A bow-saw is a very useful and safe cutting tool to have around camp.
Unless you are in a semi-permanent camp, you are unlikely to have the use of a saw horse.
Often you can find a log or stump to work on so you can set the wood in a convenient position to saw.
Sometimes, however, you may need to use the saw in a confined space and this can be awkward.
Other times you may find you simply do not have a steady base on which to place the wood to be sawn.
There is a simple technique for a bow-saw that allows you to use it in scenarios where it would otherwise be difficult or awkward.
This involves holding the saw vertically in a static position and working the wood against the saw blade.
Watch the embedded video for the full technique…
**Let us know in the comments if you have any similar or related tips for the use of a bow saw.
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Duncan Stillwell
Hi Paul
Excellent video, I may have tried the same technique at a push but would have found it unsteady, however, placing the stick through the bow to hold it had never crossed my mind. I’d be more inclined to use this technique now….. great stuff, I always learn something on this site, Thanx :O)
Duncan.
Paul Kirtley
Hi Duncan,
Glad you liked the video. Short and sweet, eh? 🙂
Have a go with this technique and let us know how you find it.
All the best,
Paul
sean fagan
Hi Paul,
This bow saw technique borders on the ingenious!! After a few, somewhat awkward attempts by myself in the past when trying to emulate a similar bow saw technique that is illustrated in Mors Bushcraft book, I find your version of that particular bow saw technique a great improvement in terms of safety and efficiency. Great stuff.
Thanks for great article (& video).
Sean.
Paul Kirtley
Hi Sean,
Good to hear from you again and that this article and video were so useful to you.
With this method, utilising the stick, I think you’ll find the saw much easier to control.
All the best,
Paul
Dave
Great idea & way of dealing with a situation were a person may have a restricted area to saw.
This method also lets you cut small pieces, caue your able to have both hands on the wood, way more control than holding a small piece with hand & trying to saw with the other.
Excellent Vid.
Cheers,
Dave.
Duane
Hi Paul
Great idea, will have to give that one a try. Nice short and to the point video too, good job 🙂
Take Care
Duane
Mark H
Hi Paul,
Most definately more stable for me than Mors’ approach.Improving on any of Mr Kochanski’s techniques is a feat in itself. Thanks Paul and James,
Best
Mark
Ian Shankland
A useful tip. I tried it at home and found, as stated in previous comments, that you have greater control with two hands. I actually found it much easier than using a stump. I did find that, after cutting this way for a while, it became harder to grip the saw with my knees. Possibly I wasn’t doing it right, but, to get over this problem, I tried fastening a short length of para-cord to the saw, using a gripper knot, and attaching a stick to it about 5 cm away. Then, with the stick at 90 degrees to the saw, I could brace the stick against and just below my knees and stop the saw slipping back between my legs. It seemed to help. I can’t see a downside to this adaptation but, if you see one, please let me know. I took a couple of pics but can’t see how to attach them. Anyway, thanks to Frontier Bushcraft for another great tip which does as much for safety as ease of use. Well done guys.
Paul Kirtley
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your comment. Great to hear that you went out straight away and tried this. Thanks also for the extra tip on what worked for you with a longer saw 🙂
All the best,
Paul
Ian
To add to my previous comment, I can now see I was using a much longer bow saw than the one in the video which, I think, is why I was experiencing the problem.
Sarah
For someone as clumsy as me that looks like a recipe for disaster even with securing stick! Well done the demonstrator though!
Adrian
An excellent tip! I do find the tips in these emails to be very helpful and educational – as well as being very well presented.
Rocky Mountain Bushcraft
Cool trick Paul, thanks for sharing. Will have to try this one out on my next trip.
-Jason
Paul Kirtley
Hi Jason,
Glad you like the idea. Let me know if you like it in practice.
All the best,
Paul
Bergum
My grandfather learned that to me when I was young.
He splitt 120cm firewood into 60cm for the fireplace…
Thank’s for making me think of my granpa… 🙂
Martin
Paul
What a simple but effective technique, I need more wood for the fire going to try this.
Paul Kirtley
Yes, I find it works very well.
Let us know how you get on with it Martin.
Warm regards,
Paul
Wild Skill Dude
Very clever…. I like it.
So went out and tried it.!
Quite surprised how easy it was, in fact, I think I prefer this method as I found you could twist the branch as you go and get a nice clean cut.
Brilliant, thanks for sharing this idea…
Paul Kirtley
Hey Steve, thanks. We’re glad you liked this. And we’re even more pleased you went out to try it straight away!
We find it works particularly well for medium size pieces of wood – the sort of size you are going to use for everything from splitting down for kindling right up to main fuel. Just what you need in camp.
All the best,
Paul
Dave Perry
You can teach Old dog New tricks !
Paul Kirtley
Great stuff Dave. Glad you liked this one 😉
All the best,
Paul
Buzzard Bushcraft
Great idea, simple but effective.. Thanks again for the tutorials.. Keep up the great work..
Buzzard..
Paul Kirtley
Hey Buzzard, glad you liked this. All the best, Paul
Grant
Hi Paul
It never ceases to amaze me that the simplest of things are often the most effective. I like the way you look at things differently and come up with different solutions. Learning a lot
Grant
Bill Jackson
Great!
My biggest problem with a bow saw is in the sharpening and setting. Looks straightforward but takes practice and patience. I’m still cutting on a curve.
Jim
I’ve used bowsaws for years. This was the first time I watched your stick stabilizer, thus allowing
the strength of both arms to cut. I will try this. Excellent Paul!
Jim Watkins
Pacific Nw
Dave Welsby
Great video Paul, love these quick tips!
Paul Kirtley
No worries Dave 🙂
Dave H
Hi Paul,
Another brilliant tip, thanks for these great little nuggets of knowledge.
Keep them coming please, they are really appreciated.
All the best, Dave.
Dave H
Hi Paul,
Thanks for another great tip, I love these little nuggets of knowledge, they are really appreciated. Keep safe, all the best,
Dave.
David
How cool is that and so simple, thanks Paul.
BARRY R McClean
Brilliantly simple technique ive been using a bow saw since i was a kid never seen this before
Paul Kirtley
Glad you liked it Barry.
David VanDuyvenvoorde
Great video Paul. Short and to the point.
I’ve tried this technique several times and adding the stick through the bottom makes it usable. Great idea!