Fiskars Xtract SW75 Large Garden Saw

Fiskars little garden saw Xtract SW73 is a very nice saw that placed it self high in my latest field test on folding saws. The Xtrac SW75 is a bigger sibling to the smaller models SW72 and SW73. To see more about the saw test covering 12 test objects; click HERE.

I really like the Fiskars concept of using a telescopic mechanism to extract the blade from the handle. The hollow handle contain the effective saw blade that can be extracted seamlessly and locked tight any where along the way. The locking screw on the side of the handle also ensure that the blade doesn't unintentionally extract while carrying.

I'm impressed with the Xtract SW73 and it's precursor when it comes to capacity and comfort. But in my opinion the concept of the smaller saws doesn't really work as good in this big scale. The Xtract SW75 gives an impressive reach and cutting capacity but the longer blade of the SW75 tend to vibrate while cutting giving a buzzing noise to the handle. Also the locking mechanism that works so nicely on the smaller models doesn't really lock the big blade of the SW75 as tight. The Xtract SW75 end up high in score talking about cutting capacity in my field test, but I'm afraid the overall impression of this saw is harmed by the above mentioned vibration problem.

Specs
Manufacturer: Fiskars, Finish company with production in South Korea
Model: Xtract SW75 Large Garden Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 252 mm
Blade thickness: 1,1 mm
Blade width: 33,93 mm
Unfolded length: 552 mm
Folded length: 335 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber (SoftGrip)
Handle thickness: 24,8 mm
Weight: 249 g
Price: 459 SEK (Sweden 2015)

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Fiskars Xtract SW73 Small Garden Saw

Fiskars Small Garden Saw became one of my favorite saws when I executed my first field test on folding saws back in 2009. Since then Fiskars have updated the model both in design and denomination. Now the saw is named Xtract SW73 and the design consist in a some what beefier handle with rubber inlays, now also including a carbine hook to attach the saw to clothing or bags, while transporting. If you want to read more about the saw test covering 12 test objects; click HERE.

The saw's design is robust despite it's low weight. The hollow handle contain the effective saw blade that can be extracted seamlessly and locked tight any where along the way. The locking screw on the side of the handle also ensure that the blade doesn't unintentionally extract while carrying.

I'm impressed with the Xtract SW73's precursor and a lot is carry over on this newer version. Sadly though this specific saw's outer tip has gotten a bit bent after a longer period of testing. But I can't really say that this has effected the saws cutting capasity to any extent. The stength of the Xtract SW73 is it's low weight and good capacity. I can mention that Fiskars also is offering a more fine teethed version of this saw; the Fiskars Xtract SW72 Carpenter Saw. I haven't yet gotten the opportunity to test the SW72, but I'm guessing it could be really nice for harder materials like bone while taking care of game. Also take a look at the biger sibling Xtract SW75.

Specs
Manufacturer: Fiskars, Finish company with production in South Korea
Model: Xtract SW73 Small Garden Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 161 mm
Blade thickness: 1 mm
Blade width: 28,18 mm
Unfolded length: 355 mm
Folded length: 197 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber (SoftGrip)
Handle thickness: 21,45 mm
Weight: 116 g
Price: 349 SEK (Sweden 2015)

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Fiskars Small Garden Saw

This little saw became my favorite when I did my first field test on folding saws back in 2009. The saw has tangled along since and the model has been updated to the Xtract SW73 by Fiskars. This year 2015 I've conducted yet another field test on saws and this old little trooper once again, despite even tougher competition, ended up as one of my favorites. To read more about my test; click HERE.

The saw's design is robust despite it's low weight. The hollow handle contain the effective saw blade that can be extracted seamlessly and locked tight any where along the way. The locking screw on the side of the handle also ensure that the blade doesn't unintentionally extract while carrying. If I'd like to carry the saw on my belt; the saw came with a plastic belt loop featuring a quick lock that can be attached to the saw's handle by a twisting motion.

In the beginning I was skeptic if the hard plastic surface of this saw's handle could offer a good grip when wet. But now after six year in the field I don't have any complaints. However the thin and efficient blade have gotten a bit bent from the hard years gone, but this is nothing bothering me. I'm very impressed with how much abuse this thin blade can cope. And it is a great achievement by this old saw to perform at the same level as it's five year younger sibling, when it comes to cutting capacity in my latest test.

This saw's strength is it's low weight and good capacity. On trips when I want o be able to carry my saw inside a pocket in my pants or jacket; my choice of saw is this old Fiskars Small Garden Saw.

Specs
Manufacturer: Fiskars, Finish company with production in South Korea (the above saw is manufactured in Finland)
Model: Small Garden Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 161 mm
Blade thickness: 1 mm
Blade width: 28,18 mm
Unfolded length: 354 mm
Folded length: 197 mm
Handle material: Plastic
Handle thickness: 19,6 mm
Weight: 95 g
Price: 169 SEK (Sweden 2009)

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Fiskars Fixed Blade Saw 123840

In my field tests on saws Fiskars has always done well. This fixed blade saw and sheath is a very interesting alternative to the folding saws for times when size ain't an issue. I've been carrying this saw easy reachable mounted on the outside of my backpack.

The long an narrow blade enables a high cutting capacity hard for any folding saw to compete with. And the Fiskars Fixed Blade Saw 123840 is actually lighter than several of the folding saws I've tested.

The comfortable rubberized bent shaped handle has a hole for lanyard and are easy recognizable color when out in the bush. The plastic sheath is easy to clean and have nice drain holes. The belt loop is not so robust but as I said I prefer to carry this saw attached to my backpack. The Fiskars Fixed Blade is a nice mix between a folding saw and a full size saw. If you want to read more about my latest field test on folding saws; click HERE.

Specs
Manufacturer: Fiskars, Finish company with production in South Korea
Model: Fixed Blade Saw 123840
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 325 mm
Blade thickness: 1 mm
Blade width: 39,7 mm
Saw length: 499 mm
Total length (saw and sheath): 502 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber (SoftGrip)
Handle thickness: 24 mm
Sheath material: Plastic
Sheath thickness: 2,25 mm
Sheath weight: 82 g
Saw weight: 190 g
Total weight (saw and sheath): 272 g
Price: 487 SEK (Sweden 2015)

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Jula 702047 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. I bought the Jula 702047 Folding Saw back in 2008 and then it wasn't branded at all. The saw is still offered at Jula, but now a days it's branded Hard Head (Julas own brand). 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.

What I like most about this saw (besides the price tag) is the generous amount of rubber on the handle. Another plus to this saw is the blade lock that also locks the blade when folded. This is a nice safety feature that ensures that the saw doesn't unfold unexpectedly during transport. On the end of the handle there's also a lanyard hole.

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 Jula 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 Jula saw for only 85 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 59 SEK for this saw back in 2008.

Specs
Manufacturer: Jula, Swedish company with foreign situated production
Model: 702047 Folding Saw
Blade material: Stainless steel
Blade length: 179 mm
Blade thickness: 1,11 mm
Blade width: 35,5 mm
Unfolded length: 401 mm
Folded length: 226 mm
Handle material: Plastic and rubber
Handle thickness: 24 mm
Weight: 223 g
Price: 85 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: This saw came from Jula (2008)

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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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