Gerber Exchange-A-Blade folding saw

[popedandy]

I recently purchased one of these while I was on vacation to shorten a wooden cane. I could have purchased a decent quality folding saw or a SAK with a saw for only a few dollars more, but I already had some of those at home and wanted to try something different. I am typically suspicious of anything from Gerber, so buying the saw was against my better judgement. However, I convinced myself that not even Gerber could screw up a basic folding saw. I was wrong. Both the coarse blade and the fine blade bound about halfway through a 1 1/8" diameter cut. I have used quite a few saws over the years, including some I was not impressed with, and have never encountered something as totally useless as the Gerber. To be any worse, it would have to be toothless, crooked, and made out of soft plastic.

It was an inexpensive education and reinforced the lesson that a low-cost tool is not necessarily a bargain.

 

[neeman]

I have a Gerber Folding Saw that binds all the time
The nylon pouch is great though!!

Dumped it and purchased a folding garden pruning saw for less money, with great success

 

[baldtaco-II]

Mmmmm, curious.There's a popular bushcraft store here selling those at a few quid more than the widely well reviewed Bahco Laplander. And that's with it apparently on sale from the RRP, which would have made it cost about 50% more.

 

[JV3]

huh, i've had great luck with mine. i've processed countless wood like this for two years without any complaints. i did read on amazon that some comments stating that their u.s. made one was great and that the newest one, made in china, isn't anywhere as good so maybe yours is the china made one? also, the fine blade is for cutting bone - the tooth count is too fine for wood (it doesn't shed the dust and causes it to bind).

i snapped the original blade in half a month ago after years of use (my fault - i tried to cut too big a log too many times, bent the blade on the push cut several times and it eventually snapped). i immediately bought 2 replacement blades and i can't tell a difference in cutting performance actually comparing it to the much-recommended bahco laplander.

 

[Shotgun]

huh, i've had great luck with mine. i've processed countless wood like this for two years without any complaints. i did read on amazon that some comments stating that their u.s. made one was great and that the newest one, made in china, isn't anywhere as good so maybe yours is the china made one? also, the fine blade is for cutting bone - the tooth count is too fine for wood (it doesn't shed the dust and causes it to bind).

i snapped the original blade in half a month ago after years of use (my fault - i tried to cut too big a log too many times, bent the blade on the push cut several times and it eventually snapped). i immediately bought 2 replacement blades and i can't tell a difference in cutting performance actually comparing it to the much-recommended bahco laplander.

I always wondered how they compared but never asked for some reason. Thanks.

To the OP: I've also noticed that saws bind more when sawing a vertical piece rather then a horizontal branch but I think that's more my technique then the fault of the saw.

 

[JV3]

update: i'm always honest in my posts so here it goes...i was wrong and i think you're right! while walking my dogs i saw this sycamore (or maybe london plane?) branch off the sidewalk and brought it home and did a cutting test a few minutes ago. the gerber with the new blade went through it just fine half-way but after that it started to bind, just as you posted i had to rotate the branch slightly and re-start it to get it through.

the bahco zipped through it like a champ.

the new blade in the gerber did fine with 1" or smaller branches previously (i used it to cut twigs for the emberlit days ago) but once it starts into the 2" and bigger branches (today's test), it was nothing like the original blade the original blade zipped through 4" logs with no problem, i would've bet big money on it against a bahco but not this newer one...so yeah, there you go

 

[Brian Sargent]

Is there any set to the teeth on the Gerber?


Edit ... Does the Gerber cut on push and pull or is it just a pull saw?

 

[Shotgun]

update: i'm always honest in my posts so here it goes...i was wrong and i think you're right! while walking my dogs i saw this sycamore (or maybe london plane?) branch off the sidewalk and brought it home and did a cutting test a few minutes ago. the gerber with the new blade went through it just fine half-way but after that it started to bind, just as you posted i had to rotate the branch slightly and re-start it to get it through.


the new blade in the gerber did fine with 1" or smaller branches previously (i used it to cut twigs for the emberlit days ago) but once it starts into the 2" and bigger branches (today's test), it was nothing like the original blade the original blade zipped through 4" logs with no problem, i would've bet big money on it against a bahco but not this newer one...so yeah, there you go

Damn I just bought a new blade recently and just stuck it in my pack because like you I always thought it was awesome. I need to test this new blade out before I rely on it.

Is there any set to the teeth on the Gerber?


Edit ... Does the Gerber cut on push and pull or is it just a pull saw?

Just checked the new one I got and no it does not have any kind of kerf to it. It's probably getting bogged down in dust then.

It is designed for both but really is more of a pull cutter IMO.

 

[JV3]

Is there any set to the teeth on the Gerber?


Edit ... Does the Gerber cut on push and pull or is it just a pull saw?

the original blade pushed and pulled cut just fine. the newer one seems to a pull-only saw (touching with my index finger i can glide over the tooth on the push side but will instantly grab on the pull side). in practice, it seems to cut just fine pulling/pushing up to 1" thick. thicker then it starts to bind even on the pull-only.

 

[Brian Sargent]

In the pictures the Gerber looks as if the teeth are cut angled to the rear.

My Bahco has a tiny bit of a set to every other tooth.

The wider cut and intentional design to cut both ways helps keep it moving easier imo.

 

[popedandy]

Yes, my saw is one of the new ones and it does not feel like it has any set. I was fairly sure the problem wasn't me since I have been using saws for about 50 years with no problems. I was hesitant to post such an overwhelmingly negative review, especially since I rarely post in this subforum so folks have no idea whether I am reasonable or whether I am some moron with an attitude problem. In the end I decided that it was worth making the post. The worst that could have happened was that I could have been wrong and looked like an idiot. However, if I was right it could potentially keep folks from buying something only to find out that it didn't work when they really needed it. I am not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed that others are experiencing the same problem.