(https://i.postimg.cc/QNRwRk81/Eversaw-landscape.jpg)
I was using this today to do some corridor clearing on a local woods trail and it occured to me this inexpensive piece of kit has served me well. I checked my Amazon order history and was surprised to see I bought mine back in November of 2017. I don't remember all of research on folding saws I did back then, but I do recall that Silky was the creme de la creme, followed (somewhat distantly) by Bahco, Corona and a few others. And then there was an entire universe of cheap ass Chinese saws on Amazon and eBay from brands you've never heard of. I was surprised to see this thing is actually still available (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSWM1VQ/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1). And for less than the $17.76 I paid 6 and 1/2 years ago.
Listen, I've never tried the Silky or the Bahco or other premium saws. So for all I know they blow this EverSaw so completely out of the water performance-wise that I'd know better than to recommend buying the EverSaw over saving up for one of the premium alternatives. All I know is that today as I used it to saw through branches up to as thick as my (admittedly freakishly svelte) wrists, it occured to me that it still works surprisingly well. And this thing has been put through the wringer. In addition to brush clearing around home, I've used my EverSaw extensively over the years on countless camping trips as well as numerous volunteer trail crew maintenance weekends. It still cuts like a dream.
I must have settled on it over other no-name brand budget saws because of the Amazon user reviews, which are overwhelmingly positive. But I knew even back then I was still taking a chance. It's definitely turned out to be one of the better budget gear purchases I've made over the years. It's positives are as follows:
- The tooth pattern is that genuine double row profile of internally sharpened cutting teeth. Not the single row of heat tempered, slightly offset teeth you see on the stamped steel blades of many cheap folding saws. If you've ever looked closely at the saw blade of a genuine Victorinox Swiss Army knife (and/or marvelled at how well it cuts), it's the same basic design. Admittedly, I don't see how you could ever sharpen it. But so far, it hasn't needed sharpening. I will say that I've taken care not to cut so low to the ground that the teeth come into contact with rocks or dirt, which can quickly dull any saw.
- The body of the saw - the chassis, if you will - is all metal. That rubber overmold handle encasulates a steel liner that appears to be a single contiguous piece of steel. It's folded around to form the channel that the blade folds into. It runs from the visible metal forward of the black handle all the way to back where you see it again from either side of the lanyard hole. Even today, the body of the saw is still rock solid with absolutely no flex or play. And for what it's worth, the overmolded handle is pretty comfortable.
- The locking mechanism has certainly has held up over the years. This is apparently the Achilles heel of a lot of cheap saws. The visible orange plastic portion is, again, just an overmold on top of a single piece of steel. The plastic is there for comfort and, I suppose, aesthetics. The metal underneath is folded over and forms a U-shaped cross section. It supports a steel trunnion that spans the two sides of the locking mechanism and engages a little cut out on the back of the saw blade near the pivot point. Everything locks up very securely. No lateral play at all. The blade does have a tiny bit up and down play when locked open. But that minimal up and down slop entirely disappears as soon as you apply pressure when sawing.
Again, not saying this saw is the best thing since sliced bread. What I am saying is if you're in the market for an inexpensive folding saw and struggling to separate the garbage out there from the diamonds in the rough, the EverSaw definitely falls in the latter category.
ETA Disclaimer: That wood pile in the picture that my EverSaw is resting on was just a convenient place to take the picture. It did not cut that wood. That was done with my Greenworks cordless chainsaw, which I might do a review of someday. The Eversaw could probably cut through wood that thick, but it would be a lot of work. After posting I realized that picture could be misleading.
Thanks for the review!I got a Gerber folding saw a long time ago and I don't like it. I've used it camping a few times and it worked but felt flimsy and uncomfortable. This one sounds a lot more substantial and for a great price.