Do you want to be really ultralight?

[Dura Mater]

Then make your own tools!

For the small weight of a bucksaw blade in your pack and about 20 minutes you can save the weight of a full saw. Here I show a method for making an impromptu bow saw and buck saw (I actually used the bowsaw to make the bucksaw). I have used my bow saw on a backpacking trip before and not really needed to expend the energy in making the more complex buck saw but it's good to know both methods.

The only tools required would be a knife and saw blade.

Bow saw (shown being used to make the buck saw parts):

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_1871.jpg

Close up showing how to secure the blade in place:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_1868.jpg

Final buck saw picture:

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_1872.jpg

This is a fun project that can be done at home on a Saturday afternoon and can save you money as well as weight and pack space.

[Dura Mater]

Did another set out of Willow a few weeks ago, these were much more stout and I used jute twine to secure the joints better. The saws were used to saw, then split wood.

Here is a bowsaw made using only the saw blade, no knife or other tools.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3381.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3384.jpg

This bucksaw was made with the help of a knife.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3385.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3387.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3388.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/koabushcraft/IMG_3390.jpg

[The_War_Wagon]

I LIKE your thinking! You get a badge! :D


http://www.lifecaps.net/images/survival-kits-bsa.jpg

[mkmckinley]

Nice post. Thank you for the pictures and taking the time to write this up. It's sort of one of those "why didn't I think of that" things, simple, effective and practical. I might try this out over the weekend just for the hell of it.

[lrtraut]

How did the little twigs hold up as pins to keep the blade in place? Maybe a few nails would hold up longer and they wouldn't add much weight or take up space.

[Dura Mater]

How did the little twigs hold up as pins to keep the blade in place? Maybe a few nails would hold up longer and they wouldn't add much weight or take up space.

The twigs hold up great for a weekend trip but dead ones are best. Nails would work great long term, the best man made things to use are the circular key rings because they stay locked to the blade. Honestly the twigs aren't the problem it's keeping the split in the wood where you place the saw from splitting further up that's the challenge. That's where the jute twine or whatever cordage you prefer comes in.

You could substitue a survival wire saw instead of the saw blade. I have some coming to try out I'll have to remember to update the thread with new pictures. These are great because all you need to do is tie the saw to the bow or uprights with paracord and can bypass the notches if you want although making the notches are a good choice.

[Mr blasty]

Does anyone else have any ideas to add to this thread? It seems like to good of an idea to let it die.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

[misanthropist]

The only thing I could add would be a tip from my dad, who is a long-retired prospector: pack the saw blade by rolling it up in a pot. A pot is a pretty critical piece of gear, so if you have the option to take a saw blade, you probably have the option to take a pot as well. You then protect the saw blade from dings and bangs, and your gear (and skin) from a sharp, snaggy blade.

His preference was actually for 42" blades, but we are from the west coast of Canada where trees are massive; that may have played a role in his preference.

Today he owns a nice Husqvarna chainsaw with a 36" bar...that has a thick layer of dust on it. Two 42" bow saws hang at the front of the woodshed for immediate access bucking firewood. Although he did finally get central heating a few years ago, the thermostat has a similar layer of dust. The wood stove, on the other hand...

Old habits die hard, I guess.

[pyrotechnic]

Went camping this last weekend and decided to try my hand at building a buck saw. I used a live willow branch for the body and used the twigs for pins. Held up pretty well for the limited use (cutting up some deadfall for firewood) that it saw. Keeping some rings or nails for pins would definitely increase the longevity of the tool. For some reason my photos won't upload

[rero360]

Another great tip I learned the other weekend while doing a camping trip/ bachelor party is how to split logs easily. What you do is whittle a wooden peg or spear point with your pocket knife. Then use the wooden peg and shove it into a crack in the log, then pound it completely in with another log or a rock. We ended up splitting a bunch of logs with a handful of wooden pegs we carved up, was able to get quite a bunch of uses out of each peg.