Saws & Axes info.

[Rick]

I think everyone agrees the little survival saws with the pressed on finger pulls are pretty cheesy. Yes, I have them in my kit just like you. Does anyone own/use Chain Saw in a Can? It looks pretty hefty although the two "handles" look like they could be easily lost since you have to attach them. Thoughts?

[Beo]

Actually I don't have a chain type saw, I use my hatchet/hawk for everything when in camp and take it everytime I go out. Yes I got a new hawk handle but my son seems to have taken it over, got a new hawk now.

[MCBushbaby]

I was tempted to throw a chain saw-blade wire saw into my pack but a friend talked me out of it for various reasons.

Just to clarify the various wire saw uses for people thinking about getting one:
* The fine-toothed default "survival wire saw" will cut hardwoods fairly easy but because of the tiny teeth it'll take you a long time. Don't even bother with resinous woods like pine.
* The larger toothed wire saws are multipurpose. simple
* The chain saw-toothed wire saws are the best for resinous woods but the multipurpose middle-toothed wire saw actually beats in on hardwoods.

[carcajou garou]

One of the flaws with the chain saw blade style, as advertised is that if you wrap it around a standing tree and pull stroke the saw towards yourself, your hand are attached in the loops of some models. When you come close to the end, the tree can close on the hinge and jam the saw. Worse is that if it goes through, the tree can end up butt stroking you in the kisser as it kicks back and being tied to it, you got nowheres to go.
Most peoples would just do the one cut across, rather than also putting in a felling notch.

[carcajou garou]

In my hunt pack I carry the Gerber folding saw with extra blades in the case. In the canoe I carry a 21" swede saw with extra bolts and blades in a tool roll along with an ax, small shovel, pik/matock and a decrating tool.

[Rick]

That's a really great safety observation Carcajou and it does happen. Several years ago a friend I and were removing a tree and he wrapped his safety around the tree about 30 feet up. Unfortunately, he forgot to back cut the top and when the tree went over the bark ran down the back side of the tree taking the safety with it. A real rookie mistake and he knew better but just forgot. It sucked him up tight against the tree until the bark broke. I was working on the ground and turned around just in time to see the action. I thought for sure it killed him but he turned out okay. Damned Lucky.

[RobertRogers]

Never been too impressed with them. I usually can just break or baton wood instead.

[Rick]

I had thought about tossing one in the truck and using it if I needed to remove a downed limb or two to get past.

[Gray Wolf]

The ATAX was designed by Ron Hood, and made by Tops Knives from 1095 steel.

[Gray Wolf]

I bought and have used many times around the house or campsite, Ultimate Survival Technologies SaberCut Saw. It works great for taking down large or small tree limbs. It's the best one I've used, but, it's heavy to trek around the wilderness with. It's made well.

http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/prod...ct_line_ID=160

[Rick]

Well, now don't I feel stupid? That's one of my suppliers. Thanks for the link. That's what I'll go with.

[Gray Wolf]

Rick, I would rather use that than my gas powered one. No smell, No noise, No $ for gas, and it doesn't take much longer to do the job!!! I don't think any of the Co's that make these hand saws, expect you to be cutting down large trees.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

tried them few times but the ones I had were the very cheap flimsy type and broke in short order, do most my stuff with hatchet and knife

[Gray Wolf]

tried them few times but the ones I had were the very cheap flimsy type and broke in short order, do most my stuff with hatchet and knife

Check out the link. This saw is far from flimsy, the web loop handles are bar tacked securely to custom designed steel clips that help prevent the chain from twisting while you cut. The saw blade has bi-directional, self-cleaning cutting teeth.

[Rick]

Everything that company sells is top quality in my book. That's why I carry them. I'm with you as well on the chain saw. I just wanted something fast and easy to get where I'm going if a limb was in the way. We have a nasty little phenomenon around here called a tornado and trying to make it through the streets after one can be pretty hairy. Once you make it home (if it's still there) you can grab the chain saw but you need something to get you there first if you were gone when it hit. It would also make a nice background saw to get down a fire trail.

[Gray Wolf]

Everything that company sells is top quality in my book.

I completely agree. Their Wetfire tab's has saved my butt twice!!!


Their SaberCut Saw came with a nylon carry case for your belt.

[bladefrenzy]

I have a "Pocket Chainsaw" (I think that's the brand) seems to be stout enough, I've used it a few times. Can be sharpened with a chain saw file, or small diamond rod.

[canid]

depending on conditions, i have a cheapy machete, a cross-cut bow saw, a small tooth keyhole type cross-cut saw with a 10 inch blade and an estwing hatchet.

i'd like to have a full sized axe again but don't have one atm.

[RBB]

I have tried to find some info on this forum on the use of axes or hatchets and who if any use them on any regular basis.
I have carried a canoe ax for years when hunting or on the line or when trekking and find it extremely usefull but I wonder how many today still use axes or have the saws (folding or swede) taken president?

The hand axe I carry most often is a small hammer-poll axe made by Joe de la Ronde. I've found this to be an excellent camping axe, useful for pounding in tent pegs as well as spitting firewood.

My newest folding saw is:

http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...=Folding%20Saw

[Rick]

Dead link, RBB