I just picked up a survival saw made by "ultimate survival" The same makers of the blastmatch. It is almost identical to a chainsaw blade but it has a looped nylon handle at each end. I dont know if anyone has tried this or not but it sure seems like it will hold up, at least better than those wire ones with the key ring at each end.

Excellent choice.
I have one in the Ultimate Survival Deluxe Kit which I transfer between kits/packs as I use them.

I once worked at the exchange desk at a store. We had a huge sign that said EXCHANGE DESK. Customers would walk up asking where the exchange desk was. I'd point my finger skyward. I'll point my cyber finger to Doug's reviews now <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I second, lighter than a hatchet, much more compact and it's not just some cheesy gismo that will break at the threat of a stick that is more than a half inch in diameter. Though I have not yet found the best way to pack it in my kits it is sharp and wont vacuum pack. I don't like cases either because of space and weight but that is another thread altogether...

They are worth the money but could be made with out much effort.

Per Chris' recommendation, here is a link to Doug's ETS section on "Toothed Sharps": http://www.equipped.org/devices24.htm

That section includes a link to a more complete comparison of the Pocket Chainsaw by Supreme Products versus the Saber Cut by Ultimate Survival.

I've used both, and I kept the Pocket Chainsaw and gave the Sabre saw away. The Sabre worked okay, but the space in my pack was a factor. If you don't want to pack the handles with the Pocket Chainsaw, then it is easy enough to whack a pair from a limb or some such. Handles are a necessity for any serious sawing ops.

As far as hand powered saws go, you won't find a more compact, versatile or durable cutting tool that will cut wood as fast as one of these saws. If you don't like the case, they make an even smaller version that goes in a stuff sack.

I cut a lot of cordage with my Pocket Chainsaw. The only drawback I've ever experienced is once in a long while I will roll a loop in the chain going around a dead trunk and have to undo it before I can start cutting. The best way to use these saws is to lay the log or limb on the ground with one end propped up so you can get under it easily. Stand on the log(limb) facing the propped up end and loop the chain underneath, then just do the push me-pull ya routine and get a nice rhythm going and in about 5 seconds you will be through a two inch limb, about 15 seconds and you are through a 4 inch log (that's fir wood, oak or maple may take a little longer to get through).

Let me put it this way, if I were gonna do the nature thing and go hermitize up in the Alaskan wilderness and build me a log cabin using hand tools, this'd be at the top of the list for what I'd take with me. I even used it once to rip a 2' diameter log for campfire benches up at elk camp, once.

In that its almost identical to a chainsaw blade, -it follows I think, -that one can make up their own out of an actual chainsaw blade, -size permitting. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]mtnlvr68[/email]

You could do that, but a chainsaw only cuts one way so you do not get any cutting with the reverse pull. My Ultimate Survival Saw has teeth that cuts in both directions.

Chris- Got link?