Biltema 16424 Folding Saw

There's a lot of fun and cheap stuff at the big supermarkets for us outdoor nerds to botanize among. These days there's often a bigger variety of products and quality in these big stores focusing on everything from car parts to kitchen utilities. You often find higher quality products side by side with the stores own brands. This folding saw is a good example on this, it's the Biltema 16424 Folding Saw. A low price tag doesn't necessarily mean bad quality by default. Therefor I think it's interesting to also bring a cheap product like this to my field tests. If you want to see more about my latest field test on saws; click HERE.

Biltema's folding saw is a big tool but the slim design makes it nice to handle and carry. The signal red color of the plastic handle makes the saw easy to find out in the bush. The handle's rubber inlays offer a good grip and a generous lanyard hole is to be found in the end of the handle. The long blade has no blade lock in folded position but if you now and then tighten the folding mechanism the friction keeps the blade folded during transport. The blade lock offer a very nice and tight in unfolded position. The Biltema lock is very similar to the locking mechanism seen on the Opinel No.18.

I've now been using this saw for six years and unfortunately I must say that the blade's cutting capacity has gotten less and less effective trough the years. This is most likely the result of this saw's low price. As far as I know I don't think Biltema offer spare parts for this product, too bad as the handle still are in pretty good shape. But on the other hand; today I can by a brand new Biltema saw for only 75 SEK. So even though this saw didn't put up much of a fight in my latest field test on saws; I think I've gotten a hole lot of saw for my money as I only gave 70 SEK for this saw back in 2008.

Specs
Manufacturer: Biltema, Swedish company with foreign situated production
Model: 16424 Folding Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 229 mm
Blade thickness: 1,16 mm
Blade width: 36 mm
Unfolded length: 513 mm
Folded length: 295 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber
Handle thickness: 25,9 mm
Weight: 255 g
Price: 75 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: This saw came from Biltema (2008)

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Bahco Laplander 396-LAP Folding Saw

The Laplander has become a classic among us Bushcraft enthusiasts. Besides the nice quality of the saw the aspect of Bahco offering the Lap-Knife kit could be a contributing aspect to this popularity. The kit consist of one Laplander saw and one Bahco branded Companion knife from Morakniv.
This saw is one of the test objects in my latest field test on folding saws. See the test by clicking HERE.

The Bahco Laplander saw has a comfortable and high quality design. The blade lock is locking the blade in both unfolded and folded position wish is a nice safety feature when carrying. There is a small vertical play to the blade in unfolded locked position, but this hasn't bothered me or the saw's cutting abilities. The blade has a powder coated surface and is also available as a spare part. The rubberized handle enables a very good grip and the saw comes with a leather lanyard.

I've now been using this saw for six years and I'm very satisfied with it. To avoid the risk of displacing the black and green saw out in the bush I recommend you to give it some kind of signal color mark. One way is to use a colorful lanyard. The teeth pattern on the blade is rather fine on this saw. This gives a nice all round saw being able to process both soft and hard materials.

Specs
Manufacturer: Bahco, Swedish company own by Frensh SNA Europe
Model: Laplander 396-LAP
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 179 mm
Blade thickness: 1,18 mm
Blade width: 36,2 mm
Unfolded length: 402 mm
Folded length: 232 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber
Handle thickness: 22,55 mm
Weight: 182 g
Price: 449 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: This saw comes from Järnia (2008)

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Silky Ultra Accel 240 Curve Folding Saw

Japanese Silky has delivered saws since 1919 and 1991 Grönyte-Konsult AB brought the saws to Scandinavia. Ultra Accel 240 Curve is one of Silky's biggest folding saws and one of the test objects in my latest field test on folding saws. The Ultra Accel turned out as the winner when it comes to cutting performance. Also I would like to say that this is my favorite folding saw for situations when carrying my saw inside the backpack. You can read more about the saw test covering 12 test objects by clicking HERE.

The handle consists of a steel frame covered by rubber. A big lanyard hole is situated on the handle butt and a robust leaver locks the blade in two different positions unfolded. Folded the blade is not locked by the locking mechanism, however the friction is keeping the blade tucked in securely during transport. Unfolded the blade has a slight play vertically, this is nothing bothering me though. The Ultra Accel 240 Curve has a curved blade, but if you prefer a straight blade; the the Silky Ultra Accel 240 Straight is offered. Also a Taiko version called Silky Ultra Accel 240 Taiko is avalible. So far I only had the pleasure of testing the Curve version.

The Ultra Accel is a very nice tool when robustness and performance is prioritized over weight and volume. I've now been using Silky's saws since 2011 and I'm still very pleased with their performance. Take a look also on my reviews on the Silky Pocket Boy 130 and the Silky Super Accel 21.

Specs
Manufacturer: Silky, Japan
Model: Ultra Accel 240 Curve
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 248 mm
Blade thickness: 1,38 mm
Blade width: 41,55 mm
Unfolded length: 525 mm
Folded length: 296 mm
Handle material: Steel and rubber
Handle thickness: 23,8 mm
Weight: 295 g
Price: 485 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: Grönyte-Konsult

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ØYO Butchering Saw

The Norwegian tool manufacturer ØYO has a history reaching back to the year 1882. In their product portfolio you can find tools like; knives, axes and saws. The ØYO Butchering Saw is one of the test objects in my latest field test on folding saws. As this test focus on cutting dry and fresh wood this saw unfortunately ended up low in score. The ØYO Butchering Saw had the most fine toothed blade of all the test's saws. This saw's teeth pattern is best suited for cutting harder materials such as bone while taking care of the game. To see my latest field test on folding saws; click HERE.

The saw's design is very similar to a regular lock back folding knife's. The handle consists of a steel frame covered by plastic scales with rubber inlays, hold together by torx screws. The handle has no hole for a lanyard and the lock only fix the blade when unfolded. There is a small vertical play to the blade in locked position, but this is nothing that bothers me.

I like this saw's smooth design and nice pocket carrying feel. The saw is though relatively heavy considering it's size. Unfortunately this is not a saw I would bring on a trip if I need a allround saw. But the ØYO Butchering Saw is a good help when processing the meat after hunting.

Specs
Manufacturer: ØYO, Norway
Model: Butchering Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 177 mm
Blade thickness: 1,55 mm
Blade width: 29,5 mm
Unfolded length: 380 mm
Folded length: 208 mm
Handle material: Steel, plastic and rubber
Handle thickness: 18 mm
Weight: 203 g
Price: 249 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: XXL Sport & Vildmark

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Opinel No. 08

This is truly a classic. Opinel's No. 08 first saw the daylight back in the late 1800's when Joseph Opinel wanted to create a practical EDC. Today about 15 million Opinel knives are sold per year. Opinel manufactures several models and the original No. 08 is still in production as a part of the Tradition series.

This knife has a handle made of Beechwood. As an option also Rosewood, Bone or Stag handles are available. The blade is made of stainless 12C27 Sandvik steel. The carbon XC90 and a Damascus steel is also available. I like the down-to-earth feel of this folder. The simple yet stylish design makes this a blade suited for most situations. A thin clip point blade with a slight convex edge. The folding mechanism is spring less and the lock consists of the tight Virobloc. The No. 08's tight lock, thin blade and comfortable handle actually make this folder quite a good wood carver. And as the folder is so light it's very comfortable to carry in your pocket although it's size.

Opinel is with no doubt the French equivalent to the Swede's Mora knife; all households have one. It's clear that the concept of mixing; quality, simplicity, good price and tradition, is a smash hit.

Specs
Manufacturer: Opinel, France
Model: Tradition No. 08
Blade material: Stainless 12C27 Sandvik steel with 0,40 % Carbon
Blade length: 83 mm
Blade thickness: 1,7 mm
Knife length (closed/open): 111 mm/193 mm
Handle material: Beech with a natural finish
Handle thickness: 21 mm
Knife weight: 46 g
Price: 139 SEK (Sweden 2014)
Supplier: J.A. Sundqvist AB

You can read a more detailed article on the Opinel Tradition-series in the Swedish magazine Vapentidningen No.. 1 – 2015. If you don't already have the magazine you can find it (paper or web) via Vapentidningen's homepage

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Karesuandokniven Unna àksu

An axe from Karesuandokniven? Yes! After 40 years in the knife business the Swedish company now offers an axe for the first time. The axe is called Unna àksu which means "Small Axe" in the Sami language of the indigenous people of the Nordics. Karesuandokniven couldn't have picked a better name; this is really a small axe indeed. What's special with this interesting tool is the weight, the sheath and the shape.

The Weight

Unna áksu is a lot lighter than other small axes meant to be carried in the belt. This axe I actually can carry like a knife without getting bothered by the weight. Unna áksu weighs 317 g which can be compared to the Ontario RAT-7's 361 g or the Leatherman Surge's 334 g.

The Sheath

Perhaps not the prettiest piece of leather work I ever seen, but it absolutely get the job done. I can unbuckle the sheath and pull out the axe just using one hand.

The Shape

The design of the axe's head allows me to grab the tool far up the handle. This enables me to also use the tool almost like a knife. The sharp edge holds up very good as the stainless steel is hardened to HRC 54.

Specs 

Manufacturer: Karesuandokniven AB, Sweden

Model: Unna áksu 3638 (Nature) and 3639 (Brown)

Steel: Stainless tool steel hardened to HRC 54

Length of axe's head: 105 mm

Thickness of axe's head: 20 mm

Edge length: 70 mm

Handle material: Moose bone, Reindeer antlers and curly birch

Total length: 225 mm

Weight (without sheath): 317 g

Sheath: 3 mm thick black cowhide

Total weight (axe and sheath): 375 g

Delivered with: Sheath, gift box and a diamond sharpener

Price: 1705 SEK (Sweden 2015)

A Crossing Between Axe and a Knife

Of course a small axe like this one doesn't provide the same chopping ability as a big and long axe, but the Unna àksu surprises me. I'm not a fan of batoning wood with my knives, but by batoning on the Unna áksu you get a great little tool to help you out when starting the fire.

If you wanna know more about the Unna áksu; take a look in the magazine Vapentidningen no 9 year 2014. There you can read an article I've written on the little axe. On the Vapentidningen website you can order the paper version of the magazine or take a look at the e-mag.

Also take a look at Karesuandokniven's largest axe by clicking HERE.

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Fällkniven U4 Bear Claw - Good Things Come in Small Packages

For six months now Fällkniven's small lock back folder U4 Bear Claw have been my everyday companion. The knife has become a good friend and has yet not let me down. A knife like this is suitable when a big folder or a fixed blade is inappropriate. But just because I choose to go lighter I don't necessary want to lower my standards when it comes to functionality and durability. The U4 is a good example of this.

Design
The U4 Bear Claw has a 53 mm long, 16,5 mm wide and 2,2 mm thick blade of a discreet clip point shape (almost drop point). The Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS) has been given a brushed finish and the convex edge is 5,5 mm long. The edge feels convex but when I look closer I can see a slight bevel. One nail nick on each side of the blade is appreciated from bout right and left handed users. The U4's older sibling the U2 was actually the worlds first serial manufactured folder using the laminated powder steel SGPS.

Steel Analysis of the Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS)
C - 1.40
Si - 0.50
Mn - 0.40
P - 0.030
Cr - 15.00
Mo - 2.80
S - 0.030
V - 2.00

The U4's 10 mm thick black zytel handle is molded in one piece and a torx blade pivot pin attaches the blade to the handle. The folder's lock back leaver is placed on the middle of the handle and is as smooth and well fitted as the rest of the U4's moving components.

Specs
Model: Fällkniven U4 Bear Claw
Blade Material: Laminated powder steel, Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS), 62 HRC
Blade Length: 53 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,2 mm
Knife Length: 72 mm / 125 mm
Handle Material: Black zytel
Handle Thickness: 10 mm
Knife Weight: 26 g
Price: 824 SEK (Sweden 2014)

Here you can see the U4 together with a couple of  friends from the same knife segment.
From the top; Fällkniven U4 Bear Claw, Buck 55 and Opinel No. 6.

A God Candidate for The Ultimate EDC
When talking about small EDC folders I think the U4 is one of the best. The knife design is simple yet tasteful and offers a practical tool. The low weight and compact measures makes the U4 fit in any pocket, and can even be mounted on the key chain if so desired.
Although the folder is small and light it feels robust and competent and besides the obvious downsides of a small knife my only objection is the sharp edge on the back of the blade neck when folded. This sharp angle may damage the inside of a pocket or other objects kept in the same pocket. But so far I haven't really had any problems from this.

I've been using this knife a lot but have yet not needed to sharpen the edge. Have to get back to you regarding the maintenance of this knife. The U4 Bear Claw is no bling bling folder if you're out to impress your company. But this is also the strength of this knife in my opinion; to always be at hand in a discreet way.

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