Saw back Knives (opinions)

killstew

killstew

Joined
Nov 6, 2009
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Just got to wondering how many like having a saw back on their fixed blades?I have seen this on several cheap "survival" knives. However I have also seen on some pretty nice knives as well.

So like it, hate it, does it serve a valid need?
 
Even the ones that work okay, don't compare to even a cheap hardware store saw. They are usually on knives that are very thick and cause a lot of drag, I think my arm would fall off before I could saw through something. They seem to be alright for making shallow notches though, but otherwise are not useful IMO.
 
I had a few of the "survival" knives with sawteeth when I was a teen. Absolute junk. I did get a couple of Camillus USMC knives with sawteeth and serrations. The saw teeth were absolute junk on those too.
 
Just asking some personal friends that was pretty much the response I had gotten but figured I would throw it out here for people that are more into knives to reply.

So the concept of a last ditch woods knife having one would be a waste? Like the Hellion (Myke Hawke's) or the Tracker. Not the knife design itself but the saw back. I have never honestly tried to use one so that's the reason for a lot of the questions.
 
The ones I had that actually cut okay were on TOPS knives, so the Hawke would probably be about the same. (I used to have a couple of the Steel Eagle models) But with a knife that size, you could chop something faster than sawing it anyway.
 
I like some of them, don't like others. I prefer ones with with off-set angled teeth like those on the Aitors and SOG Team Leader Survivor. The team Leader saw cuts wood, bamboo even schedule 40 PVC. I don't care much for the ones like on the old pilot survival knife.
 
In my opinion I rather just pack a light saw then have a saw on my knife. The indents in the back of the blade would worry me that my blade might snap at one of them if I were to chop something. They would probably be hard on a baton as well, if they were at the end of the blade.

A lighweight saw + a knife is much better than a knife with that saw back, in my opinion. :thumbup:
 
Les Snyder said:
in 1971, a Randall #18 was a pretty hot item if you were a helicopter crewman
Click to expand...

Wow just googled that. It looks like one of the worst knives to actually use with the round and smooth steel handle.:barf: Guess they didn't have many choices back then.:confused:
 
I had a Tracker knife once. In my experience the teeth on the sawback were less for cutting wood in half and more for making notches for traps, triggers, tent pegs, etc. For that sort of thing they worked. As an actual wood saw, no. After having it for some time, I sold it. I'm in no hurry to ever own a knife again with a "saw."
Just my opinion.
 
mistwalker tested a sog last year that was the only sawback knife that cut worth a hoot. in my opinion using a knife designed like this is asking foe a bad cut.--dennis the saws on the swiss army knives by victorinix actually cut pretty good.
 
I used to know a guy with a Jimmy Lile sawback knife who said that the split saw tooth design worked adequately. None of those I have tried were very useful. I agree that the SAK saw is the ultra-lightweight solution and a Silky (or Bahco/Kershaw) even better.

DancesWithKnives
 
plus 1 on packing a light saw if you need a saw... teeth on the back reduce the knife's usefulness, kinda like putting a hatchet on the back of a hammer...
 
A real saw has those offset teeth, and they are often wider than the rest of the metal. This allows some of those teeth to pull out material, wood.
Would seem like a dangerous way to have a saw with you. Great for cutting yourself.
 
I don't like saw-backs, but I LOVE... LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my SOG Hunter Revolver. The saw on it is bad ass and it's a good little knife. I highly recommend them.
 
Thanks for all the thoughts guys. I guess that proves the old saying "there is a tool for every job." A knife is not a saw lol.
 
tknife said:
Even the ones that work okay, don't compare to even a cheap hardware store saw. They are usually on knives that are very thick and cause a lot of drag,
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Tknife say just what I was alread tinking. The right tool for the job. Not ONE to try and do all of them. JMHO......
 
1966c10 said:
Some are specifically intended to make notches in wood for traps and such.
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I see people saying this a lot but I'm wondering what technique or trap something like this would actually be faster for than just using the blade of the knife. Not being a jerk I really want to know. People say this about the saws on SAK's too. The way I do a figure 4 I can't see a saw helping. In fact it would be a hindrance.
 
What are you guys talking about?... the $8 "survival" knife sold at Harbor Freight is the best knife ever! :p
 
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