When it comes to pruning a shrub or a branch quickly, one of the handy tools that you need is a folding saw. It is a lightweight, portable, and affordable tool that can also be used for survival. A folding saw features a handle and a saw blade that you can fold and tuck away. This makes it compact and convenient to carry around wherever you need it. It can be folded with the help of a locking mechanism that is operated with a button, which is usually placed on the side or top part of the saw. It can be placed in a case that comes with it or purchased alone. One of the best examples of a folding saw is the eversaw 8.0.
Keeping a folding saw with your gardening tools is essential as it can be used to conveniently cut shrubs and small branches. In addition to that, it also has many other uses at home and as well for survival. If you are looking into learning more about it, read on as we’re giving you more information about folding saws for home or survival.
What is a Folding Saw?
Based on its name, it is a compact and lightweight tool that combines portability and functionality. Most folding saws either hide their blades in a groove alongside the handle or stored inside the handle itself.
Most folding saws are used for cutting wood and pruning trees and shrubs. Aside from that, construction workers also use them when building things. But folding saws can also be used for survival, especially for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. If you want to buy one, you can read our 10 Best Folding Saw Reviews for recommendations.
Different Types of Folding Saws
Folding saws also come in different types. If you are looking into buying one, here are some of the options that you have:
Pruning Saws
Pruning saws are made for trimming trees and shrubs occasionally. Most of them have a thick blade that curves inward and an ergonomic pistol clutch handle that can house either one-handed or two-handed use. The big, hard-point teeth on the blades do not easily retain sap and resin. However, they usually leave behind relatively smooth surfaces. Pruning saws also give users a long reach due to their design, which makes it easier to remove high branches.
Bow Saws
These are made for quickly trimming or felling trees and cutting logs. They have a bow-shaped metal frame that is usually made of aluminum. It also features a coarse blade that is suspended between its two tips. The frame of a bow saw is semi-flexible for it to retain and reinforce the blade with tension. The coarse blade also does a good job of generating crosscuts and other rough cuts. Also, unlike most saws, these are made to cut on both the push and the pull stroke, increasing their cutting speed and efficiency. The only downside is that their bow-like design can limit their use in some situations.
Jab Saws
Unlike most folding saws, these are made mainly for use with drywall, which is perfect to be used at home or at a worksite rather than at a campsite. Jab saws have a long and narrow blade and a straight handle. It also usually has a semi-sharpened point that can penetrate easily and start holes in drywall even with just a simple jab. Jab saws need more pressure. That’s why they have ergonomic handles. Many of them have a rubberized grip for added comfort and minimal slipping.
Advantages of Using a Folding Saw
Using a folding saw also comes in many benefits. Here are some of them:
Easy to Store
Based on its name, folding saws are compact tools. They usually fit well into tool bags, backpacks, survival kits, canoes, and other storage spaces with limited capacity.
Portable
Since folding saws have compact and lightweight designs, most of them make an excellent companion on the trail, at job sites, and in the backcountry. In fact, even the largest folding saws can make it easy for farmers, landscapers, and ranchers to do their work.
Versatile
Each type of folding saw is made with a specific use in mind. But most of them can adapt to accomplish many different jobs. They can be used to trim and cut logs and as well as to field dressing games. Most of them will adapt well to work at hand because of their versatile blade designs. Some even have interchangeable blades, making them perfect for any type of work you need and even for survival when you are outdoors.
Things to Consider When Buying Folding Saws
A folding saw is a simple tool when compared to its bigger brother like the chainsaw. If you are looking into buying one, there are some important things that you need to consider to be able to choose the best one that will cater to your needs. Here are some of them:
Length
The length of the blade in the folding saw limits the work you need to put in to cut a branch. Keep in mind that the longer the blade, the fewer strokes you will need to cut it. However, a longer blade also means the saw will become heavier and less portable. In addition, the longer the blade, the easier it will be to break if you are not careful when using it.
Handle
It is also important to choose a folding saw that has a good grip on the handle. It also needs to be ergonomic and made of good anti-slip material. You can pick folding saws whose handles are made of materials like rubber or composite, as these can give the right grip whether you are wearing gloves or not. Also, the handle should be big enough for your hand so that you will be comfortable when you use it.
Folding
When choosing a folding saw, its folding mechanism should be easy to use. Ensure that the mechanism is of good quality, as you do not want to end up with a broken saw after just a few uses.
Locking Mechanism
You also need to make sure that when you fold the blade into the handle, it will be locked and secure so it won’t get damaged or cut something up accidentally. The locking mechanism needs to be user-friendly and not let you struggle as you open and close the blade. There are also folding saws that use a button mechanism that locks and unlocks the blade. There are some that feature a switch on top to lock and unlock the blade. Both of these are great, but for left-handed individuals, choosing the switch option might be better.
Teeth
The saw’s teeth will determine how fast you can cut the wood. Folding saws with longer teeth can help you cut through green wood fast. However, they will make it more challenging to cut dry wood. Those with shorter teeth, on the other hand, can help you cut through dry wood faster. There are also blades that are all-purpose. This means that you can use them to cut any kind of wood well. There are also folding saw blades that have aggressive teeth, which you can use to cut through wood really fast when you start.
Blade Quality
The quality of the blade can determine the durability of the folding saw. Therefore, it is better to purchase a folding saw that has a high-quality blade. They can be more expensive, but they can last for years. It is also great if you can find a folding saw whose blade can be replaced in case it breaks. There are also blades that can be re-sharpened while others cannot. That is another factor you need to consider when buying a folding saw.
Price
A good folding saw comes down to your budget. There are many affordable folding saws out there, but the high-quality ones can cost more. But considering the high-quality folding saws can last for years, it can be a worthy investment, too.
Conclusion
Folding saws are indeed among the most useful tools that you can have. However, when using one, you also need to be careful. Ensure that you are wearing protective gear like gloves and eye protection when using a folding saw. When you cut, the blade should do the work, and there should be less pressure on the saw itself. And after using a folding saw, always make sure that you fold it and put it in a protective cover. It should always be stored in a safe place that can’t be reached by kids. We hope this post helped you learn more about folding saws for home or survival.