saw back machete

[RescueRiley]

how's the saw work on the back of the ontario machete??? is it any good. or is it your basic "back of a cheesy knife saw"

 

[Horn Dog]

It will saw, but not as well as a good Gerber folding camp saw or any other good saw.

 

[SkunkWerX]

It will saw, but not as well as a good Gerber folding camp saw or any other good saw.

This is true.

If you would sharpen and set the teeth, say, on an Ontario Sawback machete it will saw like, well, a saw. You will probably see a 100% improvement after a good sharpening, just like some new knives that need final sharpening to bring out their true perfromance.

Thickness is probably their main downfall, going through way more material than a folding saw, or "buck" style saw, with thinner blades.

If you are carry something as big as a machete, get a replacement thin bow saw blade, and see if you can fit it inside your machete sheath.
That and some 550 cord and you can easily make a buck type frame saw, or quicker a bow saw out of a green tree limb.

 

[ashtxsniper]

It is a lot of work to use these. Not really worth the effort. The U.S. issue machete with sawteeth is heavy enough that it chops faster than it saws so the saw is not really a benefit IMHO.

 

[lotoblades]

I hardly ever use the saw,it's a lot like trying to rub through wood with a rock.

 

[ohoisin]

I made a camp kniofe once from an old hand saw I retained the saw edge on the back with a good enogh saw a machete could be made with a decent saw edge.

 

[Foilist]

Saw backs on knives strike be as being one of those things that sounds handy, but actually isn't.

 

[ashtxsniper]

Sawback knives with a saw sharp enough to do any good cut your sheath to pieces when you draw them.

 

[Gossman Knives]

I agree with the others. The saw isn't very effective. I'm modifiying my 12" sawback Ontario and removed the sawteeth.
Scott

 

[Dantor]

I also agree, all true. But after I sharpen my teeth I will use a plastic guard I got on another machete (wally world) and cut it to the length of the teeth and keep it on the blade, it stays on pretty good. That way I won't ruin the sheath as much.
I feel combo blades with serrations do the same, one of the reasons I prefer plain edges on my regular blades.

But overall I like the idea of the teeth on the 12" ontario, I use it more like an axe or large blade and use the bigger machete's for trail clearing and such. Different tools for different needs. I like being able to choose...

 

[GibsonFan]

I recently tested a cheapo Coghlan's folding saw and found it worked really well. Others chimned in with folding saws they like even better. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455546

SkunkWerx's idea about keeping a bow saw blade with the machete sheath is a darn good one!

I noticed makers always round off the radiuses like where the tang "meets" the blade, to prevent stress risers where it's easier for the steel to break. Now that I think of it, isn't each saw tooth a little stress riser? It seems to me sawteeth make the blade weaker.

 

[DaleW]

This is true.

If you are carry something as big as a machete, get a replacement thin bow saw blade, and see if you can fit it inside your machete sheath.
That and some 550 cord and you can easily make a buck type frame saw, or quicker a bow saw out of a green tree limb.

Great idea. Made me think of other saw frame options-- plastic plumbing? plywood?

 

[Tballetta]

Another saw alternaive I use is a aggressivley toothed reiprocating saw blade that I carry between the kydex and nylon of my RTAK sheath. It fits perfectly in there. I adapted the butt end of my hickory walking stick to accept the blade by chiseling a rabbit in it. Drilled 2 holes to match the holes in the blade. I epoxyed 2 stanlees nuts into a counter sink on 1 side and fitted that with stainlees philips screws. When I need a saw I just screw the blade into place with my leatherman. Works great. In a pinch the blade works by itself as well.