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Saws come in two main varieties for bush use the bow saw and the folding saw. I like to use the bow saw if working from a fixed camp and a folding saw if I am travelling light. Both make cutting wood quick and easy tasks. The other good thing about saws is that they leave a clean cut which a tree can heal over if you are cutting green wood. There are two choices usually of blade types for bow saws, one is a general hard point cut and the other is a cut for green wood; this usually has some scalloped teeth to clear the cut and should be the one to use in the bush. When you need to replace the blade in a bow saw always look away as you put the tension onto the blade in case it snaps. One important thing about folding saws is that they must have a lock to prevent the blade from springing back when in use and preferably a double lock so they cannot open accidentally. I have seen two types of saw blade for these, a pruning saw type pattern and a hard point pattern. Of these the hard point is the better. Axes come in three main types; hand/hatchet/tomahawk, trimming and felling. I use an axe that has a 2 pound head but a shaft that is slightly longer than a hand axe but shorter than a trimming axe. This means that it can be swung single or double handed. Do not choose an axe with a head heavier than four pounds as this is too heavy for continued use in the field. The shaft should have a straight grain and line up centrally with the axe blade edge. If the shaft of the axe where it appears through the head is varnished, remove this with sandpaper and apply linseed oil to this to keep the wood here swelled within the eye of the head. Make sure the axe is sold with a mask or cover to keep the edge covered when not in use. When using the axe make sure you are going to be safe from falling tree limbs and that the axe will not cut you if you over swing. When trimming a branch go from the bottom of the branch up towards the crown, this prevents the branch from running. An interesting online book is available from the Granfors-Bruks company in Sweden who make axes like no other I have ever used. This online book covers everything from their catalogue to looking after and using your axe. You can find it at: http://www.gransfors-bruks.com/ Machetes and Parangs are like the jungle version of an axe if you like. They are basically long knives and usually made from reclaimed steel such as leaf springs from old trucks. Don't let that dismay you though as those components are usually made from good quality steel originally. They do not hold an edge brilliantly but are easy to look after with a coarse whet stone or file. The only note of care I will give you is to make sure you oil them otherwise they will go rusty. When looking at the handle make sure that there are no rivets that will stand proud and that the handle will fit comfortably into your palm otherwise you may get blisters. |
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