable Saw - the more comfortable brother of the Pocket Chain Saw
-18" Trailblazer Take-down Buck Saw

The chain saw cut VERY fast, but I had to be very careful not to let it get pinched. I got it pinched once and had to have someone else help hold the branch while I freed the saw.

The Fiskars folding saw wasn't all that impressive. It cut well, but was so short that I wouldn't want to use it for long - maybe limited to branches less than 2" thick.

The Trailblazer Buck Saw was a bit of a hassle to assemble and stow-away, but it cut like a dream. Very comfortable in the hand! I actually have both sizes, and I find the 18" to be eazier to pack.

A link to the Unbelievable Saw - http://www.unbelievablesaw.com/

A link to a review of the Trailblazer Buck Saw: http://cutleryscience.com/reviews/trailblazer.html

 

[udtjim]

OK I just came in from the backyard. I found a 2 1/2 inch branch and sawed pieces off with three folding saws. This is how it came out. The Silky saw went through in 23 stokes using just light pressure, letting the blade do the work. The Laplander went through in 26 stokes using about the same pressure. The little Gerber saw took about sixty stokes to go through the same branch. In it's defense it has a two inch shorter blade and it's the lightest most compact of the three. The silky cut the fastest but pulls just a bit harder,(bites more) Than the Laplander although neither required much work. The Gerber and Silky come with sheaths and can be carried on your belt where you would have to make or buy a sheath for the Laplander or carry it in your pack. The Silky is the heavies of the three to carry. Sorry, I don't recall which model of Silky that I have but it has the same length blade as the Laplander.

 

[Fiddleback]

There can be only one...

Silky.

 

[Shotgun]

What I don't like about the pocket chainsaws is that you pretty much have to use them two handed. I've tried the Gerber and like it quite a bit but I have one of these Fiskars in my pack because it's smaller and lighter than the Gerber and as far as I can tell they have the same blade on them. (Same company)
http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/s...ategoryId=10263&productId=10515&page=products