[rossb]

This time of year, I like to carry a little saw and do a little trail maintenance as I hike. I bought a nice little one at Fred Meyer that folds and weighs about 4 ounces. I can't cut a big tree, but I can remove all the limbs, so climbing over it is much easier. It even works for brushy stuff, although not as nice as a machete (or clippers). I thought I would mention this so others might do the same.

[lopper]

Absolute agreement here. I carry a very very sharp Barnel folding saw. It weighs almost nothing and can swish through small-medium deadfalls quickly.

[Conrad]

Sounds like a good idea. I tried carrying a machete a few times, but never found it much use. It couldn't cut the tough stuff (like your saw could) and for the softer stuff, I found a big stick more effective.

[treasureblue]

Good idea. One of my hiking companions would have appreciated the removal of the sharp limb that tore out the backside of her pants as she climbed over a downed tree on a recent hike Duct tape to the rescue once again!

[touron]

With apologies to Dionne Warwick I Carry a Little Saw with Me The moment I wake up Before the 10 essentials I take up I carry a little saw with me While checking my GPS now And wondering which way is West now I'm carrying a little saw with me Forever, and ever, you'll stay in my pack and I will use you Forever, and ever, we never will part I won't lose you Together, forever, I saw for you see To hike without you Would mean many more windfalls for me...

[Bruce]

Perhaps one of the best may be the "fiskars" price wise .. and almost identical "corona". these are folding saws kinda like one may see on the end of a pole saw. these are pull saws...they cut when pulling and i suggest the fiskars lopers with the plastic gear for cutting of that sort Bruce

[justybug]

i've got one of the gerber collapsible ones, i still haven't sharpened the teeth after a lot of years. granted, it's only seen light use, but it goes through limbs quick! weighs next to nothing.

[Tazz]

I would never make it to the summit if I cut all the little dead falls out of the way. Sorry too much weight too.... thanks to all of you with the time and saw to do it though!

[Mikey]

I carry saws of various sizes to cut limbs and trees that have fallen across the trails which I frequent. I have a 4 ft crosscut saw (designed to cut the tops off of spar trees) which I found in the bottom of a river and it sure will cut through a larger tree (I received some strange looks from hikers when I was carrying that large saw up the PCT trail north of I-90 to cut out some larger trees early in the season). Also I often carry one of thoses pruner or trimmers to cut out those annoying plants that can quicly grow out into a trail. Maybe this is merely my "excuse" to slow down or stop and rest on a steeper trail.