Bahco Laplander Folding Saw (396LAP)

After buying a cheap Faithfull folding saw (cheap in quality, not in price if I am honest) and breaking it after cutting about 5 bits of wood in the great outdoors, (it was sharp but the blade just snapped, not very impressive) I decided to buy the saw that Ray Mears himself uses- the Bahco Laplander. Bahco is one of the best tool makes there is, it is Swedish and their build quality and comfort of use is second to none in my oppinion. So I bought my Laplander, it is brilliant, very sharp, top notch quality, attractive to look at and very comfortable to hold. It is also very strong, it has seen some hard use and I have yet to damage a tooth and the blade has shown no signs of getting blunt and I don't see it snapping in the near future, this saw has an idiot proof locking mechanism also. One thing I will say is this: Don't rely on the leather strap, due to it being leather the knot can undo itself if you have this attached to your belt, you can change the knot though so this is not a major concern.

I decided to buy this item to help in a new hobby - bushcraft. I'd seen many reviews of this product both on Youtube and other sites. Basically, I was seeking something which would represent a reasonable alternative to carrying a small axe. I'd also been to the usual places like large garden centres and the larger B&Q superstores who normally have a good range of tools - some crap, some very good brand names. However, I couldn't see this model. I checked out a variety of other folding saws which were all more expensive. Quality was poor in terms of build quality, i.e. blades seemed thin and too flexible and handles appeared flimsy. They were not sturdy and did not inspire confidence. So, I decided to order the Bahco Laplander from Amazon at a fraction of the normal retail price. Ordered Sunday, confirmation e-m re. despatch on Monday, arrived Tuesday. Perfect on-line shopping experience. Tried out this saw properly for the first yesterday. Absolutely brilliant. It is very lightweight, great size and because it folds back into the handle can be carried safely and unobtrusively. It is also as sharp as they come. When I first checked out the blade I was a bit unsure about how sharp it would be because of the black protective coating on the blade. However, after using it several times the coating disappeared from the teeth and revealed razor sharp teeth which could saw through wood like a hot knife through butter. The handle is also very strong and doesn't bow or buckle under pressure or when squeezed. The saw also locks solidly into place safely both when the blade is extended and when it is returned to the handle. This is a must have item for anyone considering bushcraft, or survivalists and would also represent an excellent tool for any serious gardener. Hardly surprising that its recommended by none other than Ray Mears. From now on this will be in my backpack always. Brilliant buy!

I am moved to make this my first ever review. I had a large dying bush that had to come out. The main root was 4 inches across and iron hard. It was down a deep hole and hard to get to. After days of struggling with other saws I sent off for the Laplander. With my new saw the job was done in five minutes. I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with it.