Bushcraft Saws - A Comparison of Popular Folding and Handheld Chain Saws.

In this video I will be comparing two folding back country saws - the Bahco Laplander and a folding wooden Buck Saw against three pocket handheld chain saws - the Overmont pocket chain saw, the Zwoos survival pocket chain saw and the BCB pocket commando wire saw. I will be making some warming Pine Needle tea on the Honey stove before putting them to the test on a 4" pine log. I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!

[SwampValley]

So glad I "saw" this, "cutting edge" stuff.

[r.d.j.]

I didn't expect that the chainsaw whent trough there that fast! Thats very impressive.

[Jimjust]

A useful talk there. I am gathering eqpt to wild camp and now I will ignore the lighter wire saw. Keep these coming.

[mickeytaker]

You'd stay warm using the 3rd one😜

[carlholmes]

I have used handheld chain saws on several outings. I think they work great. I have also used the wire saw on day trips. When I use a wire saw I make a bow saw with it. I also made a buck saw with a wire saw. It worked okey, but it had a lot of bounce in it.

[just-dl]

Glad I stumbled across this! I have that same Bahco and the same "chain saw' in my pack. Like you found, I like them both. For a non-fixed woodstock, the chain-saw is harder to use. But, once properly braced, it's a great option. As you found, it doesn't leave a furniture quality saw line. But, for turning a trunk into firewood, it's good. I think about 3-4" is also the max I'd do on the bahco. Beyond that, each cutting stroke would be frustratingly short. I'd like to find a bahco type saw that has a longer blade/stroke. That's what I like about your buck saw. much more range; though nominally, you're limited in diameter to the distance between the blade and the fulcrum bar of the buck. Technically, twice that, as you can saw from each side before rubbing up aginst the fulcrum bar. Realistically, we're not cutting trees that massive for shelter building or firewood. About the sillkies, I don't have personal experience, but personal friends have confirmed what I see a lot in reviews...it's the better saw, but, is more "brittle" for lack of a better word. The blades are more likely to snap. I'm a bit of a hack with my tools, so the odds I'd overstress a blade are pretty good. I'd probably be a blade-snapper. I don't mean that as a criticism of Silkies. Just that I think Bahco's are more robust, or perhaps "forgiving" is the better term. An extremely well disciplined woodsman could probably use a Silky. No disrepect to them, but, I'll stick with Bahco. ("Dear Silky...it's not you. It's me.") The commando saw looks more like an assassin's weapon than wood tool. I would say though that after notching in the 1" or so you got through, turning 90* and working around the perimeter (while following the existing cut) would mean you're forcing through a thinner material, since it's one-inch narrower than when you began. Go in another inch, then shift around 90* and continue. Notching in 1-inch on four sides means the center segment attaching the block to the stock is signfcantly smaller than when you started. Probably would make short work of it from there. Of course, I'd have grabbed my Bahco to finish it WAY before then.... :-) Thanks for the great review. All the best!

[leahfullmoonmagic]

A great show, and I love your saw that you made it's wonderful. And I know Andy loves his I seen him use it a million times. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do. I've enjoyed watching your shows and you and Andy's.

[morganmeehan]

Very well explained and informative. As you said for the saws "Yeah, I'm quite impressed, really!" So am I with this video!

[SwordGuardian]

The problem with pine needles is that the outside is waxy, which prevents the flavour from getting out. If you chop the needles finer, or give then a little crush, it'll bring out nore flavour. That said, it's still generally underwhelming. :/

Honestly, I've never found a stick that I could cut with a wire saw that I couldn't just snap with my hands or hack with a fixed-blade knife better. Some people said you can use them for snares, but given how inflexible and brittle they are, I doubt their efficacy.

The one use I have found for them, however, is cutting oddly shaped breads and cakes! They don't need any real grit, and the flexibility is certainly more than a bread knife! XD

[mickmoriarty]

My youngest son was a Commando in our Army. I once asked him about the Commando saws and if he was issued with any of them. He looked at me strangely and said "Commandos dont light fires."
Which reminded me of my time in the infantry, we didn't do fires either.
I think the chain type saws would be a PINA on loose bits of wood.
I keep meaning to make a bow saw, but my brain slips into neutral everytime I'm at the hardware store. D'Oh!
Good video, thanks.

[GNZOU]

I myself have a Silky and love it, but from what I've seen of the Laplander I don't have a convincing argument for someone who already has a Laplander to upgrade.
Sure the Silky is faster at cutting, but the Laplander is arguably more durable, and incredibly good value, if you already own one and are happy with it there's no reason to switch.
Don't fix what ain't broke.

[magicdrshoon]

I've got the one with red handles - I was pleasantly surprised with it too. I am going to have to make myself a buck saw. I'll have to revisit the video you've done on it.

Thanks for another great production!

[CoherentChimp]

Interesting and imformative little comparison test. Thanks.

[brettes]

i was once stranded on a beach with no firewood so we cannibalised 2 wooden kayak blades the rest of the kayaking party looked on enviously as they only had on them plastic blades!!
we dried our kit out got warm n toasty
enough then we both used our emergency plastic deck blades to get back home again!!
we made 2 more sets of blades each as replacements at a workshop using laminates that were ace
never gave up my wooden paddles again after that day
valued them
more than any carbon fibre or plastic kevlar blades
etc
as has multiple purposes if in the sthuckk!!

[tsavage]

Very useful Simon have a great one. Cheers

[smd]

Hi Simon. I'm now going to sound like a silky bore. I've seen a few of the other comments on silkys and agree that they are fantastic blades. I've been a gardener and arborist for over twenty years and have used many different saws but always come back to the Japanese saws. Thanks for the video I've always been curious about the handheld chainsaws and after your demo I think I might have to get one. Cheers. Sean.

[threedogsandacamper]

Nice demonstration, I’ve wondered how well those chainsaws work. I guess they’re more efficient because you’re using the power of both arms to cut instead of just one...💪

[Buschpirat]

Ahoi Simon. I am using a Silky Gomboy and recentyl i bought a Agawa Canyon BOREAL21 folding saw. I am very excited to test it. I like that the blades are very cheap compared to the Silky. Greetings from Germany. Azze

[WhiteDwarfVR]

If you haven't already, might want to look into the silky saws. They eat like crazy! Recently used my gomboy to cut through a 14in Fallen Eastern red cedar. Took some doing, but They definitely punch above their weight class.

[njrm]

excellent info, very handy to know, think i will get some of these and keep in my truck and pack. Thank you Simon you may be a life saver and not know