You use a saw?! I thought C-4 was your "saw"....

Bacpacjac,

It depends on where I am going and under what conditions. For day hiking or where I will depend primarily on a stove, the saw in my SAK is more than enough. If I am going to use a little firewood, I take my Spyderco (like the Laplander or Kershaw discussed above). I use a Sven or Sawvivor for trips where I will want a fire regularly. If I am going to the deep woods, I carry Trailblazer (the big one). Of course there is an axe (also sized to the trip) along too.

Respectfully,

Jerry

LOL@ MoBob! thanks Jerry. i like that approach - bring the right tool for the job.

i'm with you on the axe. no self-respecting Canadian goes into the bush without an axe when there's a chance of cold weather!

BTW, to me there is a HUUUGE difference between what I'll carry when backpacking (and hiking) and what I'll carry when canoe tripping or camping a bit off the main roads.

I keep things a lightweight as possible when backpacking, but for other uses I'll accept more weight.

A lot of folks out there will think its crazy to even consider carrying a saw while backpacking. In their mind if they can't break it by hand its just too big to burn anyway. Lately I'm kind of surprised by how many backpackers don't even bother with campfires.

BTW, the Unbelievable Saw does surprisingly well so long as you are careful not to get it pinched by drooping limbs. It cuts much faster than most other saws since it tends to cut on 3 sides (in an arc) rather than just one straight line. AND it is a pretty minimal package.

I haven't used mine a lot so I can't comment on its durability - I worry about all the joints and what I'd do if the connection between the blade and the handles failed.

http://www.unbelievablesaw.com/

The Kershaw is the same as the Bacho Laplander saw.It is just made with the Kershaw name on it.If you find them and one is cheaper,go with cheaper.They have the same quality and one just has a name on it and is black instead of green....

BOATMAN
John

thanks Boatman!

thanks Ken! i'm with you - i carry different equipment when i'm on foot than when i'm in a vehicle, but i always take something!

I have been using the Gerber Gator Exchange-A-Blade Saws for years personally and in my kits I sell: http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/189

Inexpensive, lightweight and works great.

You can't go wrong with a Silky, the 180 is a good choice: http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Folding-Straight_2/F180-Hand-Saw-180mm-Large-Teeth

The What-A-Saw reminds me of the Sven-Saw http://www.svensaw.com/
that I used on canoe trips and camping trips.

Now I have a Felco pruning saw http://www.felcostore.com/order/f611?referer=saws which doubles as a snow pit saw, which is my primary use for the saw.

What I found is that while a saw with a frame might be more stable the frame limits the diameter of the wood you can cut and the angle at which you can cut. A straight saw with the same size of even shorter blade will cut larger wood at a wider range of angles and in areas with limited access.

I backpack a Corona pruning saw. Ditto what NJS says regarding his Felco, plus its size lets me slip it into tight spaces, even a drinking bladder pocket.