Bow Saws

[gordonmac]

Hi folks,

Looking for a decent bow saw with a lowered front end. I saw this one:

http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/g-man-bow-saw-21-inch.htm

... but any other suggestions would be welcomed

I'm looking something for using at the countryside volunteer events I attend every month. They often involve a lot of gorse clearing. Last weekend we were clearing sea buckthorn from a path and I had a shot of a saw like this and thought it was excellent.

 

[Tadpole]

The lowered front end limits the size of brush it will cut, or limits the length of the stroke, making cutting anything thicker than a couple of inches a struggle, if you plan to use it more than once in a blue moon, get a decent one that is rounded at both ends, and throw away the blade that it comes with, buy a decent blade, and fit that. For small stuff in awkward gaps buy a folding saw.

 

[ged]

I think I'd use a machete more than a saw on gorse. Agreed with Tadpole that you might want to consider the shape. I bought the wife a couple of saws from Aldi, one of them is that drop-nosed style but a lot smaller and she finds that very handy. I suppose it depends on what weight you'll consider reasonable, I'd probably take several different ones and lend most of them out. (I know, I know... )

Take a small contact lens solution bottle of oil or a can of WD40 and a cloth wipe or something to coat the blades. If they're left lying around unprotected in a damp salty atmosphere the blades will quickly go downhill.

 

[HeltorChasca]

Have a look at the Bhaco bow saws. They are what we use at work. Oh and play They range in size from about 21". Lovely scandanavian quality...........hc

 

[gordonmac]

Wow, thanks for the feedback and recommendations, guys. Very much appreciated!

@Tadpole: Thanks for the insight, I hadn't considered that the lowered front end would make larger things more difficult to cut, however morst of the branches I'll be cutting will be around the couple of inches threshold

@ged: Och, we don't have an Aldi anywhere near here Weight isn't an issue, not carrying it far I'll definitely remember what you say about the blades corroding! Thanks.

@HeltorChasca: I will definitely have a look at the Bahco bow saws, a very trusted make!

 

[Shewie]

The Duluth Bob Dustrude is a superb saw, worth a look if you've not seen them already.

John Kelly's review ..
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?156-Bob-Dustrude-Quick-Buck-Saw-Review

Some good pics in Gary's review ...
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33253

Bottom of here if you're interested ...
http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/acatalog/Saw.html

 

[gordonmac]

The Duluth Bob Dustrude is a superb saw, worth a look if you've not seen them already.

Now, that is one nice looking saw! Thanks for the info Rich. Why is it that this forum is so full of evil kit temptation?

 

[DavidJT]

I'm not very handy, but managed to make a really useful collapsable bow saw from some 2 x 1, paracord, and a couple of bolts + wingnuts.
There were some far more advanced pdf plans for one going around a few months ago.