Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Lightweight saws

I tend carry a saw with me even often backpacking outside of hunting season. Almost always on longer day hikes. A saw just makes life a lot easier when processing wood (or if an emergency shelter is needed). After trying numerous saws, all of my saws are now Silky- they simply cut better- I have small ones up to a really large one that resides in my pickup in lieu of lugging around a chain saw.

I recently met a gentleman who was very handy with a 3D printer and came up with a really lightweight solution, but still allows the use of Silky blades (I carry both a coarse and fine when hunting, if I want ribs out or need to skull cap something- put the fine blade on).

original Pocketboy 130 and lighter version



original



lighter version



I've had it out on a couple of winter trips and while not as robust as the all metal original, it still cuts great and seems pretty sturdy

Laplander.

Nice! When do they go on sale?

I'll see if the guy is interested in making a few more

Nice.

I'm a fan of the Silky saws too. Got a couple, 210 and 500. Need a Pocketboy in the inventory though.

This is the Silky Katanaboy 500. if you don't grin just opening this beast, something might be wrong with you.....smile



20" blade can cut.

Used Sierra saws for many years for light work. Blades started breaking in the early 2000s (Chinese versions) so bought a Bahco 396-LAP Laplander about 6yrs ago and it's been stellar. Made in Sweden.

^^ that's the one I carry in my truck in lieu of a chainsaw; not uncommon to have a blowdown (or two) on the way into a hunting spot- and you definitely want something if those blowdowns happen when your heading out

I keep a small axe and a couple of small wedges to assist when that happens

If I had a wood stove I'm sure I'd just pack a chainsaw, but I don't and that big Silky does the trick pretty well

^^^

Good info. For sheer lightness I have a one of those wire saws in a homemade cardboard sheath. But it's not as handy to use as a folder saw. The small folding saws like the Silky or Laplander come in handier. Also carry one of the pocket chainsaws off Amazon with a bow saw and axe in the truck for blow downs and firewood too. Lots of good choices out there.

Having used a pile of different ones over the years I've settled on the Opinel no.12 pruning saw w/ 5" blade. The locking ring really locks the whole thing up super positively (no chance of it coming apart and cutting oneself).

I'd absolutely go for the lightened Pocketboy if the locking mechanism is stout/positive. I like that weight!

While I've used blades larger than 5", I've never found I need more for backcountry fires, as long as you can out-think the chunk of wood.

In case you wanted to know...
I was curious about the benefits of straight or curved blades. What I found was that straight blades are intended to used between waist and head high. Curved blades work better below the waist or higher than your head. The angle of your wrists is the issue. A curved blade will do most of the cutting on the center half of the blade while a straight blade will use almost the whole blade. You only get a half of a stroke with a curved blade.

I use a Troy Bilt saw. Picked it up at Ollie’s ( similar to big lots ) for $8 or so.

German made.

I carry a corona razor tooth 7" blade weighs in a 9 oz. The curved blade really tears through the wood.

neat I did not know opinel made them

Great pics! Laplander then to Silky for me but both work great.

They’re not very expensive either, but they’re definitely great quality.

https://mcloydandco.com/collections/opinel/products/opinel-n%C2%BA12-stainless-steel-compact-folding-saw

I thought you meant light weight chain saws.

I broke out in a grin just seeing the picture. Another on the gotta have list.......

Yes. If you think you need one, than you absolutely need one....grin.

That’s awesome... grin fully intact!