Saw use in Bushcraft vs Knife

[B34NS]

I enjoy those Bob saws. The laplander's pretty handy too.

Same as Pinnah (I think we frequent similar peaks), you can't just go out and harvest wood unless you are i fact in a SAR situaion. Very different situation than in the Boreal.

Although the Bob/Bucks have always been in my kit, I've had a folding saw (harbor frieght) in there too since I was a kid, kind of why I say bottoning wood for fire is redundant if you have a Bahco, Silky, Corona.

 

[B34NS]

Double post, so here's some Mors

[video=youtube;sDSzW8ljDeM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDSzW8ljDeM[/video]

 

[Woods Walker]

Why is everything online gotta be this vs that? Most take-down buck or folding saws aren't all that heavy. How about a crazy idea. Saw plus knife?

 

[Skrapmetal]

Why is everything online gotta be this vs that? Most take-down buck or folding saws aren't all that heavy. How about a crazy idea. Saw plus knife?

There you go.

I like chopping, so sometimes I carry a big chopping knife or an axe. I also carry a bahco folding saw 'cause it is handy and really light.

And I carry a small/medium knife.

And, occasionally, a sandwich.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Why is everything online gotta be this vs that? Most take-down buck or folding saws aren't all that heavy. How about a crazy idea. Saw plus knife?

Well, the OP actually suggested that in his OP. In fact, I can't find a single post in this thread suggesting that a saw be used in exclusion to a knife.

Still, people do seem to get excited by controversy.

 

[Woods Walker]

Well, the OP actually suggested that in his OP. In fact, I can't find a single post in this thread suggesting that a saw be used in exclusion to a knife.

Still, people do seem to get excited by controversy.

Right but look at the title. No question controversy sure sells threads.

 

[B34NS]

There you go.

I like chopping, so sometimes I carry a big chopping knife or an axe. I also carry a bahco folding saw 'cause it is handy and really light.

And I carry a small/medium knife.

And, occasionally, a sandwich.

He who is truly most prepared for anything :thumbup:

 

[Thomas Linton]

"VS" does mean against, but it can also mean comparision. In any case, the idea of a saw carried with a knife has been put forward hundreds of times.

 

[waveone]

Right but look at the title. No question controversy sure sells threads.

If controversy is what you are looking for , then it appears you are creating it- to a limited degree, not the title.

Furthermore, I am not "selling" anything. As several of the more circumspect members have stated, this is simply for discussion and varied opinion. If you read the initial post it clearly provides context by stating in the first and last sentences that knives are "indispensable" and should be carried "in tandem" with saws- IMO. So in retrospect, the thread ,nor title is as controversial as you might like to make it.

Context- it actually holds a purpose..............

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

It seems like only cutting on a the pull stroke would be a bit limiting, but that is without trying it. Needless to say, you've got me curious.

Based upon the price point, as I stated, the Schrade and the Gerber cut tremendously, both ways and are lightweight too boot. Add in the fact that they can be carried in your pack or on your belt with a chopper and you have the tools necessary to make a relatively comfortable, cozy camp anywhere , any time.

Definitely need to try a pull saw my friend, google learning only goes so far.

A saw cutting both ways has you pushing and pulling leading to binding and twisting

Cutting only on pull has the teeth feed pushing forward with no drag and helps push out debris so the teeth contact wood to be cut.

Backpacking for me has always been good folding saw, 5in fixed and a sak

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

Sure. But fun for who?

I'm not a leave no trace zealot. I don't believe it exists. If you camp there, you leave an impact. Repeated impact over time makes longer lasting impact.

My approach is to minimize and localize impact.

The problem with high harvest impact and fires is how long they linger. Burned rocks. Scorched earth. Ash. A lack of dead fall. Abandoned slash. Scarred trees and saplings.

If I could bushwack through public lands and not see these things on a regular basis, I would be more tolerant of high impact techniques. But, it's not the case. I'll freely admit this may depend heavily on where you live and camp. Parts of Ontario are so big and broad.... What does it matter? I dunno. I'm not saying it can't be done. Just noting that it's never really needed, always optional and only legal and right in certain circumstances. That's fun for the first guy doesn't mean squat when the only reasonable camp site near that remote pond is totally trashed. Fun for him maybe, but not for me.

Man every thread I see you post on you get so preachy man, lighten up a little and stop trying to force your minimalistic no impact high country backpacking techniques to people that are not going into these area's or want to chop, saw, burn in places that can handle it.

I have done everything you have in the high places of British Columbia for a couple decades but not everywhere or everyone warrants it or wants it

You kinda suck the fun out of a lot of good threads a little with constant nagging and repetition and forcing your opinions.....yeah we get where you are coming from but it seems like it devolves to "me better, you bad and I will tell you why".....in great detail.

Just one mans opinion and not trying to personally insult you but your not the only guy with experience around here, maybe go for medium horse instead of high horse.

 

[Phoynix]

We all need to chill...
As every expert woodsmen knows, the only tool you need is yourself.

wait...
Maybe that was a poor use of words, getting cold in the wilderness is bad.

 

[waveone]

Man every thread I see you post on you get so preachy man, lighten up a little and stop trying to force your minimalistic no impact high country backpacking techniques to people that are not going into these area's or want to chop, saw, burn in places that can handle it.

I have done everything you have in the high places of British Columbia for a couple decades but not everywhere or everyone warrants it or wants it

You kinda suck the fun out of a lot of good threads a little with constant nagging and repetition and forcing your opinions.....yeah we get where you are coming from but it seems like it devolves to "me better, you bad and I will tell you why".....in great detail.

Just one mans opinion and not trying to personally insult you but your not the only guy with experience around here, maybe go for medium horse instead of high horse.

I'm not going to pile on here, other than to say you sum up this minor issue succinctly, and I agree.

Everyone has a certain perspective on things , but in this case, as in most hunters who are conservationists, predominantly make every effort to leave a certain place as they found it or better. While there are always exceptions, that is their nature because of the love of the outdoors. A quick review of license revenue and various independent private organizations such a the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, NTF etc show their impact on the natural habitat in the US over the past 75+ years.

The minimalist mentality is nonsensical, it is also fantasy. The earth left to itself- which is a practical impossibility will degenerate to a certain degree. Under man's dominion- yes I said it , the earth's resources will either flourish or significantly degenerate. We are not running out of oil, water or timber, it is simply being manipulated. Eco- pukes have either bought into the lie or are complicit in perpetuating it.

It is not my intention to insult anyone either yet the same can never be said of the opposition. Their entire perspective emanates from a position of lies, manipulations and control, not stewardship.

 

[waveone]

Definitely need to try a pull saw my friend, google learning only goes so far.

A saw cutting both ways has you pushing and pulling leading to binding and twisting

Cutting only on pull has the teeth feed pushing forward with no drag and helps push out debris so the teeth contact wood to be cut.

Backpacking for me has always been good folding saw, 5in fixed and a sak

Again, I agree. This thread prompted me to do a bit of research which has shed light on the efficiencies of a pull saw. I've always carried a folding saw for the reasons disclosed on my initial post, yet the Corona was a tool I had no knowledge of. With a good folding saw and a 5" fixed blade a great deal of work can be accomplished to provide relatively comfortable living conditions in camp.

 

[Blue Sky]

I like my Opinel folding saw. It is light, compact and cuts very well. I have seen people post issues with theirs, IIRC the lock not staying locked, but I have not had that problem myself. For what it cost a Silky/Bahco might have been a better choice, but I'm happy with it.

Many good reasons have been posted for carrying a saw, but one of my favorites is that it is relatively quiet. I can cut that one malplaced dead branch in my shooting lane in-season w/o as much ruckus as chopping would be. From a camping/hiking perspective, a saw still makes sense to me whether for an open fire or small wood-fired stove. Dry wood saws better than it chops.

As far as low impact, etc., I don't see how burning small amounts of deadwood off the ground is destructive. Some areas have fire bans and a lot of that is due to dry conditions yes, but also because there is usually too much deadwood lying around. Cutting down trees is another matter, but that is never really necessary, is it?

 

[waveone]

I like my Opinel folding saw. It is light, compact and cuts very well. I have seen people post issues with theirs, IIRC the lock not staying locked, but I have not had that problem myself. For what it cost a Silky/Bahco might have been a better choice, but I'm happy with it.

Many good reasons have been posted for carrying a saw, but one of my favorites is that it is relatively quiet. I can cut that one malplaced dead branch in my shooting lane in-season w/o as much ruckus as chopping would be. From a camping/hiking perspective, a saw still makes sense to me whether for an open fire or small wood-fired stove. Dry wood saws better than it chops.

As far as low impact, etc., I don't see how burning small amounts of deadwood off the ground is destructive. Some areas have fire bans and a lot of that is due to dry conditions yes, but also because there is usually too much deadwood lying around. Cutting down trees is another matter, but that is never really necessary, is it?

+1000

Check out my initial post here:

While a knife is indispensable in many applications, a saw does many tasks with more efficiency in my opinion. While clearly this is a knife forum, why is there very little discussion on this issue?.

Speaking from experience, when I need a significant amount of brush, branches, even limbs cut or trimmed quickly, a portable saw like a Schrade, Gerber or other is the best option. There is less time taken, less energy exerted in the performance of these tasks. It is quiet too, when in the field , hunting and I need to set up an ambush blind. Knives no matter how sharp do these tasks as efficiently. In terms of weight, the survival type saws are also lightweight, easily carried in a pack or by belt. So, in my experience, while they are not as cool as knives, they should be carried n tandem with them for task efficiency.

Opinions? Thoughts? Disagreements?

IF you are hunting specifically bow hunting- in my case, this is an indispensable tool for all these reasons. As you state, cutting a tree is hardly ever necessary. It is something I would never do because unless there is a dire need, I find it bordering on the "immoral". There is plenty of deadfall and underbrush which can be harvested to fulfill a given task. This is where the 5" fixed or 5"+ and folding saw shine as Brad states.

 

[bored2deth]

Rule of 3..knife, multitool, saw.

 

[olybears57]

Another great use for a saw, that hasn't been yet mentioned is for cutting pieces for splints or makeshift litters in emergency. More efficient than a saw or axe, and it leaves a clean end on the log, instead of a sharp and potentially dangerous one.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Not everyone is insulted by being told their ideas are false and dilusional, but its not typically the very best way to persuade them - or anyone else - to your point-of-view.

Wood can be split lengthways with a saw, A stress-riser cut at 90 degrees to the length of a pole can result in the lengthways split if the pole is struck against an unyielding object (like swinging a baseball bat). Not 100% but not uncommon either. Depends on the wood - as in forget it with American Elm.

 

[CellerDrummer]

If you ever try out a Silky Saw, specifically the BigBoy model. YOU WILL BE AMAZED!! It cuts on the pull stroke instead of the push stroke so be careful. I swear the only thing faster is a chain saw and I'm no young buck either (45yrs old). Its light and takes up very little space in your pack. Two things I will ALWAYS take camping. My condor machete and my Silky saw.
CD