Storing bow saw blades bent?

[TheDandyLion]

Forgive me if this is the wrong place but there's not a saw sub-forum.

Is it okay to store bow saw blades bent? I realize storing them bent will result in some sort of bed but would such a small bend effect the cutting while under tension? I'm making up a break down bow saw kit so if anyone has any ideas on how to store a long blade in a small place than I'd be very grateful.

When I say bent, I mean in a loop or in an arc on the frame of my pack

 

[Bo T]

It depends on the amount of bend. If the blade does not take a set then there is no harm. If the blade takes a small set then, as long as little or no deformation (stretching and work hardening) of the blade occurs it should maintain its strength and toughness. If you bend it to the point where plastic deformation occurs, you might see a slight kink in the blade. This is where it has the highest probability of breaking in use. You can always use a shorter bow saw?

 

[TheDandyLion]

It depends on the amount of bend. If the blade does not take a set then there is no harm. If the blade takes a small set then, as long as little or no deformation (stretching and work hardening) of the blade occurs it should maintain its strength and toughness. If you bend it to the point where plastic deformation occurs, you might see a slight kink in the blade. This is where it has the highest probability of breaking in use. You can always use a shorter bow saw?

Shorter saw=More work in cuts (to a point)

 

[Square_peg]

I'm making up a break down bow saw kit so if anyone has any ideas on how to store a long blade in a small place than I'd be very grateful.

Are you set on a bow saw? A Silky Big-Boy is a whole lotta saw and fits in a pack well. The Katana-Boy is too big and in I my opinion is goofy, too much handle - too much blade for a pull saw. But the Big-Boy is effective and will cut a sizable tree - up to 15" +/-.

Other good choices are the Tajima 240mm G-Saw or Silky's Gomboy 240mm saw. The Silky Gomboy 270mm is the largest folding saw that will stay put in the left side pocket of a pair of Carharts. The 270 has become my go-to saw for trail work.

A folding pull saw has one advantage over a bow saw - there's no bow to get in the way of deeper cuts. Bow saws are nice. And they're elegant, smartly designed. But I think the new pull saws make them obsolete.

 

[TheDandyLion]

Are you set on a bow saw? A Silky Big-Boy is a whole lotta saw and fits in a pack well. The Katana-Boy is too big and in I my opinion is goofy, too much handle - too much blade for a pull saw. But the Big-Boy is effective and will cut a sizable tree - up to 15" +/-.

Other good choices are the Tajima 240mm G-Saw or Silky's Gomboy 240mm saw. The Silky Gomboy 270mm is the largest folding saw that will stay put in the left side pocket of a pair of Carharts. The 270 has become my go-to saw for trail work.

A folding pull saw has one advantage over a bow saw - there's no bow to get in the way of deeper cuts. Bow saws are nice. And they're elegant, smartly designed. But I think the new pull saws make them obsolete.

With the bow saw I can replace blades or have other types of blades on hand for softer/harder/dryer/wetter wood. Also I have seen one too many silky saws shatter or break in half, yet in my years of using them I have never seen a bow saw worth it's salt break. Also those silky saws are very heavy and quite expensive, the bow saw I'm building only weighs about 10-12oz and is costing me all of $25 with blade.

Source: The forestry crew I work with has a lot of guys that carry Silky saws, I've seen too many Katanaboys break

 

[David Martin]

I really like using my T saws. Buck makes a good one as well as Knapp. They both have wood cutting teeth and bone. The early Knapp even has a match safe in it's handle. DM

 

[TheDandyLion]

I really like using my T saws. Buck makes a good one as well as Knapp. They both have wood cutting teeth and bone. The early Knapp even has a match safe in it's handle. DM

I don't do a lot of bone cutting but I definitely see the practicality