Not sure if anyone has done a review on a folding saw yet. Thought I may throw in my 2p with regards to a saw being used over the past month. The season is over and there’s way to much time on my hands
So, enter Corona’s RS7245 presence with general backwoods utility in mind.
First off, It has to be said that a folding saw has a few advantages over an axe in that it can:
1. Get into places where the swing of an axe becomes troublesome or dangerous
2. It is extremely portable in that it fits into a pocket and weighs less than 10 oz./250 gr.
With a folded length of 8in. and open length of 15.5in.
3. It does not need to be sharpened and the saw portion can be replaced for a relatively low cost
Now, the PROS and CONS:
Pros…
-Good quality construction
-Easy to find due to bright color
-Easy to grip in any condition with any type of hand protection
-Lightweight
-One handed opening and closing
-Replaceable blade
-Blade is thinner on the spine than the tooth side - Blade binds less
-Curved blade is more efficient than straight blade
Cons…
-Blade is unable to be sharpened like conventional saws
-Blade will need tightening, periodically, to eliminate play
-Blade cuts only on the pull stroke - Clears on the push
-Is Korean Workmanship a Con?
This item was bought at a local retail hardware store for ~$18.50USD. It can be found for less (~$13.00USD) with a little searching.
Comparable models in this performance range are produced by Bahco(7.5” = $33USD), Felco(6” = $30USD), Fiskars(6” = $24USD), and Silky(6.75” = $35USD).
See some of them next to the Corona here: http://www.orchardsedge.com/tools.jsp?type=foldingsaws
The testing timbers were (for the photos) fresh live Colorado Juniper and dead, rain-soaked, Colorado Pinion Pine.
Three, moderate downward strokes, on a live 2.25in. Juniper branch, yielded a cut just a
hair under halfway through the entire branch. Total time to this point was about 3 seconds.
____________________
A close-up view of the saw next to the completed cut shows that the blade is not
particularly happy about cutting wet, sappy tree varieties. Upon closer inspection, you
can see that due to the position the operator used, the saw created a fairly uneven
stroke. Total time to cut through branch = 6 seconds to drop (naturally!)
____________________
Here we have a close up of the blade grind, and the tooth pattern. Corona calls the
pattern “Razor tooth” and the saw certainly backs it up. The pull stroke teeth are vicious!
After a month of using this WTD (Weapon of Tree Destruction), I’ve endevoured to keep
hands, arms and legs out of the potential cut path. A single slice on anything with flesh
would be very ugly.
____________________
Some downed Pinion Pine with a cutout wedge. Dry woods took a considerably larger
amount of time to cut. Probably due to the Pinion being wet. The saw has cut through
downed Ponderosa Pine, Willow, and Aspen as though it were cutting hot butter. Wet
pinion has proved to be a little more difficult.
Another note: Dry fallen trees produce a cleaner cut (or was it the ability to change my
position for the most efficient use?).
____________________
The RS7245 closed. The lever lock on the top of the handle locks the blade in closed and
open positions. The handle is the most brilliant component of this folding saw. The large
pommel at the end makes it easy to slide your hand to the rear of the saw and lengthen
your reach. The black rubber “non-slip” grip is molded directly to the orange nylon part for
comfort and durability.
____________________
In comparison to home and garden varieties of cheaper quality, the Corona is a major upgrade. It would be very much worthwhile to stack it up against the more costly competition. The weight of 10oz./280gr. is over-rated, the balance on this saw give the feel of a much lighter tool.
Overall, The Corona RS7245 comes highly recommended. In terms of usability, strength, and value, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything within this price range that offers as many features… Definitely a “Bit for the Kit”!
edispilff
So, enter Corona’s RS7245 presence with general backwoods utility in mind.
First off, It has to be said that a folding saw has a few advantages over an axe in that it can:
1. Get into places where the swing of an axe becomes troublesome or dangerous
2. It is extremely portable in that it fits into a pocket and weighs less than 10 oz./250 gr.
With a folded length of 8in. and open length of 15.5in.
3. It does not need to be sharpened and the saw portion can be replaced for a relatively low cost
Now, the PROS and CONS:
Pros…
-Good quality construction
-Easy to find due to bright color
-Easy to grip in any condition with any type of hand protection
-Lightweight
-One handed opening and closing
-Replaceable blade
-Blade is thinner on the spine than the tooth side - Blade binds less
-Curved blade is more efficient than straight blade
Cons…
-Blade is unable to be sharpened like conventional saws
-Blade will need tightening, periodically, to eliminate play
-Blade cuts only on the pull stroke - Clears on the push
-Is Korean Workmanship a Con?
This item was bought at a local retail hardware store for ~$18.50USD. It can be found for less (~$13.00USD) with a little searching.
Comparable models in this performance range are produced by Bahco(7.5” = $33USD), Felco(6” = $30USD), Fiskars(6” = $24USD), and Silky(6.75” = $35USD).
See some of them next to the Corona here: http://www.orchardsedge.com/tools.jsp?type=foldingsaws
The testing timbers were (for the photos) fresh live Colorado Juniper and dead, rain-soaked, Colorado Pinion Pine.
Three, moderate downward strokes, on a live 2.25in. Juniper branch, yielded a cut just a
hair under halfway through the entire branch. Total time to this point was about 3 seconds.
____________________
A close-up view of the saw next to the completed cut shows that the blade is not
particularly happy about cutting wet, sappy tree varieties. Upon closer inspection, you
can see that due to the position the operator used, the saw created a fairly uneven
stroke. Total time to cut through branch = 6 seconds to drop (naturally!)
____________________
Here we have a close up of the blade grind, and the tooth pattern. Corona calls the
pattern “Razor tooth” and the saw certainly backs it up. The pull stroke teeth are vicious!
After a month of using this WTD (Weapon of Tree Destruction), I’ve endevoured to keep
hands, arms and legs out of the potential cut path. A single slice on anything with flesh
would be very ugly.
____________________
Some downed Pinion Pine with a cutout wedge. Dry woods took a considerably larger
amount of time to cut. Probably due to the Pinion being wet. The saw has cut through
downed Ponderosa Pine, Willow, and Aspen as though it were cutting hot butter. Wet
pinion has proved to be a little more difficult.
Another note: Dry fallen trees produce a cleaner cut (or was it the ability to change my
position for the most efficient use?).
____________________
The RS7245 closed. The lever lock on the top of the handle locks the blade in closed and
open positions. The handle is the most brilliant component of this folding saw. The large
pommel at the end makes it easy to slide your hand to the rear of the saw and lengthen
your reach. The black rubber “non-slip” grip is molded directly to the orange nylon part for
comfort and durability.
____________________
In comparison to home and garden varieties of cheaper quality, the Corona is a major upgrade. It would be very much worthwhile to stack it up against the more costly competition. The weight of 10oz./280gr. is over-rated, the balance on this saw give the feel of a much lighter tool.
Overall, The Corona RS7245 comes highly recommended. In terms of usability, strength, and value, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything within this price range that offers as many features… Definitely a “Bit for the Kit”!
edispilff
