Same here. I wonder if those who have had their wire saws fail could specify if they were using genuine BCB units or the cheap knockoffs. I have tested 2 BCB saws on various woods up to about 5" in diameter; they cut very well and I had no problems. Of course this is not statistically significant but what else to do?

I just can't bring myself to put the much heavier and bulkier saws in my kits when the BCB has worked so well for me at a weight of about 1 ounce. If you've got space & energy to haul "real" saws then now you're talking about full-on tool kits, not minimalist survival kits.