Saws

Saws are indispensable in the outdoor sector. They should not only be small and handy but also offer high functionality.

The range of saws in the ASMC shop is so diverse that the right tool can be found for every application. If saws are to be used outdoors or when camping as tools, they must not rely on electricity for operation and must be easy to transport. Folding saws are practical as they can be folded. This prevents injuries during transport. When unfolding, care must be taken to ensure that the mechanism clicks into place correctly. Only then is safe use guaranteed. Some models have an additional lock for this purpose.

A functional saw consists of a handle and a saw blade. This can cut a wide variety of materials. Wood requires a different saw blade than metal. There are models where the saw blade can even be changed as needed. These are equally suitable for firewood cutting and necessary metal sawing tasks.

A good saw is characterized by a handy handle and a sharp saw blade. This allows the material to be cut quickly and safely. The teeth must not break or get stuck in the material. The handle must be shaped so that the saw can be held well and, above all, safely.

Since really well-functioning wood saws cannot usually be taken with you as they are too bulky and heavy, here is a small guide on how to build a saw yourself.

Required material: Branches, saw blade, screws + nuts, pocket knife

Construction instructions: For the saw arms, which tension the saw blade and hold the saw, two strong yet elastic branches are used. In various instructions on the internet, birch or ash are often recommended because they offer these properties. Approximately 30 centimeter long pieces are needed, which will form the arms of an 'H' that will represent the frame of the saw. Notches are made on the lower side for the saw blade, for example, with a pocket knife.
To stabilize, we still need a cross beam, so a piece of branch that is used as a strut at the top. For this purpose, notches must also be made in the beams (see pictures). At the top, a rope is stretched for final stabilization and tensioning of the saw blade, which is tightened until the saw blade is tensioned. A small stick can also be used for tensioning by screwing the rope, which is then attached to the arm so that the tensioning rope cannot unwind.

The ultimate type of saw is of course the chainsaw, which is normally known in electric and gasoline-powered versions. However, since these are rarely used outside of forestry or in domestic settings (garden), most people settle for a wood saw, which is most commonly used on the go. These are offered in a variety of versions and can even be crafted yourself if necessary (see tip above).

However, there is also a manual chainsaw for the outdoor enthusiast, which comes close to the original functionality. It can even be used alone, but is better used together and saws (ideally) around a trunk simultaneously at all points. However, the logs should be fixed, otherwise it can be very difficult to handle the saw (especially alone).

Folding saws have the advantage of taking up as little space as possible in luggage and are also super transportable from a safety point of view. Here, the saw blade folds under the frame (usually made of aluminum), which automatically prevents anything from happening.

In contrast, folding saws are saws that can be folded into a handle similar to larger pocket knives, which are useful for smaller sawing jobs but take up even less space than folding saws.

However, the wire saw (Wire-Saw) is the smallest common denominator, which takes up the least space and can be transformed into a "real" saw with a few easy steps. Here, a special saw rope is stretched, for example, between two branches. It can also be used without this tensioning process and allows for relatively quick and easy sawing when used together. Tip: The saw can also be very good for craft projects, e.g., in the absence of a jigsaw for cutting-out work, e.g., in star form.

What else should you pay attention to?

If possible, the blade of a saw should be (easily) replaceable so that cracked or worn saw blades can be replaced. In the case of folding saws, attention should also be paid to a locking possibility to prevent injuries.