Which saw?

S

SouthDakotan

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Sep 5, 2005
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I've been looking for a good saw to stick in my truck and after looking at a nearby scheels I'm not sure what to get. Here's what I saw:
1. Gerber exchange-a-blade. I've heard good things about them and thought they were made in the USA but the package said "made in china". What's the deal here?
2. Wyoming saw. I think it was the smaller version. I think it's us made and looks pretty good from what I've read.
3. Trailblazer bow saw. I liked the looks of it, but the plastic parts and the hard to grip handle had me worried.
4. Gerber sliding sport saw. I saw a good deal on them but didn't seem like it would stay looked during use.
5. Gerber gator saw. I'm not sure which one this was either a I, II, or a III. Didn't really look at it because I wasn't interested but I figured I should check out all my options.
Which do you think would be best? Any other recomedations? Also, I should add that the saw I will get is going to be supplemented by an estwing hatchet. Thanks.
 
The Exchange a blade are pretty good in that size. Another good option is the Bahco Laplander (also sold by Kershaw, but its the same saw)

The Gerber saws that you take down that have about 3 TPI are a pile of shit, stay clear.

I havent handled anything else but I dont think you will have long to wait, its a pretty active lot in here.
 
I bought a Sven saw I think at REI about 7 years ago. I bought it for camping and it works so good I put it to use in the yard too.
They take a bit of set up but they are rock solid and the blades are replaceable. Speaking of replaceable I should get a new blade I've never replaced the original.

Helle
 
I recommend a Japanese (cut on the pull stroke) folding pruning saw. They are lightweight efficient cutters. They are also safer to use than an axe/hatchet for the average person, due to their more controlled cutting. The convenience of folding one up and stuffing it in a pack or pants pocket makes them quite handy. Their 8-11" blades work well for cutting trees/branches up to around 5" or so thick, which is more than enough for fire or shelter purposes.

You can get them for around $20 at Home Depot, Lowe's, hardware stores, or garden centers. I recall also seeing them at Wally World. The most common brand I've seen is Corona. I did some testing a while ago and the Corona made a good showing for itself against several other saws.

Although it is a little more expensive, my favorite folding Japanese pruning saw continues to be the Pocket Saw from http://www.tashirohardware.com/special.html website. I have several of them scattered throughout my kits. The one I use for yard work has been driven hard and still works fine, even though the blade has been replaced at least once or twice. (cutting roots in rocky soil will eventually necessitate that ;) ) Search here on BFC for the term "Tashiro" and you should find reviews of it.
 
sliding saw all the way. you just twist the screw tight when sawing and it will not come undone. the saw is the fastest cutting saw that i own, it will even cut 12'' logs faster than my bow saw

i wish i hadent lost that saw:(
 
Here is another vote for the Sven Saw; mine must be near 25 years old, has literally cut cords of wood, and I have never had to replace the blade (Bought a spare blade with it and its still in the packaging). Wood over 6" in diameter is a pain to cut with it due to the triangular shape; Still for a collapsable backpacking saw that ain't half bad.
After all these years the frame is starting to wear , I'll probably have to reinforce it or replace the saw.
I too got mine for camping (from Campmor, I believe) and still use it for that purpose, as well as yard chores.
It resides full time in my Jeep, along side the military mini pick/mattock and entrenching tool. I have purchased another for the kit in vehicle #2.
Enjoy!

(Edit) here is linky;
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...6&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1
 
2. Wyoming saw. I think it was the smaller version. I think it's us made and looks pretty good from what I've read.
Click to expand...

my choice.with a bone, wood and Hacksaw blade in the case, it can be lashed to the outside/under your pack.. and you'll never know it's there.
 
I have been carrying a wyoming saw for 15 years and have no complaints, what everyone else said plus. I have quartered lots of hogs and cut a lot of firewood with mine and it is still going strong. Chris
 
I too have had a SvenSaw for quite a while. Twenty something years...crap I'm getting old....
Actually 2. The first while still serviceable was twisted a bit by a ham fisted fellow on a camping trip.
No one ever told him: Let the saw do the work. It is still functional but a bit tedious to get the blade in and out of the 'sleeve' because of the serpentine slot.
That's the only drawback to the SvenSaws...they aren't idiot/bullet proof.
Use it like the tool it is and you'll have no problems.
That was the large model, the second was the smaller one.
Both are cutting demons.
Car camping I have a 24" bow saw that I paid a whopping $3 for at OddJob.
I love it.
My friend got me a "What-A-Saw" Three blades (green wood, wood, and hack saws) carried in the saw arm like the SvenSaw, but the handle pivots around and attaches to the blade. The blades are all secured on the end opposite the handle.
It works well, quicker to set up than Sven, but a little clumsey with the three blades flopping around on the initial set up.

If you're gunna keep it in your truck, get a big bow saw. You won't look back.
If it will go in your pack the SvenSaw is a good one.
Hope it helps.
:D
Me?
I want to get one of those Opinel saws one day.
 
I wouldn’t recommend the gerber exchange saw the teeth one mine rounded after cutting some hard oak. My bacho is very well made with a strong blade I think the teeth are designed to cut dead wood a little better than green wood though. I also have the Wilkinson sword version of the sliding saw too ,the long blade means you can cut bigger logs and gives you a little more reach haven’t used it much so I can’t say how well it holds an edge or how strong the screw lock is.If your carrying it in your truck a full sized bow saw maybe the best option.
 
SouthDakotan said:
I've been looking for a good saw to stick in my truck and after looking at a nearby scheels I'm not sure what to get.
Click to expand...

What do you want to cut, wood type and size?

Trailblazer bow saw. I liked the looks of it, but the plastic parts and the hard to grip handle had me worried.
Click to expand...

The roudn grip is difficult to handle, especially when wet, you can supplement it with grip tape but it still is really poor compared to an actual full frame saw. For a truck say there is no contest, get a full frame if you are considering a bow/swede saw. They make them in all sizes, I have seen them as small as a foot.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for all the recomendations guys. Basically I wanted a compact saw that would only see occasional use for clearing trees out of the way and possibly cutting wood for camping. The reason I was looking at a compact saw was that this would be going inside an extended cab dodge dakota which is already filled up with assorted things, making space an issue. The kinds of woods I'd be using this for would be pine, cottonwood, and siberian elm for the most part. HK2001, where do you get a hacksaw blade for a wyoming saw?
 
Pine is a fairly open grain wood and sappy, it is here anyway. You need a fairly open saw to cut it well, the small folding saws with 9-11 tpi get bogged quickly, you want about a 4.5 tpi saw to cut it well. Swede saw blades work well on that type of wood as well, but they are really inefficient on small hardwoods.

-Cliff
 
A saw that I like to carry during hunting season for use removing antlers and cutting small fire wood is the DANDY saw. Made in Cody, Wyoming. Has a blade that is 18" long and cuts on the push stroke only. I have trouble with the Wyoming saw not cutting deep enough on some animals, such as moose. I believe they carry it at a place called fox ridge outfitters.
 
I am constantly surprised that so few folk mention the Spyderco saw. The weight and size are on the money (IMHO), and the workmanship is "Spydie" all the way... :thumbup:
 
Well I ended up getting a gerber sliding sport saw at a sale at target. Basically you got the saw and a flashlight for about $17. I could have gotten a exchange a blade saw with a pruning shear for the same price but, I'd rather have a finish made saw than a chinese one. I might still order a wyoming saw although the gerber saw isn't bad. I tried it on a 3" diameter siberian elm branch and it did good as well as making short work of a 2x4. So far I'm impressed with this little saw.
 
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