View Full Version : Folding saw
hi, i am new to bushcraft does anyone have any expirience with the less expensive (b&q) style folding saws, if so please tell!
Singeblister
04-12-2008, 22:17
they do the job Samwebb but not as nice as a more expencive one , I always used the real cheap one from lidel and it was fine , then i got a good deal on a bacho laplander and its much nicer to use If I had to buy another one I would go for the laplander
I have a cheap one and as said, it does the job. But I just bought a Opinel small saw, with a 12 cm stainless blade. I only received it yesterday and not used it yet. It feels much nice to hold, the wood handle is large, which I like because I have fairly large hands, the blade lock is much more positive than the cheap one, it can also be locked closed, the cheap one doesn't. I'll try it at the week end and report on it's use.
Barn Owl
04-12-2008, 22:55
I'd say it's worth paying that bit more for a laplander.
The cheap ones are ok for a time but quality does prevail from my own experience.
Tom.
Rothley Bill
04-12-2008, 23:21
Interesting this, whilst i have no exoerience with the laplander, which will be good as bacho do not make rubbish. I have used a folding saw I bought from Aldi about a year ago, still sharp locks open and closed and all for a fiver. It wont last forever but its all about Buying the best you can afford at the time
mentalnurse
04-12-2008, 23:27
i have a laplander and use it a lot for collecting my walking stick shanks, cuts great, nice and light and easy to use.
Also the blades are replaceable on the laplander, worth spending that bit more I`d say. I saw somewhere selling them for £15.95 delivered the other day
hi, i am new to bushcraft does anyone have any expirience with the less expensive (b&q) style folding saws, if so please tell!
I was happy with my Lidl folding saw until I tried a Laplander, they are just in a different league
I bought mine for £2.99 from Wilkinsons.
What everyone has said is probably true - the more expensive brands are probably better. I wouldn't know for sure, never having owned or used a Laplander. But, I somehow doubt that a Laplander (at £15-£20) is truly 5 or 6 times better at the job than my cheapo version. It's a simple enough job - saw a bit of wood - that doesn't require too much technology.
If you can afford a Laplander, or any other reputable brand, then go for it. But also know what tools/equipment can be done on a budget, and what are best to splash a bit of money on.
It's up to you, I suppose.
I have a folding saw I bougt for € 1,99 (should be about 1 pound 50). I've been using this for about a year, and it is not giving me any problems. I have used a laplander, and allthough it is nicer to look at, I find my cheap one actually nicer to use as it has an thicker handle. I think the blade on the laplander is better, stays sharp longer. On the other hand, for the price of a laplander replacement blade I could buy 6 of the complete saws I'm using now.
Just my experience and thoughts....
BTW I'm after a folding / packable bow saw (buck saw). Any tips ?
bushcraftbob
05-12-2008, 08:38
Just as you say samwebb i bought the yellow/orange one from B&Q for £6.99 and i have used it a hell of a lot and still going strong and teeth still sharp
Spaniel man
05-12-2008, 09:04
I have to say, I've used most types of folding saw in my work over the years as a tree surgeon, and you really do get what you pay for. A lot of the cheaper saws only cut on the pull stroke, and are a bit prone to jamming, whereas the laplander cuts on both strokes and rarely gets stuck. Just my opinion, but we all use laplanders at work and we use them a lot!
Treemonk
05-12-2008, 09:23
Silky saws only cut on the pull stroke and in my experience will leave a laplander standing (in the beautiful little pile of shavings you just created)
I have a silly amount of saws :o (and still will buy more to swmbo's dispair no doubt)
My first was a stanley I believe from B&Q and I still use it!:) but it has now been replaced by a silky pocketboy - and man does that little thing eat wood!:eek:
I also have a set of aldi's finest, a number of other cheap models and now this week a bacho laplander. That is not to mention the 20" bush saw, the 15" colapseable bush saw and my chainsaw:rolleyes:
why so many folders? - most have never been used for anything other than a pattern for making leather sheaths for them;)
HillBill
05-12-2008, 11:26
BTW I'm after a folding / packable bow saw (buck saw). Any tips ?
Have a look at this
http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/dispprod.pl?filtera=Equipment% 20List&filterb=Saw&filterc=Duluth%20Pack
Have a look at this
http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/dispprod.pl?filtera=Equipment% 20List&filterb=Saw&filterc=Duluth%20Pack
Quite fancy one of those myself, I saw one at the bushmoot (Warthog's I think) and I was impressed, very neat and effective. that said, I'm happy with my Laplander and my B&Q one and even the Spear&Jackson one I got from Asda. The smoothest cutting one has to be the Laplander but they all do the job.
warthog1981
05-12-2008, 23:49
Quite fancy one of those myself, I saw one at the bushmoot (Warthog's I think) and I was impressed, very neat and effective. that said, I'm happy with my Laplander and my B&Q one and even the Spear&Jackson one I got from Asda. The smoothest cutting one has to be the Laplander but they all do the job.
I'm sure it would have been mine Andy very handy tools it kept is going in fire wood for the week easily :D
Cheers Russ :D
I'm sure it would have been mine Andy very handy tools it kept is going in fire wood for the week easily :D
Cheers Russ :D
I thought so Russ, cheers, I shall have to get myself one of them at some point in the new year. I really liked the way it packed down into itself.
i have had for years a Gerber saw comes with 2 blades one fine one course
i looked at the laplander a while back and thought its blade geometryand style was a little crude never tryed them against each other though
also got a Wilkinson a couple of Xmases ago its lock broke first use :rolleyes: :(
on the gerber a lot of stalkers round hee used ot buy them as the fine blade was good at antler apparently
ATB
Duncan