Folding Saw - Ray Mears Bushcraft - Thursday, 28/04/05

[Gary]

The missus and myself were just looking at the folding saw pictured above, if a groove was cut in one upright of the H, the blade could be detatched at one end and pivoted around on the other bolt and slotted into the groove, thus masking the blade. The groove wouldn't need to be that deep, just enough to cover the teeth. Is this feasible?

Spamel

Thats a good idea Spam but remember the idea of this saw is that all you need carry is the blade - carry less by knowing more! Your supposed to make the rest in the field!

 

[innocent bystander]

Thats a good idea Spam but remember the idea of this saw is that all you need carry is the blade - carry less by knowing more! Your supposed to make the rest in the field!

Has anyone thrown theirs away after they have finished sawing with it, or have they kept it ?

 

[hootchi]

Spamel, the original saw Ray Mears had, had grooves in the two uprights that swung round and masked the blade, being half the length of the blade each.

 

[Hoodoo]

The missus and myself were just looking at the folding saw pictured above, if a groove was cut in one upright of the H, the blade could be detatched at one end and pivoted around on the other bolt and slotted into the groove, thus masking the blade. The groove wouldn't need to be that deep, just enough to cover the teeth. Is this feasible?

Yup. It's been done.

This particular saw I don't recommend very highly. IMO, the blade is too long for the narrow frame, making it too wobbly to use with any great effectiveness. One of my projects for this summer is to make a shorter version but I don't know if I will slot it for the blade.

 

[Minotaur]

From what I have read it would be possible to make a saw from a 17" bowsaw blade. Which would mean I could still carry a full sized bowsaw, interesting.

Do the angles on the handles serve a purpose?

 

[Gary]

Has anyone thrown theirs away after they have finished sawing with it, or have they kept it ?

I've turned several into fire wood - last one only survives as I made it in the garden and not on the ground!

But that said if I was going to make one for a fixed camp (as the old timers used too) I'd keep it only for the duration and then in all likely hood burn it before leaving - way to awkward to hike out.

 

[Fluxus]

Minotaur - the one I made has a 21" blade - not sure what you mean about the angles
Gary - that makes sense - as I understood it , if you were hiking in somewhere to stay for ages and maybe even build a cabin it made more sense weight wise to carry 10 new blades and make a saw frame than carry the frame ready made and only a couple of blades. I will take pleasure in burning the one in the pic when I need toand making the next one a bit better!

 

[Minotaur]

Some of the saws handles angle inwards and some go striaght up and down.

Wondering if this is cosmetic or serves a purpose.

 

[Grez]

I have been looking at making one of these for a while now but I have been unable to find any plans on the internet. Does anyone know is if there are any?

 

[spamel]

What is the advantage over this method and a single piece of wood shaped like a bow? Is it just the tension of the blade?

Also, when using a single piece of wood, what sort of wood is necessary? Mears used a piece of hazel if I remember correctly, can any others be used?

Sorry about all the questions!!

Spamel

 

[Minotaur]

It a tension thing, I think, but also if you look at the design, it is easy to make and assemble than the bow, because the wood would be easy to find.

 

[katesdad]

In this program Ray uses a wood folding saw.

Any ideas where he got it from?

Looking at it, I really think it might be hand made so does anyone know of a pattern? I see lots of trial and error in my future!

It was a bit weird really, always been a small knife, big knife(Billhook or machette - want to try a heavy/old Kurki), and saw person, but was really impressed with how he carved that paddle.

Might have to do an axe course.

Regards,

Ps I miss Tracks, of all the programs so far this one actual had bushcraft in it and more importantly you got to see it.

It's a Bahco Laplander ... see his website http://www.raymears.com/ follow the online shop through cutting tools, you'll find it. Though £30 is a little steep for a tool that you can get at any garden / DIY centre for £15.

Depends on what you want to spend. There are cheaper axes than a Garnsfors as well, but I wouldn't trade my £40 Small Forest Axe for anything cheaper or more expensive.

Larry

 

[Minotaur]

Doh!

Larry

Mate

Re-read the post.

This is in no way sacastic, I have done it too many times myself.

I want the longest bow saw blade I can get in the smallest folded down package.