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


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

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 to view media files and links)

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.

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


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.