I have the same wire saw and have used it to cut live trees up to 6 inches in diameter. The first lesson I learned is not to wrap the saw around the tree, you need to hold it as straight as possible, much like you found with the "bow saw" you constructed. You still need to relieve some of the pressure on the wire if possible by trying to expand the cut more, if possible. The teeth are on all sides and it does bind. Wrapping the wire saw around whatever you are cutting does cause it to bind up too much to be able to cut anything. With persistence and patience it will cut larger diameter wood than a small, pocket, folding saw. It is not as useful as a good camping folding saw, but it will fit in the pocket or a survival kit.