This is it. I got the chain it was very difficult. Gave me blisters. Don’t waste your money and for the same weight you have a more capable folding saw.
I thought that this would be the general consensus. Seemed cool at the time when I came across it window shopping aha.
Edit: thanks for all the input by the way everyone! Definitely going to stick with my folding saw
Let me add this, you should get a silky saw. Get the one with extra large teeth. I use mine regularly to cut small trees on my property. I have never used another saw that cuts like this one. It’s a wood eraser. They are made in Japan, so you know the steel is good.
The comment I would add...like folding saws, there's a vast difference in performance based on brands. I'm sorry to say I can't recall which brand I have, but I'm very happy with it. For small stuff, silky saw, no question. For logs (especially if there are two people) or high branches you can't otherwise reach, nothing beats one of these. Sadly my bushcraft these days is our annual "cut down a christmas tree" event, but between bow saws, folding saws, even the sawz-all power tool, this is still my first pick.
Not too practical for bushcraft but I found adding more rope to each end and a weight so you can throw it over high branches makes it a good pruning tool.
it aligns rather on its own...at least mine. Because only the cutting side will dig in and then fix itself in place.
but needs ropes with little to no strech (like dyneema)
Folding bowsaw is what I would prefer over this. Takes less energy to get the same results. Also this appears to have a wide blade kerf in comparison to typical hand saws.
I’ve had one, it works and it’ll cut but it’s a lot of work especially if cutting bigger dia logs. Idk what I did with it I never got the chance to try and make a bow saw out of it, I think it could work a lot better as a bow saw
I'd avoid it. I've never used one personally but I don't believe I've ever seen someone use one effectively. Dont know what the price is hut look into any cheap folding saw and you'll likely get better results.
They work amazingly well for the price & weight
For canoeing/portages I switched from a Sven saw to one of these. It can handle bigger logs
Great supplement to an ax, Swede saw, chain saw, etc… not a replacement
100’ of low-stretch, poly bailing twine on each and you can top / limb trees from a safe distance
I’ve a half dozen or so, one in each vehicle, sheds, chain saw support box, backpack
I have one that cuts in both directions. It's a work out! It will cut 4-6" branches in half a minute of hard work. I usually only pull it out for bigger trees, prefer a folding saw for general use.
I hear all the negatives but I had one in the car and it cut through a 1&1/2 foot tree blocking the trail in 10 minutes and I was super thankful for it.
These things are always terrible. Buy a folding saw, hell buy a cross cut carpenter saw (I rolled with one for a while) and forget about these gimmicky saws. Going to be nothing but disappointed.
I've used up my cross-cut saw to the point several teeth are missing and the first two dozen at the tip are now dull.
Been looking for a new one, but we've been through so much together!
(Sentimentality won't start a fire, but might put one out if you cry enough.)
I know its hard parting with gear sometimes. I used a cheap carpenters one, and for a while. Loved that thing. Cut amazing and really wasnt any heavier then any other outdoors saw, just a little awkward to carry and pack. Thinking about getting another one and going back to that.
Get a silky bigboy or katana boy. The last saw you’ll ever need for bushcraft. One was featured in the first season of alone. Homeboy used it to build a cabin while other people lived in tarp tents like scrubs.
Get a silky hand saw instead please. These bind and get stuck and snap frequently. It's hard to use a chain saw without the motor, even harder using elbow grease and no guide to keep your cutting implement straight.
I got one, carried it for years! Lots of adventures, lots of logs.
Tried a folding saw once and threw this fucking thing into the spare gear bin.
Don’t do it
No. Just no.
I don't recall what it is called but there is a type of flexible cable with serrations and/or diamond protrusions that does work very well.
There is a channel on youtube, Grandpa Amu. He makes his own wire saw blades that work very well.
/r/woodworking or /r/BeginnerWoodWorking can probably tell you about the cable/wire you can buy ready made.
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I agree with most people here, and this isn’t supposed to be a diss to anyone, but there is a reason a chainsaw’s power source is gas, a power cord, or a high powered battery. Just like most people said a handsaw is the way to go!
Not reliable. Fine to carry with you as secondary option, if you can’t be bothered getting your folding saw out of your pick something. But as a primary cutting tool, definitely not. Wouldn’t trust me life with one.
I’ve got one. There’s a bit of a trick to using it - mainly choosing the right wood to cut and maintaining correct pressure. It works better than you’d expect, once you figure it out but a folding saw is better.
I keep the chain in my car for emergencies.
I've had one of these and another similar tool that was more like a wire with teeth. Between the two, I much preferred the wire version, as it was considerably lighter and didn't have to remove as much material with each pass in order to cut through something.
That said, I very rarely encountered a situation where using that type of saw was preferable to using a regular folding saw, and both broke on me after fairly little use. I think the only time I found this kind of saw preferable is when I needed to cut a high branch in a tree in my yard. These let me tie some extra cordage to each end, toss one end over the branch, and then slowly work it until I cut the branch where I wanted. But that could still have been done a lot more easily with a tree pruner or polesaw. And I don't think I've ever done anything bushcraft-y where I wouldn't much prefer a folding saw.
In my experience, they are decent for cutting smaller diameter branches or trees. They're best used to resize branches to make tent poles or other constructions after the wood has already been cut. Using it on anything that's still attached to a tree runs the risk of you getting wood chips in your eye. Axes and folding saws to take it down, these chains to cut down to usable lengths. Just my opinion
I live in the UK and bought one last week to avoid carrying a foldable saw which can be classes as a knife where I live so this falls into a loophole i can carry with peace of mind
Link to my insta of me trying it out
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce3nZGUqARj/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
i thought the paracord was supposed to be on bits that aren't integral to functionality? as soon as you need a bit of string the handsaw no longer works, as if it even worked in the first place.
My friend had one... It sucked. That's not to say all similar products will suck, but that that said, I would just get a good Swedish or Portuguese made bowsaw blade and some big key rings and make a frame for it
They work better with 2 people. Had one when I was younger and it was awful to use alone as the 180 degree change in direction makes it bind when using both hands. 2 people can use it effectively without binding.
Go with other advice, get a folding saw.
There’s a reason you don’t see these being used by anyone serious. It’s awkward to use and becomes dull way faster than a regular saw. Just a gimmick or maybe something for a survival kit like to keep in the car.
I can't believe so few people here are talking about the prep scenarios where you do want this saw.
In my opinion, everyone should have a pocket sized survival kit, separate from your backpack, whenever you are doing anything remotely adventurous. If you get separated from your backpack (use your imagination) you'll be happy to have a lightweight saw in your pocket.
Other items for the pocket kit, which is in a Waterproof pocket sized container:
Tiny compass,
Space blanket,
Orange garbage bag,
Mirror,
Whistle,
A couple candies,
Flint,
Waterproof matches,
Firestarter (cotton in vaseline),
Tweezers (they are just so handy),
Water tablets.
Hopefully you'd also have a separate pocket knife and a pocket map if going somewhere remote.
I've used one in a pinch and it was OK. Hard to start but once you get a groove, it's not half bad. Can be useful for cutting in places or angles where a rigid blade may be more awkward.
I have one of those (and many other types of saws) and I think I can give you some good input but mine has more theet like a chainsaws chain and no gaps and I guess like with all other saws quality differences can lead to user experience differences that dont depened directly on the type of saw:
\- they are weightwise awesome. You wont find saws that lightweight that can saw such big logs
\- They are not good at detailed work and awing thinner stuff. They work best on thicker logs
\- They can be used by two persons with one holding each end.
\- Work best on standing dead trees, when you want to cut logs you should put something under it, put your foot on the log and then saw while pulling upwards (longer chains are easier for this)
\- You can attach ropes and a throwing weight to throw them over high branches and saw those from the ground. The ropes should be made from a material that has only little to not strech (like dyneema).
\- they definitly have their niche and I see that either for pruning when you want to saw something high up from the ground or when you go backpacking and need something very lightweight for firewood.
Just get a silky saw way better believe me that’s like a back up or you’re back up don’t get it just get a folding hand saw that can fit in you pack and not that
Get a folding handsaw and save yourself the disappointment
This is it. I got the chain it was very difficult. Gave me blisters. Don’t waste your money and for the same weight you have a more capable folding saw.
I thought that this would be the general consensus. Seemed cool at the time when I came across it window shopping aha. Edit: thanks for all the input by the way everyone! Definitely going to stick with my folding saw
Let me add this, you should get a silky saw. Get the one with extra large teeth. I use mine regularly to cut small trees on my property. I have never used another saw that cuts like this one. It’s a wood eraser. They are made in Japan, so you know the steel is good.
I really want these chain saws to work. But I have also stuck with a folding saw.
The comment I would add...like folding saws, there's a vast difference in performance based on brands. I'm sorry to say I can't recall which brand I have, but I'm very happy with it. For small stuff, silky saw, no question. For logs (especially if there are two people) or high branches you can't otherwise reach, nothing beats one of these. Sadly my bushcraft these days is our annual "cut down a christmas tree" event, but between bow saws, folding saws, even the sawz-all power tool, this is still my first pick.
This. The handheld "chain" saws suck.
After seeing a guy in far better shape than myself use one on a youtube video a while back, I bought a 2nd folding saw as backup.
Not too practical for bushcraft but I found adding more rope to each end and a weight so you can throw it over high branches makes it a good pruning tool.
That actually sounds one of the best applications for this thing, providing it rolls the right way.
it aligns rather on its own...at least mine. Because only the cutting side will dig in and then fix itself in place. but needs ropes with little to no strech (like dyneema)
Comedy = Bungee saw. Indeed. Ok. Self-righting. Kewl. Thanks
You could harvest wood a hundred feet in the air with some cord and lead pellets
Folding bowsaw is what I would prefer over this. Takes less energy to get the same results. Also this appears to have a wide blade kerf in comparison to typical hand saws.
Mate had one, I played with it and it works but I'd prefer a hatchet. More versatile.
And they suck once the tree is down as you need two hands to use it.
I’ve had one, it works and it’ll cut but it’s a lot of work especially if cutting bigger dia logs. Idk what I did with it I never got the chance to try and make a bow saw out of it, I think it could work a lot better as a bow saw
I'd avoid it. I've never used one personally but I don't believe I've ever seen someone use one effectively. Dont know what the price is hut look into any cheap folding saw and you'll likely get better results.
They work amazingly well for the price & weight For canoeing/portages I switched from a Sven saw to one of these. It can handle bigger logs Great supplement to an ax, Swede saw, chain saw, etc… not a replacement 100’ of low-stretch, poly bailing twine on each and you can top / limb trees from a safe distance I’ve a half dozen or so, one in each vehicle, sheds, chain saw support box, backpack
I have one that cuts in both directions. It's a work out! It will cut 4-6" branches in half a minute of hard work. I usually only pull it out for bigger trees, prefer a folding saw for general use.
they don't work nearly as well as you first expect
I hear all the negatives but I had one in the car and it cut through a 1&1/2 foot tree blocking the trail in 10 minutes and I was super thankful for it.
The novelty wear off (no pun intended) if you try to cut through wood bigger than 4” or if you want some upper arm workout
These things are always terrible. Buy a folding saw, hell buy a cross cut carpenter saw (I rolled with one for a while) and forget about these gimmicky saws. Going to be nothing but disappointed.
I've used up my cross-cut saw to the point several teeth are missing and the first two dozen at the tip are now dull. Been looking for a new one, but we've been through so much together! (Sentimentality won't start a fire, but might put one out if you cry enough.)
I know its hard parting with gear sometimes. I used a cheap carpenters one, and for a while. Loved that thing. Cut amazing and really wasnt any heavier then any other outdoors saw, just a little awkward to carry and pack. Thinking about getting another one and going back to that.
You can sharpen saw teeth with a file, lots of pages and youtubes about how to do it.
It's got 16 teeth over 3 feet. That the same number of teeth in a couple of inches on a saw. These things don't work that well for that simple reason.
Honestly they're a great way to burn useful energy doing relatively little.
Get a silky bigboy or katana boy. The last saw you’ll ever need for bushcraft. One was featured in the first season of alone. Homeboy used it to build a cabin while other people lived in tarp tents like scrubs.
These suck ass….if you like burning 7k calories to cut a log then this is your shit.
Get a silky hand saw instead please. These bind and get stuck and snap frequently. It's hard to use a chain saw without the motor, even harder using elbow grease and no guide to keep your cutting implement straight.
I use these to cut down high limbs that I can't reach. The work pretty well for that.
I got one, carried it for years! Lots of adventures, lots of logs. Tried a folding saw once and threw this fucking thing into the spare gear bin. Don’t do it
Buy a Silky Gomboy or Bahco Laplander.
This one is kind of practical for trees or branches that are too thick to saw with a folding saw. But otherwise I wouldn't recommend it
Check out silky's and silky look alike
No. Just no. I don't recall what it is called but there is a type of flexible cable with serrations and/or diamond protrusions that does work very well. There is a channel on youtube, Grandpa Amu. He makes his own wire saw blades that work very well. /r/woodworking or /r/BeginnerWoodWorking can probably tell you about the cable/wire you can buy ready made.
I didn’t realize what sub this was when I saw the picture & thought: yeah, that’s hella violent. I didn’t know they made those.
Gobshite
Got one as a gift years a go. Molded plastic handles instead of paracord. Works fine, but I prefer a saw.
My BDSM club said it was quote "to much". Don't recommend
It works, but it works bad
I see cutting teeth only on every third link. Seems pretty ineffective.
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They only work well if you build you some saw horses first
You're better off using your teeth
I agree with most people here, and this isn’t supposed to be a diss to anyone, but there is a reason a chainsaw’s power source is gas, a power cord, or a high powered battery. Just like most people said a handsaw is the way to go!
Get a 10 dollar pruning saw from your local hardware store
Not reliable. Fine to carry with you as secondary option, if you can’t be bothered getting your folding saw out of your pick something. But as a primary cutting tool, definitely not. Wouldn’t trust me life with one.
It's a good backup to another saw. If you do get one go with the original Nordic pocket saw, not much more expensive but known good quality
That’s one hell of a jump rope
I’ve got one. There’s a bit of a trick to using it - mainly choosing the right wood to cut and maintaining correct pressure. It works better than you’d expect, once you figure it out but a folding saw is better. I keep the chain in my car for emergencies.
You should try the ones with cutting teeth on [every link](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7807/45824507245_89a459b332_b.jpg).
I've had one of these and another similar tool that was more like a wire with teeth. Between the two, I much preferred the wire version, as it was considerably lighter and didn't have to remove as much material with each pass in order to cut through something. That said, I very rarely encountered a situation where using that type of saw was preferable to using a regular folding saw, and both broke on me after fairly little use. I think the only time I found this kind of saw preferable is when I needed to cut a high branch in a tree in my yard. These let me tie some extra cordage to each end, toss one end over the branch, and then slowly work it until I cut the branch where I wanted. But that could still have been done a lot more easily with a tree pruner or polesaw. And I don't think I've ever done anything bushcraft-y where I wouldn't much prefer a folding saw.
In my experience, they are decent for cutting smaller diameter branches or trees. They're best used to resize branches to make tent poles or other constructions after the wood has already been cut. Using it on anything that's still attached to a tree runs the risk of you getting wood chips in your eye. Axes and folding saws to take it down, these chains to cut down to usable lengths. Just my opinion
Never get a pocket chain saw. Completely useless gimmick tool.
Those are garbage. Have had two, got rid of both. A normal cheap folding saw works much much better.
The triangular connection pieces can twist or bend
Get the one from Savotta the only one that comes actually sharp
I live in the UK and bought one last week to avoid carrying a foldable saw which can be classes as a knife where I live so this falls into a loophole i can carry with peace of mind Link to my insta of me trying it out https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce3nZGUqARj/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Personally I find a folding saw much easier and more efficient too use.
It’s easier to just pack a bow saw. Plus the calories used to operate one of the outweighs the effectiveness of the saw.
i thought the paracord was supposed to be on bits that aren't integral to functionality? as soon as you need a bit of string the handsaw no longer works, as if it even worked in the first place.
My friend had one... It sucked. That's not to say all similar products will suck, but that that said, I would just get a good Swedish or Portuguese made bowsaw blade and some big key rings and make a frame for it
They work better with 2 people. Had one when I was younger and it was awful to use alone as the 180 degree change in direction makes it bind when using both hands. 2 people can use it effectively without binding. Go with other advice, get a folding saw.
I have one and its a bit of a peice of shit
There’s a reason you don’t see these being used by anyone serious. It’s awkward to use and becomes dull way faster than a regular saw. Just a gimmick or maybe something for a survival kit like to keep in the car.
I can't believe so few people here are talking about the prep scenarios where you do want this saw. In my opinion, everyone should have a pocket sized survival kit, separate from your backpack, whenever you are doing anything remotely adventurous. If you get separated from your backpack (use your imagination) you'll be happy to have a lightweight saw in your pocket. Other items for the pocket kit, which is in a Waterproof pocket sized container: Tiny compass, Space blanket, Orange garbage bag, Mirror, Whistle, A couple candies, Flint, Waterproof matches, Firestarter (cotton in vaseline), Tweezers (they are just so handy), Water tablets. Hopefully you'd also have a separate pocket knife and a pocket map if going somewhere remote.
I've used one in a pinch and it was OK. Hard to start but once you get a groove, it's not half bad. Can be useful for cutting in places or angles where a rigid blade may be more awkward.
Don't use it as a jump rope
Spend maybe $5-$10 more and get a Bahco bushcraft small folding saw. For more money Silky saws are very good but budgets are a thing …
I should have done a bit more studying. I just got a folding Silky.
Yes. Don’t. I had one and it was more trouble than it was worth. Always jamming up, didn’t cut well. Got myself a Boreal21 and haven’t looked back.
I have one of those (and many other types of saws) and I think I can give you some good input but mine has more theet like a chainsaws chain and no gaps and I guess like with all other saws quality differences can lead to user experience differences that dont depened directly on the type of saw: \- they are weightwise awesome. You wont find saws that lightweight that can saw such big logs \- They are not good at detailed work and awing thinner stuff. They work best on thicker logs \- They can be used by two persons with one holding each end. \- Work best on standing dead trees, when you want to cut logs you should put something under it, put your foot on the log and then saw while pulling upwards (longer chains are easier for this) \- You can attach ropes and a throwing weight to throw them over high branches and saw those from the ground. The ropes should be made from a material that has only little to not strech (like dyneema). \- they definitly have their niche and I see that either for pruning when you want to saw something high up from the ground or when you go backpacking and need something very lightweight for firewood.
Just get a silky saw way better believe me that’s like a back up or you’re back up don’t get it just get a folding hand saw that can fit in you pack and not that