Heads up, BDU is no longer a channel sponsor. The best place I found to buy the Boreal15 and other AGAWA saws is from Self Reliance Outfitters: www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/collections/folding-saw And here's a link to the Gerber Freescape saw: alnk.to/1XPKnOa
The biggest reason I went with the boreal 21 over all the others is that it uses a standard 21" bow saw blade, so you can pick up a replacement at any hardware store if need be. The Cordura sheath comes with an extra slot in the back to hold extra blades so I have the standard blade which works better for green wood and the sydney rancher which works better on dry and hard wood, and a little pocket on the fold over to hold replacement fasteners.
The boreal saws have dry wood blades on them, and the gerber has a green or wet wood blade on it. Both will cut either wood. But the dry wood blade will gum up more in green or wet wood. To tell the difference between blades is. Green wood blades have 3 to 4 teeth then a space and 1 tooth with a crown pointing in both directions. Called a Raker then a space, and the patern continues on and so forth. Giving you wood chips. The dry wood blade Is pretty much evenly spaced teeth all the way down the blade. Giving you sawdust. Now you know. 🤔 LoL
The 21” is superior to the smaller version. It’s the perfect size for this type of saw. Any smaller and I prefer the big boy. Any larger and I prefer an axe.
Good review, FYI imagine your foot and the stump as the vice. You want these two points as close as possible so the log will not move around. Try putting your foot next to the cutting edge and also only pull up and down instead of an angle. Using this method, you will cut through a log that size about six times faster and the log will stay stationary. Also, if you don’t use your elbow but your shoulder you will get more power.
Have the 21 inch Agawa. A simple ranger band and your good to go. I also duct taped the extra small replacement pieces to the shaft so I'm not caught w/o. Thanks!
Does the hook on the gerber attach to the plastic handle or is it set into the metal frame? With use and time I could see plastic wearing out but if it’s straight to the frame it would likely last much better. Great video. Thank you
Gerber one had a green wood blade Agawa has a much better blade for the wood type. As a Bushcraft kind of person I more use dry wood blades for firewood. I’ll guess a silky gomboy seems more adequate.
To make the test fair on cutting ability you should do two things. 1. Do one blade then rest until you got your wind back and hit it fresh. 2. Time it. Other than that great video. I didn't know that Agawa had a 15" saw. I have the Boreal 21 and it is a dream to cut everything I need when in the woods. With my Silky hand saw for small stuff, CRKT Woods hatchet for splitting and hammering, 1" scotch eye auger, and Mora knife there is very little I can't do with wood.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I wanna say I’ve been watching since I was 14 or 15 and just a scrawny lad. 23 now and just graduated college. I still watch to check out the cool new knives I can’t afford 😂 You’re still going strong as always, thank you for the effort and entertainment!
Great review. I already have the boreal 21, but was considering getting the boreal 15. I may opt for a silky saw instead for my ultralight trips warm weather trips.
@@martinerhard8447 A Silky will cut way better than a Sawzall blade on a stick. The Knifepointgear may work well as an emergency saw but not for regular use.
@@plmn93 The silky will cut better when you cut smaller stuff. The sawzall blade theet are too big and just get stuck. I also use silkies. What I also use is a silky gomtaro replacement blade with a paracord wrapped handle and a self made sheat. Also very very lightweight. Much lighter than a pocketboy or a f180.
Time to get the gloves on... 3:24 "For those of you still stuck in that old metric system..." I'm born and raised America. However, as an aspiring math teacher, I plan to teach primarily with the metric system. It is the future and should be use instead of the Imperial measurement system you seem to be stuck in. It even worth mentioning that the US military converted to it decades ago. It might not be what you are familiar with, but it is superior in every way.
I had the 21 and tried a friends silky and I returned the boreal 21 and bought the Silky bigboy curved and the silky ultra accel curved and have never looked back. Silky has the saw market figured out. If I need bigger than the big boy I go for the Fiskars axes and hatchets.
for me it was the opposite and i gave away my silky. If i saw a lot then the boral is just easier on the wrist and i can resharpen it or put in cheap replacement blades. I can resharpen a silky and replacements are expensive. For backpacking i use the knifepointgear saw. Idk where i would use a silky anymore.
You can place a small stick on the frame and stand on each side pinch the handle between yer knees and run the cuttin stick up and down the blade.sweet saw.....
You could have saved some energy. Once you started sawing you quite comparing saws and started comparing saw blades. You can use any 15" saw blade in these saws.
40+ years doing carpentry. Metric is way faster. Add up these two measurements and you'll see what I mean Standard, 11 feet, 3'' 17/32'' + 14' 9'' 28/64''. Metric 325cm + 426cm. I'm a Canadian and I hated Metric when it was was first introduced here when I was in school. Then I became a carpenter and realized how much faster it was and time is money. No more converting fractions like 1/4'' plus 17/32''.
First and formost a fraction should be in its simplest form 28/64 is 7/16 some of us love the mental gymnastics of feet to inches in carpentry like count by 12 and 16 inches and its even better when ya have to use metric materials like baltic birch ply its all just mentally stimulating
I took my custom desk design - with measurements shown in metric - to a custom furniture maker in Texas some years ago, and they requested I convert it to imperial. Ugh, that was my one attempt to convert to metric.
@@floydcrase625 Problem is time is money. Multiply 9/64 X 7/16 inches. Or. 3.5 X 11.1 metric. It was a pain in the button for me because I started off in life using standard then here in Canada they converted to metric. It's easier for kids who grew up using metric only. The other thing is temperature it took me years to go from Fahrenheit to Celsius
@@James-ke5sx I could understand such fractional in window and door mfg such as figuring out the mutton bars of an ssb window of custom size, show me an instance where in carpentry you would need to multiply such fractions, show me a building bult to within fractional accuracy
We Canadians actually prefer using inches when using a measuring tape, your joking reference to us favoring the metric measurement system is incorrect and based your poor assumption.
Two very different folding saw designs, I'm not quite how people figured one company had taken the other companies design. 🤷♂️ Some people just like to stir the pot I guess . I'll be honest Brian, You sound exhausted after those small cuts . Maybe a future review of the new breed of small portable battery powered mini chainsaws would be a great feature. Take care Brian!
@@SurvivalOnPurpose The face you show us is of a guy who camps, hikes, and tests cool gear all day. I know that a master plumber probably does a lot of sweating while off camera.
Personally, after using my Silky Pocketboy and Gomboy saws, I will NEVER even look at a bow saw again. The speed of cutting you get from Silky saws can only be beaten by a chain saw. They cut on the pull stroke which makes cutting effortless.
This guy says "For those of you who are still stuck in the old metric system". No, not right. He should say "For those of you who are still stuck in that old imperial system" considering there are only three countries in the world still behind the times.
Heads up, BDU is no longer a channel sponsor. The best place I found to buy the Boreal15 and other AGAWA saws is from Self Reliance Outfitters:
www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/collections/folding-saw
And here's a link to the Gerber Freescape saw: alnk.to/1XPKnOa
dunno if anyone cares at all but I just hacked my girl friends Instagram account using Instaplekt. Cant link here so search for it on google enjoy!
The biggest reason I went with the boreal 21 over all the others is that it uses a standard 21" bow saw blade, so you can pick up a replacement at any hardware store if need be. The Cordura sheath comes with an extra slot in the back to hold extra blades so I have the standard blade which works better for green wood and the sydney rancher which works better on dry and hard wood, and a little pocket on the fold over to hold replacement fasteners.
The boreal saws have dry wood blades on them, and the gerber has a green or wet wood blade on it. Both will cut either wood. But the dry wood blade will gum up more in green or wet wood. To tell the difference between blades is. Green wood blades have 3 to 4 teeth then a space and 1 tooth with a crown pointing in both directions. Called a Raker then a space, and the patern continues on and so forth. Giving you wood chips. The dry wood blade Is pretty much evenly spaced teeth all the way down the blade. Giving you sawdust. Now you know. 🤔 LoL
Yeah true but you can change the blades so .......
The 21” is superior to the smaller version. It’s the perfect size for this type of saw. Any smaller and I prefer the big boy. Any larger and I prefer an axe.
I need to get one of them there big boys.
Good review, FYI imagine your foot and the stump as the vice. You want these two points as close as possible so the log will not move around. Try putting your foot next to the cutting edge and also only pull up and down instead of an angle. Using this method, you will cut through a log that size about six times faster and the log will stay stationary. Also, if you don’t use your elbow but your shoulder you will get more power.
Have the 21 inch Agawa. A simple ranger band and your good to go. I also duct taped the extra small replacement pieces to the shaft so I'm not caught w/o. Thanks!
Great idea.
You did that Silky smooth, Brian.
Does the hook on the gerber attach to the plastic handle or is it set into the metal frame? With use and time I could see plastic wearing out but if it’s straight to the frame it would likely last much better. Great video. Thank you
Id get the 21" because it's a more common blade length and I can get them in a greenwood wide kurf so it doesnt get pinched while cutting.
Gerber one had a green wood blade Agawa has a much better blade for the wood type. As a Bushcraft kind of person I more use dry wood blades for firewood. I’ll guess a silky gomboy seems more adequate.
Boreal hands down.I have the 15 and 21,awesome saws.You should do a Sven saw review.
I did one a long time ago
To make the test fair on cutting ability you should do two things. 1. Do one blade then rest until you got your wind back and hit it fresh. 2. Time it. Other than that great video. I didn't know that Agawa had a 15" saw. I have the Boreal 21 and it is a dream to cut everything I need when in the woods. With my Silky hand saw for small stuff, CRKT Woods hatchet for splitting and hammering, 1" scotch eye auger, and Mora knife there is very little I can't do with wood.
Yeah but it wasn’t really doing a scientific test. Just comparing the two. And they both cut.
Survival on purpose always coming in handy when I’m trying to figure out the best equipment to buy
Thanks!
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Thank you sir! Been watching since I was a kid 🙂
Wow. That makes me sound really old ;-) I guess if the shoe fits...
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I wanna say I’ve been watching since I was 14 or 15 and just a scrawny lad. 23 now and just graduated college. I still watch to check out the cool new knives I can’t afford 😂 You’re still going strong as always, thank you for the effort and entertainment!
What´s the name and model of your watch?
With the Agawa you have the ability to store extra blades in the sheath.
Great review. I already have the boreal 21, but was considering getting the boreal 15. I may opt for a silky saw instead for my ultralight trips warm weather trips.
for ultralite i would recommend the knifepointgear saw.
@@martinerhard8447 A Silky will cut way better than a Sawzall blade on a stick. The Knifepointgear may work well as an emergency saw but not for regular use.
@@plmn93
The silky will cut better when you cut smaller stuff. The sawzall blade theet are too big and just get stuck. I also use silkies.
What I also use is a silky gomtaro replacement blade with a paracord wrapped handle and a self made sheat. Also very very lightweight. Much lighter than a pocketboy or a f180.
I cannot decide between the Agawa 15 and 21 inches. Any advice?
Bigger is better when it comes to saws.
Time to get the gloves on...
3:24 "For those of you still stuck in that old metric system..." I'm born and raised America. However, as an aspiring math teacher, I plan to teach primarily with the metric system. It is the future and should be use instead of the Imperial measurement system you seem to be stuck in. It even worth mentioning that the US military converted to it decades ago. It might not be what you are familiar with, but it is superior in every way.
A longer stoke is always better.
I have a Boreal 21. It's just a brilliant piece of kit.
Thank you for this review. I prefer a bow saw simply because of my physical limitations. My two hands are less equal than other's single hand
I had the 21 and tried a friends silky and I returned the boreal 21 and bought the Silky bigboy curved and the silky ultra accel curved and have never looked back. Silky has the saw market figured out. If I need bigger than the big boy I go for the Fiskars axes and hatchets.
for me it was the opposite and i gave away my silky.
If i saw a lot then the boral is just easier on the wrist and i can resharpen it or put in cheap replacement blades. I can resharpen a silky and replacements are expensive.
For backpacking i use the knifepointgear saw. Idk where i would use a silky anymore.
I wouldn't mind seeing how the Boreal compares in use to a Sven Saw.
Great work on video 👍👍👍
You can place a small stick on the frame and stand on each side pinch the handle between yer knees and run the cuttin stick up and down the blade.sweet saw.....
Cool, thanks
You could have saved some energy. Once you started sawing you quite comparing saws and started comparing saw blades. You can use any 15" saw blade in these saws.
Thanks Brian
You're welcome!
I have an original (what a saw) it has bone blade dry wood and green wood blades all 3 in the handle for ez access all the time
I'll keep my Silky. Happy trails
he sure loves to say "Like So.."
Hey nice video. I think you should ask Agawa if they stole the design from Bob Dustrude.
Great video as always! One small dispute. I love me a good bow / buck saw. But silky isn’t limited to small stuff. One word buddy. Katanaboy.
Great point!
with an $82 replacement blade price, i say no thanks.
you did this review Silky smooth
;-)
Good video. But does the boco or silky cut better or faster than those saws. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.
Very informative!
Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice review:comparison, Thanks.
Wow cool, that really tired you out. I would go with the longer blade for easier cutting
Just got a little winded for a second.
40+ years doing carpentry. Metric is way faster.
Add up these two measurements and you'll see what I mean
Standard, 11 feet, 3'' 17/32'' + 14' 9'' 28/64''.
Metric 325cm + 426cm.
I'm a Canadian and I hated Metric when it was was first introduced here when I was in school. Then I became a carpenter and realized how much faster it was and time is money. No more converting fractions like 1/4'' plus 17/32''.
First and formost a fraction should be in its simplest form 28/64 is 7/16 some of us love the mental gymnastics of feet to inches in carpentry like count by 12 and 16 inches and its even better when ya have to use metric materials like baltic birch ply its all just mentally stimulating
I took my custom desk design - with measurements shown in metric - to a custom furniture maker in Texas some years ago, and they requested I convert it to imperial. Ugh, that was my one attempt to convert to metric.
@@floydcrase625 Problem is time is money.
Multiply
9/64 X 7/16 inches.
Or.
3.5 X 11.1 metric.
It was a pain in the button for me because I started off in life using standard then here in Canada they converted to metric. It's easier for kids who grew up using metric only. The other thing is temperature it took me years to go from Fahrenheit to Celsius
@@plancesheldon4315 When in Rome do as the Romans. If everyone in the US is using standard then that is what you should use
@@James-ke5sx I could understand such fractional in window and door mfg such as figuring out the mutton bars of an ssb window of custom size, show me an instance where in carpentry you would need to multiply such fractions, show me a building bult to within fractional accuracy
You should use those saws to re-build that rotting fence behind you.
Good review, thanks for sharing, God bless !
Thanks for watching!
Like em both
Nice vid. You should go in the woods and do some field testing / camping
Great idea
We Canadians actually prefer using inches when using a measuring tape, your joking reference to us favoring the metric measurement system is incorrect and based your poor assumption.
Maybe softer wood next time we’re not as young as we used to be
That's exactly what I was thinking!
I used what I had ;-)
The sheath they sell separately is highway robbery. They want $40 for that thing. lol
Found the Gerber online for $30 with free shipping.
cool
I'd rather pay 200 dollars for a saw just to avoid buying gerber
I think it's pronounced Agawa. Not Agawa.
As fast as you were sawing no wonder you were tired.
Indeed
Two very different folding saw designs, I'm not quite how people figured one company had taken the other companies design. 🤷♂️ Some people just like to stir the pot I guess . I'll be honest Brian, You sound exhausted after those small cuts . Maybe a future review of the new breed of small portable battery powered mini chainsaws would be a great feature. Take care Brian!
fwiw both of the companies in this video copied the Bob Dustrude Folding Buck Saw 😏
Good comparison. It's pronounced agg-a-wah.
Which syllable has the stress?
The first syllable is stressed with a secondary on the last.
Silky Katana Boy 1000 will cut a lot bigger than any agawa.
also much heavier and bigger and thus unpractical...its not a compact saw
surely you're just testing the blades not the saw?
Just comparing the total packages
Nice seeing you work hard... for a change. 😂
Hah
@@SurvivalOnPurpose The face you show us is of a guy who camps, hikes, and tests cool gear all day. I know that a master plumber probably does a lot of sweating while off camera.
Canadians would use inches and grams. :p
Tired-er? You sounded plum tuckered, Bubba!
I am a little out of shape right now ;-)
This wood is hard and my arms tired, That's what she said.
Do a balance test 😂
I guess Chuck Norris is on vacation.
until i get more material ;-)
Personally, after using my Silky Pocketboy and Gomboy saws, I will NEVER even look at a bow saw again. The speed of cutting you get from Silky saws can only be beaten by a chain saw. They cut on the pull stroke which makes cutting effortless.
“EH-ga-wa”. Emphasis on the first syllable.
The Agawa 100 times better
92 strokes on the Gerber, 111 strokes on the Boreal, GERBER wins ! the Gerber blade has better chip removal then the other blade
This guy says "For those of you who are still stuck in the old metric system". No, not right. He should say "For those of you who are still stuck in that old imperial system" considering there are only three countries in the world still behind the times.
Gotcha ;-)
First!!!
THEY JUST COPIED , BOB'S BUCK SAW THAT HAS BEEN OUT FOR YEARS CAUSE I HAVE ONE.
Silky Saws are far better!