Which do you guys prefer for your back country wood harvesting tool? I'm looking to get a saw for winter camping and have only ever used the collapsible saws. I'm looking for something a bit easier to cut with and am not worried about bulk as I'd be packing it on a sled.

Thanks!

this one

I'm with kanoes on his choice of saws, those Irwin saws are wicked sharp, those leather gloves are not in his picture to make it pretty. FRED

Then the Irwin saw is for you!!!.. As Kanoes posted,, it rocks. Ever been to a campsite where you see a cut piece of wood -- that stops?, close to the camp for it gets too big? That is for a reason. Most saws can't handle what IRWIN will cut. Irwin saw with a little elbow grease will make many people happy that are not familiar with them.

Thanks guys! Are you suggesting the 15 inch version?

portagekeeper turned us on to the Irwin. I think he tried the longer version and didn't care for it. the 15 is the go to.

Kanoes, where did you get that sheath for the saw?

quote SteveElms73: "Kanoes, where did you get that sheath for the saw?"

ragged (bwca.com member) makes them.

I bought a Silky Big Boy to use this winter. I have not used it yet. I wasn't sure what size teeth to get (large or medium), so I got medium. It is about 16" long with a 15" blade. Weighs 14.5oz.

It is not as rugged and may not cut as well as the Irwin, and is more expensive. But, it is very well made, compact, and it fits together so well I don't think I'd need a sheath.

quote SteveElms73: "Which do you guys prefer for your back country wood harvesting tool? I'm looking to get a saw for winter camping and have only ever used the collapsible saws. I'm looking for something a bit easier to cut with and am not worried about bulk as I'd be packing it on a sled.

Thanks!"

Steve,
For wintercamping I end up bringing both the Irwin saw and a bow saw. I find the Irwin great for when I am tromping through the brush looking for trees and harvesting them. But once in camp I find the bow saw to be faster for processing the wood. If one were to fail I would have backup.

There is a fairly good discussion of saws in THIS thread.

I provided a side-by-side comparison of Irwin and Silky Big Boy (large teeth version) down the thread a ways, if you are interested.

dd

Thanks for the info guys, I think I'm gonna pick up the Irwin. I like the size of it and it obviously does the job well. Does Ragged still make those sheaths? Those are sweet!

First used the Irwin in Quetico this year with kanoes, Kiporby, and SunCatcher. Convinced me!
Managed to obtain one with a sheath, Thanks Ragged!!! Personally used on 2 trips since.
Irwin and Ragged sheath pictured with my personally modified Sawvivor (now retired).
First use of the Irwin stopped any concern over extra weight and/or pack size, it IS that good!

butthead

Another big plus of the Irwin is the full hand guard. If you've ever rammed your knuckles into a branch stub, you know what I'm saying.

Another Irwin with the infamous Ragged sheath and a Wetterling axe for me. I do own a Sven 15" but the Irwin truly out performs.

The real "beast" of winter wood processing saws is the Silky Kitana Boy.........It is indeed a beast and it's big (and expensive) but it's like using a hand powered chainsaw.

Kitana Boy

I was very skeptical until I tried it for myself but hands down the Irwin is the best saw I've ever taken camping. Paired with a sheath from Ragged and I'm set.

quote FOG51: "I'm with kanoes on his choice of saws, those Irwin saws are wicked sharp, those leather gloves are not in his picture to make it pretty. FRED"

+1 - definitely use the gloves.

Intreagingly high praise for the Irwin saw, and surprise me to see that it only cost about $3-4 more than a replacement blade for my Bahco bow saw. May have to try.

quote Jaywalker: "
Intreagingly high praise for the Irwin saw, and surprise me to see that it only cost about $3-4 more than a replacement blade for my Bahco bow saw. May have to try.



"

one of my biggest goofs. I bought mine at menards and at the time they had them on closeout for under $8 a piece...I should have bought them out.

I see where the Irwin saw comes in 3 sizes 15, 20 and 24. I take it most use the 15

quote OldFingers57: "I see where the Irwin saw comes in 3 sizes 15, 20 and 24. I take it most use the 15"

A few people use the 20" but most here agree that the 15" is sufficient and like that it packs most any way they want to pack it. I started with both sizes on portage clearing trips and everyone only wanted to use the 15". Of course I also had my 46" saw along so... Also, Ragged only makes the 15" sheathes.

quote OldFingers57: "I take it most use the 15"

yes

i still think the big D handle arborist saws are more versatile than the 15" Irwin, i wouldn't travel without my Corona saw.

I've got the Irwin, but still much prefer a good 30" bow saw for serious wood cutting. The thinner blade is much more efficient on larger logs (6"+), the blade is easily replaced for a few bucks, and it can easily be used by two people for really fast cutting on big logs.

quote jdrocks: "i still think the big D handle arborist saws are more versatile than the 15" Irwin, i wouldn't travel without my Corona saw."

I have not tried a Corona, have you tried an Irwin? I cant say the Irwin is better because I have not tried a Corona. I have a feeling you have not tried an Irwin which makes me ask why dismiss the Irwin and say the Corona is better? if you have tried an Irwin then I stand corrected.

quote kanoes: "

quote jdrocks: "i still think the big D handle arborist saws are more versatile than the 15" Irwin, i wouldn't travel without my Corona saw."

I have not tried a corona, have you tried an Irwin?"

sure, probably 5-6 in the shop right now. use them for rough carpentry, mainly cleaning out the cuts on stringers and rafters, but other odd jobs as the need arises. a few are worn out, and it doesn't pay to have them sharpened. bushcraft, no need, i prefer the Corona, and have three of those which are also used for tree trimming...besides tripping. try a Corona or other large fixed blade arborist saw, might surprise you.

how about axes, want to talk about those too, got a bunch.

quote kanoes: "

quote jdrocks: "i still think the big D handle arborist saws are more versatile than the 15" Irwin, i wouldn't travel without my Corona saw."

I have not tried a Corona, have you tried an Irwin? I cant say the Irwin is better because I have not tried a Corona. I have a feeling you have not tried an Irwin which makes me ask why dismiss the Irwin and say the Corona is better? if you have tried an Irwin then I stand corrected."

Anyone for sawing contest, just let me know...

jd, last time I saw a photo of you "clearing a portage trail" with an ax you were chopping about a 6 inch diameter tree on the ground. I still laugh when I think about it. that was one heck of a tough step over.

quote kanoes: "jd, last time I saw a photo of you "clearing a portage trail" with an ax you were chopping about a 6 inch diameter tree on the ground. I still laugh when I think about it. heck of a tough step over."

probably had the axe in lieu of saw because i was adding blazes on a bushwacked portage, the Corona saw with the packs, and a long ways off.

i would have used a chainsaw if available.

nevermind. if I had the photo I would post it. ;-)

quote kanoes: "

quote jdrocks: "

quote kanoes: "jd, last time I saw a photo of you "clearing a portage trail" with an ax you were chopping about a 6 inch diameter tree on the ground. I still laugh when I think about it. heck of a tough step over."

probably had the axe in lieu of saw because i was adding blazes on a bushwacked portage, the Corona saw with the packs, and a long ways off.



i would have used a chainsaw if available."

youre not understanding....it was laying flat on the open ground. wide open ground. easily walked around or over. you may not remember. anyway, it was hilarious. maybe it was just a photo op to display your ax prowess? "

maybe this one...bushwacking a highwater portage that hadn't been used for decades. the upstream portage entry was marked with a huge ancient blaze at least a century old, probably older. the portage trail was clogged with blowdowns, including this mess. that tree was cut twice with an axe, it started out waist high. it took all morning to advance about 1 mile. i don't seem to remember the "hilarious" part of the experience. you carry an axe on occasion, is it just decoration, or for use if needed.

quote jdrocks: "

quote kanoes: "

quote jdrocks: "

quote kanoes: "jd, last time I saw a photo of you "clearing a portage trail" with an ax you were chopping about a 6 inch diameter tree on the ground. I still laugh when I think about it. heck of a tough step over."

probably had the axe in lieu of saw because i was adding blazes on a bushwacked portage, the Corona saw with the packs, and a long ways off.



i would have used a chainsaw if available."

youre not understanding....it was laying flat on the open ground. wide open ground. easily walked around or over. you may not remember. anyway, it was hilarious. maybe it was just a photo op to display your ax prowess? "

maybe this one...bushwacking a highwater portage that hadn't been used for decades. the upstream portage entry was marked with a huge ancient blaze at least a century old, probably older. the portage trail was clogged with blowdowns, including this mess. that tree was cut twice with an axe, it started out waist high. it took all morning to advance about 1 mile. i don't seem to remember the "hilarious" part of the experience. you carry an axe on occasion, is it just decoration, or for use if needed.


"

that it, thanks for the laugh again. :)

yup, decoration, thought so.

quote jdrocks: "yup, decoration, thought so."

you are right, im a total poser. busted!

darn, i thought you quit the posting while drinking a while back, guess not...busted.

actually, ive never even solo'd. my trip reports were fabricated from other peoples trips and online research. I don't even own a canoe..i picked a bell magic for my stories from reading about them on here, they seem to be a great canoe. 150 miles plus hunter island solo in 12 days seemed to be about right, believable. I threw in the windblown stuff to make me look responsible.

man, 25,000 posts, now we find out it's all a bunch of baloney.

an intervention is probably in order.

quote jdrocks: "man, 25,000 posts..."

are you stalking me? that's sad. I have to admit, Ive missed this back back forth with A CANOEING GOD. nice to see you post again in public and lower yourself to our levels, gotta be hard for you. ;-)

too bad Adam doesn't include your edited and deleted posts, you'd be into a 6-digit post count, now that would be truly impressive.

sorry, getting late, gotta run. enjoy your Irwin, it's the right saw for you.

all bullshit aside jd, have a nice thanksgiving. enjoy time with your family.

kanoes: "

quote SteveElms73: "Kanoes, where did you get that sheath for the saw?"

ragged (bwca.com member) makes them."

Hello,

I just purchased the Irwin saw and was wondering if you could provide me the email address or phone number to contact ragged? I would like to buy a sheath.

Thanks

Voyageur67: "

kanoes: "

quote SteveElms73: "Kanoes, where did you get that sheath for the saw?"

ragged (bwca.com member) makes them."

Hello,


I just purchased the Irwin saw and was wondering if you could provide me the email address or phone number to contact ragged? I would like to buy a sheath.


Thanks"

For future info the tiny white envelope under a members screen name is his email address. Ragged’s email address is canoecommand@gmail.com.

I took the cardboard cover it came with and ducked taped it. I had a jingle can of that flex seal so I sprayed over the duck tape as well, alittle shock cord and a cheap sheath.

campnfish: "I took the cardboard cover it came with and ducked taped it. I had a jingle can of that flex seal so I sprayed over the duck tape as well, alittle shock cord and a cheap sheath. "

Pretty much the same here

Thanks much-great idea

Have not tried the Irwin with that bullet proof case, but now I am.

Best lightweight packable saw I have ever used for weight and cutting is that not a lot of people have seen is Bob Dustrude quick bow saw. almost zero weight, take down and comes in 21" 24" 30". built a carrier out of lightweight PVC and store extra blades in it for camping. In fact you can skip the PVC sheath if you like and slide 2 extra blades into the enclosed handle next to the one that is attached to the saw, this whole system with 3 blades is about 2 pounds and compact.

https://www.duluthpack.com/bob-dustrude-quick-buck-saw.html

My DIY job with a molded plastic down spout

Jezbo: "Have not tried the Irwin with that bullet proof case, but now I am.


Best lightweight packable saw I have ever used for weight and cutting is that not a lot of people have seen is Bob Dustrude quick bow saw.


https://www.duluthpack.com/bob-dustrude-quick-buck-saw.html"

Bob's Saw is awesome, he is a local guy and was a WWII fighter pilot, if i did it again id probably spend the money and get his Saw, case is built in and would sit on the side of my CCS pack just fine.

campnfish: "

Jezbo: "Have not tried the Irwin with that bullet proof case, but now I am.



Best lightweight packable saw I have ever used for weight and cutting is that not a lot of people have seen is Bob Dustrude quick bow saw.



https://www.duluthpack.com/bob-dustrude-quick-buck-saw.html"

Bob's Saw is awesome, he is a local guy and was a WWII fighter pilot, if i did it again id probably spend the money and get his Saw, case is built in and would sit on the side of my CCS pack just fine."

My buddy Bob passed away this past week. His kids I think plan to continue making them, but the whatever canyon one is so much more worth the money. Don't compromise.

nctry, Sorry to hear about Bob.

I know it's an old thread, but since it's been revived I'll add my recent experience. I bought an Irwin 15 based on this thread. Took it out for a 6 day winter trip in January along with my Bahco 24. Got both out at the wood pile and switched back and forth. Being a solo trip and cold, I had to process a lot of wood. By about day 4 I just put the Irwin away and only used the Bahco. I found it easier and faster to cut.

One more thing. On a second winter trip recently I went to section a fallen 6 inch black spruce and underestimated the load. About 2 inches in the cut closed up locking my blade solid. If that had been my Irwin, it might still be sitting there. Instead I walked back to camp to get my extra Bahco blade that takes up nearly no space or weight, put that in the bow, and cut from the bottom. Problem solved.

Hands down, for winter camp I'll stick with my Bahco. I'll try the Irwin this summer canoeing where the demands for wood are less great. I suspect it will replace my Sawvivor folding saw.