Help me find a bow saw...

[eurovw]

I'm looking for a bow saw, for trees and branches up to 4-6 inches. Sometimes I just want to make one or two cuts and don't want to bother getting the chainsaw fired up. The Bahco ones on Amazon look good but I'm not sure what size would be best. I see some have blades for green wood and some for dry, I'll probably be cutting some of each.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I'm looking for a bow saw, for trees and branches up to 4-6 inches. Sometimes I just want to make one or two cuts and don't want to bother getting the chainsaw fired up. The Bahco ones on Amazon look good but I'm not sure what size would be best. I see some have blades for green wood and some for dry, I'll probably be cutting some of each.

I have a sandvik (now part of bahco, snapon) one I got from a yardsale for $1 a month or so ago and it works really well. If you don't need one immediately I see them at yard sales pretty often, Just cut some landscape timbers with it a few days ago for a garden bed. Doesn't cut really straight since the flex in the blade but for trees I doubt that would be a issue. Might even cut down a telephone pole with it since Sawzalls don't work really well with thick lumber. Anyways, I see 30" ones most of the time and mine is a 30" as well so I would pick up that size since it is not too big or small. Sandvik (bahco) makes saws frames, I personally have: hacksaw frame (now bahco 225) and the bowsaw frame, they kept a lot of sandviks old desings and upgraded some of them so I bet they are just as good. I have a couple hand saws of theirs but haven't used them much since the sides of the saw are rusty and cause a lot of resistance, one of these days I'll sand the rust off. Sorry for the novel here, I like sandvik. TL: DR Buy a 30" one and bahco is good.

 

[jal395]

I got this one at Christmas. Love it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001IX7TC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd just make a trip to your local hardware store or big box store. There's not really alot to them, they just cut the **** out of wood and I'd keep your fingers clear. While I have never cut myself, I hate to think what would happen to a finger with one full stroke of the saw.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have a couple that my dad had, not sure of the brand. With a sharp blade they cut great and they are light and fast for pruning. I also have a folding model for camping that is super handy.

 

[fourjeepin]

I occasionally use a Cordless sawzall with a long wood cutting blade but mostly stick with the fiskar bypass loppers. Awesome tool for cutting limbs. If it will fit in the jaws, it will cut it. I bought a set after seeing my 80+ year old grandmother using them.

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-PowerGear-Titanium-32-in-Bypass-Lopper-398542-1001/204705922/

 

[gungatim]

my last one came from big lots. do you not have a hardware store near you? like stated, not much too them, but I actually prefer to se a short stanley shark wood saw instead. the bow saws tend to twist, and can be awkward. short of that, my inlaws own a tree farm and use cordless sawzall's (ryobi equiv.) exclusively for trimming...

 

[zkling]

Check out fiskars.

 

[Squankum]

I like my Bahco from amazon. I, too, wanted a dry wood blade and a green wood blade, and I had previously bought a Chinese saw from Ace, and guess what? The new Bahco blade I bought just didn't fit that Chinese frame. So now I have a Chinese saw in reserve, the Bahco, and two Bahco blades.

_

 

[Wamsutta]

I'd give you mine. It's an old Sandvik that just hangs in the garage taking up space.

 

[Jim C.]

I've been using this 24" Craftsman saw for 25+ years. They're practically fool proof. Picking one is probably just a matter of personal preference. Unless you plan on using one frequently, the first one you buy will probably last a lifetime and will most likely never even need a replacement blade. This one is totally original right down to the blade. It sees use about once or twice a month to prune branches, etc. in my yard.

Jim C.

 

[Strouty]

This saw will cut that thick without an issue and it takes up less room. I love mine and use it frequently.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014C7YA2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I used bow saws when I was younger. But now with a pruning blade on the battery sawzall....why use a bow saw? It seems like it is not low profile and hits other branches.

(BTW, I do like hand tools, aka non-power, but maybe not for this app.)

 

[General Geoff]

the 21" Fiskars bow saw they sell at HD for $10 has worked very well for me. They also stock replacement blades for $5. Probably not the best bow saw around, but it's conveniently available almost anywhere locally, and gets the job done quickly. Lifetime warranty too.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I've been using this 24" Craftsman saw for 25+ years. They're practically fool proof. Picking one is probably just a matter of personal preference. Unless you plan on using one frequently, the first one you buy will probably last a lifetime and will most likely never even need a replacement blade. This one is totally original right down to the blade. It sees use about once or twice a month to prune branches, etc. in my yard.



Jim C.

That looks like the one I have, but I think my dad repainted it at some point.

 

[southalabama]

Ditto fiskers.

Wally World or Home Depot.

I view saws or blades as disposable. Buy a good one to make cutting easier but don't sweat chunking it. Fiskers has held up well for me.

 

[eurovw]

Thanks for the replies, some excellent information here, just what I was looking for. I'll head to my local Home Depot and see what's available. If I can't see anything there I like, I'll probably look at Amazon. That landscaping hand saw looks intriguing.

The trouble with this place is I keep finding out about tools I never new existed. My wish list keeps getting longer, and my wallet thinner.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

SNIP....

The trouble with this place is I keep finding out about tools I never new existed. My wish list keeps getting longer, and my wallet thinner.

Sounds like you need a thin wallet then....

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/frontpocketidwallet