Saws revisited

[moduser]

At the Dartmoor meet last weekend I had the opportunity to put my trusty Bahco Lapplander up against the large of the Opinel Folding saws and if I'm honest the Lapplander came second. This was for two reasons; the blade is longer so less strokes needed and the teeth were much larger = less effort. Similar price as well.

It made think about the two other saws purchased specifically for bushcraft, packable and idiot proofI have which is a wire saw (non-issue) and the Ultimate Survival Sabre Saw.

Now the wire saw sits in my survival pouch, which sits in the bottom of my day sack, along with my Leatherman Wave and has never been used.

The Sabre is quite good but hard work to use and therefore tends to stay at home.

So what saws do people use as their regular saw?

 

[MartiniDave]

I use the orange "gardening" version of the laplander for most jobs, large stuff gets the attention of my bahco/sandvik 20" (or maybe its 22") bowsaw.

Never tried the opinel saw yet.

Dave

 

[Buckshot]

Hmmm it depends really...
I keep a 24 inch bowsaw in the Landy along with the Laplander. Both get used but probably the bowsaw slightly more. Weight/ size isn't a problem of course.
If I'm just going for a walk and I see a stick I like the look of I use my SAK or a Leatherman.

So, as I said - it depends really...

 

[MagiKelly]

I seem to have gone saw crazy lately. I have the WS pruning saw from B & Q as well as a larger one from Draper. I liked these but was still looking. Then I bought one of the Sawvivor saws (see HERE) This cuts much better but the blade is a non standard size so I then discovered and ordered a Trail Blazer Buck Saw (See HERE) This has a standard size blade but it is a modified blade. Also it is not exactly light. Not a problem in the canoe but still a disadvantage. Ideally the 18" version of the Sawvivor would be ideal. The folding Bow Saws are really far more efficient than the pruning saws.

Think about it. If the cut is half the thickness you are removing half the wood and using half the energy to cut.

 

[Buckshot]

I seem to have gone saw crazy lately. I have the WS pruning saw from B & Q as well as a larger one from Draper. I liked these but was still looking. Then I bought one of the Sawvivor saws (see HERE) This cuts much better but the blade is a non standard size so I then discovered and ordered a Trail Blazer Buck Saw (See HERE) This has a standard size blade but it is a modified blade. Also it is not exactly light. Not a problem in the canoe but still a disadvantage. Ideally the 18" version of the Sawvivor would be ideal. The folding Bow Saws are really far more efficient than the pruning saws.

Think about it. If the cut is half the thickness you are removing half the wood and using half the energy to cut.

These look interesting MK, doesn't mention a price though ...

 

[JimH]

So what saws do people use as their regular saw?

Cheapy[1] Lidl folders(pretty good), a cheapy[1] B&Q folder(cr@p) and a cheapy[1] B&Q bowsaw in the car for if I come across a fallen tree to nick bits off

Jim.

[1] Something of a common theme, methinks.

 

[MartiniDave]

When I posted my reply I'd quite forgotten the saw on most of my SAK's, but if I'm honest they are pobably the ones that get the most use ,in an opportunistic sort of way, because there's nearly always one in my pocket.

Dave

 

[outdoorgirl]

I use a Lapplander, like most people here. My fella (Andy) is an arborist, and uses his Silky Zubat (http://www.silkystore.com/Secure/eCommerce/Catalog.asp?prdc=2) every day; he swears by it. It's not a folding saw, but comes with it's own sheath that attaches to the belt loop section with a quick release buckle. Some of those Silkys look really good!

 

[MagiKelly]

These look interesting MK, doesn't mention a price though ...

Buck saw is about $30 - $50 including postage to UK. Sawvivor is a not much different. Of course you have set me searching again and I like the look of this

http://www.duluthpack.com/store/product_detail.asp?SelectedCategory=c&SubCategoryId=c1&Product=Folding%20Saw

looks to take a standard 24" blade and there is a version on other sites selling one that takes a standard 21" blade. Could be the one. I have emailed for stock and postage details.

 

[leon-1]

Buck saw is about $30 - $50 including postage to UK. Sawvivor is a not much different. Of course you have set me searching again and I like the look of this

http://www.duluthpack.com/store/product_detail.asp?SelectedCategory=c&SubCategoryId=c1&Product=Folding%20Saw

looks to take a standard 24" blade and there is a version on other sites selling one that takes a standard 21" blade. Could be the one. I have emailed for stock and postage details.

John, I have seen and used bucksaws that have been made from the materials around me (apart from the blade and some cord). The blade is normally carried inside a billy can.

 

[Spacemonkey]

I've seen some saws made by that chap Stanley. They are a fixed blade of around 9 inches or so, and come with a sheath with belt loop. Looks like an overgrown pukko sheath. Sell for about £10, but no idea if they're any good or not??

 

[Fluxus]

silky pocket boy - have a look here
http://www.gardenhardware.com/sil-340.html
its the bees trousers.

 

[swamp donkey]

Silky folding saws ever time.
I have several . I the one I use most is a bit bigger than the fat boy it has its own rubber sheath . Most of you wont go for it as saw and sheath are purple! But I never lose it in the grass.
DICK tools have plenty www.dick.biz In fact there cat is like a bible in our house

I also like the military pocket chain saws great in a tight space


Swamp Donkey

 

[MagiKelly]

John, I have seen and used bucksaws that have been made from the materials around me (apart from the blade and some cord). The blade is normally carried inside a billy can.

I know. It sounds silly but I really don't like to cut green wood to make the saw. I only cut dead wood for burning.

 

[Bardster]

Always been a big fan of Gerber tools and recently got hold of the exchange-a-blade saw
really comfortable in the hand and cuts really well - like the fact that it has 2 styles of blade too - carry a couple of spares in the sheath http://www.attacc.com/scripts/sh000...rough_Accessories_Explorer.html#a46036#a46036
I also carry one of these in the box in the car
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=20289&name=folding saw&sfile=1&jump=0
and yes the silky's are as good as people say they are - just that this one wont sit on my belt like the gerber

 

[anthonyyy]

I use a cheap folder I picked up at Aldi - very good for the price.

 

[redflex]

Being a forester, I use Silky Fox I have various different ones from pocket upto pole saw.

Cost more but very light and fast to use.

would not swap.

 

[Moonraker]

Silky hand saws are used a lot by professional Arboriculturists. I suspect because they are well made, good steel, good product design, good rubber grip and also give a very clean cut, which is important to reduce any damage to a living tree.

After hunting around a bit I found Abbey Pro based in the SW of the UK and with a good selection of Silky and other arb kit to be reasonably priced and very good customer service.

You can get both green wood and dead wood blades for most of their saws which is useful. For a light weight hand saw which cuts very well and is very sharp, the Silky 'PocketBoy' available in different sizes, is a good choice.

My only complaint after some hard use is that the blade can be a bit tight ot close after a while which is sorted with a drop of oil. Also I managed to break the tip off the blade cutting some green hazel coppice. The blade is thin which gives a fine cut but also makes it a bit more vulnerable to torquing. It is more a question of using good technique.

 

[redflex]

The main Uk dealer for silky is,


http://www.mystworld.com/silkyfox/


The stock all Silky products as well as spares.

They supply different blades for each product depending on your need

Lots of info on the different types of blade what they are for and how they work.