Bow Saws (and replacement blades)

[IdahoMan]

Hi.

I'm looking for a good (non-China) bow saw. Anybody here that is a woodsman and does a lot of work cutting trees and lumber, I would like your input.

1. What size do you like best (20"/30")?

2. Is the blade sharpenable? (Some blades have the teeth heated to a blue color to harden them and I believe are NOT easily sharpenable)

3. Where is the saw made? And where are the replacement blades made?

4. What blades fit what saws? (Are they all standard, or are there compatibility issues?)


Thank you,
IM

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

I know of a good bow saw that is made in the USA, give me a minute and I'll be back.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

http://fourdog.com/ Try this one.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Sandvik is awesome. Like the 30" for most work.
Never sharpened mine, just replaced the blade.

 

[ecotec]

Sandvik is awesome. Like the 30" for most work.
Never sharpened mine, just replaced the blade.

That is what I have. Made in Sweden. I have a spare blade in 1970's packaging. Craftsman made in USA.

 

[Jazz1]

Sandvik is awesome. Like the 30" for most work.
Never sharpened mine, just replaced the blade.

I could not even think of a brand other than SANDVIK. I carry bowsaw in my truck and boat

 

[crackit]

The Bahco blades used to be good, made in Sweden. The last ones I bought were made in Mexico and were not so good.

 

[IdahoMan]

Any word on the interchangeability of blades between brands?

I could always buy a nice saw but buy different branded blades depending on price and quality, IF they can be swapped around.

 

[californiaHank]

Sandvik and Bahco are definitely interchangeable ...

I think that Sandvik bought Bahco and then Snap-On bought Sandvik's saw division.
Just to keep it confusing, Snap-on called the new company 'Bahco'.
Sandvik is still around as a company, but they no longer make or sell saws.

There are no more Sandvik-branded saws and blades, but a lot of what used to be Sandvik products are now sold by Snap-On under the Bahco brand name.

I think that at least some Bahco products are still made in Sweden, but Snap-On has used the Bahco name on a lot of stuff that's made in other countries.

 

[Voi]

http://fourdog.com/ Try this one.

I've heard good things about that saw. I need to get one for trail cleanup.

Dustrude Quick Buck Saw if anyone wants to search for reviews.

 

[crackit]

Any word on the interchangeability of blades between brands?

I could always buy a nice saw but buy different branded blades depending on price and quality, IF they can be swapped around.

I don't know of any problems with interchangeability. I've probably used 9 or 10 brands with my saws.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I like a Sven saw for portability and occasional use.

http://www.svensaw.com/

 

[IdahoMan]

FYI: The ACE brand (China) 30" saws at Ace Hardware have blade holes that are 29.5" apart.

(there is a second hole bellow one of the holes at the front of the saw, don't know what that is for).

Anybody here have one of the better saws (or any saw), and could measure the hole distance?