HighDesertWalker--
I'll be interested to read about the results of your test.
Thanks
Well Mtn Hawk, this was fun, and the results contained some surprises. First, here's a pic of the three candidates:
Top: Fiskars Sliding Pruning Saw: bld length = 6 3/8 in; wt = 3.3 oz
Middle: Silkey Pocketboy 170: bld length = 6 15/16"; wt = 7.4 oz
Bottom: Fiskars Folding Pruning Saw: bld length = 7 in; wt = 7.9 oz
The (total) blade lengths were measured with the ruler in the pic and weights were determined with my postal scales.
First, I need to acknowledge some test conditions. A single piece of good quality 2x4 marked Hem Fir was used. Sections of about 1 1/2" thickness were cut from one end of the board, and no knots were present in the test material. Also, I have never used any folding saw before, so I am a rank amateur. Finally, I made no attempt to fudge the results, but it's necessary to admit that I did not want to discover I had wasted money on the more expensive Silkey. A double blind test for the two larger blades would have been more objective. But such an approach did not seem practical because I can identify the saws from the grips, and my wife was taking a nap. :yawn:
I started with the Fiskars 6" saw:
I was barely able to use this saw at all. It was very difficult to get the cut started, and when I did get it going there were numerous instances of the blade binding in the cut. Still, I never felt like I was going to break or bend the blade. The key seemed to be to apply as close to zero pressure to the saw as possible. It took so long to make the cut (at least a couple of minutes) that I lost track of the time on my watch. This was not a valid test except to say I found the Fiskars 6" sliding saw very difficult to use on a 2x4.
Next, I tested the Fiskars Folding Pruning Saw:
Now we're talking. For this saw and for the Silkey, I went ahead and established a notch before beginning the test. The folding Fiskars started right up and went through the 2x4 w/o hesitation. Elapsed time was 37 sec.
Finally, the Silkey Pocketboy was put through its paces:
I found this saw to be the easiest to use and the fastest. It went right through the 2x4 in 19 sec. This result is probably party due to the finer, more uniform teeth on the Silkey, and partly due to the fact that, towards the end of the test, my technique was improving.
So, there's room here for everyone to make their own decision. But for me, if I take a saw into the woods, it will be the Silkey Pocketboy 170. And I would never rely on the Fiskars sliding pruner unless extensive practice yielded better results.
Cheers,
) I'm really loving my Bahco Laplander, it's so light and effective. It's really ideal for me.
