Boreal 21 folding saw
- Thread starter Van-Wild
- Start date
I have the boreal 21 saw and when compared to the main one of the Bob Destrude saw it is a lot cheaper, it is a great frame saw for the price easily going through all the wood I have put it through, also because it is a frame saw it is more stable than a folding saw. because the blade is retained in the frame it is a lot safer as well and easy to pack.
I will endeavour to get some photos together for you and a review over the festive period, but it is a great saw, I have many folding saws and quite a few frame saws, my only gripe would be it is only available at 21" and I would prefer if the did a 24" or 30" would be even better for larger trees.
I will endeavour to get some photos together for you and a review over the festive period, but it is a great saw, I have many folding saws and quite a few frame saws, my only gripe would be it is only available at 21" and I would prefer if the did a 24" or 30" would be even better for larger trees.
Pete, the cost of the Bob Dustrude looks comparable at $60 + shipping and import compared to the Boreal at £68 unless you know of a cheaper source?
Build your own bucksaw. 
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/how-to-craft-a-base-camp-bucksaw-in-the-woods/
21" blades aren't worth the bother, in my opinion. If you build your own, 30" is where they start to be useful. Less than that and you might as well have a folding pruning saw. You lose some length where the blade passes through the uprights, compared to a one-piece bow saw, where you gain some length from the attachment bracket (and 24" is good)
I have bought a lot of gear over the years, never even felt tempted by one of the short fold-up bow saws or bucksaws. Not enough gape, nor stroke length to compensate for cost or bulk in carrying them.
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/how-to-craft-a-base-camp-bucksaw-in-the-woods/
21" blades aren't worth the bother, in my opinion. If you build your own, 30" is where they start to be useful. Less than that and you might as well have a folding pruning saw. You lose some length where the blade passes through the uprights, compared to a one-piece bow saw, where you gain some length from the attachment bracket (and 24" is good)
I have bought a lot of gear over the years, never even felt tempted by one of the short fold-up bow saws or bucksaws. Not enough gape, nor stroke length to compensate for cost or bulk in carrying them.
Hi Janne, I cook a lot in my Dutch oven and will have a fire for warmth in the evening. The logs are burnt in my metal fire pit.
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Thanks for the tip! I will have a go at making that saw. Will have to take a drive to a town.Build your own bucksaw.
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/how-to-craft-a-base-camp-bucksaw-in-the-woods/
21" blades aren't worth the bother, in my opinion. If you build your own, 30" is where they start to be useful. Less than that and you might as well have a folding pruning saw. You lose some length where the blade passes through the uprights, compared to a one-piece bow saw, where you gain some length from the attachment bracket (and 24" is good)
I have bought a lot of gear over the years, never even felt tempted by one of the short fold-up bow saws or bucksaws. Not enough gape, nor stroke length to compensate for cost or bulk in carrying them.
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I've got one, although like most of my more expensive kit, it was a requested birthday present. I find it great, don't find the handle uncomfortable, good tension in the blade and the way it folds out and collapses is great, very quick and easy. Not yet found anything is actually want to cut that wouldn't fit, I'm not a lumberjack! It packs away really easily as well. If if bought it I think if have been happy.
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The simple answer is if you want a folding buck saw is yes, it is convenient, a small package which is easy to store and more useful than a folding saw like a silky or lap lander because it is a stronger structure and more stable.
If you after a cheep buck saw then I would go with a 30" frame saw or bow saw or make one like the Mors/Harlton Bucksaw saw. But they generally take up more room in your pack even if you collapse it and also you need a way to protect the blade when in your pack. normally I use a canvas sleeve for mine.
I have many saws for different purposes, but when travelling in winter abroad the Boreal saw is the one I take because of how good it is and i know it will not get damaged in flight or cause a problem in my pack. I have several frame saws as well, including a Ray Mears frame saw I that may go instead because the blade folds into part of the frame but being wood may get damaged in transit if not packed carefully with the way some of your kit gets handled by the aircraft loadies.
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I use a Boreal pretty frequently when on canoe and snowshoe trips. Great for both clearing portages and firewood, i am mostly using a canoe or Pulk so weight is less of an issue. On foot i often carry my laplander still.
I think its a pretty great piece of gear.
I think its a pretty great piece of gear.
In my opinion it's over priced.
The construction of the old "sawivor" was better and lighter.
I recommend to copy this somehow.
That should be easily done.
If you carry a dutch oven with you, why don't you take a normal bow saw???
The construction of the old "sawivor" was better and lighter.
I recommend to copy this somehow.
That should be easily done.
If you carry a dutch oven with you, why don't you take a normal bow saw???
Why not either carry a full frame metal, or make one as you go along
https://bushcraftuk.com/community/index.php?threads/build-a-bucksaw-the-final.18880/
https://bushcraftuk.com/community/index.php?threads/build-a-bucksaw-the-final.18880/
I don't know that Boreal 21, but do I have that Dustrude saw, though I don't remember paying $60 for it. I only ever really use it in the garden now, preferring a Silky for most things.
I have taken a 15" panelsaw out more than a few times. If you can rationalize the use of space to yourself, or how it attaches to your pack, I kind of highly recommend it. No twisting, bending or anything like that. They don't really weigh more than other saws and are hyper efficient at doing the cutting.
I have taken a 15" panelsaw out more than a few times. If you can rationalize the use of space to yourself, or how it attaches to your pack, I kind of highly recommend it. No twisting, bending or anything like that. They don't really weigh more than other saws and are hyper efficient at doing the cutting.
Is this the Agawa Canyon saw? If it is, I have one. It seemed to offer a practical solution to larger sawing tasks and seemed well thought out. To a degree, it is. However, I have found that part of the folding mechanism buckles the blade slightly at the handle end when it is 'locked' in place and ready to saw. This does not affect the performance of the saw but, over time, will no doubt have a damaging effect on the blade and the bolts that hold it in place as the whole thing is under tension when buckled. It might be worth investigating a little before you take the plunge.
Lazy git that I am, I also have the Woodlore bucksaw, which offers similar cutting ability in a more natural form and set up, without the blade buckling on the Agawa Canyon one. Usually, it is this 'old school' saw that I take with me out to the woods. But then, you can always make your bucksaw, as the superb video in an earlier post demonstrates.
Lazy git that I am, I also have the Woodlore bucksaw, which offers similar cutting ability in a more natural form and set up, without the blade buckling on the Agawa Canyon one. Usually, it is this 'old school' saw that I take with me out to the woods. But then, you can always make your bucksaw, as the superb video in an earlier post demonstrates.
Isf your spending 70 why hot 120 on some sheffield magic. You can even sharpen it yourself.
https://www.fine-tools.com/onemansaw.html
https://www.fine-tools.com/onemansaw.html
Cheaper from source
https://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/acatalog/One_Man_Crosscut_Saw.html#SID=492 £89
The Boreal 21? There is a peg with a circlip which could be a bit fiddly, so they supply a spare in case you ping it into the undergrowth. But if you were carrying a spare blade you could tape the clip to the blade. No special tools though, anything with a hard edge would do.
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