Any one Familiar with the What-a-Saw (folding type bow saw) trying to find a blade

punisherD1 · Sep 26, 2014

I'm trying to find replacmcent blades that will work in it for for a friend as a favor. The specs list the blades as 21.5 in length. Its approx 20 inches to center of holes and it is the metal cutting blade.

I cannot find anything that size. I see the Viking combi which looks identical to a What a Saw lists a 20 inch blade 3 pack for $44.00 ish but, they don't list exact dimensions either. So it nay be too short, if I absolutely had to go that route.
I only need the metal cutting one anyways.

Since me moved across country, he's gone out of his way to make us feel welcome and taking me under his wing, in learning about vast area we now live in plus horses too. My little one is gaga about horses and I told her if it was feasible someday we would do it. We have corrals out back so, its going to happen at some point. To have a complete stranger go out of his way and has been hughe for me. I've been burned by family n firends in past so usally don't bother with people. I really want to be able to do something nice in return. He said I could find him the blade If it wasn't too much trouble. At this point I'm ready to order a band saw blade and make a few if that s my only option.

I even tired to find new ones or slightly used (blades or saws) ones on eBay and there is Nada. $79.00 for a new Viking combo is out of my price range right now too.

Thanks

leghog · Sep 29, 2014

The Sven and What-A-Saw were comparable competitors. Might want to look at just getting a new Sven.

iSaur · Sep 29, 2014

One of the selling points for the What-A-Saw over the Sven saw was that it uses standard 21" bow saw blades, while the Sven uses a proprietary blade. My What-A-Saw came with a wood blade and a bone blade. Both are 20 3/4" overall, with hole spacing of 20" centre-centre. I don't know of any metal cutting saws in that size. This site http://www.g-mantools.se/en/products/bow-saws/bow-saw-blades does sell one metal blade, the G60H, but only in a 24" size. If you are really thinking of cutting a band saw blade to size, it would be easier to start with one of those. If the blades are bimetal, drilling a hole should not be a problem. The hole could be quite a bit smaller than standard if you place it at the end of the saw frame where the blade pivots on a screw.

punisherD1 · Oct 2, 2014

No one offers a bimetal blade with the holes in correct location for a WAS that I could find on the net. I even thumbed through the pages of all my metal working and industrial catalogs to make sure I didn't miss anything in the specs section for bimetal blades.
I can't afford to be gifting a bran new saw right now. .He wanted a replacement blade anyways. He swears by that Was. He said all of his, family and close friends all have gotten heavy use out of theirs over the last ten years without a complaint. Sounds like a winner if they all have held up that well. I don't know if his was the USA made or Chinese version since all the writing is totally worn off.
I ordered a NOS, USA made band saw blade that was exact profile and teeth as what was on his from eBay. I got it for almost cost of shipping. Makes me happy about price and it allowed me to make a total 3 blades for him.
From what he said, the replacements when they were available would have cost a few dollars more anyways, so it all worked out.
Thanks for info and advice.

punisherD1 · Oct 2, 2014

Double post.

UffDa · Oct 2, 2014

Just out of curiosity, I spent 20 minutes searching for What-a-Saw. There are references to them, but they don't seem to exist. Perhaps the company when out of business.
It happens. There are other similar folding saws. Maybe What-a-Saw couldn't compete.

mwerner · Oct 2, 2014

Shame.... I've had mine for a long time.... still functional, I use the tree-saw blade all the time for yard work and it's still cutting pretty good.
I used to use it for trail work when I was mountain biking a lot.
A quality item... But I guess when the blades start to go I'll have to find something else.

iSaur · Oct 6, 2014

mwerner said:
Shame.... I've had mine for a long time.... still functional, I use the tree-saw blade all the time for yard work and it's still cutting pretty good.
I used to use it for trail work when I was mountain biking a lot.
A quality item... But I guess when the blades start to go I'll have to find something else.

As mentioned above, the blades are standard 21" bow saw blades. You shouldn't have a problem finding blades for wood. The OP was looking for metal cutting blades, which don't seem to be available any more.