Black Packing Light
  • Sections
  • Today’s Features
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Email Newsletter
  • Membership Info
  • Articles
    • Recent Features
    • Gear Reviews
    • State of the Market Reports
    • Gear Guides
    • Gear Lists
    • Skills & Techniques
    • MYOG
    • Science, Technology & Testing
    • Stories
    • Calendar
  • Education
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Masterclasses
    • Online Courses
    • Guided Treks
    • Education Portal
  • Forums
    • Forum Index
    • Recent Forum Posts
    • Gear Forums
    • Gear Swap (Buy/Sell)
  • Gear Recommendations
  • Gear Deals

Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

Lightweight Wood Saws for Backpacking

Home › Forums › Campfire › Editor’s Roundtable › Lightweight Wood Saws for Backpacking

Viewing 19 posts - 26 through 44 (of 44 total)
← 1 2
Forums are supported by our merchant partners (disclosure)
REI (Coupons) • ZPacks • Hyperlite • Patagonia • Arc'teryx • RBTR • Drop • Backcountry • Feathered Friends • CampSaver • Gaia • Mountain Hardwear
Gear Deals • Gear Search
Login to post (Basic Membership required)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Aug 1, 2020 at 5:15 pm #3667951
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    You made a chess set????

    Amazing : )

    Aug 1, 2020 at 5:42 pm #3667954
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    Just a knight for a chess set that was missing one.

    Aug 1, 2020 at 5:47 pm #3667958
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    ohhh…

    I would have thought you made an entire set : )

    Aug 1, 2020 at 10:02 pm #3668081
    Josh Balisteri
    BPL Member

    @jbalisteri

    Locale: Buffalo, NY

    Thanks for this review. Its hard to beat a Bahco laplander, especially for the price. They are highly regarded in the bushcraft community as well. Ive had mine for over 5 years now. It has seen hard use and still cuts great. Haven’t even considered sharpening it yet. Would love to see a similar article on survival/Belt knives. I just got a Mora Companion HD. Its a lot of knife for the price and 4.8 oz. Nice to have knife that can baton and hold its one in a survival situation for the weight and price.

    Aug 3, 2020 at 5:26 pm #3668679
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    I owned a Laplander and both sizes of the Sven saws, all three are long gone.

    In there places are a large Silky saw that resides in the truck (blowdown across the road) and the one that goes in my pack- the Silky F180.

    Silky saws will cut circles (or through stuff faster :)) around just about any equivalent weight/length saw.  You typically get a few choices in blade design (I’ll carry a fine blade for bone along with a wood blade during hunting season.

    The F180 (5 oz)weighs less than the smaller Pocketboy, but has more blade length.

    Sorry but the “pocket saws” are garbage imo.

    Why would anyone carry a saw backpacking?  If you were married you wouldn’t have to ask, because it’s the same reason you pack in chairs too- happy wife = happy life :)

    Aug 9, 2020 at 5:58 pm #3670166
    Jay Cable
    BPL Member

    @spruceboy

    I carry a saw for long winter bike packing trips where I am staying at cabins that might not have saws.   The silky F180 is the lightest I have found and it cuts fast.

    Aug 22, 2020 at 4:33 pm #3672409
    Albert N
    BPL Member

    @bertman4

    I volunteer for trail maintenance work. We mainly use Corona saws but they are heavier. I see a lot of experienced volunteers carrying their own Silky saws for the work. Bigboy and Gomboy are very popular. If we are going on a logout, Katanaboys are a must, along with crosscut saws.

    Sep 24, 2020 at 2:56 am #3677255
    Jan Rezac
    BPL Member

    @zkoumal

    Locale: Prague, CZ

    I’ve made an UL handle for a Silky Pocketboy 170 blade. The resulting folding saw weights 77g / 2.7 oz, and with a 6.5 inches long super-sharp blade, it’s up to quite large jobs.

    More in the MYOG forum.

    Sep 24, 2020 at 6:26 am #3677264
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    ^ nice!

    Sep 24, 2020 at 8:54 am #3677280
    Tipi Walter
    BPL Member

    @tipiwalter

    Nick Gatel says “In over 50+ years of backpacking I have never needed a saw.  What am I missing?”

    I find this amazing but then obviously you never backpacked in the mountains of TN, Georgia or NC—where terrible blowdowns occasionally block our trails—and it’s much easier to stop and dump my pack and clear my way than it is to fight thru the mess.

    On every backpacking trip I carry these tools as part of my Standard Load—

    The 10 inch Corona cuts like butter when new and folds quickly so I can drop it down my t-shirt when I’m hiking for quick access.  It needs to be replaced once a year as the saw’s teeth kerf angles get slowly bent straight up and down and therefore don’t cut as well.  At $20 a pop it’s not a big deal.

    Every backpacker in my opinion should carry a good hand pruner—in my case it’s a Felco model.  Does wonders when hitting walls of sawbriars and brambles—and low hanging rhodo branches.

    When you hit something like this (especially when wearing a 90 lb pack)—it’s safer and much easier to dump the pack, take a break, and cut your way thru.

    Voila!  My trip can continue without bloodloss or ripping off pack gear or losing important swinging appendages.  Plus, any backpackers behind me will gratefully appreciate the work.

    It amazes and confounds me how hikers—both dayhikers and backpackers—can walk a cluttered trail and not even take the time to simply move fallen branches off the trail.  One flick of the hiking pole and in 2 seconds the deadfall is gone.  But nope—too much of a burden I guess.

    Oct 1, 2020 at 4:41 pm #3678084
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    Yeah, that’s why I carry a saw — to clear the trail. I find it especially helpful in the winter. I have a folding saw (Silky) that is pretty good, but a bit of hassle on skis. I may explore some of these options — I like the idea of a solid saw with a sheath. It is bulkier (especially in the pocket) but easier to manage with mitts on.

    Oct 1, 2020 at 6:26 pm #3678093
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    @bertman4: I start with a Corona 13″ replacement pruning blade and carve it into a 3.4 oz (including sheath) UL saw:

    I’ve also made a longer 4.6 oz saw from a 21 Corona saw:

    Both are great for wood, and can also be used as snow saws.

    Oct 1, 2020 at 6:36 pm #3678095
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    ^ slick work- well done :)

    Oct 3, 2020 at 9:46 am #3678257
    Jason Brooks
    BPL Member

    @drytool

    I’ll do a plug for Knifepoint Gear. They just came out with a saw that works with any standard reciprocating saw blade. At 3.5 oz total, it comes with a carbide tipped 12inch diablo wood blade. In one of their videos, Alex cuts down a 10 inch diameter tree in minutes, really impressive. in another video he pits it against, I think, a Silky saw , and saws through two 10 inch diameter logs in less time than it takes to saw through one with the Silky.

    Oct 3, 2020 at 11:30 am #3678274
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    I’d be interested to see that video; I’ve yet to see anything that would cut with a Silky (in the same length blade)

    Oct 3, 2020 at 12:41 pm #3678297
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    Here is the only video I could find on the Knifepoint Gear website:

    Impressive. I especially like that you can get carbide-tipped blades, choose what kind of blade you want, and that the blades can be easily and cheaply be replaced. The only minor quibble would be that some field assembly is required.

    Here are some videos from other sites:

    https://jerkingthetrigger.com/2020/04/14/sneak-peek-ultralight-saw-from-knife-point-gear/

    Oct 3, 2020 at 1:48 pm #3678307
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    not sure what the other saw is, definitely not a Silky- maybe a Gerber

    I’ve owned at least a half dozen smaller saws and now only own a couple of Silky saws (and one very BIG Silky saw)

    Oct 9, 2020 at 6:59 pm #3679029
    Josh J
    BPL Member

    @uahiker

    @mtwarden

    Ever try coronas? I have a 10″ curved corona and a 210 gomboy,  to me they are pretty comparable.

     

    I do find on an occasion where a straight blade is better than a curved but if you’re just processing wood for fire doesn’t matter really from what I’ve experienced

    Oct 9, 2020 at 7:24 pm #3679034
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    I haven’t, but have heard a lot of positive things about them; if they keep up with a Silky- I’d agree :)

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 19 posts - 26 through 44 (of 44 total)
← 1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Log In

Join our Community Today

A Membership is required to post in the forums.

View Membership Options

Forum Menu

Backpacking Light forums are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions. View the guidelines.
  • Main Forum Index | Recent Topics
  • Gear Swap | Gear Deals | Chaff | BPLTrac
  • Forum Support Docs | Posting Guidelines

Latest Online Course

trek planning masterclass title image Trek Planning Masterclass - now available on-demand.
View all online courses »

Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust?

Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight.


Gear Recommendations

  • Publisher’s Gear Guide
  • Staff Picks
  • Guide’s Gear Recommendations
  • Our Lightweight Gear Recommendations for REI Members
  • Today’s Gear Deals
  • Search for Gear on Sale

Subscribe Right Now

Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world.
Subscribe Now
  • Backpacking Gear Reviews
  • Backpacking Skills
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Backpacking & Outdoor News
  • Outdoor Recreation Science & Technology
  • Backpacking Courses, Webinars & Other Events

Follow Us

Get outdoor skills and gear info you can trust.

Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight.

Join Now: Support fair and objective product reviews.

Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available.

View Subscription Options

More @ Backpacking Light

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us
  • Submit a Product for Review
  • Diversity Grants
  • Help / Support / Contact
  • Terms & Policies

Call Us

Membership Sales & Support: 406-640-HIKE (406-640-4453) | About

© Copyright 2001-2021 BEARTOOTH MEDIA GROUP, INC. | U.S. Library of Congress Serial Registration ISSN 1537-0364
BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Subscribe here.

  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • My Account
  • Forum Profile
  • Private Messages
  • Newsletters
  • My Course Enrollments
  • Unlimited Membership Portal
  • Help / Support / Contact