I always liked bow saws. Very little effort to use and doesn't waste as much wood or leave an unnatural looking mess like a camp axe. I also like to travel light, of course. I usually carry a bow saw on my trips although it's a pain to get to fit or strap correctly to any of my gear.

I started looking into camp saws.......Sven saws......Gerbers......anything compact, light and the ability to fold would be a bonus.

I don't know why I never thought about it, but went and picked up a 12" bow saw/hacksaw combo for $6.88
I don't need the hacksaw blade, but the blade on it was a standard bow saw blade (with the plastic blade guard). Rugged, but light. Big enough to do 4" pieces of wood, but small enough to fit in a pack if I really wanted to, but will most likely strap it on.

Just an option for you if you're thinking of something smaller and lighter (and easier on the wallet), look in your hardware or big box stores in the garden section.

I had the triangle Sven saw, and used it enough that the upper slot enlarged and I could no longer get the blade tight. Graduated to a 4-sided Swedish ? saw that took down, folded up and packed pretty well. Then found one like it that came in a metal tube...great engineering, worked great, but the kids could never set it up. Then I found the foldup Gerber, or it's cheaper cousin. About a 9" blade, retracts into the handle, very sharp, was about $10.00 when I bought it at Menards. They don't carry it anymore. if this one fails, I'll find another one.

I threw my find out there as a cheap (but rugged) solution. I don't think I've ever even noticed a 12" bow saw before, but this time it caught my eye. It's just as solid as a 15 or 21 incher, just compact.

Lightest? Most compact? no, but it will do the job and save some space.

Just an option for you guys.

I have one of the collapsing "Sawvivor saw" like this:

Sawvivor

It is so-so. I think it is a little too short and I find the assembly of the blade annoying.

So this winter I searched for an alternative. Somehow, I don't think I came across the Sven saw. The 21 inch Sven looks good. Instead, I bought one of these with the canvas case and spare blade:

Northwest Woodsman saw

It is much better. The blade simply folds into a slot in the wood handle so there is not direct touching of the blade which is a razor. Assembly is easy and it is a 24" saw which seems much more comfortable. I have yet to use it but it is in the pile to take in June.

Over the years camping with others, I've seen/used quite a few saws. I eneded up purchasing a Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw 24" from Duluth Pack. For me, it's the best saw I've come across. Folds up and has the blade inside the channel of the saw. Can't get damaged that way. Made of aluminum and is very strong when assembled without flex in the blade. I usually go for the 8" freestanding trees when gathering firewwod, perfect!

Years ago, I used to sew kites for myself and designed a unique kite bag to carry the kites and keep the spars seperate from the kite in it's own internal sleeve. I contacted Duluth Pack and had them custom sew me a carry case with the same unique design for the Bucksaw. It has an internal sleeve for the extra blade, a D-ring on the backside to clip it with a carbiner to anything you desire, and a button snap for the flap to secure it. It is priceless... Duluth Pack website for saw, and case.

I have a sawvior a well, the 15in version. It works on stuff up to maybe 5in, then it gets to be a bunch of work. It has always gotten the job done though. The 18in version would be a little quicker due to the longer blade. The shorter one does have the advantage of being compact though.

The saw TriTodd has is similar design. 18in I think.

I have two Sawvivors and a Sven saw. I have used them on many trips however, I don't bring them any more. Last year I brought a 20" bow saw from the harware store. I removed the blade and put it and a spare paralell to the handle and strapped the whole thing to the rear twort of the canoe. We didn't even know it was there when we were portaging and canoeing and it works much better than any folding saw I have ever seen and weighs about the same amount. You know the community cut-off limbs and downed trees laying around most campsites? The ones that get cut off of until they get to about 6"-8" around, no problem. I can cut wood up to 10" around. I have spent way too much on "high tech" folding saws over the years.

I use the Fast buck Saw

http://www.fastbucksaw.com/

quote Voyageur: "I use the Fast buck Saw


http://www.fastbucksaw.com/


"

That looks identical to the Northwest Woodsman saw that I referenced but costs ~50% more.

I rock the bow saw as well. I brought a 24" out to Canada last year--cuts like butta. I tie mine into the canoe when I'm not using it. Easy to clear portage trails (unlikely to encounter much of that in BWCA from my experience) or cut nearly any size wood you want. I like the longer stroke length and at my age weight doesn't matter.

:-D

Cost me 12$ at FF

yeah, according to your profille you are 110 years old.

I always used my mid length which is an 18" I believe. this little 12 incher is sweet!
I've already drilled another hole in the saw handle and put an extra bolt and wing nut as a backup in case I lose mine. I also added some reflective tape to the handle.
You know how those things get laid down and you can't find them again.

A cheap solution that does it all.