Survival Saws

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sketchbag

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Personally I havent used one. Never owned anything practical for carrying in the bush just for the sake of having it. But there have been times I having one would have been nice.

Ive thrown together a list of some of the options, and some pros/cons. If youve got experiences with any of these, or others share what you did and didnt like about it.

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Wire Saw
pros: very light & compact
cons: junk? Les Stroud used one in one episode of survivorman and broke off the ring on the first pull

campingsurvival_1898_9536666

Chain Saw
pros: light & compact, said to cut quite quickly, could tackle larger diameter material easier than shorter rigid blades
cons: handle mounts possible weak points like wire saw?

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Coghlan's Folding Saw
pros: cheap, replacement blades available in practically every town
cons: quality/durability?

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Folding Bow Saw
pros: easier to work with
cons: size

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Swiss Army Knife/Multi-tool saws
pros: more likely to have it on you, probably already own one
cons: short blade limits usability
 
I had a wire saw and broke it, but it was probably a lesser quality one.

I hear good things about the Pocket Chainsaw and have thought about trying on myself.

Folding saws have a lot of supporters but I don't use them so I can't say good or bad.

I use a Sven saw which is similar to the bow saw pictured and the size never bugs me because it stays in the pack unless I'm gathering firewood or clearing a dead fall off a portage.

SK saws work great on small stuff.

Good luck
Helle
 
I have one of those Coghlan's saws that I've used a few times while backpacking. If you take it easy they're pretty effective and pretty cheap. The blade is still sharp after moderate use and it cuts reasonably fast. My complaint is that it is not real stable when locked open and you can't apply the pressure you would like to.

I have also read good things about the Pocket Chainsaw and that will probably be my next purchase. That video on their website sold me.
 
Only ones I've used are the SAK saws. Like Helle said they're great on small stuff, but anything large and you'll be spending more time than it's worth unless you absolutely have to saw that piece of wood. Still, a SAK Farmer in the pocket compliments a fixed blade nicely.

I'm interested in other saws capable of taking down larger diameter logs in shorter time so I'll be watching this thread myself.
 
I have a wire saw stashed away in my gear. It comes in handy from time to time. Last was removing a 3" tree (green wood) that had fallen on a trail. I don't cut much seasoned wood - generally when fire building, I burn stuff that I can break.

I think I got it from a Colghan's package. It's a bunch of twisted wire that isn't really sharp. I've also used the Varco version that has more substantial teeth. It cuts better, but the teeth tend to poke and snag things.

I had a folding Fiskars pruning saw which worked very well for me. Again, an easy thing to throw into the gear pile and forget about until you need it. Better performance and durability than the wire saw. Lighter than the folding buck saw that I have now.
 
The thin wire saw is a useless peice of junk. The chain saw is better constructed but can still be difficult to use. Running a stick through the loops in each end will improve your grip. The real problem comes in stabilizing the log you are sawing through or putting pressure on the log to prevent binding. I have used a variety of the folding saws over the years. the work well on small logs/branches and can be used one handed leaving the other the hold the log. Consider buying a quality one and not the bargin model. I have no experince with the Sven Saw. Personnaly I'mnot all that impressed with the saws in SAKs or multi tools. My Medium sized fixed blade knife is just as effective. One saw that you might consider is a collapsable bucksaw. I have used one a couple times and it worked really well. There was a thread a couple of weeks ago that these were talked about I'll see if I can find it.
 
Sven saws work very well. I got two.

The Coghlan's saw works fine on smaller logs/tress. It only cuts on the pull stroke, tho, so take it slow.

I just got the Pocket Chainsaw and haven't had much chance to use it, but it looks promising.

The cheaper wire saws are a waste of money. The "better" ones might work for a short while, but they have all broken sooner than later. One broke as I was unfolding it for the first time.

Except for the wire saws, I'd rather have one of the other 3 than a hatchet.

.
 
I keep a Mikov auto with stag handles and a saw blade in the front pocket of my camping/survival sheath. Works like a champ. Plus it's attached to a handy dandy auto pocketknife that I use for most of my simple cutting chores around the camp. I know a bunch of people are going to yell and point fingers about the auto, but truth is noone where I go cares. I have run into several forest authorities and such and they only ever ask where they can get one. Out in those places, they care a lot more about litter, poaching, drugs, bla bla bla. My Mikov is at the bottom of their list.
 
James 61 said:
The thin wire saw is a useless peice of junk. .
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Not so. There are different quality of wire saws. The good ones from England cut very well and are decently durable.

For what they are they work well. Light and compact which is the point.

Skam
 
Wire saws work if you keep them from getting too hot or bent to sharply. I think they have a place in a BOB or in the trunk of your car and have used them while hunting to remove small dead falls.

We've used the Gerber folding saws for years and love them, my mother-in-law is getting one for Christmas. They lock open and closed, which can be annoying, but it's better then shredding your pack or back pocket. And you can get replacement fine and coarse blades.

I love the SAK saws, just to have them around. I've used mine many times but would rather chop something up if I have to - just because it's more fun.:p

Haven't used a pocket chain saw yet so the only opinion I have is that they are kind of heavy to carry if you're not sure you gonna use it.
 
sketchbag said:
campingsurvival_1898_9536666

Chain Saw
pros: light & compact, said to cut quite quickly, could tackle larger diameter material easier than shorter rigid blades
cons: handle mounts possible weak points like wire saw?
Click to expand...


The pocket chainsaw rocks - it zips through wood. It weighs less than 5 oz if you get the military version with paracord and cordura pouch - some pocketknives weigh that much. It's compact enough to fit in a t-shirt pocket.

If you had just a SAK and a Pocket Chainsaw, you'd do just fine IMO. :thumbup:

http://www.pocketchainsaw.com/pcs320.mpg
 
David E said:
Compared to what ?

A hatchet ? A larger saw ?

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Compared to a wire saw that you might use or the saw on my SAK when I'm pretty sure I will use something on the SAK. I often end up carrying enough extra stuff for the kids etc that the less I can carry and still be prepared is all the better.

I picked up a replacement saw blade for the Gerber Gator Saw III (chain saw blade) when it was on clearance. It is very light and easily packable. I'll give it a test next week.
 
The wire saw might not do that great on trees or for survival but they work great on pvc pipe, especially in a tight spot. I haved used it on more than a few plumbing projects.
 
I have an early Gerber folding saw with the non-replacable blade and the chainsaw cut on the teeth. I only bought it to zip through the sternum on elk and deer but have never actually needed to do that. My Victorinox Fieldmaster SAK with saw works equally as well.

Not to stray, but in a pure survival situation (not just camping or backpacking) what would you need to saw? I've never been in the woods where there wasn't lots of "blowdown" to pick from. I don't cut my survival fire logs to a certain length! I just drop the long log on the fire and as it burns, keep moving the two pieces to the center. I guess I'm at a loss as to why any saw, other than on the SAK I always have on me, is important.
 
"survival" is a bit of a misnomer, as its far from an essential survival tool, I just wanted to be clear that I'm referring to compact pocket sized saws.

On that note, what would you prefer:
pocket saw + chopper or
hatchet + smaller knife

(hatchet + chopper is a tad redundant and heavy in my opinion)
 
bruce said:
Not to stray, but in a pure survival situation (not just camping or backpacking) what would you need to saw? I've never been in the woods where there wasn't lots of "blowdown" to pick from. I don't cut my survival fire logs to a certain length! I just drop the long log on the fire and as it burns, keep moving the two pieces to the center. I guess I'm at a loss as to why any saw, other than on the SAK I always have on me, is important.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on where you go. When I'm in the Boundary Waters you are restricted to USFS campsites that have a fire grate on them and are usually rocked in on 3 sides so I need to cut my wood to fit.


Helle.
 
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