folding saw or wire/chain saw?

[Gotte]

I've got a folding saw, but, to save weight, am thinking about a wire or chain saw for the odd times I might need to cut some wood while on cycle tours. I've never used a wire/chain saw so don't know if they are worth the weight saving (which I know is not massive, but every little helps). Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Mesquite]

Personally I'd chuck them both and get a proper dedicated saw like a laplander.

If weight is a problem and you're only going to cut stuff up to about 3-4" the look at an Opinel folding saw.

 

[Jaysurfer]

In my experience they are absoluetly pants....
As said by Mesquite get a laplander! for the sake of £20 I doubt you could find a better saw.

 

[JAG009]

Yip ! laplander every time


Jason

 

[sxmolloy]

Yep Bacho Laplander folding saw. It's very light and cuts very effectively. From what I remember the wire saw was designed for POW's escape, to enable them to cut fence posts and the like just once.

I used one once and it snapped then burnt me. The hand chain saw which I also used to own weighed more than the Laplander and didn't cut as effectively.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Wire saws, even those labelled "SAS, ultra strong" etc are prone to breakage.
The chain saws (hand - operated I mean) look great and "can" really tear through wood - but they are exhausting to use for any length of time.

Stick with the folding option!

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Gotte]

Thanks for that. The one I've got is old, a Bando 900. It could do with a clean, but I see, to remember it cut okay. I seem to remember sing a laplander on Amazon for about £20, so may go with that.

Thanks for the input

Phil

 

[rancid badger]

Don't waste either your time or money, on wire saws,ANY of them, they are quite literally- rubbish.

They work in a fashion but don't last 5 mins.

If you really think you will need to saw wood, buy a Laplander, learn how to use it safely and efficiently, then forget about the weight.

Honestly, some things are a total waste of time and wire saws are one of them.

kind regards

R.B.

PS: PM sent

 

[Inusuit]

I have three folding saws. A Buck, an Opinel, and a no-name from a garden shop. All are superior to either a hand chain saw or the wire saws. I like the Opinel best, mostly for aesthetic reasons. I like the wooden handle. The Buck has yellow plastic.

 

[John Fenna]

Laplander every time!
Mind you (IMHO)if you need ultra-lightweight combined with possible concealability and you dont mind second-rate cutting power then the multi-strand wire saw USED PROPERLY is reasonably effective on medium thickness wood, bone and even mild steel. You need to make it into a bowsaw with a springly sapling or have two people use it together - the wire needs to be kept straight and tensioned to work well and it needs to cool down after use or it will kink and break.
The effort involved means that except for "survival kits" and BOBs the wire saw is a waste of time and effort.
The decent "pocket chainsaws" tend to be heavier than a Laplander!