Holiday cheer at Widsnow.com includes saw testing. Ace model in use, Fiskars on snow to left.
It’s not the Ultimate Ski Quiver — just a handful of saws. Nonetheless it is surprising how many backcountry skiers use pruning saws for various purposes. Most sled skiers I know carry one to remove smaller downed trees that block winter trails, and yearly Christmas tree and wreath gathering requires tooling. (Check local rules and regulations and if necessary acquire firewood, Christmas tree or “defensible space clearing” permits before unfolding your saw on public land.)
We’ve got a few saws kicking around here. Did some recent Christmas tree cutting, thought a review would be fun.
We tested three retractable-folding pruning saws. From left to right: 'GardenPlus' from Lowe's, Fiskars from a hardware store, and a big folder from Ace that has a curved blade and knuckle protector.
The saw from Lowe’s is too flimsy and the teeth are too small. It’s heavy as well at 8.6 ounces even though it has the shortest blade of our testers.
The long bladed offering from Ace looks good when you’re shopping, but disappoints. We saw no real reason for the knuckle protection and resulting bulk when folded. More importantly, it cut less effectively than we expected. Adding insult, 10 ounces is too much mass for a saw with just a 10 inch blade.
Fiskars can be set to shortened blade length as shown here, or full 10 inches.
Clear winner is the Fiskars. The 10 inch blade quickly slides in and out of the handle (no fumbling with folding) and locks securely with a threaded knob. More importantly, it cut better than the other two saws and is the lightest of the bunch at 6.9 ounces. Three thumbs up.
If you’re looking for Christmas gifts, this could be a nice one for the backcountry guy or girl. (New version as shown in Amazon link has a “carabiner” type hang clip which is actually pretty nice and adds little to no weight.)
Fiskars retracts to a nice form factor for packing.
24 comments
Thank you for the idea, I know what I’m getting my woodsman for Xmas. Cheers!
I have had one of these folding saws from SOG for a few years and love it!
http://sogknives.com/store/F10.html
I have used the G3 Bonesaw a lot for utting helicopter LZ’s and doing snowpit work. It is a great saw. It cuts quickly, smoothly, is long, has a good sheath cover and is light. I like it a lot better the my older SOS folding saw, that looks like the ACE saw in your photos.
When it comes to pruning saws, there’s Silky and then there’s all the rest. I like the red Pocektboy for portability. Lots of length and tooth size options, great designs, superb quality.
http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Folding-Straight_2
I prefer the classic sven saw. It takes a minute to put together, but cuts well.
http://www.svensaw.com/
Hey now you’re making it confusing. 🙂 But good to hear the feedback in case I can’t find a particular one.
Clydes right. Silky is the best by a wide margin. That said, Fiskars are great as well. Off topic, but if you heat with wood and don’t own a Fiskars x27 splitting axe, I pity you. They’re awesome.
Stay away from the ACE model. I’ve broken a couple. They have a life-time guarantee, but they are also very under-designed. A small piece of plastic that acts as a stop when the blade is open fails. Of course I’ve used mine to cut 18″ diameter dead lodge pole (repeatedly) – but still.
I prefer Fiskars 18″ fixed blade. About 27oz. The blade could be shaper, but it can get after real trees.
This is what I love about WildSnow…..Lou could post a review of convenience store coffee, and it would still generate spirited debate!
Another vote for Silky – pay attention to teeth-per-inch number though, higher numbers are great for shaping exotic landscaping, lowest number better for BC hacking. That said, the “Gerber Exchange a blade – folding saw” is what’s normally in my pack. It’s packaged with two blades one coarse & one fine.
I also have this in the car/canoe camp bin as it easily handles bigger material but still folds to a surprisingly small size – it’s harder to find though. http://www.knifecenter.com/item/GB000232/Gerber-Double-Joint-Folding-Gator-Saw-13-inch-Blade-Fold-In-Handle
The best one i’ve used for many years is the STHILL pruning saw (foldable). Around 30$, it is deadly sharp. You can cut trough a 6″ tree in a couple of minute. Pine trees are cut in a few seconds. The only negative point is that it canot be sharpen.
we used 3 of those 6 ” Fiskar saws on 1133 trees in the ” juveniles in the understory” research project, each tree was done twice for the D10 sample and the saws are bomber enough that we can still use them in comparison to a folding saw I bought last year which failed at the joint …the weak link IME
I like the 6″ saw for my hill saw because it fits in a coat pocket so if I am lapping an area and see a branch in the wrong place it is more likely be corrected if I have the saw handy
Hmm, I think I know who XXX_er is based on that comment ;). I like longer fixed blades that double as snow pit saw, Silkly is my current, although I use the fiskar too in the summer when I don’t need snow pit length.
There are saws and then there are saws. Lou’s selection of pruning saws all appeared to be the Japaneese style, which cuts on the pull stroke. Avoid the North American/ European style saws that cut on the push stroke, as they bind more often.
Fiskar or similar light saws double as elk pelvis bone splitters.
This is the saw you want if you know you will be cutting real trees. Two guys alternating can get through a 12″ tree in a few minutes.http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Folding-Curved_2/Bigboy-2000-XL-Teeth
It is more of a sled/moto tool though
Seconded on the Silky Bigboy John mentions above. Did some trail clearing work this summer with a friend. He had the big boy, I brought a fiskars. After a few minutes, I put mine away and just helped clear after his cuts. No point in using the dinky little saw. A longer saw cuts so much faster and easier, not to mention it can take on larger diameters.
If you really want to get stuff cleared:
http://www.silkysaws.com/Silky_Saws/Wood-Working-Saws/KATANABOY-with-500-extra-large-teeth
Of course, if you’re just pruning, I guess the fiskars will work.
I got one from Stanley that uses sawzall blades. I like that because it allows you to choose the type of blade you want to use, and replacement blades are easy to get. It folds and has storage in the handle for blades up to 6″ long (and that is the longest blade that will fold into the handle). It weighs under half a pound on my cheap scale.
This saw is on the lighter duty end of the scale, but has held up to light use by me for several years. As XXX’er pointed out, it is great to carry in your pocket for unplanned pruning.
John, I’ve got one of those sawzall blade saws as well. The problem with them is you’re using a blade designed for lots of power, but trying to do it with arm muscle. They work, but the saws designed for hand cutting work much better. Just an FYI. For moderate cutting of smaller stuff, anything works.
“moderate cutting of smaller stuff” Yup, that’s what I do with it. I can see that that’s not what most people here are talking about.
Lou, I have Coghlan’s sierra saw it’s a dandy, light, durable, very sharp, secure blade lock and not very expensive, can be had around these parts (PNW) for 12 or 15 dollars. Handles all manner of sawing job, from wood to bone.
I’ve been using a Tashiro Zeta Folding Pocket Saw for my backcountry exploits (www.tashirohardware.com). The handle is interchangable with other high end Japanese rip, fine joint, timber, flush cut, hacksaw and a variety of other
blades suitable for the Monday morning million dollar McMansion construction work scene. Only one broken blade and much abuse!
Lou – are you wearing XTRA Tuffs? THE standard boot for all southeast Alaskans?
I have to add to Nick and John posts that the Silky Bigboy is one of the only folding saw that can double as a snowpit saw. Very recommended.
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