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09/25/2024 08:04PM |
RickyBHangin: "I’m a big fan of the Silky line, especially the Sugoi 420 mm. I like it for the handle too vs a straight handle, gives more grip and control. It cuts thru anything and has been razor sharp now for a few seasons.
Silky Sugoi Silky Sugoi "
That looks like what I was hoping the Samurai saw would be. I might give that a try.
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09/25/2024 08:09PM |
TheTallestHobbit: "You don't like Silky? That's a shame. I love my Katana Boy and I wouldn't trade it out. Packs very well (no exposed teeth)."
It does work pretty well. Up until you (or usually a trip-mate) bind up the blade while cutting vigorously and it breaks or bends. I've really tried to like them.
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09/25/2024 08:05PM |
Minnesotian: "
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw "
That's interesting. I can see that working, actually.
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09/25/2024 08:14PM |
plmn: "I like my Agawa Boreal 21. They make a 24" too. A straight wrist makes for better ergonomics compared to a Silky, IMO, which was important to me as I've had tendinitis issues. The Agawa blades work well and are reasonably priced, but you can use any standard bow saw blade.
You can also buy them as kit with an extra blade and case. I also bought the spare parts kit. Haven't needed them or the extra blade yet.
I found the pull-type saws (Silky) typically work best for pruning, like doing trail maintenance, while the bow-type saws (Agawa) work best for processing downed wood, like BWCA camping. "
Yeah, I think the Silky Saw handle angle make more sense if you're standing on a ladder reaching for small branches. Which...I guess I try to avoid in the BWCA. Man though...is the Agawa $135 good? I mean I realize you have to pay for quality gear, but folding bow saws sound fragile to me.
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09/25/2024 08:45PM |
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09/26/2024 01:08AM |
JN: "plmn: "I like my Agawa Boreal 21. They make a 24" too. A straight wrist makes for better ergonomics compared to a Silky, IMO, which was important to me as I've had tendinitis issues. The Agawa blades work well and are reasonably priced, but you can use any standard bow saw blade.
You can also buy them as kit with an extra blade and case. I also bought the spare parts kit. Haven't needed them or the extra blade yet.
I found the pull-type saws (Silky) typically work best for pruning, like doing trail maintenance, while the bow-type saws (Agawa) work best for processing downed wood, like BWCA camping. "
Yeah, I think the Silky Saw handle angle make more sense if you're standing on a ladder reaching for small branches. Which...I guess I try to avoid in the BWCA. Man though...is the Agawa $135 good? I mean I realize you have to pay for quality gear, but folding bow saws sound fragile to me."
They are actually built like a tank, I've put mine through hell. Have had it for around 10 yrs. It is a very robust design considering the light weight. I think the 21" can be found for around 70.00 and the 24" for 90.00 or so. I never pack the sheath since the blade folds inside the saw. It is a neat design for a bow saw.
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09/26/2024 06:44AM |
JN: "Yeah, I think the Silky Saw handle angle make more sense if you're standing on a ladder reaching for small branches. Which...I guess I try to avoid in the BWCA. Man though...is the Agawa $135 good? I mean I realize you have to pay for quality gear, but folding bow saws sound fragile to me."
The Agawa is very sturdy for a packable saw. A pull saw blade is easier to damage while cutting and a traditional saw is easier to damage when transporting.
Yeah it's fairly expensive if you get the full kit, but everything but the blade should last a lifetime. You pay a premium for the ability to fold it up and the aluminum and stainless steel construction. If that's not important to you, the Irwin or Fiskars are solid. A comparable Silky costs about the same, and a lot more if you break or wear out a blade.
I got the sheath mainly to carry the spare blade and parts and for the loops to lash it to a pack. It's nice to have but in hindsight I probably don't need it. Spare parts can pack elsewhere and the spare blade can fold up with the saw. I use the "aggressive" blade for cutting wood and the "all-purpose" is my backup.
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09/23/2024 09:33PM |
You can also buy them as kit with an extra blade and case. I also bought the spare parts kit. Haven't needed them or the extra blade yet.
I found the pull-type saws (Silky) typically work best for pruning, like doing trail maintenance, while the bow-type saws (Agawa) work best for processing downed wood, like BWCA camping.
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09/24/2024 09:39AM |
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw
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09/23/2024 08:06PM |
We've used 24" Bahco bow saw. Great, but awkward to pack. Silky Big Boys work, but they dull fast and bind up in damp wood. I've used Sven saws before, but I just couldn't get it to cut straight (user error is possible...). I have a Wyoming take down bow saw that I like, but it's heavy for how small it is. I just bought a Samurai sheath saw for our upcoming trip, but it just seems cheap and flimsy. Am I just too picky?
Thanks for any input!
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09/23/2024 08:45PM |
Silky Sugoi Silky Sugoi
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09/23/2024 09:33PM |
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10/31/2024 07:09PM |
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10/31/2024 06:56AM |
https://www.rei.com/product/245865/sven-saw-folding-saw-21
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10/31/2024 07:00AM |
NikonF5user: "Surprised there hasn't been much love for the Sven Saw here - the 21" model is plenty large, lightweight, robust, and easy to set up. The only negative I've been able to find is that it's somewhat easy to lose the wing nut that's used to assemble the saw in the field (so I always carry an extra or two in my repair kit). They are available at REI and other outdoor stores, plus from the manufacturer: https://svensaw.com/shop/saws/sven-saw-21/
https://www.rei.com/product/245865/sven-saw-folding-saw-21"
Nevermind - immediately after posting I went back and reread the original post - the Sven Saw was mentioned there! I've not had an issue with mine not cutting straight, at least not significantly more or less than other bow saw, but I do agree that if not assembled to an adequequate tension it will bind a bit. I have thought about buying an extra-large handle wingnut to increase tension easier in the field when it's cold...
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10/31/2024 03:37PM |
Then...the fire ban. Oh well. (actually, was really glad they had put the fire ban on, it is dry up there and lots of leaf and needle litter that would go up like a tinderbox).
I too found that my Sven Saw would "pull" when cutting. I discovered that in tightening the wing nut, I would frequently angle the blade without noticing. I straightened the blade relative to the handle and it cut straight and true. Give it a try, you might find the Sven saw love again. :)
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10/14/2024 08:23PM |
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10/14/2024 08:04PM |
plmn: "CanoeCountry: "Brautigam Expedition Works Titanium Bow Saws are bombproof, lightweight and have constant tension on them. They are an available in a variety of sizes and made in Minnesota.
Brautigam Expedition Works
CC"
I've never heard of them before. That's pretty cool, weighs half as much as my Agawa. But $250 for a bow saw...yikes."
plmn, I agree 100%! It is a lot of money. That is why they make a great gift! The Brautigam saw is truely a lifetime saw, people spend that on knives, axes, paddles and any other number of "tools" for their outdoor pursuits. I will say that it is a piece of gear that brings a smile to my face every time I use it.
If you ever get a chance to give one a try it might change your mind.
CC
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10/11/2024 07:03PM |
Brautigam Expedition Works
CC
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10/11/2024 08:53PM |
CanoeCountry: "Brautigam Expedition Works Titanium Bow Saws are bombproof, lightweight and have constant tension on them. They are an available in a variety of sizes and made in Minnesota.
Brautigam Expedition Works
CC"
I've never heard of them before. That's pretty cool, weighs half as much as my Agawa. But $250 for a bow saw...yikes.
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10/31/2024 11:16PM |
Minnesotian: "
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw "
+1…just need to fashion a simple sheath. This saw saws!
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09/24/2024 10:21AM |
Minnesotian: "
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw "
+1
I use the same saw and it works like a champ. The thinner blade saws always seem to twist and bind on me. This blade is sturdy enough to power through bigger logs and the finer teeth on the end are great for starting a cut. It's a huge time saver.
To transport, I made a sheath from plastic packaging and duct tape, then I just tuck it into the straps on the side of my pack where it sits flat. It's not pretty but it saves a lot of effort in gathering wood when I can just power through the bigger logs that most people skip over.
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09/24/2024 12:24PM |
Minnesotian: "
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw "
This is another option if you want to go that route. This one has a plastic handle, which some prefer, and comes with a sheath. I haven't heard of any comparisons to the Irwin though.
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09/24/2024 01:12PM |
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11/01/2024 03:54PM |
JN: "Has the Sven been updated at all in, oh I don't know, a recent decade? It occurred to me the one I used had probably been to the boundary waters in the 60s, and it could very well be an original version. Perhaps improvements have been made to the tensioning?"
Nope, there have been no improvements to the Sven saw. It was cutting edge technology decades ago, but I found it to be very uncomfortable to use, even with a handle wrap, and the blade kept bending & binding so it was retired years ago in favor of the Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 and the Silky Big Boy. Both far surpass the Sven saw in quality, cutting and ease of use.
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11/03/2024 11:01AM |
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09/24/2024 03:11PM |
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09/24/2024 05:52PM |
portagerunner: "Might be easier to find an option on Amazon, but if you have the time, you could build exactly what you're after. I followed an old boy scout pattern and built a collapsible bowsaw. I'm no carpenter but have been pleased with the end result. Has lasted close to ten years and breaks down into a narrow stuff sack.
That is probably the most fitting saw for the BWCA that I’ve ever seen.
I might have to build one of those. Thanks for sharing.
Tom
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09/25/2024 09:24AM |
Minnesotian: "
Been using this for nearly 10 years now and havn't found anything better: Irwin Marathon 15" Carpenter Saw "
I also jumped on this Irwin bandwagon recently (one trip so far) and was extremely pleased with it's performance. I liked that the teeth are bent slightly to widen the kerf and prevent binding on those larger logs. I copied another user's creativity from a previous comment thread and crafted a sheath out of a flexible cutting board.
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09/25/2024 12:37AM |
plmn: "I like my Agawa Boreal 21. They make a 24" too. A straight wrist makes for better ergonomics compared to a Silky, IMO, which was important to me as I've had tendinitis issues. The Agawa blades work well and are reasonably priced, but you can use any standard bow saw blade.
You can also buy them as kit with an extra blade and case. I also bought the spare parts kit. Haven't needed them or the extra blade yet.
I found the pull-type saws (Silky) typically work best for pruning, like doing trail maintenance, while the bow-type saws (Agawa) work best for processing downed wood, like BWCA camping. "
I agree with everything plmn said here. I will add that the Silkys really need 2 hands and sometimes you have to have one hand on the wood. Also the blades on the AC saws never break (unlike the Silkys) and are very easy to replace or to carry a spare. Silkys will cut well and are very handy for clearing trails and such.
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09/25/2024 10:20AM |