Hello all,
I've been hanging tree stands since 1985, and most of that time I've been using a piece of junk saw to trim tree limbs with. No more!
I'll be 49 years old soon, and I want to buy a top-of-the-line FOLDING HAND SAW that will last the rest of my bowhunting career.
But it's gotta be SHARP! It's gotta cut like crazy!
I've been looking (via the internet) at a Silky Super Accel 210. The blade is 8.25" long, and folded up its 9.45" long. They sell for $44.00, which I don't mind as long as its a great tool.
What do you guys recommend?
Thanks, Paul
I use a folding Japanese carpenters saw. They are the best I've used.
MAP
I don't have experience with the silky.I've heard good things about these:
http://wickedtreegear.com/wickedhandsaw_yellowhandle.html
I've been using Corona saws for a few years now and they have been real good.I also have two larger,fixed blade Coronas and they really rip for larger work.
I like the Sven Saw. I also use the Wyoming Saw, but it requires a little more in the way of set up before use.
Tom
I have an SOG folding saw with holster that I like the best of the ones I have had. Cuts wood great but will not cut bone.
My Gerber from Wally World does fine. Been very sharp for years. Cuts green limbs ultra fast and dead ones almost as fast. I think it was about 11 or 12 dollars.
Silky Saw and don't look back. My buddy can cut up to 10" logs in like 15-20 seconds with the high end/large teeth Japanese steel one. A Silky can cut as fast as a semi-sharp Stihl. Pricey, but you'll never see anything else like it.
http://www.silkysaws.com/
I've got two recommendations for you depending on where you hunt:
Silky Saws:
Generally recommended as "the best" and they are exceptional. These have thinner blades which might flex more on the push but they cut on the pull stroke anyway. These are by far the KING at cutting evergreens and softer woods. I don't know of anyone that's tried one that has anything bad to say about them.
Corona Saws:
These have a bit thicker blade and are also fantastic. They cut soft woods about 20% slower than a Silky, but cut hardwoods and dried hardwoods about 20% faster. These have a lifetime guarantee and a nice locking mechanism on the pivot point also. Where i hunt, its mostly hardwoods so I stick with a Corona now. The only downside to Corona's are they only come in 7" and 10". I find the 7" to be almost as efficient as the 10" but easier to pack so it's my go-to now. The 7" does bind up when first starting cuts a little more though, but that's a problem that most tiny folders have due to leverage.
Between a Silky and/or Corona, you should be able to find a coarse tooth saw to fit your size, budget, and preferences for wood types. It's hard to go wrong with either really. Oh, and I find curved bladed saws to cut easier than flat, but sometimes they have teeth exposed when folded if that matters to you. The 7" Corona doesn't when folded up but the 10" does have exposed teeth.
I looked at the Silky website, and its amazing how many folding saws they make. Some have curved blades, some straight blades, etc., etc.
Wicked
I used the same Gerber for many years, it finally broke on me last season. I'm going to try a wicked brand saw next I guess. The Silky looks like a serious saw too, might take a look at there folders. I like a saw that fits in a fanny pack so about 12" to 14" max would be ideal.
Wicked. Best saw I've ever had. I got tired of going through a saw per season. Bought one of these and its been great.
I guess it all depends on how much cutting you want to do,but I carry a Gerber saw and hatchet. They both fit in my back pack. I carry extra bone blades and wood blades for the saw. If the Gerber doesn't get it done,it's more cutting than I want to do by hand.
I have a Corona that I have used in landscaping for 3 or 4 year and has cut loads of branches from 1/2" to 6"-8" trees and if you are not careful it will still cut you to the bone before you know it. Plus, it is red so you won't misplace it.
I have a Silky folder that I carry in my pack and one of the Zubats for habitat work. Phenomenal saws.
D.P.
Some nice saws there - no bad reason to get a good one once when it comes to gear and I am guessing these are some great ones suggested. I have used a Corona for quite a while with good results but the wicked and silky look nicer for sure.
One trick I have done is cut part of the back end of the handle off and epoxied the threaded part of a paint roller onto it. Fits into my telescoping pole for setting stands and can be threaded onto a sapling in a pinch with good results. Always nice to have the ability to extend your cut.
Someone used to make one with the threaded female end right in the handle but I can't find them anymore so I made one. Works well.
I have a few - really like Opinel and they are relatively inexpensive.
I'm also a fan of the Sven Saw...my boundary waters companions love it too!
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Glenn
The Winnipeg based company Coghlans markets the Sierra Saw...their website says they sell them all over the world...a lot of saw for under 15 dollars
DDave
I had a browning saw for years---I had won it at a muzzleloading rifle match and used it for about 15 years before it finally gave up. Tried a Gerber, but the hinge/lock mechanism broke right away (second or third use). Agree with the earlier posts---buy a wicked tough say and you will be happy! I've been using mine for two seasons now.
John
Good posts. I have been looking for another saw. now I am going to save up a bit. Tired of the $10 saw that lasts form two trees to one season.
try a stihl or echo saw, I have both and think they are better than most. echo blade catch can be interesting, stihl is better.
I still have the same Gerber I started with, cut a many of limbs and tree's, no complaints.
X4 on the Gerber variety. Can't beat them for the price and don't cry when they break or you lose them. I've had the same one for many seasons.
I got a folding Gerber saw with two blade choices as a gift and have used it a couple of times -- Not Impressed. I have been using a Corona pruning saw quite a bit this spring and summer and it works Great. Corona gets my vote of the two I have used.
Gerber for me too. I dont use it a lot but when I do it does the job and easily fits in my backpack.
Another vote for WickedTreeGear. A little pricey but 'wicked' sharp and indestructable. Doubt I'll ever need another
I remember buying my first Silky saw when my supplier began stocking them (I operate a landscape company). I bought a fixed-blade unit to take to Alaska for cutting medium trees, poles and firewood. I bought the fixed, longer blade so had more cutting stroke. We've used it on live and dead spruce, birch, cottonwood and aged (hard!) driftwood. The Silky saw line isn't made for sportsmen...it's mainly for arborists and pros who use them constantly. That said, I think the Silky is as good as one-hand saws ever get. By the way, if you've never used a non-folder, you might want to think about it. The blades are usually longer, and the saw comes with a rigid scabbard to hang on your climbing belt or outside your pack. Grab it out and no fumbling required before cutting. Unless I really need a compact saw, the rigid is far preferable in actual use.
Another great line of pro saws is the ARS brand. Again designed for work and tough enough to hold up. I own a couple folders by ARS and they really good saws. My hunting pard has a rigid ARS saw and it's fun to watch him buzz through a 4" oak limb while in his climbing harness. These are real tools for serious wood removal.
Not a recommendation, but a question....
Has anyone ever seen a folding hand saw (older / vintage) w/ a wooden handle which was shaped and had a hole in each side to make it look like a bird / animal?
If so, do you know the brand or where I could get one?
My father had one, but the blade got kinked and he tossed it out --- that and my grandfather's anvil are two things which I really regret not finding in his estate.
I've had the Stihl for 5 years. Great saw for about $25 bucks. It does everyhing I need it to.
Just found a dealer for the Silky near me looks and sounds like a good saw going to check them out.
Here's a link to the saw that I ordered:
http://www.baileysonline.com/shop.axd/ProductDetails?item_no=SKY%2011921&utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=cse
It's a Silky Super Accel 210. $43.95 with free UPS shipping. Best deal I could find on the net.
Blade is 8.25" long; Folded up it's 9.45" long. They make one thats 2" longer with a curved blade, but this one will fit in my tree-stand-hanging saddle-bag.
I almost went with the Wicked, but the Silky company has been around for decades, and replacement blades will always be available. Plus, the Silky is considered to be the finest made.
I'll let you know how it performs.
Thanks for all the input guys!
Paul
QuoteOriginally posted by gregg dudley:
X4 on the Gerber variety. Can't beat them for the price and don't cry when they break or you lose them. I've had the same one for many seasons.
Indeed and I would also add very light. I have it with me all the time...I don't want a fixed or heavy saw in the pack.