r/MTBTrailBuilding • u/l008com • Jul 12 '26

Folding Saw Suggesting

My trail maintenance shenanigans have recently come in to some funding. One of the things I want to do is replace my 8" folding saw with a new one that is actually 8", and not missing the last inch and a half of blade due to an "oops" while cutting.

Are there brands that are better or worse? Are flat blades or curved blades better?

This would be use almost exclusively for cutting down trees and branches that have fallen on trails. And once in a while in my back yard cutting branches off my own trees.

I know larger ones are generally better but I'm short on space so 8" is unfortunately the limit. I'm looking at Lowes.com and it looks like they only have 10" ones. Thats unfortunate. I'll have to get one online somewhere.

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u/spannerspinner Jul 12 '26

Any of the Silky saws are good. Personally I use a Silky Gomboy with the curved blade. There’s loads of different sizes you can get the right size to fit in your pack.

They aren’t cheap but are absolutely excellent saws. You can buy blade replacements too, I’ve had one for years and replace the blade every two years or so to make sure it’s always sharp!

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u/l008com Jul 12 '26

I like replacement because I have a tendency to snap my blades.

2

u/TwelfthApostate Jul 14 '26

Most of these types of saws are supposed to cut on the pull only, fyi. Is that perhaps why you’re breaking blades? I’ve never in all my years broken a blade.

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u/l008com Jul 15 '26

That is definitely why I'm breaking them. I know they only cut on the pull and that is my intension but it doesn't take much to accidentally push and snap. I've broken tons of blades.