The value of the saw....

adaman04

adaman04

Joined
Jun 9, 2009
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As much romance as there is in using a large knife or other more "manly" tool to process wood (for whatever use) the value of the saw has become extremely profound to me in the last two weeks in a couple of instances.

First, was last week when we had some hellacious winds blow through town. Roofs were damaged and lots of trees were in rough shape, lots of large limbs down, etc. Wife and I came out fine, but when driving by my grandmother's house I noticed she had what appeared to be an entire tree down. Upon further inspection, it was actually that this tree essentially split down the middle. Trunk was in tact, but all the large limbs on one side broke off competely and had fallen on her driveway blocking her car.

Not, a problem, I'll go grab the chainsaw. Of course, for whatever reason, she didn't want to start. So I could pull on this thing for 20 more minutes or just go at it with hand tools before the next storm blew through.

I had my machete and my 10 year old Gerber Gator folding saw, which still wears the original wood blade albeit bent a bit. Some of these limbs were over 9" in diameter and after trying the machete on some of the smaller ones I realized that was going to make for a long job.

So, I broke out the Gerber and cut up half of a 25-30 foot tree in to workable pieces. The energy and time savings over a machete or axe couldn't be denied. It took me about 30 minutes to work up the whole project.

Today I lashed the saw to a 1x2 and cut a truckload of 2-8" diamater limbs in my own yard.

At around 5 oz and regardless of my experience with other Geber products, the Gator folding saw with it's extremely agressive wood blade and comfortable handle has earned a place amongst my gear. I just ordered a couple spares online.

BTW ESEE crew, keep your eyes peeled, you might see one of these pop up in a giveaway in the next week or so...maybe. Get your speedos and urban sombreros ready. :D

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I have carried that exact saw with both the blade shown and a less aggressive meat /bone blade for years while deer hunting. It has cut many a deer pelvis and a few trees. I have always thought I would feel much safer in shelter building with a saw than a chopper. If it wasn't for splitting wood to get to the dry center.....
 
I definitely get carried away in said large knife romance. I would always see saws like this in woefully under stocked camping sections in small town "general stores", usually with coleman, or some brand name I had never heard of on the side of them. They were often very inexpensive, and the few of them I have held felt very cheap. Because of this I somehow got the impression they could not be effective woods tools. This impression has stuck with me and because of it, I have actually NEVER used one. There was another post here recently that also praised the small folding saw. I think the one mentioned was a Bahco Laplander folding saw. In the near future I am going to have to get one and try it out. Put down the large "manly" knife and try something different.

Thanks for the post :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Me likie cutting tools. I'd say this shows commitment to a saw though:

thinking about a shorter 21 incher.... but that 30 cuts so nice...

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This is a good thread. Machetes are great for light vegetation. In the jungle they'd be great I guess I've never been. I've used them on cedar here to make fence stays out of branches I had cut off with a saw. So I guess I was limbing on a very small scale.

Saws and axes have their places for sure. Around here an axe or saw makes sense for sure. When I am clearing brush and trees out of 50 years fence an axe is used more than a hand saw.


As a side note my Stihl will cut more wood in 15 minutes than I can with an axe or hand saw all day. Maybe 2...

Oh, if anyone needs any mesquite I've got some.
 
Good topic, Adam.

When I go into the woods I like to make campfires. In order to do so I carry the right tools... tools that work for me.

A folding saw (similar to the Gerber but made by Kershaw) and a 4-5 inch fixed blade do quite well for me.

Underestimate a good backpacking saw? Not this dude. ;)
 
Saws are pretty much sth that is always useful. Hell even in an urban environment I carry my SAK Farmer, and the saw was more useful than anything else on it this far
 
You know, reading this I realize that I could go another saw. Hmm.. I'll add it to my fathers' day list.:D
 
Dizwolf said:
Me likie cutting tools. I'd say this shows commitment to a saw though:

thinking about a shorter 21 incher.... but that 30 cuts so nice...

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Click to expand...

WOW, and I thought I packed heavy!! But I can see from the size of your pack you must be going on a rather long trip, and I can definitely see the added benefit to your setup on a longer trip instead of struggling with a small folder, the added weight (if any) of the bow would be inconsequential once your camp is set up and you are processing enough wood for fires/shelters for a week or more.
 
Brutane said:
WOW, and I thought I packed heavy!! But I can see from the size of your pack you must be going on a rather long trip, and I can definitely see the added benefit to your setup on a longer trip instead of struggling with a small folder, the added weight (if any) of the bow would be inconsequential once your camp is set up and you are processing enough wood for fires/shelters for a week or more.
Click to expand...

Long trip? Heck no, that's a day pack for old Nancy. :D
 
Next to a machete, a folding saw is the most valuable tool you can have in the wilds around here.
 
Saws are awesome for controlled cutting and cutting seasoned hardwoods. Their value really shine during certain parts of making a fire bow sets, and making box traps, slat fish traps and stuff. I seldom want to use the energy needed to work one bigger than the saw on my SAK anymore when I'm out hiking and camping, but the saw on the SAK is why that knife has replaced my other folder when I hit the woods. In a survival or homestead situation I'd definitely want a saw along.
 
I bought a Bahco Laplander yesterday actually. Great saw to keep in the pack , and cuts well for its size. Orange handle is a bonus for loss prevention.:thumbup::)
 
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I always have a saw on me, although I will only use it if I don't feel like chopping. I find chopping more fun, even though it is less efficient (most of the time)

A good saw is definitely a valuable tool to have though. :thumbup:
 
candles, picnic under the stars, a good bottle of bourbon, and the junglas by my side...definitely a romantic scene :D

i have the same gerber saw. after trying to hack a downed 6" diameter ironwood tree with the junglas and machete i was sweating profusely so i used the saw. took care of it in no time. definitely worth keeping in the pack for me.
 
I'm a fan of the Trail Blazer SawVivor. Around here, we have a bunch of oak, which is a pain to cut with anything other than a saw. It can take forever with an axe.
 
I have been using the Gerber Folding Saws and Gerber Slide Saws for a while now. I have really come to appreciate them. I like that they are quieter than using an axe. I like how they handle the wrist sized wood that I typically use for fires when I am in the wood. They make gathering wood that is off the ground very easy. They are also lighter and more compact than an axe or hatchet.

Lately, I have taken to carrying a just machete or knife with a folding saw. I find that they cover most of my cutting needs.
 
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