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Does anyone have a particular folding saw that they can recommend? I used my old one backpacking, taking down small trees/branches, etc. All around use, basically.
The Fiskars saw out of Finland is a great light compact strong ergonomic design.
It cuts tree limbs in a flash and does a decent job of splitting a deer pelvis.
I have always been partial to the Sven Saw. They're available from any number of sources, and are surprisingly strong, stable and durable. They take up almost no room in a backpack and are easy to insert/extract.
I have the Bahco works fine.On the bushcraft sites most people say the Silky is best I don't know never used one.My son and I had Fiskars both broke in a short time.
Another option is to obtain a Glock Field Entrenching Tool (shovel). It is a slick little piece of hardware; folds, locks, handle collapses into itself, and it contains a saw stored inside the handle. For it's size and weight, it is a worthy item to pack on a hike or in a vehicle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVbio2Oc7_A
The best handsaws I know of (for cutting-speed:effort ratio) are the variations of the Japanese pull saw. The teeth are similar to a shark's teeth. Instead of just a sharp point, the teeth are actually small sharpened blades. It's hard to describe how fast these saws cut with so little effort.
I routinely use this kind of saw to cut wood too long to fit my bandsaw. This includes the odd 2x4". It's faster and easier to use the pull saw for 1 or 2 2x4"s vs taking out and putting away my jigsaw. Maybe 20 effortless seconds to cut a pine 2x4". I'm sure it could be done in 10, if you were in the zone.
I recently cut down a tree with such a handsaw, around 6-7" diameter dry, dry hardwood. It took only 2-3 minutes, I didn't break a sweat, and I didn't get fatigued. (I did most of it with one hand, while smoking a cigarette, lol.)
There's a company called Shark that makes a variety of non-traditional saws using this tooth shape. Here is what I highly recommend. (The only difference between these two models is the TPI, AFAIK.)
I have some Bahco Laplanders and Corona saws the but ones I use the most are my Silky saws. My Silky Bigboy is the best hand saw I've ever used. Eventually I'm gonna splurge and get a Katanaboy.
glass, tile, rock, concrete and esp. PVC pipe can be cut with a carbide tile blade; you can just buy the blade, and hold it in your hand, for fast cutting of pvc pipe and fiberglass. See demo: http://youtu.be/rmxn-nPNhY8
If all you need is a backpacking saw for light use an Opinel folding saw should do the trick. I've used mine for a variety of tasks and like the light weight and easy use.
If you actually want to cut down a small tree, although I don't ever recall needing to do that unless it was to build an emergency shelter (and making multiple cuts with the saw on a SAK did the job then), it is difficult to beat the Sven saw.
Once again, the combined knowledge of the members is impressive. Thanks again to all for your input. When I get something, I'll report back on how it works.
Yeah, I just don't like the biomechanics of folding saws, and I find that any deadfall (we don't burn greenwood in campfires) small enough for a saw can either be limbed with a stomp or snapped in a nearby tree's crotch, broken over my knee, etc. rather than sawn.
Anything too big for that will want a bigger saw or an axe.
If you look at the usage position of the folding saws, you'll note that it puts your wrist in contraction for use, negating the use of all those muscles in your forearm meant to stabilize the wrist/hand. You get some of them, but not all. And you don't get the benefit of the activation of larger muscles in your back and your biceps.
With a bow-saw, you get a lot of biomechanical efficiency when you cut that's less fatiguing and more powerful on the up and back strokes.
This is why I prefer a bow-saw/hatchet combo if I'm going to a place where I need winter fire or there's a lot of deadfall and I have tenderfeet along who want a big fire for marshmallows.
But that's why they make fords and chevies.
(I'm a physiologist, so that's why I think about weird stuff like this.)
Most bowhunters I know carry a folding saw.They use it it to trim limbs for their climbing stands or open shooting lanes.I don't think anybody plans on using one to cut a years worth of firewood.You open it up cut the limb put it away nobody is arguing that a sven or bow saw doesn't work better but you don't have the time or need for them.
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