Bow Saws, a Common Man Bush Tool

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[@Foxer604]

The voice of common sense again. We've always had a saw like that in the truck since i was a young boy and in the backwoods it's gotten us out of a LOT of scrapes and tight places where a tree has fallen across the road or is sticking out. It also processes firewood remarkably fast. I pack a takedown bucksaw (which dave mentions) in the woods, but whenever weight allows a solid frame bowsaw is a must have. Cheap, and works like crazy. Great vid Dave.

[@ruckus0407]

I think you can cut thru bigger logs just by going around the tree with the saw. Just make sure to cut the botom of the log first then the top. The saw wont bind. Thanks Dave your vids are awesome!!

[@WisconsinEric]

The Bahco "Peg Tooth" bow saw blades are awesome for cutting dry seasoned firewood. The standard blades sold on most bow saws(Raker Tooth) are designed for cutting green wood. The Bahco "Peg Tooth" blades can be bought online for under $5ea, and I have them in both my 21" and 24" handmade hardwood bucksaws.

[@apkpicker]

Dave, I totally agree with you. I frequently carry an old USA made 21" bowsaw strapped to my pack and it seems like everyone wants to borrow it once we get to camp because it's safer and much easier to use than their smaller folding saw or axe. Thanks for another great vid.

[@vincentCopley]

Hello Dave, I just wanted to thank you for this video, and for all the videos you have on KZbin. I absolutely enjoy everything you have put up, and found them extremely helpful in many ways. I finally decided to create an account on YT just so I could write you this comment! I hope you see it because you have helped inspire me to get out into the world, and pursue the outdoor life, and experiences that I never would have imagined! Thank you Dave.

[@carsiotto]

Great video Dave! Thanks for the info and I appreciate how you always thank us for our support. Good man!

[@shadowstalker130666]

I've been using a bow saw for years and have always been amazed at how many people don't even think to use such a simple, classic tool. I mainly use it to cut firewood to size so i can split it later, though i have used it for other things as well. Very tough, very cheap, and you can easily carry a few extra blades. Keep on doing what you do Dave, and stay safe.

[@kyletango]

Dave, I have just the blade with split rings in each end that i store in a pvc tube w/caps in my pack. Once i get to my camp sight i cut a limb and bend it to make a bow for my saw blade. Light weight and works for me. Thanks for your vids, always giving and sharing ideas.

[@GISELLE377]

The bow saw is a foundational tool of the far north, has been for centuries. The little folding saws are nearly useless in the subarctic, as cutting up firewood is such a major task. Ax, bow saw, teapot, rifle and sleeping bag. Fundamental tools in that environment.

[@northof50now]

Been a long time fan of the saw for hiking. I've built my own, used one of those "triangular" shaped saws and the Bahco. After all, I've settled on the Canadian Sawvivor. Light, packable and a lifetime warranty. You can't beat it. Wish you carried them. Trail Blazer is the name of the company.

[@yankey4]

Nice Brother. Your right we tend to forget about how things have worked for 1000's of years. Good job Brother. Thanks for the info. I will be adding one to my bags and truck. God Bless Brother.

[@zzzombiez]

Well done. I especially liked this video because of how concisely the benefits of the axe-to-saw were weighed. Thank you, Brother Dave. A lot of folks think I am biased because I make hawks for a living, but when weight and durability is an issue, saws are great bushcraft tools, probably one of the best, but not to be relied upon for survival IMO. I love my bowsaws, but they are usually part of my packframe, so they come anyway. I like the long handsaws when snow is present. - Mike / vector001

[@armytrpt1979]

I love the bow saws, man. I have 2 that I bring to camping almost every time I go out. Those things are simply great

[@ThePaleoAgrarianist]

Buck saws are great. I have had one for years and it has served me well.

[@FFF3505]

Nothing better than my bow saw. I love how easy it makes processing firewood!

[@RenThraysk]

Yeah, big fan of bowsaws, tend to carry a 32" bowsaw, axe and a billhook in an surplus kit bag when working in the woodland. Far easier felling trees cutting the horizontal part of a notch with the saw, and then chop the notch out with the axe, even cut the backcut with a saw if not feeling particularly heroic. Also with a large bow can use it like a two man crosscut.

[@OpaKnows]

Can't overstate the value of this simple tool. It's been around longer than we have, and I suspect it'll be here after we go too. Thanks for the tips, Dave.

[@nomansland4811]

Pete is petty Dave. You are a great instructor and doing a great job. Very educational and entertaining. Thanks for your efforts and contributions.

[@YaddaYaddaWarden]

My family always camped a lot when I was growing up. My mom and dad bought me my own bow saw when I was ten years old. I had GREAT parents!

[@kumbackquatsta]

been missing the common man vids, please keep them coming

[@quackman7]

I purchased a wyoming saw awhile back. It takes apart and is in a small case. Comed with a boning blade and wood blade. My bahco is now in my duck blind bag and the wyoming took its place in my backpack

[@rnc-wr8wv]

Bow drill idea is epic

[@dougallen7890]

Good vid Dave, the bow saw is the best, lighter than a chain saw, no fuel or oil to carry, safer to use, many sizes and blade types available. I use 3 sizes up to 30 inches with a 12 inch spread, that's a 24 inch tree downed or cut off in about 10 mins. and can be used as a 2 man saw, even less energy used.

[@ammer1010]

man dave you are livin the dream brother

[@dougallen7890]

Good vid Dave, the bow saw is the best, lighter than a chain saw, no fuel or oil to carry, safer to use, many sizes and blade types available. I use 3 sizes up to 30 inches with a 12 inch spread, that's a 24 inch tree downed or cut off in about 10 mins. and can be used as a 2 man saw, even less energy used. ps Dave, gun show this weekend at Westland Mall, 270 & Broad, Columbus, not too far away.

[@McKenzieChad]

Dang, BCUSA store sold me a triangler Sven folding saw. I see your point about not being able to get good cuts in tight situations, but I'm it will be good when used in the open. Thank you Dave!

[@truthinourtime]

Am I the only one that LOL'd at the title of this video? Thanks for the great videos Dave.

[@CTrane88]

Love the videos, Dave. Thanks for your work. Do you have any videos on how to prepare birds?

[@swampfox1235]

I like the reach though grip. Wish I would have had that tip years ago when I raked that blade acoss my hand one day when I was cutting. thank you Dave

[@Halleluyoyo]

Love these old time videos. Thanks :)

[@SooperCherry94]

Loving the videos, Dave. Any chance of another Cast Iron Cooking vid?

[@travismichaud6064]

Bows saws. Such awesomeness. I've got 4 of them, at the moment. 12, 18, 24, and 36 inches. The 18 is the most useful around the house here. The two longer ones are in various states of being refurbished. My father has one that was farm made, about 30 inches, has a frame made from a thin walled steel pipe. neat stuff. Anyway, enough of the rant. thanks for all the useful posts.

[@captainpegs07]

I always preferred the saw over the axe when camping. I carried a bow saw, machete for clearing a camp site, and a Tidioute double blade folding knife for carving and skinning. Never missed an axe. Besides felling large trees or splitting wood, what can it do?

[@muddog1561]

By the way I have used both an axe/thomahawk and saws before extensively. I used to work in the forestry industry for a state government agency.

[@snaponjohn100]

Great video, Dave. They are a great tool. I have only used mine to cut down a Christmas tree. God bless. John

[@jstnfshr]

It's great how you tie in the historical facts about all the equipment you show and explain how it developed over time or ways the tool hasn't changed; the info you provide is always both practical and educational!! ...and if you don't approve my comment quick enough, I understand you're a very busy guy; it won't cause me to un-sub or "call you out" in a video:P

[@TheBazFella]

As usual, all we need to know. Thanks Dave. Ive been thinking about a bow saw as an alternative to my Laplander, and knew you'd come up with something. Baz.

[@tubeid43]

I have the 12" version that I keep in the truck and one in the pack. Both have metal and the wood blades. Several spare blades are carried in a canvas sleeve with a cardboard welt. wighs less than 2lbs.

[@jonahwalker7717]

Never thought of the bow drill application, that's a great idea because making the bow was what I was finding difficult.

[@Simplemansnature]

Dave, people like that aren't worth the energy of even getting upset over. Likewise, I see the same ones every day at work: impatient, in a hurry, demanding, and only seeing perspectives pertaining to their world and needs, without a thought as to others, or the larger picture. I for one appreciate your work, and never have had a single problem with any of my comments posting... maybe because I understand like most people, that you will get around to them when you can.

[@walleyefishinrod3115]

Good vid brother. I was wondering why you haven't said anything about the usefullness of the bow saw.I've used one all my life in the bush. They work great. Thanks for the idea of using it for a fire bow. Never thought of that. Great idea. Take care Dave. Hope you and your family are ok after sandy....Rod

[@fredfreiberger7878]

dave thanks for your knowledge you have renewed my quest 4 survival knowledge i am slowly buiding up my gear as i can been making flea markets and other sales it is coming together hope to be able 2afford some classes but times are hardanyway thanks for the knowledge you impart on u-tube

[@juggalo8787]

If you take an old piece of garden hose and cut it down to the size of the blade with a slit it in they do a very good job of protecting you and your gear from the blade. Also they are almost indestructable, and if you tape it back together temporarily you can also use it to funnel water from a collection tarp to a container.

[@brandoneargle1]

great video dave, I was debating getting one, and now I made up my mind. I will get one soon.

[@daltonallen546]

love'em! I carry both bowsaw and axe. Greatest combination and very common man priced! Bowsaw $7 a decent hatchet for $20!!!!

[@coolastro]

Hello Dave Just got a bowsaw from goodwill real cheap :-) I notice you said you could use it to make a bow drill just wondering could you also use it with slingshot replacement band to make a Bow

[@johntmurray67]

as always thank you.we love you man

[@cabowhunter1965]

Dave great video I like what your doing. Have you tried the Trailblazer Buck saw?

[@LivingHistorySchool]

you can use your multi tool pliers to bend the teeth back into position most people think the blade just get dull but a lot of time they are just the teeth out of position, draw back is you can really sharpen the blades in the field as you can an ax

[@onearmron123]

love it bro. I've kept one of those on my atv for years.

[@mulkoin]

great vid. Dave

[@muddog1561]

I went and bought a 21 inch bow saw today. I'll have to see what other sizes I can find. The Ace Hardware store only had this one size. I'll look at Home Depot. This will mainly be used around the Homestead.

[@ksdj1]

Sometimes we overlook the simple things. What a great and inexpensive time and energy saver!

[@kinjiruoni1199]

would you recommend the bow saw over a folding type pruning saw in a bug out pack?

[@lacrosse1080]

point proven yeah but i have 2 sleeping bags fairly warm i know 1 is made in the usa i suspect the other one is they unzip and repell water so could be used as a emergency tarp and are relatively thick and yes i do know there not as good as a wool blanket i just wanted to know if it was a viable option so thanks for the input and i just wanted to know do you mind answering all these questions people have cuz i kinda feel bad always asking you all these questions and im woundering if im abusing

[@Atkrdu]

Thanks for the video, Dave. I'd been a bit on the fence about the saw (didn't seem like it was THAT useful), but seeing it's versatility & lightness, maybe I'll throw it in. I have an idea for a primitive one (maybe you'd like to try it). You'd take a piece of rope/string (bankline might not even need the glue), smash up some quartz or other similar stone, & coat the string in it (water,pitch or fish glue, perhaps?). Then tie the ends of the rope to two handles & it would be like a wire saw.

[@karenchakey]

Hi Dave! you done any overnighers lately? I remember watching you back in 2009 you spent the night under a tarp in the leaves, ice storm that night! I've learned so much from all your vids, they were the very first ones I ever watched! I won a bow drill from snaponjohn and can make fire now! Thanks again to you and Iris for sharing! I miss the show tho, catch reruns all the time...Take Care and God Bless you your family

[@dunn98632]

Thanks for the heads up I will get two of them and put them in my emergeny supplies along with some extra blades and my ax . Thanks again I totaly forgot about them

[@blacktippydog]

Dave have you ever seen a factory made blade cover, I have made them out of cardboard and duc tape and have used garden hose split for covers but have never seen a store bought cover

[@6Demon6Face6]

Can the bow saw also be dual-used for fire starting by removing the blade and replacing it with some paracord? It seems that the spine of the bow saw would be much more sturdy and available than trying to find a piece of wood that's ideal for a bowdrill.

[@FacetsOfTruth]

That is an interesting technique Dave. I've never seen anyone reach through the blade like that. I'll give it a try. If I were Left Handed, I'd move to the other side, placed my right hand to the right of the blade and still have the end fall to the ground like you did. Can you explain why you reach through again? I also agree totally with having an ax over a saw. Actually, I'd rather have (even) my hatchet over a saw. I need my hatchet at all times in the woods. Thanks bud!

[@johnruckman2320]

I have an older metal bowsaw with a wing nut tensioner. I was noticing a bit of a twist in the blade so I loosened it a tried to line up the black to the bowsaw. How tight do I need to make it so the blade doesn't flex sideways? I also noticed that the front part of the blade isn't sitting quite flush with the bow frame. Is there anything I can do without weakening the front tab that goes through the blade hole? 😔 In fact none of my metal bows have that lever tensioner, and every one of them is different. Of the two wood frame bucksaws, the smaller one that was given to me is an antique that has never been used. The tensioning cord (which is thicker than usual) feels stiff and dry despite feeling like it was waxed or something. What should I do to it? What kind of cord should I get to replace it when the time comes, and what should I soak it in?

[@alzathoth]

bow depth = tree diameter is an important lesson. thanks again dave.

[@rnc-wr8wv]

What are the most important things that an axe does that a bow saw doesn't?

[@Jaybird196]

Dave, do they make any bow saw blades suitable for cutting metals ? Thanks.

[@thepopcorn00]

Hey Dave do I need a new blade if the saw keeps catching on the wood i am trying to cut?

[@justgonnastay]

Hey, Dave, what are your thoughts on the folding, jack-knife style saws? There's a Japanese company, Silky, that makes some that look very high quality and have blades that are as long as 14 inches. Well, they make one that has a 19 inch blade, but it's for serious, heavy duty professional use and the price shows that. Anyway, are they more survival/backpacking tools than bushcrafting tools in your eyes?

[@panerudepon]

You can sharpen it with a radial file, if it's a timber type saw.

[@lacrosse1080]

hey dave ive watched your videos and ive never seen you use a bow saw before hmm seems cheap but would you take a bow saw over a bahco or something just wondering oh and nice vids

[@samuelgustavsson562]

nice video dave!!

[@redneckdigital2432]

I agree they are great to have Dave! I found out the hard way though, that they are not all made the same. be careful of the cheap ones.

[@Fieldmarshal187]

Keeping it simple, thanks Dave

[@schnittteisen]

Hey Dave, thanks for sharing. I hought that you might wanna show us at some point the lost art of resharpening saw blades and teeth resetting? Today we can, like you mentioned, replace dull blades with new ones, but that is also because their teeth are usually harder than files and cannot be sharpened. but in the past they had to and could be resharpened and today I unfortunally don´t know anyone who still knows or does this. anyway, have a nice weekend, Roland.

[@nathanlief]

Garden hose works really well for a saw blade cover

[@MisterKisk]

Hey Dave, where did you get your slouch hat from? I've been looking for a good one for a while now, and I can't seem to come across any that are of good quality with affordable prices (for a hat that is). Any suggestions where to look?

[@BornRandy62]

most stamped bow saw blades can be 'resharpened' simply by re establishing the tooth offset by bending with the mutli tool

[@lacrosse1080]

the only thing ive noticed about bow saws is the teeth they usually only cut one way but like a bahco cuts both ways and they can fold i dont know just wanted your opinion

[@Awholeopinion]

can you do a video on oatsee?

[@TheUptoparr]

You can roll the log around to cut a bigger one. I always take a blade with me and make the handle out of vine maple, by heating it over the fire and bending it. Love the northwest ;)

[@dumanhieu]

What about a silky saw vs bow saw?

[@WWBILL2]

Good info as always!

[@lacrosse1080]

i dont know i have used sleeping bags before and it wasnt bad but no matter what i think about a survival item i always try to double check with an expert (you) so yeah just wanted some input

[@DudeNumberOnePlus]

garden hoose cut along one side makes perfect cover for the saw.

[@theknifemaker20]

had one of these a few years ago but it got stolen. got me one of those bahco folding saws off the website and it works great.

[@mulkoin]

great vid.

[@Banzaishuriken]

I never have heard about sticking your hand in the saw when cutting before. In Boy Scouts we were always taught to keep your hand away from the blade.

[@lacrosse1080]

so would you say sleeping bags are a viable option or not

[@sab611]

The Duluth folding saw is good and doesn't have the triangular problem.

[@latwill301]

Love my bow saw.

[@Jaybird196]

Thanks, Dave :) !

[@CTFUvegan2014]

Can somebody let me know how long these saw blades last? I'm new to saws and don't understand how long saw blades last before replacement. How about compared to folding saws and hand saws? Google is no help.

[@lacrosse1080]

would you carry this over a bahco laplander!

[@TheKodiak72]

my buck saw is a bacho, cuts great. Find urself a large sized buck saw, these cut trees 10" thick like its made of butter. pretty much as fast as a chainsaw

[@muddog1561]

Why an axe or hatchet? I understand the idea about the saw. I have been carrying a Kukri for 25 or 30 years so I don't get why an Axe would be important over a big blade. I still have never found any use for a saw but I do understand the safety aspect of a saw. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@Hutzjohn]

Good info. I carry one of these in my jeep always. For the field I prefer the Silky "Bigboy" it is a folding saw like the Laplander only with about a 16 inch blade and only weighs 12 ounces. It cuts like a mini chain saw. The big problem with it is it is not in the common mans price range, about $65 plus shipping and it is not made in America but then neither is the Laplander which is a great saw also. (Knife, saw, Axe, 3 is 1) (2 is none) MAYBE ?

[@gramarmy]

Someone doesn't watch your videos to the end :D Nice job Dave!

[@dgr8zod]

Got one on the porch (in the woods) they rock ;)

[@romeoneverdies]

i got a sawvivor and i dont really think its anywere near the streght of a regular hacksaw .

[@TheFred7990]

Where can i buy the 12 inch?

[@kwstikas82]

why do you have to put your hand through the saw?