Sawback machete question

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I'm going to pick up a 12 inch Ontario machete. I notice they make one with saw teeth on the back. Has anyone ever used one of these and what is your opinion? Is the saw portion effective? I will be using the machete in tropical forest, Brazilian Mata Atlantica, which is a mixture of hard and soft woods. Mac

 

[longbow50]

There may be some here that will disagree, but it's been my experience that the "root saw" is pretty much useless. If it were me, I'd get a nice lite weight folding saw that stows easily in your pack or on your belt.

 

[m]

I have an 18" Ontario machete with the saw teeth and it is a lot better at sawing than I thought it would be.It is still not as good as a good dedicated saw though.

 

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On the way back to PA grom GA MOnday I stopped off at the Smoky Mountain KNife Works and picked up a 12 inch palin back Ontario. They had the saw backed model but the teeth seemed too coarse and dull for bamboo. I'll probably just go with a small folding saw. Thanks.

Mac

I also picked up a CS Mini-bushman. Cool knife!

 

[dizos]

They had the saw backed model but the teeth seemed too coarse and dull for bamboo. I'll probably just go with a small folding saw.

A heavy knife/machete blade is the best thing for bamboo right? I've watched folks in northern Thailand make very short work of 8" (20 + cm) bamboo with short heavy blades.

I have the Ontario 18" sawback version. I find the saw handy for cutting grooves and knotches but not useful for actually sawing through large diameter wood. I did have the handle replaced with G-10 sized and contoured better for my hand.

-- Dizos

 

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Dizos,

Cutting it down us easy enough if it is green and your blade is sharp. When it is dry and seasoned it is rock hard at times. A saw comes in handy for making stuff out of bamboo. Bamboo has a 1000+1 uses if you have the tools to work it. You run he risk of cracking or spliting the bamboo if you use a heavy blade to work it. Mac

 

[dizos]

Gotcha pict. Thanks.