UL backpacking knife/saw idea

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nugaluga

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Nov 23, 2018
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So i'm a backpacking enthusiast.

Recently I wanted to move more towards Ultra light gear.

that said, i can't stress enough how useful having a camping saw is whenever you do go camping.

Every time I don't bring a saw i wish i did bring one.
this is the lightest saw I could possible find.
31yYJwjbIPL._AC_.jpg


  • The PocketBoy offers extraordinary cutting capacity
  • Features a rust-resistant, hard chrome-plated, taper-ground blade with impulse-hardened, non-set teeth
  • Blade length is 130mm/5.1 inches (8.5 teeth per inch) & has 2 open locking positions for in line or flush cutting
  • Ideal for landscaping, pruning & trimming, camping, trail maintenance & general outdoors
  • The PocketBoy is compact, lightweight & takes up little room in your toolbox, backpack, glove box or pocket!
Click to expand...

Question for the group
what do you think about getting ul saw/knife edge combo? or even sharpening the other side of something like the product above to negate the need to bring both a knife and a saw?
or do you know someone that could/would make a tool that could be both
 
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I really like my Opinel folding saw. There are lots of fixed blade knives with saw backs. So why not a saw with a knife back? But I don’t think it would be a good idea on a folder. You better be real careful though. Getting a bad cut far from civilization is a really bad idea.
 
I typically pair a Bahco Laplander saw with a Bradford Guardian 3, and/or a Benchmade Bugout. Usually I can't help taking both a small fixed and folding blade, but sometimes I only take one if I'm going very light for backpackinging longer distances and and don't anticipate making fires every night. Though in those cases I'm more apt to keep the folder and the fixed blade and lose the saw.
 
I’m sure it’s smaller than what you want, but I think the most ultra-light knife/saw combo may be the Hiker SAK. It has a 2 3/4" saw blade (which would probably be good for sawing through pencils and dowels) as well as two spear type jackknife blades.
 
a small Silky or the Bacho folding saws are lightweight and capable with smaller tasks ... the only thing is they are a draw cut only ... it's not a huge deal but some have to get used to that ...

I prefer a bit bigger bow saw ... the Sven or my favorite Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 are my personal preferences and can process much faster and larger wood ... but it all depends on your needs and much on weather conditions you'll use them in ... they have been well worth it to me to add the little extra weight and bulk but I'm not an oz. counter ... they may not be to you if you don't need to process much wood or if they are for emergency only ...

I can't say that any knife with a saw back can compete with an actual saw ... they are poor substitutes and I've seen some nasty cuts from people trying to use them and not paying attention to the blade edge that's exposed.
 
I would not try to make a combination tool by sharpening the back of the saw. That would set you up for an unfortunate accident. Saw back knives are generally very poor saws. So you really need to have a dedicated knife and a dedicated saw.

Silky makes some of the best saws around, and it would be an outstanding choice. However, another good option is the Opinel #12 saw. It is about the same size as the Silky 130 and weighs almost 2 oz less. I have a silky pocketboy, but I usually carry the opinel in my pack because of the weight difference. Here is a link for a BF sponsor, but they are currently out of stock. I can't find any in stock for a BF sponsor, so you may have to look elsewhere.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Opinel-Knives-No-12-Stainless-Steel--27877
 
Mcusta in Seki makes the Silky saws. They used to make the Browning folding saws, as well as the folding knife "Ice Storm" for Browning in the 1990s.
 
I just cant see how sharpening the back side of a pocket boy is going to be better than carrying something like a spyderco delica or whatever lightweight knife you prefer.
 
Love the pocket boy, I think they are the gold standard for folding saw.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Victorinox one hand opening Trekker or similar. Decent liner lock blade, great SAK saw, and few other really useful tools to bring along. And the total package don't weight that much.
 
Stumpy72 said:
I’m sure it’s smaller than what you want, but I think the most ultra-light knife/saw combo may be the Hiker SAK. It has a 2 3/4" saw blade (which would probably be good for sawing through pencils and dowels) as well as two spear type jackknife blades.
Click to expand...

This is what I was going to recommend. I prefer the harvester myself, but it adds a few grams. I have both though and like them. You can cut up to 1" stuff pretty easily.

Boker's techtools are pretty nice too but the screw construction has allowed loosening of the pivot before applying loctite. It also means you can adjust the tension at the pivot, which is kind of nice on a slipjoint.

There are enough lightweight blades, I would just carry a knife. Opinels are really light. I actually like the buck 110LT as the handle is big enough to do a lot of work and I prefer the more secure lock.

Also, look into the tops survival saw for additional weight savings, albeit a less capable saw. 0.54oz per BHQ. Better pricing at knifeworks.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-Pocket-Survival-Saw--26518
 
Thanks for the recommendation -
so the consensus is keep the tools separate

i already own a
SOG trident mini tanto - according to specs 2.2oz-
adding the pocket boy i think is where i'll be for now

160grams ~5.4 oz
total = 7.6oz less then half a pound
 
I doubt that the saw blade is fully hardened. It would be likely to snap if it was. Usually they seem to have induction hardened teeth. So good luck with having a knife edge stay sharp.

Yep: http://www.silkysaws.com/About-Us_2/Silky-Technology

Using a special high frequency heating technique, teeth are heated instantly and hardened. Because of this localized heating process only the teeth of the blade are heated and hardened; the remainder of the blade is unchanged and still retains its normal flexibility. The hardened teeth are harder than an ordinary file and stay sharp about three times longer than non-hardened teeth.
 
nugaluga said:
Thanks for the recommendation -
so the consensus is keep the tools separate

i already own a
SOG trident mini tanto - according to specs 2.2oz-
adding the pocket boy i think is where i'll be for now

160grams ~5.4 oz
total = 7.6oz less then half a pound
Click to expand...
Yes! A saw is a Saw & a Knife is ,,,,,, take both. Besides it being much safer & working better have two dedicated tools. Your partner can use one while you use the other!
 
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