Silky Bigboy Outback Edition or Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 Folding Bucksaw

[biffa1968]

Evening All

First time poster so be gentle.

I'm slowly upgrading my bushcraft kit. I'm consigning my Bahco Laplander Folding Saw to my daypack.

I'm considering both the saws detailed in the thread for longer periods in the woods. Just for context, I own just under 5 acres of ancient woodland in Northumberland so plan multi-day camping trips. I also want to start a project - a small log cabin for winter camping.

Which saw do you think is best for my (first) project and for general woodcutting tasks while I'm in the woods?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Chris]

If only choosing between the two I’d say the bucksaw.

The Silky is fine for big branches and even the odd smaller log, but especially safety-wise I’d not be keen cutting enough logs for a cabin with it. Would be an accident waiting to happen with a blade only supported at one end. Just my opinion, though.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I own that Silky Outback. I don’t own the folding buck saw, but I generally prefer to make a buck saw with a 30” blade from local materials, works out to have the cutting ability of a 24” bow saw. The Outback leaves a very smooth cut, but that isn’t a criteria for firewood or construction. It folds well, but that doesn’t matter on your own land that you can reach easily. Teeth are kinda fine…and cannot be sharpened or replaced easily.

For what you described, I would get the Agawa.

Karamat video. Kelly Harlson and Mors Kochanski, H bucksaw

 

[stonepark]

For static woodland use, a Bahco 36inch bow saw is better than all 3 options above.

The 36 inch length allows quick cutting with long strokes, whether for firewood or construction and it is inexpensive and you can get spare blades easily (for both green and seasoned wood) and cheaply.

If you cover frame with matt green paint or camo tape, you can hang in a sheltered (dry) place in the woodland.

 

[Broch]

I agree, if you're packing in tools to work in the wood a bow saw is the tool. I confess however, a battery chainsaw is the tool I would use for cabin building; life's too short.

 

[Nice65]

To be honest, if you’re winding away at a log and you catch a bow saw blade, no problem. Do the same with the Silky and you’ll cry. For the amount you plan to cut, the disposable blades will be better.

However, if you go Silky, I don’t have an Outback but I do have the red handled large tooth version that has a newish blade and is unused to the point I’d happily let it go to a new home . It’s a nice tool just for high reach or enjoyable cutting.

 

[HorseGuy]

To cut the large amount of broad diameter wood that will required to build something a log cabin I would suggest you use a powered chainsaw of some variety rather hand saw. Sure it is possible to do it all by hand but you will be creating an enormous amount of unnecessary extra work for yourself that way.

I have limited experience of chainsaws myself but maybe someone else here could advise better on whether a battery or petrol one would be best and which specific models to consider.

 

[biffa1968]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I really do appreciate it very much. It definitely appears that the Silky is not the way to go. Now it's a little more research on the Bahco bow saw which I've never looked at before.
Im a little cautious about using a chainsaw. My bestie has one he uses in the woods so perhaps a combination of a chainsaw and bowsaw might be the best combination. Thanks again for the advice. I'll update you on my decision and how it works out.

 

[Broch]

You're right to be cautious; I recommend doing a course. Anyone that owns their own woodland will need to use one at some point so you may as well get trained up from the beginning. I use an electric saw (Makita in my case 'cos I already had batteries) for about 80% of the work in the wood and a petrol Stihl for the rest.

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[biffa1968]

Yeah Broch - I will have to jump in sometime I guess. I'll be asking more advice then!
Thanks for the welcome

 

[British Red]

Hi Biffa,

I process a lot of wood. For a log cabin, if you are determined on a hand saw, try a crosscut saw. They don't have to be massive & there are one man versions. Much more capable on bigger logs.

One Man Crosscut Saw - Great American Tooth - Thomas Flinn & Co

A a wide variety of crosscut saws, one and two person versions for your log cutting work. This great american one man crosscut saw is made in Sheffield, UK.

www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk

 

[slowworm]

What wood are you likely to be cutting, species, diameter, fresh or old? I have a good range of saws but some are far more suited to certain tasks. Most of my chainsaws for example are not great in cutting something 1" hazel, it's too springy for some of the chains which can be too grabby. My Stihl battery saw with it's fine chain works well, so does a silky but then they struggle on stuff that's several inches diameter.

 

[Tony]

Hi Biffa,

I process a lot of wood. For a log cabin, if you are determined on a hand saw, try a crosscut saw. They don't have to be massive & there are one man versions. Much more capable on bigger logs.

One Man Crosscut Saw - Great American Tooth - Thomas Flinn & Co

A a wide variety of crosscut saws, one and two person versions for your log cutting work. This great american one man crosscut saw is made in Sheffield, UK.

www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk

Nice saw

 

[British Red]

Nice saw

I really rate them. Hand sharpenable, able to be used by two people - hard work though, like all hand saws

 

[Megatramp]

Use Silky Sugois at work and they rip, resharpenable, pretty tough compared to the folding ones.

Your mate would be the best option though. Get him some beers in (for when the cuttings done of course) and watch and learn. Take a course too though, in case he's picked up any bad habits.

 

[WittyUsername]

Can you store spare blades inside the Agawa Canyon Boreals? I had a hacksaw that you could do that with and it was so useful but I’ve never played with an Agawa.