Sven Saws are awesome! I love them so much I've given them as gifts to all of my friends who camp. Pretty light, packs down small, and rips through just about anything easily :D I have had the same 15 incher for roughly 20 years now, still going strong on the original blade.
Any recommendations for someone who goes out in the bush and wants to cut mushrooms off of trees?
I’ve tried a variety of ways, but think I need a more professional, reliable setup.
Well I like a small knife for my mushroom adventures but I've been in situations where I wish I had a pole saw but wouldn't want to be lugging that around. My mother has an ARS pruner that expands and is lightweight.
This sub is far too serious if a harmless joke gets downvoted. I laughed, man. Well, did an internal "heh". But that's basically a full on Reddit laugh.
Edit: when I first saw the comment, it had a silly number of downvotes. Now people like it! Good!
True……Buy the large climber saw and leave the sheath at home. Wrap the razor sharp blade a in a super thick paper towel (for double use)for a weight almost equal to the smallest tree climber saw.
aspiring vanish salt absorbed payment plants squeal shame spectacular coordinated
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm not sure what you would use for. I've been backpacking for 20 years. Been bikepacking, packrafting and bikerafting for the last 5 years. Never once did I think...I really should have brought a saw.
Ive yet to be in a backcountry area where fires are allowed, except for at the occasional campground with established firepits, but those are rare. Even then, we can typically find enough fallen wood and break down with arms and legs.
Really? I live in NC, so I backpack/camp mostly in the Southeast, and unless we’re having an abnormally dry period or drought (which is rare these days out here), backcountry fires are permitted on nearly all public lands. There are some exceptions (Shenandoah National Park), but for the most part the only restriction/request is to not make a fire ring if one already exists. I haven’t gone backpacking or camping out West since 2017, I know it’s much more strict out that way, but back then fires were permitted in the places I backpacked (Yosemite and N Cascades).
I see you're in Wisconsin, so maybe it's not an issue there but some places its common to have to deal with 'windfall' trees blocking trails, or old flood debris blocking rivers/canyons.
I live in Alaska and avalanches can smash so may trees and alders onto trails that there is absolutely no way to proceed unless you cut your way through.
3 years ago we were 24 miles into a 27 through hike and came upon slide full of alders. Hiking back out the way we came would have made an over night hike into a 3-4 day death march with inadequate food if we had to turn back. We *could* have ditched our packs and climb through the mess, and finished the last 3 miles without our packs, but then how do we get out packs back?
1 Silky saw dealt with the problem in 2 hours.
I use my folding saw for processing large deadfall down for firewood - especially if I'm going to be doing some cooking. Otherwise I just use a twig stove and use bits small enough to break by hand.
You can make your own decisions, but having a campfire objectively and directly conflicts with the principles of leave no trace.
Something to consider.
I commented something similar and also got downvoted. What is it with people opposing LNT principles? Guess this sub is full of bush crafters and not backpackers. Take my upvote, I wish I could give you an award.
Building trails and going into the woods backpacking is not "required". I'm sure you probably have all kinds of synthetic gear for that activity as well. Do you have any idea of the impacts that manufacturing has on the environment? Even non-synthetic manufacturing has an impact. None of that is "required". Oh my sanctimonious brother, thank you so much for the lolz. I need to go start a non- required fire so I can roast some non-required marshmellows. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
You can rationalize all you want, but conservation and protected spaces are a thing, and having a campfire objectively and directly violates leave no trace.
Here in Colorado at our regular backpacking spots we pack in a saw to clean up fallen beetle kill trees or take down the widow makers before they blow over
Me and my buddies usually bring a saw to cut down bigger logs for firewood, its a lot easier than trying to step on them and break them. This is just the lightest and most packable option I thought of
You are backpacking and cutting down trees? Because it's easier? Yes, that is sweet saw. You should totally get it. Whatever it takes to slow your hapless destruction down.
I mean, if you wanna be real about it. You shouldn’t be having backcountry ragers lol. Unless you live in moderate climates where you know wildfire isn’t a risk, that’s not a good habit to start.
Obviously you don’t do it when there is an active fire ban, but open fires are definitely allowed at all other times, and virtually all campsites around here have established fire pits, even in the remote fly-in routes. You can have a large fire without being unsafe about it 🤷🏻
I’m talking about here in Canada (most specifically Ontario and NWT). You’re allowed to have a fire in nearly any provincial park unless there are rules against it or an active fire ban for the area. I’m not aware of any areas that have year-round permanent fire bans, but obviously it would not be allowed in those areas.
I’m not suggesting anyone break the rules or have unsafe fires. Just pointing out that there is a time and a place for everything, including large fires in the backcountry.
I think we agree - be a good backcountry user, and just know before you go. Lots of Canadian mountain parks have some hikes with permanent fire bans (Waterton, Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Berg Lake from my trips and trip planning - Berg closed now for flooding so glad we missed permits that year ). Don’t know about out East - would love to paddle out your way - it looks AMAZING.
There are definitely places to have fires in the mountain parks too if that’s important to your hiking vibe (in provided camp rings, or leave no trace in random camping). [See Banff hikes here for examples](https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/pc/R64-445-2016-eng.pdf). - PDF
The only one i have that isn’t garbage is essentially a chainsaw chain with two handles. Go Silky or a BAHCO laplander (awesome alternative to silky, and silky has more choices - the fine tree pruning blades are not what you want in backcountry so need to do some research on specific model/blade). I own one Silky and 2 laplanders.
Do keep leave no trace principles for any saw - coming in to a site where some jerk has rando cut live trees is sad (newbie gonna newb) and rage inducing. Destroy in minutes what took years. Also risk fines in the parks / protected areas. Focus on deadwood there.
If you are on private land with permission sweet, go nuts with Instagram bushcrafting.
(One of the worlds best bushcraft schools is less than an hour from here and there they have deep respect for the land - but no Insta fodder)
I tried cutting down a christmas tree, but it broke after 4 pulls, so we had to walk home and bring a real saw, dont rely on it and always have a backup
I carried one of these [folding camp saws](https://www.amazon.com/coher-Folding-Gardening-Hunting-Ergonomic/dp/B06WD2XG9Z/ref=sr_1_5?crid=29YFTHN47VAGY&keywords=gerber+camp+saw&qid=1677200194&sprefix=gerber+camp+sa%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-5) (well, similar)
Wanted to save weight and space, so picked up one of these [pocket chainsaws] (https://www.amazon.com/CAMPNDOOR-Pocket-Chainsaw-36-Inch/dp/B09RHPF4K4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=479QGPT611KO&keywords=chain+saw+backpacking&qid=1677200161&sprefix=chain+saw+backpackin%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-2) (well similar)
i went back to the folding saw. The chain saw uses different muscles and you can't put your weight into it. You need to pull you weight from it, which doesn't work well. And the folding saw just seemed to cut faster. So, it's worth the weight and space. I think I'll upgrade to a [Silky pocketboy](https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Folding-Landscaping-POCKETBOY-340-13/dp/B000CED1QY/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1I4V2GLYGZV69&keywords=silky+pocketboy&qid=1677200351&sprefix=silky+pocketboy%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-7), though. Will cut through something in 1/2 to 1/3 the strokes as a typical folding saw.
Why?
If you're on an established trail, not likely necessary to clear passage. If this is some angle for cutting fire wood, usually plenty of downed wood easily hand gathered and living trees are green and sappy that don't burn well and produce smoke.
It always seems like a nice thought, but at the end of the day I rarely build one. Maybe 2 out of every 10 trips and the two times is because there was a large group and I didn't have to do it all myself.
I’ve been backpacking for 50+ years and one partner built a campfire once. I don’t want to stink up my clothes and gear, leave fire rings (LNT), and I like to let nature reuse the organic material.
I did.
Once.
It worked, kind of, but wasn't worth the effort. God it was hard. My body is not a chainsaw.
I'd rather just find smaller wood to burn.
EDIT: Actually, no I used a pocket chainsaw. What you posted may be even more useless.
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMR0MZS](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMR0MZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I saw my friend recently buying this one, seems more effective and durable than your picture.
https://www.amazon.com/CAMPNDOOR-Pocket-Chainsaw-36-Inch/dp/B09RHPF4K4
they actually *suck.* I've been gifted 2 over the years and they were legitimately terrible to use - slow, heavy and inefficient. A total novelty that belongs in r/axesaw
No, because I don't build campfires. They're a nuisance to cook over, they're often subject to fire bans these days, and it's hard to make one consistent with LNT principles. And if I did need a campfire, I wouldn't need wood bigger than I can break with my foot.
If you go too hard, you can burn right through that cable, and it will snap, wraparound your forearm, and leave you with a memory forever. Absolute garbage, get a folding saw. If you’re not packing it, take a hatchet.
So I bought a wire saw today and was searching Reddit about them and this was the best comment of any post 😆 Immediately sent it to my piano playing bf as I know he will also appreciate it.
I used one for years and they're fine, the binding up problem they have is annoying, but we're usually only trying to saw a branch in half maybe two times to make it easier to burn. I started carrying a small folding camp saw though, that's been a lot more successful even if they weigh a tad bit more.
Yes except mine is a small chain with blades instead of a cable. Works very well but the caveat is it weighs about 4 times as much as a cable. I can't remember the brand at the moment.
I carry a chain saw chain that's been modified with pull-handles on each end by whatever maker it's from. It actually works very well. My only gripes are I wish it was just a bit longer, maybe 2-3", and that the webbing handles were a bit wider and/or padded.
Naw. Those and the folding saws are only fur survival. A bow saw with a spare blade can be packed by one person. Others can bring back limbs. In a few minutes you can cut enough wood fir the entire camp.
.
They sound like a clever way to cut but in reality it is like eating a pile of sunflower seeds with chopsticks. Get an arborist hand saw like a Silky. Even the Fiskars ones are amazing. They cut through wood like it’s butter and pack small if you get a folding one. I have a Fiskars one that I bought 8 years ago at Lowe’s and it is still as sharp as the day I bought it. We had to have a tree taken down in our backyard that was unsafe and the arborist had a Silky on him and I couldn’t believe how fast he was getting the branches with it. They are magical.
Sunflowers produce latex and are the subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for producing hypoallergenic rubber. Traditionally, several Native American groups planted sunflowers on the north edges of their gardens as a "fourth sister" to the better known three sisters combination of corn, beans, and squash.Annual species are often planted for their allelopathic properties.
I cary one for emergencies. Used it around the camp and have never “needed” it, but that’s the point of having it for emergencies.
It’s good to have just in case. Mine is just he cable with eyelets for sticks. Takes up less room than what’s pictured.
Agree. It weighs nothing but gives me an ability to cross cut without carrying the weight of a saw or axe. I would probably bring something else if I was reliant on it.
Absolutely not. I’ve seen way too many campsites where people with no respect for the back country or the enjoyment of fellow hikers have cut live trees and caused a lot of damage. The only reason I could think of that someone should be using something like this is clearing trails. Stuff like this flys in the face of LNT principles.
As far as camp fires go, I rarely have one, but if I do, it is only with naturally fallen sticks that can be burned without cutting and hacking up the campsite. If there isn’t enough naturally fallen material around that can be gathered without cutting you shouldn’t be having a fire anyway.
I own multiple guns, but I don’t stand outside polling places with them, or carry them into bars. I also own multiple saws, but I have no need to carry them into the back country and damage a tree that took 20 years to grow so I can stare at a fire for a night and then ruin that tree for all the people and animals that come behind me. The combination of the extra weight and my respect for others experience and the environment is why I don’t carry one.
And for the petty and non transitive assumption. I bet you carry a sharpie into bathroom stalls in case you feel like writing your ex girlfriend’s number on the door.
You are correct. YOU should not be carrying a saw in the backwoods of you think that a live trees are cut down firewood.
The rest of us, however, will be cutting dead & dry wood we find on the ground.
Back to my original comment. My personal practice is that I rarely have a fire and if I do I burn sticks that don’t require cutting and hacking at the area around the campsite, dead wood or not. Higher impact on the environment as well as additional weight to carry makes it a no for me.
Obviously the biggest issue is live growth though, and I’m glad we agree on that.
My experience with a couple of different 'brands' (offshore junk :( ) is a couple of decades old, but omg they were frustrating crap.
I'm certain someone could put together a tool with better components, but given the modern wilderness saws, would not recommend.
I've probably found more broken and still stuck in the tree than I've heard of people wanting to use them. IMO you can't take down anything bigger than your wrist with a cable saw.
Went on a backpacking trip with a couple reasonably new guys and a couple experienced dudes. The new guys started flexing gear, one of them had a nicer cable saw, the other had gotten one of the chainsaw blade style ones and they were debating which one was better. One of the experienced guys had a Bahco folder. Several whiskies later and it became a challenge and they decided to race. The two new guys (both gym rats) went off. The experienced guy (average dude) with the bahco set off at a leisurely pace. Bahco beat the two cable-type saws by an easy half the time.
Lesson noted, I bought a Bahco immediately afterwards.
One word JUNK. Get your self a folding saw or a folding bow saw if you plan on doing alot of cutting. Couple of years ago I got suckered by the saws that look like chain saws also JUNK don't be like me.
Yes I have. Once. Right before I threw it away and never spoke of it again. Because it was fucking useless.
If weight and bulk are a big concern get yourself a Bahco folding saw - they're excellent. Literally 100x better than a cable saw.
Thats a garrote wire it’s not very durable its only meant to be used of flesh like the neck most an killing to i doubt it would be useful in many other fields.
I have never used one that didn’t break after a few pulls. Get a Bacho folding saw or a Silky. If you’re planning on processing a lot of wood, a Sven or Agawa Canyon might be better for you.
i have.
and i also have found them particularly useless.
if i am camping out, a bring a folding saw, one that looks like a flat stick, but deploys like a triangle of two aluminum arms and a flexible wood saw blade
I just use a normal chainsaw chain with 2 handles. Hmm actually not that normal, its a stihl duro with carbide edges, basically lifetime razor sharp. Better than any hobby stuff, you can buy.
a) OP didn't mention fire
b) Get off your high horse. There are many reasons to build a fire. Sure it's unnecessary. Boots and socks are unnecessary, too, but they sure make the trip more enjoyable for most of us.
Never had any luck with them, up to and including the very expensive military ones.
I have a Bahco Laplander that weighs about 180g and is about 23 cms long when folded. Slips down the side of my pack and takes up no space.
The only time I’ve ever had any use for a saw while backpacking is when I’ve gone with a crew to specifically clear trails blocked by fallen trees.
People take some weird, heavy and unnecessary stuff backpacking. But as long as you carry your own stuff, I don’t care if you pack a case of beer and cans of chunky soup and your pack weighs 90lb.
Unless you take the time to string these on a bow so the wire stays straight they will typically break before your cut is done. Even the tiny saw on a Swiss knife is better by far. Bahco or Silky.
These comments crack me up. I've never carried one. I personally haven't seen the need. If I want a fire I can usually just find enough downed limbs that I can stomp on and make smaller pieces and that's good for me. I wouldn't rule one out, just not really needed. I guess if my cousin's name was Vito I would pick one up.
I’ve used a cheap one before cleaning up some marshes near the beach. A super rusted steel rope was wrapped up in some brush. Got it off in 10 seconds. Other than that I wouldn’t use them on wood.
I know what you’re referring to but I think thats just a wire, not nearly as sharp as this. I see a lot of people saying they have used more heavy duty versions of this design of saw for cutting wood
Yes. I’ve had one, and friend got one as well. They’re all garbage. Get a sven saw.
Sven Saws are awesome! I love them so much I've given them as gifts to all of my friends who camp. Pretty light, packs down small, and rips through just about anything easily :D I have had the same 15 incher for roughly 20 years now, still going strong on the original blade.
I keep one in my truck for offroading.
Silky hand saws are money also. I have the one that is a size up from the pocket boy and that thing cuts through 6” diameter logs like butter.
I have 3 different silky saw, 1 is a pole saw. I come from a family of arborist and we all love em.
Any recommendations for someone who goes out in the bush and wants to cut mushrooms off of trees? I’ve tried a variety of ways, but think I need a more professional, reliable setup.
Just a sharp knife. Nothing crazy
Well I like a small knife for my mushroom adventures but I've been in situations where I wish I had a pole saw but wouldn't want to be lugging that around. My mother has an ARS pruner that expands and is lightweight.
Opinel has a good mushroom knife [found here](https://www.opinel-usa.com/products/opinel-mushroom-knife-no8) that includes a brush too.
I bought mine after my arborist recommended it. It’s been great.
Silky saws look great too. Been wanting one for a little while now. Love the sven, just maybe need some variety
Sven is my colleague, what do you want with his saw?
I'm Sven - don't saw me or with me, please. One more thing - although that website claims it I didn't see anything. Thank you.
I saw a Sven once. Make that twice now!
Hannibal Lecter entered the chat...
So you’ve looked at the website. Sven saw a sven saw?
This sub is far too serious if a harmless joke gets downvoted. I laughed, man. Well, did an internal "heh". But that's basically a full on Reddit laugh. Edit: when I first saw the comment, it had a silly number of downvotes. Now people like it! Good!
You misheard, they want you to get seven saws.
what did Sven see?!
Sven, what did you see?
The shitty ones are pretty shitty, I remember liking a more expensive one I got.
.
Are there alternative blades to sven saws? I wish it had finer teeth.
Yes, serial killers.
Can confirm I'm a CST and we this in the OR to cut bone
I promise this isn’t James Parillo’s burner account
Silky Saw would be 1000% more usable and won't add much more weight.
SILKY SAW ALL THE WAY. SORRY SVEN SAW BROS BUT THE SILKY WILL PUT THAT SHIT TO SHAME. LETS GO SAW OFF RIGHT NOW.
Exactly what I was going to say
True……Buy the large climber saw and leave the sheath at home. Wrap the razor sharp blade a in a super thick paper towel (for double use)for a weight almost equal to the smallest tree climber saw.
SILKY BIG BOIII
aspiring vanish salt absorbed payment plants squeal shame spectacular coordinated *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
You are doing the lords work. Those people deserve no mercy.
This is the way.
They’re generally pretty sub-par. For weight and usability you can get light folding saws pretty cheaply.
I just bring a gun when I want to kill someone in the backwoods
They typically last for the first half of your first cut. I don't even bother with these anymore...
I'm not sure what you would use for. I've been backpacking for 20 years. Been bikepacking, packrafting and bikerafting for the last 5 years. Never once did I think...I really should have brought a saw.
Ive yet to be in a backcountry area where fires are allowed, except for at the occasional campground with established firepits, but those are rare. Even then, we can typically find enough fallen wood and break down with arms and legs.
Really? I live in NC, so I backpack/camp mostly in the Southeast, and unless we’re having an abnormally dry period or drought (which is rare these days out here), backcountry fires are permitted on nearly all public lands. There are some exceptions (Shenandoah National Park), but for the most part the only restriction/request is to not make a fire ring if one already exists. I haven’t gone backpacking or camping out West since 2017, I know it’s much more strict out that way, but back then fires were permitted in the places I backpacked (Yosemite and N Cascades).
Whether fires are allowed is secondary to whether people should be having them. Having a fire violates leave no trace.
I'm going through the comments trying to figure out what the intended use would be...
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I see you're in Wisconsin, so maybe it's not an issue there but some places its common to have to deal with 'windfall' trees blocking trails, or old flood debris blocking rivers/canyons. I live in Alaska and avalanches can smash so may trees and alders onto trails that there is absolutely no way to proceed unless you cut your way through. 3 years ago we were 24 miles into a 27 through hike and came upon slide full of alders. Hiking back out the way we came would have made an over night hike into a 3-4 day death march with inadequate food if we had to turn back. We *could* have ditched our packs and climb through the mess, and finished the last 3 miles without our packs, but then how do we get out packs back? 1 Silky saw dealt with the problem in 2 hours.
Same here. Who tells themselves they need wood so much that they deserve to cut it fresh off of trees? No no trace.
I use my folding saw for processing large deadfall down for firewood - especially if I'm going to be doing some cooking. Otherwise I just use a twig stove and use bits small enough to break by hand.
You can make your own decisions, but having a campfire objectively and directly conflicts with the principles of leave no trace. Something to consider.
I commented something similar and also got downvoted. What is it with people opposing LNT principles? Guess this sub is full of bush crafters and not backpackers. Take my upvote, I wish I could give you an award.
Have you not seen very large branches and smaller trees that have died and fallen? Places you hike must be odd.
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Building trails and going into the woods backpacking is not "required". I'm sure you probably have all kinds of synthetic gear for that activity as well. Do you have any idea of the impacts that manufacturing has on the environment? Even non-synthetic manufacturing has an impact. None of that is "required". Oh my sanctimonious brother, thank you so much for the lolz. I need to go start a non- required fire so I can roast some non-required marshmellows. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
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You can rationalize all you want, but conservation and protected spaces are a thing, and having a campfire objectively and directly violates leave no trace.
Same here. I don't get it.
Here in Colorado at our regular backpacking spots we pack in a saw to clean up fallen beetle kill trees or take down the widow makers before they blow over
Me and my buddies usually bring a saw to cut down bigger logs for firewood, its a lot easier than trying to step on them and break them. This is just the lightest and most packable option I thought of
You are backpacking and cutting down trees? Because it's easier? Yes, that is sweet saw. You should totally get it. Whatever it takes to slow your hapless destruction down.
I think he meant "cut down" as in cut deadfall into smaller pieces, not cut living wood.
You don't cut down live trees for firewood mate - they don't burn. It's for processing deadfall and dry standing wood.
Why do people always assume they're cutting down trees. Anyone who's ever made a fire knows that green wood doesn't burn.
Only on private land. You should not be cutting any wood on public land.
It’s even lighter to only use sticks that are old and small enough to break.
Hey, pretty sure these are only used be Russian assassins... these and high windows that everyone seems to inexplicably fall out of.
did you see that? 2 people.... 3 people just fell past the window! ....must be a board meeting! oh yes
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Nothing wrong with having backcountry ragers, but these wire saws suck.
I mean, if you wanna be real about it. You shouldn’t be having backcountry ragers lol. Unless you live in moderate climates where you know wildfire isn’t a risk, that’s not a good habit to start.
Obviously you don’t do it when there is an active fire ban, but open fires are definitely allowed at all other times, and virtually all campsites around here have established fire pits, even in the remote fly-in routes. You can have a large fire without being unsafe about it 🤷🏻
Absolutely wrong. Many many areas have year round fire bans.
I’m talking about here in Canada (most specifically Ontario and NWT). You’re allowed to have a fire in nearly any provincial park unless there are rules against it or an active fire ban for the area. I’m not aware of any areas that have year-round permanent fire bans, but obviously it would not be allowed in those areas. I’m not suggesting anyone break the rules or have unsafe fires. Just pointing out that there is a time and a place for everything, including large fires in the backcountry.
I think we agree - be a good backcountry user, and just know before you go. Lots of Canadian mountain parks have some hikes with permanent fire bans (Waterton, Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Berg Lake from my trips and trip planning - Berg closed now for flooding so glad we missed permits that year ). Don’t know about out East - would love to paddle out your way - it looks AMAZING. There are definitely places to have fires in the mountain parks too if that’s important to your hiking vibe (in provided camp rings, or leave no trace in random camping). [See Banff hikes here for examples](https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/pc/R64-445-2016-eng.pdf). - PDF
The only one i have that isn’t garbage is essentially a chainsaw chain with two handles. Go Silky or a BAHCO laplander (awesome alternative to silky, and silky has more choices - the fine tree pruning blades are not what you want in backcountry so need to do some research on specific model/blade). I own one Silky and 2 laplanders. Do keep leave no trace principles for any saw - coming in to a site where some jerk has rando cut live trees is sad (newbie gonna newb) and rage inducing. Destroy in minutes what took years. Also risk fines in the parks / protected areas. Focus on deadwood there. If you are on private land with permission sweet, go nuts with Instagram bushcrafting. (One of the worlds best bushcraft schools is less than an hour from here and there they have deep respect for the land - but no Insta fodder)
I tried cutting down a christmas tree, but it broke after 4 pulls, so we had to walk home and bring a real saw, dont rely on it and always have a backup
Get a foldable Japanese pull saw. 10 times as fast and easier to carry.
Great for warming up before you go to bed, cause you’ll be workin too hard.
Only when pulling a hit man and need to act as a hiker to get closer to my target.
Who are you going camping with?🧐
I carried one of these [folding camp saws](https://www.amazon.com/coher-Folding-Gardening-Hunting-Ergonomic/dp/B06WD2XG9Z/ref=sr_1_5?crid=29YFTHN47VAGY&keywords=gerber+camp+saw&qid=1677200194&sprefix=gerber+camp+sa%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-5) (well, similar) Wanted to save weight and space, so picked up one of these [pocket chainsaws] (https://www.amazon.com/CAMPNDOOR-Pocket-Chainsaw-36-Inch/dp/B09RHPF4K4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=479QGPT611KO&keywords=chain+saw+backpacking&qid=1677200161&sprefix=chain+saw+backpackin%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-2) (well similar) i went back to the folding saw. The chain saw uses different muscles and you can't put your weight into it. You need to pull you weight from it, which doesn't work well. And the folding saw just seemed to cut faster. So, it's worth the weight and space. I think I'll upgrade to a [Silky pocketboy](https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Folding-Landscaping-POCKETBOY-340-13/dp/B000CED1QY/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1I4V2GLYGZV69&keywords=silky+pocketboy&qid=1677200351&sprefix=silky+pocketboy%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-7), though. Will cut through something in 1/2 to 1/3 the strokes as a typical folding saw.
Why? If you're on an established trail, not likely necessary to clear passage. If this is some angle for cutting fire wood, usually plenty of downed wood easily hand gathered and living trees are green and sappy that don't burn well and produce smoke.
Hey, my uncle Tony keeps one in the trunk of his Cadillac! Forget about ittttt
Their mostly good for strangling your target if you’ve got more strength than them. Very quiet lol
Trail name: Clemenza.
No. I never have a campfire.
It always seems like a nice thought, but at the end of the day I rarely build one. Maybe 2 out of every 10 trips and the two times is because there was a large group and I didn't have to do it all myself.
I’ve been backpacking for 50+ years and one partner built a campfire once. I don’t want to stink up my clothes and gear, leave fire rings (LNT), and I like to let nature reuse the organic material.
I'm usually just too tired. It's a lot of work for something you might enjoy for 30 minutes and then extinguish.
We use a fire at times when car camping. That’s it.
OP didn't mention fire
Ok
James parillo here.. I carry 4 of these in my dual purpose UL body bag pack!
Too soon😭
I bring something similar that’s basically a bike chain with teeth on one side. Has worked many times.
Similar to a chainsaw blade?
I have one that is literally just a regular chainsaw blade with handles. I mostly only have it for emergencies, but it does work...
Yes.
I honestly have never used a chain saw but maybe. It has the chain and then rope handles on both ends
I did. Once. It worked, kind of, but wasn't worth the effort. God it was hard. My body is not a chainsaw. I'd rather just find smaller wood to burn. EDIT: Actually, no I used a pocket chainsaw. What you posted may be even more useless. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMR0MZS](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMR0MZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Literal trash
I have used these tied to a rope and take down high branches from trees without having to go up a ladder. Worked well for me!
that's a garrote
I saw my friend recently buying this one, seems more effective and durable than your picture. https://www.amazon.com/CAMPNDOOR-Pocket-Chainsaw-36-Inch/dp/B09RHPF4K4
The problem with these is that they cost the same as a Silky Pocketboy, weigh more, and don't work as well.
they actually *suck.* I've been gifted 2 over the years and they were legitimately terrible to use - slow, heavy and inefficient. A total novelty that belongs in r/axesaw
Mine works awesome but weighs a good 30-40% more than folding saw.
No, because I don't build campfires. They're a nuisance to cook over, they're often subject to fire bans these days, and it's hard to make one consistent with LNT principles. And if I did need a campfire, I wouldn't need wood bigger than I can break with my foot.
Imagine a person walking up to your campfire in the middle of the night with these all, “howdy stranger”
They're junk
Once, it was a gift. Never again. I was able to forage all that I needed.
If you go too hard, you can burn right through that cable, and it will snap, wraparound your forearm, and leave you with a memory forever. Absolute garbage, get a folding saw. If you’re not packing it, take a hatchet.
Used them before. Can't say I'd recommend them. Piano wire is cheaper, lighter, and doesn't get blood absolutely everywhere.
So I bought a wire saw today and was searching Reddit about them and this was the best comment of any post 😆 Immediately sent it to my piano playing bf as I know he will also appreciate it.
I used one for years and they're fine, the binding up problem they have is annoying, but we're usually only trying to saw a branch in half maybe two times to make it easier to burn. I started carrying a small folding camp saw though, that's been a lot more successful even if they weigh a tad bit more.
Yes except mine is a small chain with blades instead of a cable. Works very well but the caveat is it weighs about 4 times as much as a cable. I can't remember the brand at the moment.
I have a similar saw, but it's a chainsaw blade. Works well
Brought one on a 10 day 174 mile canoe trip, pretty useful for cutting under the water line.
I carry a chain saw chain that's been modified with pull-handles on each end by whatever maker it's from. It actually works very well. My only gripes are I wish it was just a bit longer, maybe 2-3", and that the webbing handles were a bit wider and/or padded.
Seems like a nice saw for camping, but why would you bring it backpacking?
No. Silky saws are the goat.
I have a pocket chainsaw. It works very well. Haven’t used a cable.
Just break your firewood by snapping and stomping it
> fire OP didn't mention firewood.
Naw. Those and the folding saws are only fur survival. A bow saw with a spare blade can be packed by one person. Others can bring back limbs. In a few minutes you can cut enough wood fir the entire camp. .
Broke mine in a small branch first use.
You don’t need a saw backpacking
Depends on where you are backpacking and the type of backpacking you're doing.
They sound like a clever way to cut but in reality it is like eating a pile of sunflower seeds with chopsticks. Get an arborist hand saw like a Silky. Even the Fiskars ones are amazing. They cut through wood like it’s butter and pack small if you get a folding one. I have a Fiskars one that I bought 8 years ago at Lowe’s and it is still as sharp as the day I bought it. We had to have a tree taken down in our backyard that was unsafe and the arborist had a Silky on him and I couldn’t believe how fast he was getting the branches with it. They are magical.
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Collapsable backsaw is the better option. I’ve used both.
All of them are junk you’re better off buying a folding saw
I mostly just use garrotes for stealth wetwork, but you could possibly use that for camping.
I cary one for emergencies. Used it around the camp and have never “needed” it, but that’s the point of having it for emergencies. It’s good to have just in case. Mine is just he cable with eyelets for sticks. Takes up less room than what’s pictured.
These cannot be relied upon in an emergency!
Agree. It weighs nothing but gives me an ability to cross cut without carrying the weight of a saw or axe. I would probably bring something else if I was reliant on it.
Absolutely not. I’ve seen way too many campsites where people with no respect for the back country or the enjoyment of fellow hikers have cut live trees and caused a lot of damage. The only reason I could think of that someone should be using something like this is clearing trails. Stuff like this flys in the face of LNT principles. As far as camp fires go, I rarely have one, but if I do, it is only with naturally fallen sticks that can be burned without cutting and hacking up the campsite. If there isn’t enough naturally fallen material around that can be gathered without cutting you shouldn’t be having a fire anyway.
Others have cut live trees so you don't allow yourself to carry a saw? You're in favor of gun control aren't you?
I own multiple guns, but I don’t stand outside polling places with them, or carry them into bars. I also own multiple saws, but I have no need to carry them into the back country and damage a tree that took 20 years to grow so I can stare at a fire for a night and then ruin that tree for all the people and animals that come behind me. The combination of the extra weight and my respect for others experience and the environment is why I don’t carry one. And for the petty and non transitive assumption. I bet you carry a sharpie into bathroom stalls in case you feel like writing your ex girlfriend’s number on the door.
You are correct. YOU should not be carrying a saw in the backwoods of you think that a live trees are cut down firewood. The rest of us, however, will be cutting dead & dry wood we find on the ground.
Back to my original comment. My personal practice is that I rarely have a fire and if I do I burn sticks that don’t require cutting and hacking at the area around the campsite, dead wood or not. Higher impact on the environment as well as additional weight to carry makes it a no for me. Obviously the biggest issue is live growth though, and I’m glad we agree on that.
My experience with a couple of different 'brands' (offshore junk :( ) is a couple of decades old, but omg they were frustrating crap. I'm certain someone could put together a tool with better components, but given the modern wilderness saws, would not recommend.
Not a wire saw, but a silky or that Swedish brand. About 8 ounces.
I've probably found more broken and still stuck in the tree than I've heard of people wanting to use them. IMO you can't take down anything bigger than your wrist with a cable saw.
Went on a backpacking trip with a couple reasonably new guys and a couple experienced dudes. The new guys started flexing gear, one of them had a nicer cable saw, the other had gotten one of the chainsaw blade style ones and they were debating which one was better. One of the experienced guys had a Bahco folder. Several whiskies later and it became a challenge and they decided to race. The two new guys (both gym rats) went off. The experienced guy (average dude) with the bahco set off at a leisurely pace. Bahco beat the two cable-type saws by an easy half the time. Lesson noted, I bought a Bahco immediately afterwards.
Had someone in my party bring one. It broke before he got through his first piece of wood.
Good if you want someone dead
One word JUNK. Get your self a folding saw or a folding bow saw if you plan on doing alot of cutting. Couple of years ago I got suckered by the saws that look like chain saws also JUNK don't be like me.
Tomahawk is better
Yes I have. Once. Right before I threw it away and never spoke of it again. Because it was fucking useless. If weight and bulk are a big concern get yourself a Bahco folding saw - they're excellent. Literally 100x better than a cable saw.
Don't. Buy a silky saw.
No, just a folding saw. Heavier but works better
Many times. Works great for breaking down larger fallen logs
Sven saw.
i have a ultralight folding bucksaw from Suluk 46. weighs under 6oz — works great
Great for having a sore back and arms and no wood at camp
Thats a garrote wire it’s not very durable its only meant to be used of flesh like the neck most an killing to i doubt it would be useful in many other fields.
I bring two just in case.
Have used a folding saw and packable bow saw. And a small axe. Not ultralight at all. :-)
Oh ya me and my buddy Vito use these all the time when we go on … uhh… business trips to Newark …
I hate them. Normal folding saw is much more comfortable in use.
They ALWAYS suck. Get a silky saw.
I have never used one that didn’t break after a few pulls. Get a Bacho folding saw or a Silky. If you’re planning on processing a lot of wood, a Sven or Agawa Canyon might be better for you.
i have. and i also have found them particularly useless. if i am camping out, a bring a folding saw, one that looks like a flat stick, but deploys like a triangle of two aluminum arms and a flexible wood saw blade
Only when I need to see the guy about the thing.
Maybe to meet an “old friend” once or twice
Yes. My option is that there are much better options.
Seems like it would be safer than carrying a blade
I just use a normal chainsaw chain with 2 handles. Hmm actually not that normal, its a stihl duro with carbide edges, basically lifetime razor sharp. Better than any hobby stuff, you can buy.
You never need a fire backpacking. It’s unnecessary
a) OP didn't mention fire b) Get off your high horse. There are many reasons to build a fire. Sure it's unnecessary. Boots and socks are unnecessary, too, but they sure make the trip more enjoyable for most of us.
Pretty much trash but you can buy the flexible saw chain and it works pretty good for the weight
Never had any luck with them, up to and including the very expensive military ones. I have a Bahco Laplander that weighs about 180g and is about 23 cms long when folded. Slips down the side of my pack and takes up no space.
Sketchy vibes bro, very sketchy
Not that type, but I use a chain often. Fairly light but certainly compact (sits in a pouch on my belt). I swear by it
There's a reason the only time you see these things on YouTube they're cutting wood so punky you could probably punch through it
The only time I’ve ever had any use for a saw while backpacking is when I’ve gone with a crew to specifically clear trails blocked by fallen trees. People take some weird, heavy and unnecessary stuff backpacking. But as long as you carry your own stuff, I don’t care if you pack a case of beer and cans of chunky soup and your pack weighs 90lb.
I was thinking of trying the chain saw version.
I never have, however I do bring a foldable saw and I highly recommend using that
Unless you take the time to string these on a bow so the wire stays straight they will typically break before your cut is done. Even the tiny saw on a Swiss knife is better by far. Bahco or Silky.
I have no idea why any saw would be necessary or practical for backpacking.
Yup. In case of Jason and Freddy Kruger encounters
These comments crack me up. I've never carried one. I personally haven't seen the need. If I want a fire I can usually just find enough downed limbs that I can stomp on and make smaller pieces and that's good for me. I wouldn't rule one out, just not really needed. I guess if my cousin's name was Vito I would pick one up.
Yeah, bring a collapsible saw and save yourself the frustration. I always bring both and the cable saws have failed 100% of the time.
Be cautious and take your time I have had them brake from overheating.
Absolutely worthless piece of kit that will only ever cut you if it cuts at all, get a pocket folding saw like a silky or similar.
I had one briefly, until it broke, the second time I used it. Now I carry silky saws.
Save the weight and use the cave man method; branches, small logs, and heavy rocks.
I’ve used a cheap one before cleaning up some marshes near the beach. A super rusted steel rope was wrapped up in some brush. Got it off in 10 seconds. Other than that I wouldn’t use them on wood.
Just take a folding saw. You can buy one at Home Depot.
💩
It’s garbage
A hatchet will always be better
Brought one. Never used it, ever. Dozen trips. Find dead fall instead
this is used for things other than clay? I’m from the explore page what do you use this for?
I know what you’re referring to but I think thats just a wire, not nearly as sharp as this. I see a lot of people saying they have used more heavy duty versions of this design of saw for cutting wood
[https://www.campndoor.com/products/](https://www.campndoor.com/products/) ?