Sawbacks on user knives

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
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I'd like to know what other knifemakers think of putting sawbacks on their knives.

I can think of all sorts of "textbook answers" to support both sides of the argument.


It would just be nice to hear from a few others who have actually tried them on their knives, whether it was successful or not.


What location is the best compromise on the blade?
What style sawback is best?


Keep in mind, this is for a knife that will actually be used and so, I need to know what the best idea is all-around. Not just what looks pretty.


Dan


(and don't nobody tell me - "just take a saw with ya"....:rolleyes: )
 
From what I've seen, the sawteeth that are put on the various "Survival" knives are pretty worthless. What little good they could do, could easily be done with the main edge on the knife.
 
Danbo - I agree with your assessment - as far as "survival knives" are concerned.

It just seems to me that if we are clever enough to figure out how to mount a gun to a knife, we ought to be able to find a way to make a sawback work. And if so, what the best solution is.

Dan
 
If you can make a real crosscut type saw tooth on the back, it'd be useful. I have a Wenger made Swissbuck which has a folding saw that is one of the tools, and it cuts very well. Another one is my Gerber folding camp saw. That's the trick, is to get something like that, and make it cost effectiver.


Errr, might remember my tools wrong now, thinking I didn't mean crosscut saw, meant other one. Either way, one like on my wenger. :)
 
I don't make knives - yet - but could I suggest the Glock type root saw? (Which would be a bear to file out!)

Can we ask what primary substances will be cut?
 
The sawteeth on Dave Beck's Wilderness Survival Knife are like a giant Swiss Army Knife saw. They cut like mad. It is possible to have real, working sawteeth on a knife. I'm a big fan of sawteeth, and when properly done, they have a place. It's nice to be able to notch out wood for traps and bows without compromising your primary edge. Also the saw allows the user to notch tree branches which can then be snapped off, further saving the edge of the knife. This also lessens the chance of accidentally missing the branch and cleaving some part of your body off.

The trick is designing teeth that cut a channel at least as wide as the blade thickness so that it doesn't bind up, or bottom out on the material you're cutting.

I haven't seen many sawteeth that work well, but those that do sure come in handy for me.
 
If the "kerf" is wider than the blade, and assuming it is done well, it will work fine.
Personally, I see no reason for a saw on a "knife". Just useless clutter. And, if you have ever attempted to wipe off a saw blade on your pants or anything else, you will see how impractical it is.
:eek:
 
Kerf is the key idea that most folks throw out the window. They make goofy serrations and call it a saw.
Look at a good crosscut saw or even a new hacksaw blade. You'll notice the teeth are similar to tiny chisels, used to gouge out a furrow in the material you are cutting. In order to cut clear through effectively this furrow has to be wider than the body of the blade.
Seems like the best way to go about this would be with a full flat or hollow grind which automatically makes the spine the widest part of the blade. Then its mostly a matter of finding the best angle to cut the notches/gulleys between teeth, and get them polished nice and sharp.
 
what kind of wickedness are you cooking up in your mind? You've got this question, and the sheath one -- I have a feeling you're got some interesting design you're thinking of. ;)

Anyway -- I like sawteeth, I've only had a few with useful teeth, but I like them nonetheless.
 
Believe it or not I have to make a bowie with a saw on the spine. I figured I would grind in a fuller just under the spine and have the teeth ground in by a saw shop. The "Set" or kerf is very important to make it cut. I am using ATS 34 and Paul Bos (dont tell the ABS big shots) and will grind before and after heat-treat. I will try to post a pic when done. Should be interesting.
 
I think this would be the perfect application for a dropped handle or big fancy gaurd too. Most knives don't offer that great of grip retention for a hard pull parallel to the blade.

I think I would want the teeth to cut on a push stroke actually. That way you can push your hand against the gaurd if necessary, and can get more power into to.
 
I like that new signature pic! Its got a nice ring to it. :D
 
The one saw blade on a knife I've ever seen that actually looked practical was located on the long clip of the knife's blade. I sure can't remember who did it, but it actually looked like it was properly placed for actual use while being out of the way of the spine of the blade. This allowed the knife to still be used with a club for splitting wood and also bearing down on with one's thumb for added leverage when neccessary.
Personally, me no likee saw blades on knifee spinee.:)


All the best,
Mike U.
 
sawbacks and gut hooks on a knife are a accident in the making:eek:. there are enought things going on when working in uneven terrain, dense bush, cold,dark, etc. other than a double edge sword or fighter type knife i would welcome anyone to point out exzamples of this in a working ethnic knife? i can't think of any? it seems to be a marketing type thing from the last fifty years or so. i am interested in hearing about some if you know of any?
 
There was a bayonet dating from World War 1 that had a sawtooth spine. I believe it was Swiss issue. That was almost 100 years ago. (ca. 1915)
 
yes the germans had those also, but that is a fighting tool. i remenber reading in "All quiet on the western front", that the allies would shot on the spot any german that tried to surrender with one of those bayonets.
 
What about hardening?

Do you temper the sawback like you do the edge?


Btw, rhino - I really like your knife designs. I have a few of them printed in full color to look at every once in a while...:)
 
Originally posted by RHINOKNIVES
yes the germans had those also, but that is a fighting tool. i remenber reading in "All quiet on the western front", that the allies would shot on the spot any german that tried to surrender with one of those bayonets.
Click to expand...

They were actually made for the German engineering troops, and they were a dismal failure.
If you notice, they weren't used in WWII.;)
 
Im going to have a saw shop grind it in and have Paul Bos heat treat it. But first Im going to put my MS stamp right in the middle of the blade for all to see. I may be making history here.
 
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