Bow saw blade length

[Dave Baker]

I've got an old bow saw which I use for tree pruning which must be 30 years old and still on the original rusty old blade. It actually cuts pretty well on smaller branches but it's a bit of a pain on anything over 6 inches diameter and it pulls to one side so hard you end up going from vertical to horizontal and extending the cut length by a factor of three.

It's got two adjustment / locating holes at each end. Total overal length of the whole metal piece is just under 24 inches but from hole to hole it's between 1 and 2 inches shorter depending on which holes you pick. So is that a 24" blade or not? I need to find out to order a new one.

On that topic what's a good make of blade to buy for green logs full of sap? This one grinds to a halt on fresh Leylandii and I've got a bunch of those to cut down.

[stuart noble]

As I recall the newer blades are identical to the old apart from the hole size. From memory the more expensive ones fit the older saws.

I subsequently discovered the Spear and Jackson garden saw which is at least twice as fast as a bow saw. Can't find the link but I'm sure I saw them in B&Q the other day. £10 ish IIRC

[damduck-egg]

I used a sandvik on an old British saw of indeterminate age it's not too close at the moment so I cannot look but ISTR recall it had more than one hole at one end of the blade so could cope with some variation from the 60cm /24" it was sold as. In their range it is a number 23 for green wood. As Bahco are the same company they may also be available under that label.

G.Harman

[harryagain]

A chain saw is a lot easier.

[newshound]

Beat me to it!

[damduck-egg]

A bow saw with a decent sharp blade can be surprisingly easy to work and fast, especially compared to the time obtaining the fuel and oil, taking it to near the workplace, filling the saw up and then carrying it all back again. less time putting on the appropriate PPE kit as well. Sure if you have hours of work to do or are cutting down large mature trees thena chainsaw comes into its own but always using one for a few large bushes is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. As noted in another thread recently use of power other than ones own muscle isn't always required.

G.Harman

[Sam Plusnet]

It might be possible to cause yourself horrendous injury with a bow saw, but it's a lot less likely.

[news]

Silky gomtaro

AJH

[Dave Baker]

If I wanted a chain saw I'd buy one. Anyway after some Googling I think this is a 24" blade and a new Hilka one is on its way from Ebay for £4.25 and free postage. Hopefully it'll make this winter's tree felling a bit easier than the old blunt blade.

[PeterC]

nine quid.

[Mike Barnes]

I see at the top of the page they also sell a branch locator.

[stuart noble]

That's the one. Magic.

[Sam Plusnet]

[PeterC]

Took me a moment to twig that.

[damduck-egg]

Turning into one of those threads that go barking mad.

G.Harman

[Vir Campestris]

Leave off, you lot.

Andy

[Sam Plusnet]

Who started this off anyway?

I think they should take a bough.

[Mike Barnes]

Yew're welcome.

[Sam Plusnet]

All this brings back some frond memories.

[PeterC]

Start a simple topic and see what transpires...