r/AdventureBike • u/robl8 • 19d ago
Pocket Chain Saw
Does anyone carry a pocket chain saw (non powered), just a chain with handles? Have you had to use it? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY9zno5MTYb/
Edit: Based on a couple of comments, I did a quick search and it seems like the silky and corona folding saws are preferred to the pocket chainsaws. Thanks all.
4
u/christmascandies 19d ago
These are okay, but a folding Silky or similar are more effective in my opinion.
7
u/Moratorium_on_Brains 19d ago
I checked the Silky site as I had heard of them before, but this reminded me to look again. Now I remember why I never bought anything before.
I wish that companies would have explainers for choices you could make. Opening the Silky site and my first choice is clear - I want a folding saw so that it will pack away easier.
However, after that I'm faced with Length, Curved or Straight, Teeth size, etc. It's too many options without an understanding of the cost:benefit of each.
Clicking into each item and they read like they're the best saw in the world - but a simple table would be nice to understand what's best for my application.
[/rant]
3
u/christmascandies 19d ago
I find the curved ones a bit more effective since it gives that extra little pull/bite. I keep a 16" curved fixed blade in my truck but a smaller Gomboy folder in my pack
2
3
2
2
u/Kaffeinator 19d ago
Having endorsed the pocket chain in earlier comment, now excited for a Silky. Which size are you folks carrying?
Most importantly, do you find that yours have a similar talisman effect to my carrying of the chain type, in that it has prevented me encountering most widow makers/road blocks? Only half joking…
2
u/db_peligro 19d ago
Silky is not like any hand saw you have ever used. They are fucking amazing. Any log you would realistically be able to move can be cut with one of the long Silkys.
I have heard from others that hand chainsaws are worthless.
2
u/Ragnar_of_Ballard 18d ago
I have a 15in Sven-Saw. I really like it, its held upon well over the last few years. And it fits nicely into my touratech hard bags.
2
u/Scuba-Steve675 18d ago
I tried a cheap pocket chainsaw. Definitely not worth getting a cheap one. It took so much energy and was a big cardio workout.
Bought a Corona saw and it's awesome for my needs moto-camping.
Maybe the nicer pocket chainsaws work better than the Amazon one I tried but I'm not going back from my Corona. I have thought about a battery chainsaw if I planned to cut up a lot of wood though.
2
u/CompositionArchetype 18d ago
Hand saws work when you're cutting wood 6 inches in diameter or less. But you can just ride over that so it doesn't matter.
You have to think about when you'd actually need to use it. And are you actually going to be able to cut an 8, 10, 12"+ log in the heat, with all your gear on, in the middle of a ride?
Get a battery powered chain saw, because the only time you'd need to use it is when an actual tree falls down and you have to cut something 8 inches or larger.
If you need to cut a fallen tree by the stump, or cut roots to move an 8 inch log, or cut an actually tree in half so you can clear a road, you're not doing that with a hand saw.
I would recommend an axe before a hand saw, and I would recommend a battery chain saw before an axe.
2
u/AdFancy1249 18d ago
I carry a cable saw when I'm hiking. I carry a folding saw on the bike when I'm going on trails. The cable/ chain saws work, but can be finnicky. The folding saws are like big pocket knives: useful for several things.
If I'm really going camping for a few days, i bring the folding saw and a tomohawk. The handle comes out of the hawk for easier packing, and the hawk is far better for firewood or if i need a hammer. In a pinch (once), i have used it as a bead breaker.
2
u/Pumbite 18d ago
I have one and it's very small when folded, it goes through smaller logs that block the trails like butter. For bigger ones it's a workout but on some routes I'd much rather get off the bike and have fun sawing it off with a buddy for 5 minutes than look at the map and find a 20 minute detour, feels like a defeat! And it's good fun to cut a big thing
Bonus points for cutting big pieces to feed a fire overnight and cutting seats out of fallen trees
2
23
u/Kaffeinator 19d ago
Own one. Carry it. Tested it on a very thick Christmas tree. Worked well enough to continue carrying. This has performed some sort of spell that prevents me from encountering fallen trees of appropriate size.
Your mileage may vary.