I have no experience but this is what Doug Ritter has written on wire saws: “While much lighter in weight and much less bulky, wire saws, often referred to as "commando" or "SAS" saws, are poor tools that are only better than nothing at all. Fine if you want to include them in a pocket kit, but aside from that, a poor idea. They require more energy to use since they cut so inefficiently and are difficult to use, especially so with cold hands or with heavy gloves. Larger "survival" chain style saws work well on larger logs, but are useless on smaller limbs and quite heavy.”

This is what Doug includes in his Aviator Survival Pack:

http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Gear/Exchange-a-blade-Saw_46036

Jeanette Isabelle