Folding saw - or no folding saw?

K

kingofdiamonds

Joined
Jul 18, 2015
Messages
31
Hello, all.

Up until now I have typically carried a decent (small) axe, a large knife, small knife and a leatherman multi tool in the woods.

I would like to know where you all come in with regards to a folding saw.

1) Do you carry one?
2) Do you find it fills a need that is not met by the other tools mentioned here?

and 3) If you've got one, which type/brand do you think is best? (and why?)

Thanks!
:D
 
I bring an cheap Mossy Oak folding saw on camping trips, as well as a hatchet. The saw seemed pretty flimsy out of the box, but actually has worked out great. I got a Silky for Christmas and bought a Bahco Laplander last summer, neither of which has been used yet. I've also used an old wood-handled Wallace folding saw for cutting green wood with excellent results.

The hatchet may not see much action in the future. Folding saws have really worked out better for me.
 
I have two Silky saws that are excellent that are mostly used for yard work. If camping or day hiking I really don't have much use for a saw. If there's a fire involved, it's a small one, and it's easy enough to just burn a stick or log in half. All this said, I do carry a Fiskars slide out saw because it only weighs 3 oz, and cuts really well for its size. It's come in handy a few times, and worth its weight as an emergency tool. I don't think I've ever used it to build or maintain a fire.
 
Sometimes. And I don't have a blanket answer or favourite brand.

I think they are handy for certain niche jobs if you have the right teeth. Trimming bits of green veg requires a different tooth pattern to the tooth pattern you need for dry wood.

I like them because they are handy, light, precise, and economical of effort. That said, there comes a point at which I like a bow saw better. And I also find merit in regular wood saws [like the Fat Max JV3 did a thread on a while back]. You can use those for cutting snow blocks too. Further, much like a chef grabs a bunch of veg and cuts through it at once for efficiency, you can get a faggot and cut it into chunks.
 
I use a Silky Gomboy. Usually a fire here involves finding large dead branches on the ground and dragging them to the fire, then feeding them in bit by bit. A saw makes the fire much easier to manage.
 
I think the cheap saws are fine, personally. I've used the Coghlan's a lot and just got one of the orange Bahco saws, it's quite a bit cheaper than the Laplander, but from my understanding they are the same.

Keep in mind that a dry saw will work better on green wood than a green saw will work on dry wood. I mainly use them for wood collection and shelters. If the floor isn't wet you can also use the poll of your axe to gather most branches, and one 45 degree slice and then your poll for medium branches. This can be faster than a saw much of the time, but you have to know how to handle that axe.

Depends on your location, but I'd probably swap one of the knives for a saw.
 
In my opinion you have way too many tools listed as is. That being said your situation could be very different from my own. I generally have two sets of sleep gear, a larger tent, and food for two since my older son isn't yet big enough to carry all of this on his own. I also tend to be humping my gear a decent way along a trail with substantial elevation changes. That said my toys have become limited. I generally carry the two below, a Mora and a cheap Japanese folding saw that weighs 4 oz. The saw can make quick work of breaking down limbs, though the crotch of a tree will do the same. It can also be used to make clean cuts for certain camp craft such as notches. It is not a vital tool by any means. The Mora is more than enough knife for me to enjoy some time in the woods.

16639952450_ad9e3abd6e_h.jpg
 
Hacked said:
In my opinion you have way too many tools listed as is. That being said your situation could be very different from my own. I generally have two sets of sleep gear, a larger tent, and food for two since my older son isn't yet big enough to carry all of this on his own. I also tend to be humping my gear a decent way along a trail with substantial elevation changes. That said my toys have become limited. I generally carry the two below, a Mora and a cheap Japanese folding saw that weighs 4 oz. The saw can make quick work of breaking down limbs, though the crotch of a tree will do the same. It can also be used to make clean cuts for certain camp craft such as notches. It is not a vital tool by any means. The Mora is more than enough knife for me to enjoy some time in the woods.

16639952450_ad9e3abd6e_h.jpg
Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying about too many tools - but I can't help feel like I should have at least some redundancy at least with my knives. In truth, I find myself using my axe and a small (4 1/2") fixed blade more than everything else. My trips into the woods are usually into areas of northern Ontario, Canada where I have enough support that stuff breaking, despite not being a desirable option is not the end of the trip. Also, on the upside, I am seldom alone, so there is some redundancy there. Usually we are 3-5 days by ATV away from help, but very well equipped. We usually have (at the very least) radios that broadcast a gps position when transmitting and on occasion SAT phones and PLB's. In a few weeks I will be heading into the Yukon Territory on a 12 day, 250 mile canoe trip (going WITH the river :cool: ) where stuff breaking - although unlikely - will have a much more detrimental effect and was wondering if a folding saw would be a worthy addition. I have never used one, (outside of a SAK or Leatherman) but I do confess - I'm always hunting for new gear and I always like to hear what works for other folks and what doesn't.

Thanks for all the replies!
 
kingofdiamonds said:
I hear what you are saying about too many tools - but I can't help feel like I should have at least some redundancy at least with my knives. In truth, I find myself using my axe and a small (4 1/2") fixed blade more than everything else. My trips into the woods are usually into areas of northern Ontario, Canada where I have enough support that stuff breaking, despite not being a desirable option is not the end of the trip. Also, on the upside, I am seldom alone, so there is some redundancy there. Usually we are 3-5 days by ATV away from help, but very well equipped. We usually have (at the very least) radios that broadcast a gps position when transmitting and on occasion SAT phones and PLB's. In a few weeks I will be heading into the Yukon Territory on a 12 day, 250 mile canoe trip (going WITH the river :cool: ) where stuff breaking - although unlikely - will have a much more detrimental effect and was wondering if a folding saw would be a worthy addition. I have never used one, (outside of a SAK or Leatherman) but I do confess - I'm always hunting for new gear and I always like to hear what works for other folks and what doesn't.

Thanks for all the replies!
Click to expand...

Personally if I were canoe and ATV camping I would ditch the large knife in favor of a bow or Buck saw. In my case I'm backpacking so its a different story. Both the ax and multitool can act as backups to your knife. Having an ax your knife should not see any abuse or truly hard use. A bow saw can be cheap and is an excellent and efficient tool for processing wood and other tasks.
 
A folding saw is very light and very versatile

Use when tired not chopping, is much safer
Ease of use
Speed of cutting
Lighter than a large knife or axe
 
I've got a Samurai folding saw (similar to the Bahco ones), it's lightweight and very efficient when it comes to prepping firewood, makes easy work out of most branches and some small logs. It definitely requires less energy than using an axe for the same purpose, and the weight increase of throwing a folding saw in your pack is negligible as it's mostly plastic and rubber.

hcHTb0P.jpg

It doesn't come with that Kydex sheath, that was a quick home-made job so I can attach it to stuff easily.

edit: The exact model is the Samurai Inazuma FA-210-LH
 
Last edited:
If I was traveling alone, the options would be different. I have a preference for saws in that they are generally safer, but an ax can be very useful as well.
When traveling in a group, the advantage is that instead of having to compromise and take a half sized version of everything you can take a regular sized single tool for the group. So I would confer with your trip partners and see what everyone else is comfortable bringing. If someone has a good, proven saw that they really like, and you have an ax that you are skilled with, then you are at a total advantage over you taking a small saw that you might not think to use as much.
 
I also hear what gadgetgeek is saying about a folding saw being safer - as I tend to stay away from my axe after dark - a folding saw would fill this requirement.
 
I really like my Laplander and my Opinel #12 folding saw. less weight, less money, and smaller size than most chopping implements. (and I have quite a few choppers)
 
I have an Okapi one stashed in my pack and i will have my Silky Bigboy if the trail requires more maintenance especially after a storm.
Any fallen logs that my chopper can't get through or too troublesome and the saw will do their job.
It's crazy to think i have to carry a chopper, a machete, a saw and several other blades just to get the job done so i want to be selective.
 
I carry a weatherman wave, one of several fixed blades and a Wetterlings hunting axe, typically. But I always have a 21" Sven Saw strapped to my pack, usually used for processing firewood and bringing down bigger snags.
 
kingofdiamonds said:
Hello, all.

Up until now I have typically carried a decent (small) axe, a large knife, small knife and a leatherman multi tool in the woods.

I would like to know where you all come in with regards to a folding saw.

1) Do you carry one?
2) Do you find it fills a need that is not met by the other tools mentioned here?

and 3) If you've got one, which type/brand do you think is best? (and why?)

Thanks!
:D
Click to expand...

1) It all depends on the nature/purpose/length of the trip and the plans and backup possibilities for cooking/shelter/etc.
a) - Am I carrying and planning to use a wood stove?
b) - Do I plan to build something for which I would rather use the saw?

2) It is my preferred tool for some things instead of using the others you mentioned. I always try to take a small/medium fixed blade knife and a 2-3oz folder whether I have a saw or not. Sometimes I take a tomahawk for fun instead of or in addition to a "bigger" saw. If I carry a multi-tool and my feet are the transportation, it is a 1.9oz Leatherman PS4.

3) My main saw carried if I plan to do something according to item #1 above AND I am willing to carry a "big" saw is either a Silky Super Accel straight blade or a Silky Ultra Accel curved-blade. If I don't carry either, then I carry a Victorinox SAK with a saw blade.

I hope that makes sense. :)
 
In an effort to minimize weight (both myself and what I'm carrying) I carry a saw much more frequently than an axe or hatchet. I have found Silky Saws to be very efficient and typically carry a Pocketboy or larger Gomboy, but in some situations I just carry a Vic Alox Farmer instead of a saw or multi-tool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top