Most western saws are designed to cut on the push stroke. Long western saws tend to buckle easily. To counteract that they use thicker metal or a frame to keep it straight.

In Asia they commonly use saws designed to cut on the pull stroke. In my opinion they are easier to use and are great when you want a very thine cut. They can be maid long and yet use very thin metal. I have a small 5" pull saw and the blade without the handle weighs only 1/4 ounce (the lowest reading I can get on my scale). making it 3 times longer and it would probably weigh under an ounce. Add a light weight handle (the ones at the hardware store have heavy handles). and it would still be under 2 ounces.

If the one in the picture was a pull saw the entire frame would not be needed. The handle would only need to be about 3 inches long (T shaped to get a good strong pull) and could be made of light weight plastic.

Edited by Surf on 01/19/2012 21:11:13 MST.

Pull saws, if high quality, are excellent saws for woodworking and (if made with fewer teeth per inch than woodworking saws) can be excellent for pruning as well. An example of a 15" pruning pull saw is the Sharp Corporation 15" Fine Cut Pruning Saw. You can find pictures of it online. It has a removable pistol-grip plastic handle.

However, the weight of this saw is probably at least a half pound, if not closer to a pound. I've seen the shipping weight listed as a pound, but out of curiosity I have an email pending with the Sharp Corp for a more exact weight on the saw as well as its replacement blade, which I'll post when they respond.

Meanwhile, the Little Buck 15" blade, as thin as it is, weighs about an ounce all by itself. In theory, you could carry just the blade and a piece of windlass cord with you and whittle and saw wooden bow saw pieces out of wood to create a saw. So much trouble, but that would be very light (except the knife you would need to make the saw components).

Steven:

I am impressed with the low weight and versatility of the Little Buck. I have brought traditional bow and frame saws on BP trips and it would be far superior in weight and packed size. My wife is always after me for gift suggestions and the Little Buck is on the list.

But I also like your thought about a Japanese pull saw. I'll leave it at that here so as not to hijack Robert's thread. See you on another thread.

-David

Editted to say: I started a thread under MYOG to pursue this idea.

Edited by DavidinKenai on 01/20/2012 13:37:33 MST.

Hi Steve,

This sounds like an interesting exercise in conceptual conjecture. I would be more impressed with a report that includes the weight and cutting performance of a prototype. Unlike Robert's saw, which is available for purchase, the SUL pull saw is just vaporware at this point. Make one that works and we'll all be more interested.

I've been in software development for 30 years, and I've learned that the devil is in the details and that few things are as cool in reality as they were in our imagination.

>"the SUL pull saw is just vaporware at this point"

Er, on the thread under MYOG (where assisting or flaming someone's design ideas belong), I've noted that I've got an 18g version that easily handles 2" and manages 3" stuff okay.

Since I posted that, I've had another idea (which IS total vaporware at this point), and I'll post that, too. But under MYOG.

I know I'm a couple weeks late with this, but you know how it is working with the film industry . . . bunch of prima donas, let me tell you.

Anyway, now you can see the Little Buck 2G subdue a good size log in jig time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dr8gOly4cQ


David - I'll be following your MYOG endeavors with interest.

For those interested in the little details, the Little Buck 15" naked blade weighs 1.10 ounces; 1.25 ounces with the steel rings that hold it in place on the vertical alloy tubes. That means the rest of the necessary saw components weigh a whopping 2.60 ounces.

New tyvek pouch option demonstrated - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qm-qoEjxwk

New tyvek pouch option illustrated below: includes a fiberglass tape
reinforcement of blade pocket, velcro closure, and weighs only 13 grams!




These are available now for $3 additional when buying a saw; $4 for anyone who has a saw and wants to use this carry method instead of the famous "bandana rollup". PayPal or questions to robkelly54 at gmail dot com.

Truth be told, this is lighter by more than a half ounce compared
to my bandana, so I'm goin' tyvek! Can you cut it? You betcha!

Edited by QiWiz on 01/22/2012 07:51:28 MST.

But a bandana is very multi-use.

I've used a bandana to roll up my Little Buck for months and it works just fine. I agree it's got a multi-use capability advantage compared to the tyvek pouch. However, in my case I found that I wanted to keep the saw rolled up when I was not actually using it, whereas I might still want a bandana - hence I was often taking two bandanas (one for the saw and one for everything else), so the tyvek pouch will be an UL enhancement for me. More than a half ounce saved! ; )

I've made it even easier to get information about my saws and trowels.
You can even order them and see any special offers (there's a great one right now!)

Check it out . . . QiWiz.net

When you’re on the trail in the rain
It’s hard not to whine and complain
But hard as you try to keep yourself dry
You’ll find all your efforts in vain

Even if wrapped in Goretex and eVent, says I

Take $5 off the price of an Original or Big Dig titanium trowel when purchased at the same time as a Little Buck 2G saw; I'll also include a free saw carry/storage pouch. Just got a new shipment in of Swedish steel 15" blades, so I can usually get your saw out to you the day after you place your order.

This offer will be available until April 1. Can you dig it?

All details on Specials page of website. Save 10% on combo of the lightest buck saw, pouch, and trowel on the planet. Offer good till 5/19. You CAN cut it!

Edited by QiWiz on 05/04/2012 09:21:16 MDT.

This is a pretty big saw and obviously not for everyone. BUT if you are hiking a trail to maintain and clear it, wouldn't you rather carry a big saw that weighs about a half a pound instead of a much heavier alternative? I know I would. Check out the new MEGA Buck page at QiWiz.net to see the new big brother to the Little Buck.

I'll be on trail from 8/30/12 through 9/15/12.

Gear ordered in next week (through 8/24) will be mailed out before I go. ; )

After that, you may have to wait until the week of 9/17 to get your gear : (

It's getting colder out there and some of you may want to pack a saw for those late fall and winter fires, but the idea makes you frown as you think about that heavy saw adding to your pack weight.

Never fear, because the lightest 15" saw AND the lightest cathole trowel on the planet have a special price as a combo deal (~10% off) through midnight October 20. Just go to www.QiWiz.net/specials.html

Can you dig it?

kudos.
well-designed / executed.
for u folks hikin in them piney woods, what a gr8 item.

Get a FireFly wood burning stove and get 10% off any other items you get at the same time: a trowel, a saw, a complete cook kit, a titanium windscreen, etc. No maximum. Make sure you go to the Specials page at http://QiWiz.net/specials.html when you place your order to activate the discount. I will rebate it back to your PayPal account. Offer expires March 1.

During the rest of June 2013, order any trowel and add ANY other items to your order that you want, including a Little Buck or MEGA Buck UL buck saw, additional trowels, a FireFly stove, ti windscreen, bottlestove, complete kit with pot, etc. (Gary's grills excluded)

Activate the offer by going to my Specials page and picking the "add a penny" choice you will find there.

I will then rebate 10% of the cost of all the other items (except the first trowel) to your PayPal account.

This offer is not quite as good as March Madness, but close. Can you dig it?