I am partial to a good saw. Very handy and not just for firewood. Once on the Tim river in Algonquin we were able to cut some branches on a fallen tree that spanned the river in order to load up in a substantially safer manner after dragging the boat across.

I also like the saw when trying to set the tarp......can come into play very easily.

I can't remember who turned me onto the Big Boy silky saw which I currently own and love BTW (Prouboy I think). But with a 14" blade it can be a bit overkill unless you are cutting for a group or basecamping.

The f180 seems ideal for solo use. 7" super hi-tech blade (as in dangerous sharp) folding handle and at .5lb it is more attractive than its larger cousin. There is also a new silky product out as well.......Pocketboy........It has a 6.750" blade and 1oz heavier but looks like a better handle design. I am destined to get one or the other.........hmmmm?

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I like a good saw as well.  We've carried the   (You need to Login or Register with us for a few years now.

PhantomJug wrote on Apr 12^th, 2012 at 1:43am:

I like a good saw as well.  We've carried the   (You need to Login or Register with us for a few years now.

I like the length of that saw and the price. I have owned and liked fiskars stuff in the past.

A side note of interest (at least it was to me  :) ). The .6lb weight of the pocketboy included clear plastic case that mounts on belt. The real weight of the saw is .35lb operating weight. Since it folds very nicely no case needed. I was impressed with the locking mechanism of the Big Boy and this looks comparable.

I have carried a Gerber Sports saw for years. Blade retracts into handle and it fits in my pocket.  Menards sell the same saw with another name.  I have one of each and they are the same except for the name.   (You need to Login or Register

Quote:

The .6lb weight of the pocketboy included clear plastic case that mounts on belt.

Little things do add up. :-?
You get much more items on your MT utility belt, it's going to need it's own PFD. ;D

On a serious note, a good saw and small splitting axe/hatchet is worth it's weight come a few days of wet weather and the fallen wood is soaked thru. Being able to cut/split into the heartwood and having a nice fire rather than a smoky, hard to keep tended fire is the difference between a warm fireside experience and lot of frustration.

Best camping saw I've ever used, bar none:
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Somebody actually took the time to figure this out.  It acts and feels like a full size bow saw but folds away quickly and easily with no loose parts to lose.  Brilliant.
I don't like hatchets, I think they're dangerous and pretty useless.  Much better, for safety and utility, to carry an axe IMO.

I would agree Kerry.  We made these style saws for our backpacking and canoeing trips while I was in Scouts.  You may not need a saw and hatchet to find good firewood, unless of course it's been raining for several days. 

Kerry wrote on Apr 12^th, 2012 at 5:31pm:

I don't like hatchets, I think they're dangerous and pretty useless.  Much better, for safety and utility, to carry an axe IMO.

Kerry,
I think your really missing it here IMHO.

I guess an axe is all well and good if you are without a stove and plan to make lots of fires in any and all conditions. Or if you are base camping or running a river or on a lengthy trip of several months where a good full size ax would be more of a requirement.

I have a gransfors hatchet that is quite the tool. I basically use it for splitting wood and at 1lb it is reasonable to carry if I plan to make a fair amount of fires. Where people get the misconception that hatchets are dangerous is when people start swinging them. That is a no-no. I lay the hatchet on top of my saw cut limb and then use another limb as a hammer of sorts to split. Works like a charm.

I learned this from Cliff Jacobson who teaches this to high school students that he takes to BWCA. He says he has never had an injury in many years following this method. It is demonstrated in his vid "forgotten skills". I have learned several helpful things from him and gladly credit him.    

Reading this discussion, it apparent to me that

1) there are lots of good saws out there and
2) the prettiest girl at the ball is always the one you take.

:)

prouboy

A saw is essential imo.  For all the above reasons.  Firewood, trail/route maintenance, & repairs.

I pack a folding saw; have used Fiskars & Buck models.  I prefer the Buck, it's sturdier.  I bent the Fiskars blade by using it to saw wood.

A great home project is a collapsible saw.

I realize that not all bucksaws are equal.......I have this one and really liked it.......good engineering and the weight is peerless.

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That being said..........The 14" (blade) Big boy from silky was clearly superior in actual usage IMHO. Super sharp, fast cutting and very little in the way of "binding" issues. I am hoping for the same satisfaction from the pocketboy which I'll take when I'm solo. We'll see.........

Quote:

I have a gransfors hatchet that is quite the tool. I basically use it for splitting wood and at 1lb it is reasonable to carry if I plan to make a fair amount of fires. Where people get the misconception that hatchets are dangerous is when people start swinging them. That is a no-no. I lay the hatchet on top of my saw cut limb and then use another limb as a hammer of sorts to split. Works like a charm.

I came up with that "idea" after seeing my old tripping buddies dull every hatchet/kindling axe they ever took by beating it into the ground or rocks. Once one of them made a big gash in their boot doing it.
I believe we even had a POD that "appeared" to show someone splitting wood by holding the log with one hand and using the hatchet to job instead of as a splitter.

Almost mentioned it, but figured if may of just been the angle of the shot :-/

Cliff is a smart guy and has a common sense approach to things.

Well, well
The pocketboy has arrived.

This will definitely be my go-to saw on solo trips. It does have a little heft to it (as with most good tools) but I like the size. Should be able to handle 3" branches. The blade is freaky sharp. Make one false move with this thing and it will certainly lay you open.

Locking mechanism similar to the big boy. Very satisfied. If a bear ever wanted to drag a pack off I would have to put a bandana on and smear some war paint on my cheeks as I couldn't afford to let it go  ;D. Certainly a disadvantage to getting quality......don't feel like you can afford to lose it. 

Hey MT, let me know how the PocketBoy compares to the BigBoy.  I may have to trade up.  I like the colored handle!  It matches my hat...   ::)

prouboy