For the off-grid prepper or homesteader, having the right tools can make all the difference in successfully living off the land. One essential hand tool for any off-grid toolkit is a good crosscut saw. Crosscut saws are used for cutting across the grain of wood, allowing you to break down large logs and timber into usable lumber for building projects, firewood, and other needs around your self-reliant homestead.
When choosing a crosscut saw for rugged off-grid use, there are several key factors to consider:
Durability and Materials
Since you’ll be using your crosscut saw frequently for important tasks like harvesting firewood, you’ll want something that can stand up to heavy-duty use for years or even decades in a harsh outdoor environment.
Look for saws made from high carbon steel alloy that resists rust and holds an edge well through repeated sharpenings. Many modern saws simply won’t have the longevity you need off-grid. Vintage saws from reputable manufacturers like Disston, Atkins, and Simonds are often a better choice over most hardware store saws today. [5]
The handle material is also important for durability. Wood handles reinforced with steel pins are best. Fiberglass handles can crack and break under strain. The steel pins help strengthen the critical joint where the blade meets the handle.
Need To Know What Other Rugged Off-Grid Wood Working Tools To Get?
Tooth Pattern and Points Per Inch
For general purpose crosscutting tasks like felling trees and bucking logs, a 7-9 point saw is a good middle ground. [5] These will have larger teeth optimized for quickly ripping through wood in all conditions. Specialized saws with very fine tooth patterns are faster in clean wood, but large teeth are less prone to getting gummed up with pitch and dirt – important when felling trees outside.
The tuttle tooth is a classic rugged pattern that has served woodsmen well for over 150 years. [22] It features a unique combination of raker teeth and chisel teeth that efficiently clear sawdust from the cut while severing wood fibers on both the push and pull stroke.
Set and Sharpening
The set of a saw’s teeth refers to the way they are bent outwards in an alternating pattern from the blade. This creates a wider kerf (groove) for the saw to cut, preventing binding. The more set, the less effort required to push the saw through the wood.
However, more set also means a wider, sloppier cut. You’ll have to remove more wood when squaring up and joining your lumber. It also requires more sharpening to maintain, as the thinner bent teeth wear faster.
A set of about .005 inches is a good compromise for a general use crosscut saw, suitable for both green and seasoned wood. [5] This allows the saw to cut smoothly without too much effort while still allowing reasonably clean and square cuts.
The set on crosscut saws also makes them more difficult to sharpen than rip saws. Touching up the teeth effectively requires special saw setting tools. For an off-grid toolkit, a simple hammer set like the Stanley 42X is a good option. [14] The set should be checked each time before sharpening.
Length
Two-person crosscut saws ranging from 5-6 feet give the most versatility for felling trees and bucking logs. Their long blades and ability to apply power from both ends allows them to attack very large diameter trunks. [22]
However, for the solo off-gridder, a shorter saw in the 28-36 inch range can still tackle respectable sized material needed for homestead use, while remaining portable and easy to wield alone. [5]
Storage and Care
Caring for your crosscut saw properly ensures it will serve you faithfully for years. A few tips:
- Clean the saw after each use, removing any pitch, sap, and debris around the teeth which can cause rust. Use kerosene and a brass wire brush. [14]
- Oil the blade lightly with camellia oil, jojoba oil, or other light lubricating oils that resist gumming up. [3] This prevents rust and helps the saw slide through wood.
- Store the saw carefully in a dry location away from dirt and moisture to prevent corrosion. [5]
- Inspect for damage before each use, especially the critical join between the blade and handle which takes strain in use.
- Sharpen as soon as teeth become dull, restoring the aggressive cutting angles. [3] Dull saws lead to inefficient cutting, wrist strain, and damage to the saw.
The Right Size for Different Tasks
While a full-sized 28-36 inch crosscut saw is versatile enough for most homestead needs, having a couple specialized saw sizes for particular jobs can also be useful:
- Small 18-22 inch saws are great for detailed woodworking tasks like creating joints and other carpentry where fine control is needed. [21]
- Two-person saws make quick work of very large trees and logs. Their 5-6 feet lengths allow fast, aggressive cuts with two operators. [22]
- Large single-person saws with blades 4 feet and longer can attack very sizable timber when felling and bucking trees solo. Though more unwieldy, their longer cut reduces fatigue. [5]
Maintaining Your Saw for Decades of Use
With proper care and maintenance, a high-quality crosscut saw should serve faithfully for generations. As an iconic manual wood cutting tool, it will likely outlast most other items in your self-reliant toolkit.
The keys are cleaning it after each use, checking for damage, keeping rust at bay with light oils, and most importantly – regularly sharpening. [3] Sharpening is best left to professionals, as it’s an art form to correctly shape, set, and file crosscut teeth. Poor sharpening leads to slow, crooked, and frustrating cuts.
Most saws should be sharpened after 15-40 hours of use, depending on your wood type and cutting technique. [5] Seeking out a traditional saw filing shop is worth the effort, if you can find one in your area. They will also be able to assess and correct any misaligned or damaged teeth.
The initial cost seems high for a hand tool, but consider it an investment that will pay dividends for decades or more. In that long-term view, a well-crafted crosscut saw that’s cared for properly delivers an immense amount of practical cutting value for the money – with no fuel, batteries, or spare parts to buy.
Choosing the Best Crosscut Saw Brands
For the traditionalist woodworker or off-grid homesteader who values durability and craftsmanship, there are a few saw brands that stand above the rest when it comes to vintage crosscut saws:
Disston
Founded in 1840, Henry Disston revolutionized saw manufacturing. His Philadelphia based company soon dominated the industry, making millions of saws yearly at their peak. Disston saws have an excellent reputation for quality materials and cutting performance. [5]
Simonds
The Simonds Saw Company operated for over 150 years. They were renowned for their innovative saw designs and tooth patterns. Their “N77” steel alloy is considered one of the best ever used in saws. Simonds crosscuts are highly sought after by traditional woodworkers. [5]
Bishop
A smaller saw works compared to Disston and Simonds, Bishop made saws with a reputation for superior steel hardness that holds an edge extremely well. Originals in good shape are harder to find than Disston or Simonds. [5]
Two-Man Crosscut Saws
While antiques can make fine users, modern two-man crosscut saws are also available from traditional saw works like the Crosscut Saw Company. [22] Their large Tuttle Tooth and Perforated Lance Tooth patterns are purpose-designed for aggressive ripping through huge timber.
Be wary of most hardware store crosscut saws, which simply aren’t built to last decades like traditional saws. However, a few modern exceptions like Lie Nielsen and Bad Axe also make high-end crosscuts to traditional specifications. [5]
The off-grid homesteader or survivalist who takes time to seek out a well-made vintage crosscut saw and keeps it maintained properly will have a reliable wood cutting companion for life. As iconic manual tools, crosscut saws represent the self-reliant spirit of living off the land using skill instead of fossil fuels. They’re the perfect addition to any off-grid toolkit.
Citations:
[1] https://www.fs.usda.gov/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm05232810/page04.htm
[2] https://www.fine-tools.com/onemansaw.html
[3] https://www.fs.usda.gov/t-d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf04232822/pdf04232822dpi72pt07.pdf
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosscut_saw
[5] https://woodandshop.com/woodworking-hand-tool-buying-guide-handsaws/
[6] https://robcosman.com/products/rob-cosmans-hand-saw-crosscut
[7] [removed]
[8] https://www.trees.com/gardening-and-landscaping/types-of-saws
[9] https://www.fs.usda.gov/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm06672804/page05.htm
[10] https://youtube.com/watch?v=ikoK1YfiiCg
[11] https://www.fs.usda.gov/t-d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf77712508/pdf77712508dpi72.pdf
[12] https://toolbytool.org/ch05-crosscutSaw.html
[13] https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/tools/best-handsaw
[14] https://www.reddit.com/r/handtools/comments/s38sth/crosscut_saw_maintenance_tools/?rdt=42226
[15] https://www.hultafors.com/articles/saw-guide-choose-the-right-saw
[16] https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/c/crosscut-saws/7-71-411
[17] https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/crosscut-saw-cutting-slow-sharpening-advice.129832/
[18] https://paulsellers.com/2016/04/comparing-saws-getting-started/
[19] https://www.amazon.com/crosscut-hand-saw-Tools-Home-Improvement/s?k=crosscut+hand+saw&rh=n%3A228013
[20] https://www.nzdl.org/cgi-bin/library?cl=CL1.9&d=HASHfec53cb4dfe4675ea2765c.6.2&e=d-00000-00—off-0cdl–00-0—-0-10-0—0—0direct-10—4——-0-0l–11-en-50—20-about—00-0-1-00-0–4—-0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00>=1
[21] https://youtube.com/watch?v=Qedoe9LCu2I
[22] https://crosscutsaw.com/product/two-man-tuttle-tooth-saws/
[23] https://youtube.com/watch?v=hO558SpQpxM
[24] https://robcosman.com/products/rob-cosmans-joinery-crosscut-saw
[25] https://www.outdoorlife.com/5-tips-for-saw-sharpening-and-maintenance/
