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Lightweight backpack saw.
Lightweight backpack saw.
There are several silky saws but no Gomboy 300. Why ?
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Folding saws... in ultralight... Lulz. No proper ultralight backpacker would bring a folding saw. That's not ultralight. This belongs in outdoors. For the record, I am NOT an ultralight backpacker. I am interested in trying it out, but that involves fully understanding the philosophy and methodology of ultralight. The first and easiest step to get into ultralight is to leave gear at home. Things like saws, axes, KNIVES. People love there knives. I love my knives. I always bring a knife camping, I rarely NEED it. Leave the fixed blades and large folders at home if you want to try ultralight!
Base camping, canoeing, car camping, heavyweight backpacking and living in rural areas are all GREAT things, but they are NOT ultralight backpacking. Folding saws, leathermans and axes do not belong in ultralight. Most folding knives do not belong in ultralight. And for anyone who thinks you NEED a fire, you don't. You WANT a fire. Nothing wrong with that. I love campfires, and are all for it, but the ultralight section should cater to the true minimalist ultralight hikers. Remember, the lightest item is the one you don't bring!!!
I do not disapprove of this discussion, or argue the usefulness of these saw when you need to cut some wood, but if you are out in the wilderness, true back country, you should not be cutting down trees, and have no need to burn anything you can't break by hand.
Fully understand the ultralight movement before you jump on board. It is not for everyone. Thru hikers spend very little time "in camp" and most the time on the move. The trail becomes your campsite. Where you sleep is simply where you sleep. You bring only what you need, and you never, ever NEED a folding saw, even for safety. Your clothing, sleep system and shelter and skills will keep you alive (and comfortable) in any conditions, as long as you are properly prepared.
Again, I love all sorts of outdoor recreation, and am not trying to knock these saws, this discussion, or heavier style camping. I am just trying to clarify what ultralight truly means to those who fully embrace it. And suggest Massdrop not post folding saws in Ultralight. Okay rant over.
Base camping, canoeing, car camping, heavyweight backpacking and living in rural areas are all GREAT things, but they are NOT ultralight backpacking. Folding saws, leathermans and axes do not belong in ultralight. Most folding knives do not belong in ultralight. And for anyone who thinks you NEED a fire, you don't. You WANT a fire. Nothing wrong with that. I love campfires, and are all for it, but the ultralight section should cater to the true minimalist ultralight hikers. Remember, the lightest item is the one you don't bring!!!
I do not disapprove of this discussion, or argue the usefulness of these saw when you need to cut some wood, but if you are out in the wilderness, true back country, you should not be cutting down trees, and have no need to burn anything you can't break by hand.
Fully understand the ultralight movement before you jump on board. It is not for everyone. Thru hikers spend very little time "in camp" and most the time on the move. The trail becomes your campsite. Where you sleep is simply where you sleep. You bring only what you need, and you never, ever NEED a folding saw, even for safety. Your clothing, sleep system and shelter and skills will keep you alive (and comfortable) in any conditions, as long as you are properly prepared.
Again, I love all sorts of outdoor recreation, and am not trying to knock these saws, this discussion, or heavier style camping. I am just trying to clarify what ultralight truly means to those who fully embrace it. And suggest Massdrop not post folding saws in Ultralight. Okay rant over.
For me, it depends on the use really. For ONLY processing wood, then my nod goes to Silky saws. (Unless you get one with fine or extra fine teeth, which detracts from their amazing speed) The Ultra Accel for me is their top of the line in folding saws that still fits with being compact enough for most haversacks, day packs, and even some pockets like on Carhardt dungarees. The big boy 2000 is amazing but best suited to larger packs, canoe/boat, or vehicle carry. But... For cutting other material such as bone, ice, ABS & PVC pipe, etc, the medium and coarse Silky teeth are prone to damage. The Laplander will cut bone and most other materials except metal without damage, and saws like the Wyoming, Dustrude, etc can be carried with extra blades for different materials, as well as replacement blades of any tooth pattern for a frame type saw are a fraction of the cost of a Silky replacement blade. They often fit without any issue in the folded up configuration of the saw with little weight penalty which makes them very versatile. Just things to consider if you are looking for a saw for a survival kit, bug out bag, general use, or other uses that may task it on materials other than wood.
Of the folding saws I've seen, the Silky GOMBOY 240 Medium (not Large) Teeth seems to be the best option. The Laplander is apparently a great saw, but the longer Gomboy cuts faster (although the Laplander might be more durable). The Big Boy is too long for backpacking. And, the large teeth requires more effort (and is better for larger trees/logs) than the medium teeth.
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No Boreal 21?
Coming at these products with the mentality of a ultralight/minimalist backpacker..
After a few days of research, I'm really hoping for the GOMBOY 240 IMO it is one of if not the best in terms of weight/strength/size
Albeit the Bigboy 2000 is fantastic, its getting to be too tall and a tad too heavy to justify the additional teeth.
After a few days of research, I'm really hoping for the GOMBOY 240 IMO it is one of if not the best in terms of weight/strength/size
Albeit the Bigboy 2000 is fantastic, its getting to be too tall and a tad too heavy to justify the additional teeth.
I see you are very passionate about the subject. But what you are failing to see is people's use outside of your own. Not everybody is just going on a hike, where obviously you don't need to bring wood processing materials.. One day you may find yourself with a bit of remote property. One day you may like to live on that property. Lots of 4-10" thick deadfall to be processed. If your going up there to work the land your going to need a saw.
A saw is a situational tool. When your going on a trip where it will be beneficial, bring it. If it wont be, don't. Simple. UL is also deciding to use a strong but light weight collapsible saw over using a chainsaw..
I see and understand the point you are attempting to make. But it doesn't apply here, your just making yourself look ignorant.
A saw is a situational tool. When your going on a trip where it will be beneficial, bring it. If it wont be, don't. Simple. UL is also deciding to use a strong but light weight collapsible saw over using a chainsaw..
I see and understand the point you are attempting to make. But it doesn't apply here, your just making yourself look ignorant.
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WholeWheaticus
I don't care if you want to see a collapsible saw drop on massdrops. And sure a collapsible saw is a much lighter option than a chainsaw, but saying someone wouldn't last in northern canada without a fire is completely false. You weren't talking about processing wood on private land previously, what I said is completely in context to hiking remote areas in less than ideal conditions. I just don't think a saw is a common tool needed by most people who are ultra-light backpackers, its probably one of the top 3 items I'd tell a backpacker to give up on their move to ultra light. Whatever your use for it is, thats fine and that's up to your own judgement, but in the most standard case of what most ultralight backpackers are doing this item is something I don't find extremely useful in this community. In the most extreme climates on earth people do not have fires. There is always proper apparel to deal with the climate you're going into. Say you want to have a fire when you backpack, or you want to have a bushcraft approach to camping/backpacking/outdoors recreation, so be it, but that's not what comes to mind when most people describe ultralight.
4557
Great poll! thanks for starting this @aFallenTree
I added the norwegian saw Saga. I've used it a few years and love it. Not as quick as other foldable saws, but rigid once put together. And it's also a bit deeper making it easier to cut thicker logs (really hard on the triangle shaped saws). Easy to bring a spare blade, everything fits within the tubes.
Jump to 0:44
Jump to 0:44
Looked at reviews of all models I have listed. Out of these I found the "Bigboy 2000" to be the best lightweight pack saw. Let me know what you think.
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aFallenTree
I think anything in excess of the 240 is ridiculously large for backpacking. I carry a Pocketboy 130 most of the time.
billc
I can agree this is a very large saw and would not suite every scenario. Although I base my pick off of many occasions where I needed to drop a tree which could not otherwise be handled by the smaller models. For example, clearing a trail which as a large tree across it. Also I have had several occasions where I cannot reach dead tree branches with a shorter saw that I can with the BB 2000. I do see your side of it and hope there can be more than one available in this drop. Thanks for your input!
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