While reading the "5 essentials" thread it is apparent that many of us on this site still use the old Sven saw instead of some of the newer and supposedly better alternatives. Is this just nostalgia or is the Sven a classic piece of gear that still works just fine? Do the newer saws really perform that much better?

its not nostalgia for me...its the fact that its a compact saw, designed right the first time, only 2 pieces (not counting the wingnut), and the best saw blade ive ever used.

its still around because its relatively cheap, its simple, and it just plain works. (and it works even better if you wrap the handle with electricians rubber splicing tape.)

I have used 3 different outfitters over the years and all of them provided Sven Saws. Guess that says something.

The Sven saw packs so small and works so well. It's all I want and need.

If I can't take the chain saw, it's the Sven Saw for me.

i've used a bunch of different folding saws, and finally decided i like a decent size fixed blade saw better.

I use the "sawvivor" and like it fine. I used to use the sven but had a problem. Basically I wore it out.

There is a little "knock-out" piece hat acts as a stop for the handle. It's just a little "bump" in the aluminum. Anyway, when it's not there the saw doesn't work. I tried putting a screw there but then it wouldn't slide into the handle.

I thought the sven worked fime, but I like the design of the sawvivor better. At least so far there has been no issues..

i had that same issue bannock. i drilled and tapped a 4-40 and put a short machine screw in....worked fine

Used a sven for years, but someone bought me a "sawvivor", I tried it and it worked great and carried well, so now it's my saw of choice.

We have 2 Sven saws, always take them both as they pack great in the pole bag.
CB

I've used the Sven but prefer the Trailblazer take-down buck saw. It seems to be built a little better.

I have both the Sven Saw and the 18" Trailblazer Take-Down Buck Saw, and much pefer the Trailblazer saw.

When stowed, the Trailblazer saw has rounded edges that simply can't puncture tents or other gear. The Sven Saw has some pretty sharp points that can do some damage, though I suppose they could be rounded down with a file with some work.

Assembling the saw takes some practice, but it is simple and, once learned, pretty quick.

When assembled, the Trailblazer is much more comfortable to hold and will cut a larger range of logs.

The Trailblazer's wing-nut simply cannot get lost - the threaded bolt is crimped to prevent loss.

Also, the blade on the Trailblazer is very easily swapped out. Replacing the blade on the Sven Saw requires punching out a friction rivet - a big pain.

I've used (and worn out) a number of different saws while trail and portage clearing. We, of course, use the big crosscut's for large timber but also use smaller saws for trees that are too small for a large tooth saw. At first, I didn't want to invest in a bunch of take down saws, so I made my own wood framed take down's. I later found that the normal hardware store blades that have the rakers didn't hold up, or saw, near as well as a standard Sven Saw blade that has no rakers. After a few years of clearing and having people complain about having to put together the saw and take it down, I decided to try one of the aggresive, fast cut carpentry saws. I looked over six or seven different saws of this type at Lowes and decided on the Irwin ProTouch™ Coarse Cut Saw:
http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/browse.jhtml?catId=IrwinCat100259
This saw is way faster than any take down that I've seen and I've got a felling that it's going to saw way longer, if taken care of. I bought five of them and plan to make hard sheaths for all of them for fast availability on the trail. It comes in three different lengths but I feel that the 15" will be the handiest. This saw has a three-way grind to each tooth for more knife like cuts and gullets to help carry shavings out of the kerf. So far, I like it. We'll give them the real test this next spring.
If you use a Sven saw, do yourself a favor and replace the blade once and a while. Campmor has them. Also, spray WD-40 on the blade after each trip.

punching out that roll pin (not "friction rivet") is easy.

i take the short Sven saw.it works just fine for my firewood needs and i carry in it an old tent pole bag to keep the edges away from the bag..its go's in the side slip pocket of my Duluth bag where i can get at it to cut dead fall over the carry.i have a wingnut in my repair kit but have never had to use it--the rubber tape is a great idea..i made the mistake of trying to remove the "thing" to change the blade with a nail..the pointy end just opens it up so it won't drive thru..a nail set worked fine..

I didn't find it so easy.

Wyoming Saw, large, haven't looked back or elsewhere in years. change the blade every 2 years or so.

My sven saw is in the bag that was taken from me on the Bottle Portage in 2007. Send it to me if you have it. I liked just fine.

I have never used a Sven Saw. I use a Fast Bucksaw. (www.fastbucksaw.com)It works well. There are no rakers on the blade, it's all cutting teeth. I clean and oil it after every use. I would like to try the sawvivor sometime.

I like the Sven Saw over the Sawvivor- the red wing nut on those sawvivors always got in my way.

I would like to try a Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw if my Sven Saw fails me. Here is a link to the QuickSaw QuickSaw and a Review

I use a Trailblazer take-down bucksaw 24". I'm very happy with this saw and love the way it cuts through wood like hot butter. I bought the sheath for mine and hang it off a pack with a caribiner for quick and easy access.

I've used the Sven and it was OK. For the last 10 years or so, I've had a Schmidt Pack saw bought from Duluth Pack store that I love. It's similar to the Fast Buck saw that Voyageur uses. It will cut though any diameter wood and stores in its own case, with no sharp edges to cut anything in the pack. I believe Schmidt is out of business now but other similar saws are still available. Just Google Schmidt Pack saw.

canoepaddle

I currently have a sawvivor and the red knob which tightens the blade is a pain in the hand. Buying me a new sven saw for x-mas

I like the buck saw personally, more ridged than most non folding saws, the only downside is it's very long.

I currently own a Sven Saw and am very happy with it's performance and portability.

I am intriqued by portage keepers take on the small efficient hand saw.

This past spring's portage clearing trip we talked to a seasoned forest service ranger who had one on his hip and he talked to us about it making short work of the typical stuff we run into in camp on on portages. Joe and I discussed the idea that Joe had been rumbling around in his head and posted here.

I still have my trusty sven saw which is probably 15 years old and on its second blade now. It still works well and probably will keep going with me. I am intriqued by the new idea however. But as they say-If it aint broke don't fix it.

I have an attachment (sentimental and practical) to my Schimdt collapsible wood bucksaw (24 inch blade). Schimdt is out of business. I purchased this saw from Piragis (maybe in 1991). Piragis carried a cheap looking imitation after the Schimdt closure.

The thing that is nice about a bucksaw is that you can use a full stroke of your arm and cut 4-5 inch rounds with little sweat (we like to split our wood). Picture shows my Schimdt in action.

Pole & Paddle Canoe Pole and Paddle offers a wood model designed after the Schimdt

We always use my 15 inch Sven saw. It has lasted for years and is quite light. I got a new blade for it a few years ago but it wasn't really needed. I still have the original blade too. I have never used a folding saw that I liked.

HPD,
We must have purchased our saws about the same time. It has gone on every trip since then and is used around home for the wood stove.

Spartan(s)
these things become as old friends and really a part of the total experience.......... yeah, there could be better, but this old pal (saw in this case) has been part of me for so long, that I could not betray her (or him) for another

I have been thinking of getting a better saw for my trip next year and these Sven saws look like a compact deal.

I have never seen or handled one of these so which one would you buy: 15" or 21" model?

H

the 15 has worked fine for me.

I suppose the pack length becomes the real issue. I assume a 15" saw is about 17" long broken down and the 21" saw is 23" broken down. The larger diameter log and longer stroke the 21" gives you starts to hurt when packing it in.
I looked at the REI site and the weight and cost difference is trivial.

H

As many of you seem to do, I to have the Sven Saw. I have question about how you pack it. It has some pretty sharp edges, so I sheath in a piece of foam pipe insulation. How does everyone else pack it?

i sewed a bluejeans bag...but thats looking abit ragged now (its about 15). one good tip here? one ill be doing....in the tent pole bag.

I've had a sawvivor for 8 years. It is an ok saw if you don't over tighten the blade. The little metal piece that the blade fits onto (and is tightened by the screw)is made out of aluminum and is softer than the screw (steel). Over 6 years or so it stripped itself, but the manufacturer nicely mailed me a new one. I'm very careful now not to over tighten the blade, I just have to get my paddlin' buddies on board the program...

Only downside is that you're are hostage to them for the blades and their kind of expensive for what they are. The original was good. The teeth on the last one I bought were not aligned right and cuts lousy--it binds like an sob. Time to figure out how a blade set works :)

Not a real good photo of the caps I made, but I used leather and stiched caps for my Sven Saw. I can now attach on the outside of my pack. All sharp edges are now covered.

im going to try portage keepers idea. my local menards (burnsville, mn) has the 15" on closeout. under 12 bucks including tax.

irwin marathon

K,
I think that might be a great idea! Nothing to fall apart or parts to fail. You will have to make a sheath, but no big deal.

I always bring my sven saw and it has held up nicely but I am surprised no one has mentioned the gerber saw. While you can't cut large diameter logs with it, I think it works great on pieces two inches in diameter or less. A very sharp fast cutting saw that is light weight. It's the saw I take with me on fishing day trips or my just-in-case saw.

Kanoes;

The Irwin carpenters saw is what I've been using for several years now. I'm not sure of the length 18" or about , it should come with a plastic guard that works just fine. This saw will cut more firewood easier and faster than any of the saws in this post ! It will be going with me in a few weeks on the first of many week long BW trips with the Snowtrekker tent and stove.

unfortunately, it didnt come with a plastic guard. im planning on making a sheath out of wood...1/8" baltic birch, open bottom for water to drain. better ideas? let me know.

Kanoes,

Go too one of the home improvement stores, and in the vinyl siding area grab a piece of undersill trim for three dollars and I'm sure you could figure the rest out yourself.

I used to carry a sven when I first went. I had it from my backpacking days and it is a great saw for what it was designed for. Now I carry a bahco that you can buy at any hardware store. I don't understand why people carry these folding saws. Most canoe bags are big and wide. The saws fit flat in the front of my bags and weight wise they are maybe a few ounces heavier. The trade off is you have a saw you can do some work with. I have even pulled mine out on a portage or two to clear a downed tree. The choice is yours and I know some of you are minimalist. Me, that bahco saw was never noticed in my pack when we hit the Stuart entry point.
BTW the bow saw from the hardware is cheaper than the sven.

thanks Franz...ill take a peek.

Has anyone thought to bring one of those cordless electric saws?

I just bought a little Irwin 15" (same marathon) saw to keep in one of my tool buckets for making quick notches etc. I'm looking at it a little differently now.

Though, I'm wondering about the life of a 15 dollar sawblade, steelqualitywise. It cuts pretty well, much more quickly than the older shorty I replaced it with.

Some of you are have gotten a couple of years out of this? Are you guys only using it for camping?

cheaper than a sven replacement blade :)

I bought the Upgrade innovations camp saw and it worked flawlessly for eight days. I bought an extra blade but didn't even need it. It all stores inside itself so there is no sheath required.

For those that use the Irwin saws...did you make some sort of sheath for it, or a blade cover, or did it come with one?

I bought a 15" Sven Saw last year and was very happy with it. I don't cut large diameter logs as those require splitting and I don't like using an axe as it could be an accident waiting to happen. For those of you looking for a cheap blade protector , I took a piece of garden hose , cut it to the blade or length you desire and slit it lengthwise. The blade will slip inside the hose and will be fully protected. Plus it's cheap. Izzy

great tip izzy! that solves my problem. thanks.

You are welcome Kanoes ! Izzy

I've had a sawvivor for a while now and have been pretty happy with it. I paired it with short handled Gerber camp axe (with a fixed blade knife in the handle) for splitting. This combo is small, light and works fine on stuff up to about five inches. Anything much bigger gets tough.

I am buying a new sven saw as my new purchase for this year after our last trip. We have one of those Gerber folding saws and after swearing at it last year I will not leave home without a descent saw this time. In my mind a good saw is worth the money even if I have to carry it on every portage, and my knuckles will thank me.

Furthering Izzy's garden hose, you can put a couple holes in each end of the hose, and run some rope thru it to create secure tie downs and the hose won't come off. We use these for our scout troop and they work well. We have the tie downs in the middle and both ends.

It is the next best thing to a lumber mill. I have the smaller size because it cuts the size wood that I burn. I am on my second blade. Works good.
So many lakes,So little time

Are you guys building cabins up there or huge bonfires. How big of a blade do you need? We don't need another Ham lake fire. Kidding.

A Gerber folding saw cuts anything I need.

I took a 15" sven saw and a gerber camp ax/hatchet last week. It was my first time with either.

The Sven saw worked well. It cut fairly large logs into nice 12-15" section. The axe worked well to split the logs.

I could see that a 21" Sven saw might work a little better...

I will continue to take them but they do not seem to be a neccessity.

Hello folks,

I need to pick myself up a saw. My buddy grabbed a Sawvivor which looks pretty cool and is extremely light. But I'm probably going to just get a Sven saw since I need a few other things from REI and will just have shipped to the store and pick up so no shipping charges.

I see a lot of folks have the Sven, so for those of you that do, if you were buying one for the first time, would you get the 15" or 21". I'll be lugging it in a Granite Gear Quetico if that makes any difference. I'm thinking since it's only $2 more, might as well get the 21" but not sure if one performs better than the other or if pack room will be an issue.

thanks!

I've been using the Gerber folding saw for 10 years and it works like butter.

After reading through this post, and a few others, I like the idea of using a 15" Irwin carpenter saw, too. A few people inquired about sheaths for the blade, but I didn't see any responses.
When I checked at Home Depot, the Irwin (and similar) saws only had cardboard sheaths. I wondered about wrapping that in duct tape or something but would prefer something more permanent. I did see Franzenrp's idea about using undersill trim to make a sheath but haven't explored that idea yet.

Anyone using a saw like this come up with any other good solutions for storing it in your canoe pack?

Thanks,
STeve

i use this combination-Corona saw/Weaver sheath. the saw rides perfectly under the side compression straps on the pack. we carried two of these on our recent trip and used one or both every day. razor sharp teeth, the saw cuts on the backstroke, and i was able to make fast cuts on deadfalls and sweepers up into the 10" range. better yet, no assembly required, and the nose of the saw can reach right in to where you want to start a cut. grab it out of the sheath and go to work. the finish is worn off the saw through use, but i have not seen a drop in performance.

did i mention sharp? watch your left hand position on the cut. i nearly clipped off my left thumb as the saw slid up some wet alders i was cutting out of the way as we tracked up a creek in high fast water.

I use this cheap ass bow saw, and strap it to my canoe... it works fine for about $6.00 saw

thanks for the tip PK. :)

Jan, that looks perfect. Can you describe briefly how you made the sheath? Specifically, what is the material and what are those rivet-like fasteners holding the two pieces together?

Thanks,
Steve

the weaver sheath has a small nylon roller on the blade side under the last rivet at the top of the sheath. somebody was thinking ahead when they designed it. when the saw is pulled out of the sheath, the saw teeth ride on the roller and not the rivet or stitching.

easy to incorporate something similar if you make you own sheath.

jdrocks: that looks like a good option, too. Did you purchase those separately?--and from where?

Steve

the corona saw can be found online or sometimes at the big box. two sizes in this type of arborist saw and besides the length, they have a different tooth design. i prefer the larger saw. rugged saw with a very fast cut. i've cut trees with this saw that i wouldn't think about tackling with anything less in a saw. due to some circumstances we encountered on our recent trip, we would not have gone very far without a pair of these saws along. we also used them to chunk firewood.

weaver scabbard available online, forestry suppliers and others. two different materials available, or you could make your own. the price is very reasonable for what you get. the leather scabbard is heavy belting leather and very well constructed.

thanks for the info

i used a sven in aug on our trip. it is an awesome saw!

I have a 15 inch Sven saw. Love it. Bought a new blade for it and then wondered why I did. I do not care for the folding saws at all. It has seen 15 plus trips.

quote PortageKeeper: "I've used (and worn out) a number of different saws while trail and portage clearing. We, of course, use the big crosscut's for large timber but also use smaller saws for trees that are too small for a large tooth saw. At first, I didn't want to invest in a bunch of take down saws, so I made my own wood framed take down's. I later found that the normal hardware store blades that have the rakers didn't hold up, or saw, near as well as a standard Sven Saw blade that has no rakers. After a few years of clearing and having people complain about having to put together the saw and take it down, I decided to try one of the aggresive, fast cut carpentry saws. I looked over six or seven different saws of this type at Lowes and decided on the Irwin ProTouch™ Coarse Cut Saw:

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/browse.jhtml?catId=IrwinCat100259

This saw is way faster than any take down that I've seen and I've got a felling that it's going to saw way longer, if taken care of. I bought five of them and plan to make hard sheaths for all of them for fast availability on the trail. It comes in three different lengths but I feel that the 15" will be the handiest. This saw has a three-way grind to each tooth for more knife like cuts and gullets to help carry shavings out of the kerf. So far, I like it. We'll give them the real test this next spring.

If you use a Sven saw, do yourself a favor and replace the blade once and a while. Campmor has them. Also, spray WD-40 on the blade after each trip."

For my money, on this board, you are THE man to talk to about saws. So 4 years later, would you still recommend the Irwin???? Or, what saw would you now recommend for "normal" use, mainly cutting up firewood around camp?

I've switched to the Sven Saw since this was originally posted. It's a rock star.

I have used the SVEN saw for as long as I can remember. Designed and built well. No reason to change for me.

My- carpenter husband thought it was going to be useless when I took the advice from the board and bought one for a trip.

He was pleasantly surprised and says "You don't need to build a house out there- you just need something to get your firewood with!"

Here he is- not cutting anything bigger than his wrist- though you can see the log in the back that the Sven saw was able to get through without too much effort- you know just as a test?

I bought and used a 24" Trail Blazer bucksaw last year and did not like it. It cut well, but I thought it was a pain to put together and it was also bulky and cumbersome. I've gone through a couple of Svens over the years, but I do not like smacking my hand on the wood when I cut (I know, I do not need to put my hand inside the triangle, but that's where the leverage is).

I am going to Sears today to check out the Irwin.

I've had a Sven saw for years. It's a good portable, lightweight saw that does what I need it to do. I don't really have a reason to change...

Found a Sven 21 at a garage sale last fall. Cost me $5.00.

Used my Sven just yesterday to do a bunch of tree trimming around my yard. biggest branch was probably 4-5" in diameter and it cut like a hot knife thru butter.

The Fast Bucksaw is the best camping saw made. I have had mine for many years and was recommended to me by Cliff Jacobson many years ago. When folded up, it is very very compact. It cuts very fast. The FAST BUCKSAW was designed by Paul Swanstrom, in co-operation with Cliff Jacobson, noted outdoor writer. They were dissatisfied with the metal-framed folding camp saws on the market: they were too flimsy: they didn’t pack well, and they wouldn’t cut big logs.

The FAST BUCKSAW gives canoeists, backpackers and family campers, a truly collapsible saw with full stroke cutting efficiency and minimum bulk.

Check it out. You will never regret having one.
fastbucksaw

TB-PK introduced me to the Irwin saw a few years ago on a portage clearing trip and I have been using one ever since for firewood gathering/processing. I love it. I made a scabbard out of some thin HDPE plastic folded together-think the orikaso folding dinnerware. I sold my sven saw once I saw the light;)

tg

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "

quote PortageKeeper: "I've used (and worn out) a number of different saws while trail and portage clearing. We, of course, use the big crosscut's for large timber but also use smaller saws for trees that are too small for a large tooth saw. At first, I didn't want to invest in a bunch of take down saws, so I made my own wood framed take down's. I later found that the normal hardware store blades that have the rakers didn't hold up, or saw, near as well as a standard Sven Saw blade that has no rakers. After a few years of clearing and having people complain about having to put together the saw and take it down, I decided to try one of the aggresive, fast cut carpentry saws. I looked over six or seven different saws of this type at Lowes and decided on the Irwin ProTouch™ Coarse Cut Saw:


http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/browse.jhtml?catId=IrwinCat100259


This saw is way faster than any take down that I've seen and I've got a felling that it's going to saw way longer, if taken care of. I bought five of them and plan to make hard sheaths for all of them for fast availability on the trail. It comes in three different lengths but I feel that the 15" will be the handiest. This saw has a three-way grind to each tooth for more knife like cuts and gullets to help carry shavings out of the kerf. So far, I like it. We'll give them the real test this next spring.


If you use a Sven saw, do yourself a favor and replace the blade once and a while. Campmor has them. Also, spray WD-40 on the blade after each trip."

For my money, on this board, you are THE man to talk to about saws. So 4 years later, would you still recommend the Irwin???? Or, what saw would you now recommend for "normal" use, mainly cutting up firewood around camp?"

TB
I'm still using the Irwin saws on both portage clearing trips, and regular canoe trips. It's so quick to just slide it out of the sheath and cut a tree on a portage or in camp, that I have no desire to go back to a take down saw. I'm not saying that take down saws aren't adequate for standard trips. I've just gotten used to having it handy and still love how fast the Irwins cut. Nobody that has gone on the portage clearing trips have complained about the Irwins.
If I had to go back to a take down saw, I'd have to say it would be a Sven, WITH a Sven blade. I never did find a better blade for the Sven's, than their own. Since we always have the big crosscut saw along on portage clearing trips, the 15" Irwin is the favored length. Since my new/like new 21" saws are not getting used, I plan to post them for sale (with the sheaths that I made for them) on the "Items For Sale Or Wanted" on this site. I'll try to get them posted soon. It'll be a good deal, as I don't plan to make any money off of the sheath, and I just want my original money back from the saws.

I love my Sven Saw. Have not tried anything else as I have not seen a need to.

Thanks PortageKeeper

PKs irwins are now in the for sale forum. hell of a deal/steal!

quote kanoes: "PKs irwins are now in the for sale forum. hell of a deal/steal!"

Thanks for the heads up.

quote Soledad: "I like the Sven Saw over the Sawvivor- the red wing nut on those sawvivors always got in my way.



I would like to try a Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw if my Sven Saw fails me. Here is a link to the QuickSaw QuickSaw and a Review "

I'm a huge fan of the Dustrude saw. Simple, easy to put together, replacement blades easy to find, rips through wood, locally made, etc. What's not to like?

I forgot to pack it on a BW trip last year and ended up stopping at a friend's house on the way up to borrow his Sven saw. I think there may have been some minor damage already in place and possibly a dull blade, but, long story short, someone in our group ended up bending the Sven beyond repair trying to cut through a log. I'm sure this was a freak accident involving someone using the saw wrong, and don't mean this as a blanket indictment of the Sven Saw by any means, but we did buy my friend a Dustrude saw as a replacement, and he was happy to have it.

I also noticed the sharp edges when the Sven was "broken down" (before the incident).

PK's Irwin saw sheaths look amazing, though. I would love to see a step-by-step of how they were put together.

Have to say, I've never felt the need for a saw. Anything smaller than my wrist can be broken over my hip. Anything larger is too big to burn. To each their own, but seems like one more piece of gear to keep track of.

quote shsylvester: "...Anything larger is too big to burn..."

Easily solved:

quote schweady: "

quote shsylvester: "...Anything larger is too big to burn..."

Easily solved:
"

You made my point for me. Look at all the stuff to the right of the neat little pile that will not be burned. Saws are great for trail clearing. But in camp they usually end up leaving stumps and logs. There's plenty of wood out there, especially along portages.

This is true until you need to have a fire and it has been raining and snowing for 5 days and the only dry wood around is standing dead wood that has to be cut and split. Then you understand the need for both and saw and an axe.

quote whiteh20: "This is true until you need to have a fire and it has been raining and snowing for 5 days and the only dry wood around is standing dead wood that has to be cut and split. Then you understand the need for both and saw and an axe."

I don't want to belabor the point, but isn't the above (and fire bans) why we bring stoves? I use my stove only when it's wet, wet, wet or there's a ban. And even when it's really wet it usually works to "greenstick" twigs and branches (cedar especially), split them down the middle and get them aflame over a bit of birch bark (a supply of which I always keep in a ziploc).

My Saw

been using this saw for 3 yrs with out a blade change and still cut like new. I have no complaints with it. It'll cut some big logs if necessary and if you you've ever seen Diva's fires you know what I mean.


JB

quote shsylvester: "

quote whiteh20: "This is true until you need to have a fire and it has been raining and snowing for 5 days and the only dry wood around is standing dead wood that has to be cut and split. Then you understand the need for both and saw and an axe."

I don't want to belabor the point, but isn't the above (and fire bans) why we bring stoves? I use my stove only when it's wet, wet, wet or there's a ban. And even when it's really wet it usually works to "greenstick" twigs and branches (cedar especially), split them down the middle and get them aflame over a bit of birch bark (a supply of which I always keep in a ziploc)."

I really was not thinking of cooking. What if you dump and need a fire to warm up? Get's to be a long trip if it rains / snows every day and you do not have a fire at night to warm your body and spirits. I have been on trips where it rained all day for 4 or 5 days and paddling in the rain and cold all day for several days on end. I get that if going to the B'dub in the summer a sww is not needed but if traveling far north or in the spring and fall I think a saw might be considered a very important tool. I guess it is like lots of the geat we take, to each their own and enjoy your trips however you want to enjoy them.

quote whiteh20: "

quote shsylvester: "

quote whiteh20: "This is true until you need to have a fire and it has been raining and snowing for 5 days and the only dry wood around is standing dead wood that has to be cut and split. Then you understand the need for both and saw and an axe."

I don't want to belabor the point, but isn't the above (and fire bans) why we bring stoves? I use my stove only when it's wet, wet, wet or there's a ban. And even when it's really wet it usually works to "greenstick" twigs and branches (cedar especially), split them down the middle and get them aflame over a bit of birch bark (a supply of which I always keep in a ziploc)."

I really was not thinking of cooking. What if you dump and need a fire to warm up? Get's to be a long trip if it rains / snows every day and you do not have a fire at night to warm your body and spirits. I have been on trips where it rained all day for 4 or 5 days and paddling in the rain and cold all day for several days on end. I get that if going to the B'dub in the summer a sww is not needed but if traveling far north or in the spring and fall I think a saw might be considered a very important tool. I guess it is like lots of the geat we take, to each their own and enjoy your trips however you want to enjoy them."

I'm with you, whiteh20. Even during the summer I always bring a saw (and axe, for that matter), because one never knows what the weather will bring. Last June 2 of my daughters and I were on one of those trips where it literally rained every day. Being able to split wood quickly-and to "chink" smaller pieces ala Cliff Jacobson to expose the dry wood inside-made it real easy to start and maintain fires quickly at each of our sites.

We use the 21 Sven Saw it is awesome.

FYI I snagged one of the 15" saws on Amazon so I'll soon be making a sheath like PK's. At any rate I will be doing this on a CNC mill, so doing 1 or 10 is about the same amount of work. If someone wants a 20" I'd need the saw to draw up and the cost would be slightly more.


I would be glad to make one for anyone you wants one. I will be using Black ABS plastic that is textured , we could use something else but the cost would go up a little, HDPE would be about $2 more and would lose the texture, Kydex is way out of my price range. The texture should reduce the appearance of scratches. I estimate the cost will be in the $6-7 range with plastic and hardware, all depends on how many people want it, the plastic is $4.50 per using the ABS and the hardware costs would be divided equally.

For local people (Minneapolis) I could maybe even host a small group at the shop on a weekend, you could watch the CNC cutout the patterns and then you could assemble the rest yourself, might save you some shipping plus you would have a hand in the project.


PK- If you are indeed looking to add a few to your collection let me know and I can do a few for you as well, if you want (not sure how many Christmas tree holders you have laying around). Maybe if others agree we could subsidize yours by adding a small fee onto ours, maybe $10 for ours and you get yours for free, I would be fine with that as well, small token of appreciation for the portage work and inspiration.

Also PK if you could guide me to the rivets you used I would appreciate it, rather than waist a half hour looking I might as well ask : ) I don’t work with soft goods or rivets often at all.

Posted a reply in the 'Items For Sale'

I really like the sheath a friend made for my sven saw.

quote mc2mens: "



I really like the sheath a friend made for my sven saw."

i know that guy! :)

he made me a sheath for my mora force knife.

Ragged
Just re-read your post. Didn't see the part about 'contributing to the cause' the first time that I read it. That'd be great if it turns out that way, and thanks for thinking about it!
If that doesn't work, that's fine, I'll still buy the components for four 15" sheaths, if you make extras.
So far, I've invested mostly my own money in tools for portage clearing. An exception was one year when Friends Of The Boundary Waters helped me out. I didn't ask for it, the Lac La Croix District gave them my name and explained what I'd been doing. They probably paid me for half of what I'd invested in recent years... thank you to them!
The forest service loaned me tools one year, and they weren't in good shape. That's when I decided to outfit myself.
Thanks again!

Used several diff. camp saws, including Sven. Purchased a couple and taking price into account or not, this is the best in my experience:
Dustrade Saw

Every review: 5 Stars, folds to similar size to Sven, exceptionally easy assembly, long stroke, sturdy. Love it.

quote PortageKeeper: "Ragged
Just re-read your post. Didn't see the part about 'contributing to the cause' the first time that I read it. That'd be great if it turns out that way, and thanks for thinking about it!
If that doesn't work, that's fine, I'll still buy the components for four 15" sheaths, if you make extras.
So far, I've invested mostly my own money in tools for portage clearing. An exception was one year when Friends Of The Boundary Waters helped me out. I didn't ask for it, the Lac La Croix District gave them my name and explained what I'd been doing. They probably paid me for half of what I'd invested in recent years... thank you to them!
The forest service loaned me tools one year, and they weren't in good shape. That's when I decided to outfit myself.
Thanks again!
"

I think it would be great if we could come together and hook you up, judging by the quality of people on here I don’t think anyone will have a problem chipping in (if they are able to) , especially considering they are getting some free labor.

I’m going to start a thread for the sheaths in the Gear forum, anyone interested should reference that thread from now on.

I have two Sawvivers and my buddies have Sven saws. We haven't brought either in years. A 22" bow saw from the hardware store is light, cheap and can save a lot of time over a folding or camp saw I.M.H.O.

I think I will pick up one of these Irwins and test it out though.

I've had my Sven saw 20 years. Same blade. Same wing nut. Same bolt. Same pieces since I grabbed it off the rack. Can't imagine the cords of I have hauled back to camp with this awesome piec of equipment. Will never have any other saw.

Sven, Sven, Sven all the way. My friends try to bring in other high tech compact saws, but they always want to use the sven when they see how easily it takes wood down. I've had mine for 12 years, same blade. It's a warrior.

I have had a Coghlan's folding saw for 20 years and its actually the best saw in my house. I've never had to replace the blade and it cuts thru any size log like butter. The only thing I've had to replace was the small split ring on the blade hinge but that was due to operator error more than equipment failure.

Are the Svens stil made in Duluth?

My recently purchased Irwin Marathon 15 makes my sven saw look like chopped liver.

I'm simply amazed that I didn't take a basic handsaw years ago. The Sven is a pretty dang good tool but it will never make a trip to the woods with me again......NEVER.

The Irwin is faster, easier to use, and you don't have to worry about "breaking" it.

The sven.......I've broken a blade, and had the nub rub off.........

Later,

Geo

I am so glad I read this! I too am looking to purchase a saw and had not considered anything but the Sawvivor... until now!
Looks like I can get a comparable saw for less money.