Opinel No.18 Folding Saw

The traditional French knife manufacturer Opinel offer two models of folding saws; No.18 and No.12. The big model (No.18) delivered very good results in my latest field test on saws. When it came to cutting performance the No.18 ended up in top three. See more about the saw test covering 12 test objects; click HERE.
I appreciate Opinel's basic design and functionality. The saws follows the same principles as the classical Opinel folding knives; a cylindrical wooden handle with a spring-less folding mechanism holding a thin Sandvik steel blade. See also my review on the Opinel No.08 knife by clicking HERE.

This saw's 18 centimeter long blade is locked tight in unfolded position via a buckle mechanism and the back of the Beech handle is equipped with a lanyard hole. The blade is also available as a spare part on their homepage wish is a nice and environmental statement of sustainability, that I think rhymes very well with Opinel's brand profile.

Opinel No.18 is a very capable and nice saw. If I have to say something negative about the tool I could mention that the wide part of the handle may feel a bit over-sized. But if I would like to change this; that's easily fixed with some carving tools, as the handle is made of solid wood. Also check out the smaller Opinel No.12 folding saw.

Specs
Manufacturer: Opinel, French company based in the Savoie area
Model: No.18 Saw
Blade material: Stainless 12C27 Sandvik steel with a 0,40% mix of carbon
Blade length: 183 mm
Blade thickness: 0,95 mm
Blade width: 34,75 mm
Unfolded length: 407 mm
Folded length: 237 mm
Handle material: Beech wood
Handle thickness: 27,2 mm
Weight: 179 g
Price: 619 K (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: Sundqvist

På Svenska

Opinel No.12 Folding Saw

The traditional French knife manufacturer Opinel offer two models of folding saws; No.18 and No.12. The smaller saw (No.12) is a light and handy tool that fits nicely in most pockets. This saw was the smallest (folded length) test object in my latest field test on saws. To see more about the saw test covering 12 test objects; click HERE.
I appreciate Opinel's basic design and functionality. The saws follows the same principles as the classical Opinel folding knives; a cylindrical wooden handle with a spring-less folding mechanism holding a thin Sandvik steel blade. See also my review on the Opinel No.08 knife by clicking HERE.

This saw's 12 centimeter long blade locks tight both in unfolded and folded position by the Opinel patterned blade lock called Virobloc. The wooden handle is available in color or natural finish and a lanyard can be applied if one so wishes. The Opinel No.12 is available both as a stand-alone product or as a part of the 3-piece Garden Kit; also including two folding knives.

I like the Opinel No.12  folding saw. This tool has also become a favorite of my 3 year old daughter Sonia when we practice wood carving together. As I said; this saw fits nicely in my pocket cos of it's neat size, and the quality is of he well known Opinel standard. But for more serious cutting I choose a bigger saw instead. Also check out my review on the bigger Opinel No.18 folding saw.

Specs
Manufacturer: Opinel, French company based in the Savoie area
Model: No.12 Saw
Blade material: Stainless 12C27 Sandvik steel with a 0,40% mix of carbon
Blade length: 122 mm
Blade thickness: 0,8 mm
Blade width: 24,8 mm
Unfolded length: 288 mm
Folded length: 165 mm
Handle material: Beech wood
Handle thickness: 26,15 mm
Weight: 109 g
Price: 300 SEK (Sweden 2015)
Dealer: Sundqvist

På Svenska

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)

På Svenska

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)

På Svenska

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)

På Svenska

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)

På Svenska

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)

På Svenska