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Takedown Saws...

matthewdanger

matthewdanger

Joined
Jan 29, 2003
Messages
1,568
Good evening WSS gurus,

I am looking at take down saws. I have a couple of the Gerber sliding wood saws that are great for the price, weight, and size but I am looking from something a bit bigger. Most of my sawing can be handled by the Gerber sliding saws but it would be nice to be able to handle some larger logs (up to 8-10") in a pinch.

I am looking at several saws that seem to be well liked and have good reputations as being very durable (which is key to me).

The Sven Saw is small, lightweight, and inexpensive. I know they cut very well too. The price and weight on these make them very tempting and the blades cut like lasers on the ones that I have tried.

The Trail Blazer takedown buck saws pack a lot of saw into a little space. They offer some nice features like a captive wingnut so you don't loose it in the field. I haven't tried one of these personally but I hear good things and I do like the rigidity that a buck saw offers.

Trail Blazer also makes a saw called the Sawvivor that looks decent. It has a nice grip and the captive wingnut but doesn't pack into itself. It looks like the blade would be loose in my pack unless I bought a carrying case.

Does anyone have any experience with the above saws? Are there any others that I should be looking at?

Thanks!
 
I have the regular trailblazer. Although compact, realize it is quite a bit heavier than a folding saw and the tube itself is pretty long. All that said it is a great saw. It cuts as well as a full size buck and you have considerable flexibility in hand placement. I've been using it for years without ill effect. I have to buy a new blade for mine as it is dull and my attempts to sharpen it by file are not working well. Very good saw if you are tackling big wood!

The tension bar does limit the depth you can cut through on big rounds. This typicall isn't a problem if you can saw in the other direction. If you tackle wood that is bigger than what the tension bar allows after sawing all sides of the wood - well you are probably tackling too big a tree with a too little of a saw.
 
Check into the sizes offered by Silky saws. I have tried all of the folding saws and though the Laplander comes close, the silky blows away all of the rest of them in my tests.

The saw like kgd talks about are probably even faster and really work well. The Silky offers better size to carry factor. IMO I have both types and in the truck, I carry the bow/frame type saw.
 
I've been thinking about this lately too, because I was interested in the Trailblazer. I have had the Sven saw for many years and it does work as well as you said, especially if you're up in a tree taking down branches or topping, then the triangular shape is a plus. If you're just cutting on the ground, then I think the buck saw has advantages in terms of being able to accept larger diameter wood. For backpacking the Sven is smaller and lighter, for the truck or yard, the Trailblazer might be a better choice. I have learned that the Sven replacement blades are much better than the off brand stuff offered in the typical home improvement stores.
 
I just checked, Silky make a 14 inch Blade model. I do not sell Silky saws or anything but now and then I try a product that works even better than advertised. That is rare.:D
 
I've played with a few different Silky models and they are great. They really cut quite well. But I would have a hard time dropping that kind of cash right now when I can pick up a Trail Blazer or Sven Saw for $25-30. Also, I really do like the form factor of a buck saw (especially the handle being about 90% to the blade).
 
+1 on the Silky saw. I use the Super Accel 210 with an 8 inch blade. I also have several full size bow saws, but hardly ever use them: the Silky is just too good, and too easy to use. Plus, it's light enough to take anywhere, so I always have it with me.
 
matthewdanger said:
Good evening WSS gurus,

I am looking at take down saws. I have a couple of the Gerber sliding wood saws that are great for the price, weight, and size but I am looking from something a bit bigger. Most of my sawing can be handled by the Gerber sliding saws but it would be nice to be able to handle some larger logs (up to 8-10") in a pinch.

I am looking at several saws that seem to be well liked and have good reputations as being very durable (which is key to me).

The Sven Saw is small, lightweight, and inexpensive. I know they cut very well too. The price and weight on these make them very tempting and the blades cut like lasers on the ones that I have tried.

The Trail Blazer takedown buck saws pack a lot of saw into a little space. They offer some nice features like a captive wingnut so you don't loose it in the field. I haven't tried one of these personally but I hear good things and I do like the rigidity that a buck saw offers.

Trail Blazer also makes a saw called the Sawvivor that looks decent. It has a nice grip and the captive wingnut but doesn't pack into itself. It looks like the blade would be loose in my pack unless I bought a carrying case.

Does anyone have any experience with the above saws? Are there any others that I should be looking at?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Can't speak for the other ones, but I have one of these and it's excellent (though a bit hefty). Might be a challenge to assemble in cold conditions, though. Chews through wood like you wouldn't believe! I mostly keep mine in the trunk of my car and use it far more frequently than I would have expected. :)
 
I carry a sawvivor. It has never failed me and the weight isn't too bad. Truth be told, I want to compare it to the silky. I haven't been able to get my hands on one though. From what i've heard, it beats the others hands down. anybody have a link that I can trust to send me a good one? What size would you reccomend?
 
I have a Trailblazer Sawvivor that I got on clearance at L.L. Bean last Christmas. I haven't used it a whole lot, but it seems pretty robust, and doesn't weigh too much. It's fairly compact when folded up as well. Not sure if anyone mentioned this already, but the blade actually slides into the handle. The size seems to be a nice compromise between something like a Bacho and a buck saw. I think the blade is ~14"? It can't cut anything huge, but plenty enough for most wood processing. I can't compare it to a Silky, but I've read quite a few good reviews on the Sawvivor, and I would concur. I think it has a pretty good warranty as well. There are also a lot of other nice wooden buck saws out there, or there is always making your own. Good luck with whatever you decide on. Hope this was helpful.
 
I have the larger size Trailblazer and it is a wonderful tool. That thin blade slices through wood like magic. You can also get a fine-tooth "bone" blade for butcher duty.

My only very slight complaint is that it's hard to get it all back in the tube on the first try if you're carrying a spare blade.

You can see in the photo below that the saw has a generously sized throat... you can buck some huge logs with it if you're able to roll them over and attack from both sides. It has no problem with anything you'd normally use for firewood or shelter building!

inthewoods4-12-09a.jpg


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Shotgun said:
Does anyone know what the trailblazers weigh?
Click to expand...

The 18" one that I was looking at was about 1.25 pounds.

The Sven Saw is considerably lighter.

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I am not sure that I am any closer to deciding but I am armed with more info! :)
 
I've been using my Sven Saw since 1990. It permanently resides on the side of my camping pack.
 
tenkara,

If you want to test a Silky of similar length to the Sawvivor, you'll need a Big Boy folder or a Zubat (330mm or 390mm) fixed blade. I carry the 330mm Zubat on raft/canoe trips. Weighs around 17 oz. with sheath. However, as noted above, the Super Accel 210mm folder is only around half a pound and can do everything you need on a backpacking trip.

DancesWithKnives
 
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