what kind of saw do/would you carry in your pack? i'm not talking about something for car camping or for use at home use but something for hiking, portaging and backcountry camping.

i've got two and am trying to decide between them. i could take both but i've got to draw the line somewhere!

the two i have are: a sierra saw (plastic handle, blade folds inside) and a swede saw (folding aluminum buck saw). the swede is a little longer, the sierra a little wider, and they are about the same weight. the blade on the swede is longer, the sierra is more substantial. they're both designed for one-handed use, right or left-handed, and they both fit nicely in my pack.

what's your prefence or do i need to go shopping?

http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=420

This is the one I carry and use. Pretty lightweight and cuts very well. I had a Swede saw years ago and it is just too fiddly. Another option, if you plan on a lot of sawing, is the 18" Dandy saw, they have them on Amazon last time I looked.

Hope that helps.

I agree with Widget. I carry a Silky Saw, though I wish it had a brighter handle - like the Fiskars - to avoid accidental loss.

When car camping I prefer a full bow saw or a Trailblazer Takedown Bucksaw, but they are not suited to backpacking or canoe tripping.

I usually carry a small garden saw similar to the Laplander or one these Trail Blazer Take Down Saws

My favorite is the Sawvivor:





I keep one in each of my snowmobiles and in my backpacking/camping bag. They've seen quite a bit of use and have held up great (which really surprised me for as light as it is).

paul, that's the same Swede" saw i have. i may be calling it by the wrong name. i love it, except in tne winter. it's a little fiddly when it's cold but i love it when it's warm.

I've found that the folding saws you find in the garden center for cutting larger limbs, with a blade about a foot long, work quite well on wood up to 4" diameter or so. About $10 for the low end and $50 for a Silky, which my tree trimmer friend claims is the bees-knees.

They usually also sell a larger bow-type saw that handles wood up to 8" easily. There is a quite nice folding aluminum version that is known as a 'Sven' or 'Swede' saw but they get pricey.

Cheap is okay. You work a little harder for each cut but if you lose it, bend it, back your truck over it, or it gets dulled by sand, you buy another.

A little wax, sold in the hardware store to lubricate bandsaw blades, makes any sawing easier. Makes a world of difference. Old-time sawyers used to wet their blades with turpentine or kerosene. Works almost as well, actually a bit better IMHO, on pine with a lot of pitch.

Cleaning up hiking trails I've found a nice set of leather gloves made a big difference.

Teslinhiker, i had one of those once upon a time and didn't like it so much. maybe mine was a different model but i found it awkward to set-up and pack away.

i'll have to check out the laplander! thanks guys!

I use and LOVE my What-A-Saw. It's light weight, strong, folds down small, safely carries assorted blades, and cuts like a lightsabre.

-Blast

that looks nice Blast. think i hear my credit card calling....