View Full Version : What saw do you use?
rapidboy
17-07-2004, 22:01
http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/398_9836_2.jpg
Been using these Sandvik's for a long time and they are great tools but not very packable.
The only folding saws i use are SAK's or similar, so now im in the market for a folding saw.
Are the Bahco Laplanders the dogs :***: or what do you recommend?
There are 2 very similar Bahco's what's the difference?
Cheers
RB
Personally, I like the Ultimate Survival SaberCut saw - http://www.woodlandorganics.com/shop/us/index.htm - Tough, cuts well adn doesn't have those nasty points!!!!
Have to differ with Adi a little here.
My first choice is the Laplander as a portable saw - due to two factures, firstly it locks open and closed, secondly it can be used one handed and at any angle.
I have trailed these chainsaws and to be honest wasnt greatly impressed. They're great int he push pull mode, in fact when sawn upwards into a piece of wood they are excellent. However for 'proper' use I feel you'd have to make a bow saw out of them. And of course if your injured or one handed they are useless.
My problem with folding saws is the high plastic content of them - no matter how stong the plastic is, it never seems strong enough.
rapidboy
17-07-2004, 23:52
What about the Opinel saw?
The knives are good ,a saw should be ok?
Haven't handled one and have seen pic's.
RovingArcher
18-07-2004, 00:29
I have a SAK w/saw and one of the older German issue utility knives w/saw that I carry. In my main rucksack kit I carry this saw made by Buck Knives, that I bought about 10 years ago.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/203179.jpg
OldJimbo
18-07-2004, 08:34
I mostly use a Sawvivor or a Trailblazer for larger wood. These fold up frame saws really go through wood fast.
Sawvivor (http://oldjimbo.com/survival/sawvivor.html)
The Sawvivor is also know as 'Ultralite Saw' in the uk and is available from
http://www.thetradingpost.co.uk/
:-)
Ed
steven andrews
18-07-2004, 14:46
I have been impressed with my Sandvik/Bahco Laplander.
Great piece of kit.
i use the laplander which is very good. And a topcraft saw bought by the Aldi discount supermarket, it's cheap and cuts very well.
I've been using a Silky Fox pocket boy 170 that was recommended to me by a bushcraft instructor. These are excellent tools with tough steel that can saw very quick and efficently. They also come with a plastic 'sheath' that can be attached to a belt. .
brucemacdonald
18-07-2004, 20:50
I have a Gerber folding saw which I bought about two or three years ago. It was cheaper than the Sandvik but similar in design (ie probably ripped off :wink: ).
It comes with two blades which are easy to interchange. One has a coarse blade, one has a fine blade, but both are effective.
I also have a Sandvik orange bow-saw which I have used to cut logs at home.
Best wishes
Bruce
I've have the cheap wilkinson sword retractable saw sold by B&Q. I've been able to log fallen birch trunks upto about 8 inches diameter with it. Not bad for something weighing almost nothing !
Keith_Beef
19-07-2004, 09:31
What about the Opinel saw?
The knives are good ,a saw should be ok?
Haven't handled one and have seen pic's.
I have one of these. Same size as the Nş12 knife. Comfortable handle, and being made of beech you can modify it to fit your hand how you like.
Quite good, useful little folding saw, but you might need to go over the flats of the blade to get rid of grind marks and reduce the thickness a little. The teeth don't seem to be set, and this can cause the blade to stick when cutting wet wood.
Keith.
For years I used a Wilkinson Sword folding saw and this still cuts wood fast and easily, but recently got a Sandvic- very impressed. It's lighter (but just as tough) as the WS and locks open and closed (the WS only locked open). It cuts even better and you can get replacement blades as necessary- a great piece of kit. :super:
Blue Sky, Jim.
MartiniDave
20-07-2004, 13:38
I use the larger bahco/sandvik bowsaw as pictured by Rapidboy around the yard, in my pack I carry an orange version of the laplander. Both very effective bits of kit.
I do find the saw on my swiss army knife hand too when I'm just out and about for a casual stroll.
Dave
Dont know why this is, but im assuming theres a good reason?
The Bahco Laplander saws ive seen seem to come in two sizes.
Firstly the cheaper models sold on.
http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/SAN396LAP.html
www.amazon.co.uk
[and various other sites mentioned in the BCUK forums] But on closer inspection, these are all seven and a half inch's long, whereas all the bahco laplander saws sold in the survival shops:
www.raymears.com
http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/shop2004.htm
are all nine inches long.
:?:
guess that extra inch and a half makes all the difference :roll:
I bought my Laplander from Tooled-up. I also picked up on the difference in stated size by Woodlore and Survival School and ended up calling Tooled-up and Woodlore for confirmation that they were in fact the same item. I spoke to a manager at Tooled-up who checked the Bahco catalogue and was assured that Bahco only produce one Laplander 396 model. They also assured me that the measurements they quote are taken from the Bahco catalogue. I called Woodlore for conformation that the model they sold was the Laplander 396 model, which they duly confirmed.
ranger
I use one of these its only 9.5 ounces it folds down to 3in. x 15in
http://www.tregor.co.uk/images/saw-axe-t.jpg
http://www.tregor.co.uk/images/saw-log-t.jpg
rapidboy
21-07-2004, 13:56
I really think the Ultralite saw is of more use to me than the Laplander.
The Laplander looks like it would be great as a pruning saw (it's intended use) but for more serious work (sawing logs for the fire ) i think the Ultralite would be more capable.
Anyone tried both ?
RB
OldJimbo
21-07-2004, 22:34
I'm late in doing some comparisons of the Laplander that JM sent me with the Sawvivor - or Ultralight as it's called in Europe. I'll have to haul them out today and report some times for cutting.
The thing to remember, though is that size and weight matter, too. So it'll just to be giving an idea of the capabilities. It'd be helpful if everyone would give some types/sizes and times for wood cut - for various saws. It'll be important to stay with easy cutting to get realistic and comparable values. Competition is for logging shows...
I've been exploring the robustness of the Ultralight/Sawvivor and so it gets a lot of use by a lot of people. And of course the other day I noticed that sand on driftwood had finally taken it's toll. I spent about half an hour sharpening the teeth with some emery paper and went down to under 30 secs for hard 6" logs. I don't have any jigs, and so just have to try to keep to the angles. It seems to work well enough. One modification that I've been wanting to get around to is modifying the shape of the teeth. A more rounded or chisel shape (but still sharp) to the tops is supposed to be more efficent for the hard wood. Maybe then I have to reduce the height of the rakers - we'll see. I guess most people now wonder about the wicked reputation of saws, but when sharp they deserve to be treated with a lot of respect..
I have to admit that the Ultralight looks the part ... a pruning saw is OK but I think that for anything more than 4 inch or so it's going to be tough going.
Tonight, just for laughs, I used a Sabercut "chainsaw" on some felled wood and was impressed - 12 "saws" backa dn forth to go through a 5 inch log and 17 for a 6-7 incher. I was really impresses with both the speed and clenliness of the cut.
rapidboy
21-07-2004, 22:49
I see this is available in 2 sizes.
Ultra-Lite Takedown Saw
15" Blade
Weight: 9.7oz
Ultra-Lite Takedown Saw
18" Blade
Weight: 11.5oz
RB
rapidboy
21-07-2004, 22:57
Adi ,I always found the "chain" saws pretty hard work ,how does it compare to a bow saw or folder in terms of effort required.
Adi ,I always found the "chain" saws pretty hard work ,how does it compare to a bow saw or folder in terms of effort required.
The first time I used it I was braced for some hard work ... I've used wire saws in the past and was expecting it to be a major job followed by the saw breaking. However, it was nothing like that. The chain bedded in easily and I'd say that the sawing action needed no more than 10 pounds of pull on the saw. Really easy and it took 12 pulls to cut a 5 inch log.
I love it!
i found my saber saw pretty tough going at times. it also seems to stick on anything less than a prefect angle. i haven't used it that much it tends to live at the bottom of my rucksac.
However, it was nothing like that. The chain bedded in easily and I'd say that the sawing action needed no more than 10 pounds of pull on the saw. Really easy and it took 12 pulls to cut a 5 inch log.
OK Adi what am i doing wrong?
OK Adi what am i doing wrong?
Hard to tell ... I guess you do need to keep your hands in line with the cut youa re making and I tend to have my arms out wider at the beginning of the cut (2 foot apart say) and bring them together as soon as I'm into the wood (1 foot). If I feel the pressure increasing I bring my hands out further apart again. A also widen the arms just before the saw exits the wood.
Maybe some stills or a video is in order!
OldJimbo
22-07-2004, 08:23
The Bahco Laplander worked pretty smoothly, but took a couple of minutes to get through a 4" log. that's about as big as practical for it.
http://oldjimbo.com/pics/bahco.jpg
The Ultralight took under half a minute and could handle much bigger stuff.
http://oldjimbo.com/pics/ultralight.jpg
We were cutting short sections of the same log so things were pretty evenly balanced. The grand-daughter said she much prefered the Ultralight, but didn't put it in nice terms so I'm not showing the video... Basically the UL might be much faster - but it's always well to remember that a Laplander in the pocket sure beats anything else that's back in camp..
I was trying a very efficient hatchet and that took longer than the Bahco. It was a tough log.
mr dazzler
01-09-2004, 23:37
I haven't yet a bush saw as such. For joinery I use shark pullsaw (9 strokes to cut 4"x2"") or Bahco procut (10 strokes). I recently made my first saw blade (bow saw) not out of this world as I am still practising (file) tooth cutting, but will do a 4"x2" in 11 strokes. I will attempt to build a folding saw and get pictures when 'tis done. Got an old 2 man crosscut to get me some good stock steel to work with. Maybe a handle of French burry elm and some nice Brass fittings?
Mr D :wave:
The Bahco Laplander worked pretty smoothly, but took a couple of minutes to get through a 4" log. that's about as big as practical for it.
Hi Jimbo, I can't comment on the laplander specifically because mine hasn't arrived yet, but using a smaller wilkinson sword / sandvik branded saw with only a 6.5 inch blade, I didn't have any problems taking an 8 inch dia birch trunk into four or five logs. You just have to rotate around the trunk working in from all sides to cut timber thicker than the reach of the blade.
OK you wouldn't pick this as a tool for logging, but if you're limited to them because of weight, these lightweights will still do an impressive amount of work.
Love your reviews by the way and especially your various articles about axes. Thanks,
Alick
For bigger than about 4 inch logs I find that the Ultimate Survival Saber Cut is pretty effective. I've taken it through 8 - 10 inch logs and it cuts through them easily.
I think that the Laplander is a good tool but not worth the crazy money it goes for in some places - the best price I found for it was Amazon.co.uk. Don't pay more than £20 for one.