Morning All:

I've recently had an opportunity to purchase and evaluate two Gerber saws. One is a locking folder that comes equipped with both bone and wood blades, all enclosed in a cordura belt pouch. ($20 from Cabelas) The other is somewhat lighter, has only a wood blade, and the blade retracts within the handle the way a disposable, break-a-blade utility knife does. ($9.99 at local sporting goods store)

These two saws are incredible! I've been using them for a variety of uses: Some light tree trimming and yard work, building two hunting blinds, removal of limbs and branches at a couple of archery tree stands. These saws cut faster, and with less effort, than anything I've ever tried. I've been cutting 4 to 6 " hard sugar maple, ash, beech, etc with very very little effort. These are very efficient saws.

They are still far too large for PSK use. However, I'm buying several more for a variety of applications. They are far smaller and lighter than any bow saw. They are going to reside in each snowmobile, as well as our automobiles. They are perfect for building light shelters, removing downed branches across trails, etc.



Frozenny

I second your endorsement of the swap-blade locking Gerber. I've been carrying one for 3 or 4 years in my Essentials bag and it has seen haaaard use (I even let Scouts borrow it...).

since we are talking about saw here, does anyone have opinions what i should chouse ? i had mine eye on the gerber exchange-a-blade sportsaw and the bacho laplander. the gerber looks like a good saw, but a lot of surival instrucrors take the laplander, so do less proffesional folks. they cost the same here. AT the moment i'm thinking of getting the bahco laplander, but i'm still not sure, after reading a lot...

I am only familiar with the Gerber saw.
Purchased one recently and found it came with only one of the two blades.
Had to spend another $5 to get the blade I needed.

I use the Gerber Exchange saw in my hunting kit. Has worked great for me for several years. I like the option of having the bone saw for field dressing --it also is agressive enough to use for hardwood. The wood blade is great for green wood and/or softwood general cutting. Stainless blades are nice for a woods tool of this sort.

I have been using a Felco 60 folding saw for many years both around the yard and in my car or shoulder bag kit. It is reasonably priced in garden stores, blade is very efficient on a drawstroke for various woods, and blade is easily replacable. 6" blade with can't lose red handle.



I have not used the Gerber, but have also used Corona, Stilh, and unbranded Japanese folding pruning saws. My favorite of these is the Felco.