Bow saw blades

[steveG]

I've got a Fiskars bow saw that lives in back of the County. Had it for about 10 years and its one of the most useful and often used bits of gear I have.
Nice and light, great for a bit of minor track clearing or firewood gathering.
Will still cut 150mm diameter or more if need be, but after a fair bit of use is starting to feel a bit dull.

Thought I'd just pick up a new blade for it, but sourcing one is harder than I thought.
I can buy a new saw exactly the same as mine for less than $20 from Bunnings, but irks me to do that when I just need a blade.
Can buy a new blade for USD$4 from the states, but postage costs more than a new saw.

Perhaps I'm searching online for the wrong term (bow saw blade), or maybe its one of those items that I need to rock up at the local mower/chainsaw shop and ask for.
Probably I just need to suck it up and buy a new saw...

Any suggestions?

Steve

[JDNSW]

If you still have any of the traditional hardware shops in your area, try one of them, and also perhaps a camping type shop or a tool specialist.

[Don 130]

Or sharpen and reset it. It'll take about 20mins if you've got a fine triangular file and a saw setting tool, or a very good eye and a pair of pointy pliers.
Or

Bahco Bow Saw (Replacement Blade) | Arbormaster Arbor Gear, Tree Equipment and Chainsaw Accessories (http://www.arbormaster.com.au/shop/pruning-tools/hand-pruning-tools/pruning-saws/bahco-bow-saw-replacement-blade/)

GardensOnline: Spare Blades for BAHCO Bow Saws (http://www.gardensonline.com.au/Shopping/GardenShop/Show_4241.aspx)

Woodworkers Corner - ECE Frame (Bow) Saws - My Tool Store (http://www.mytoolstore.com.au/categories/Woodworkers-Corner/ECE-Frame-%28Bow%29-Saws/)

Bow Saw Blade (90cm Long) Dry Wood Cutting | BAH51-36 | Bahco | Agri Horticultural Tools | Bow Saws & Blades (https://www.bolt.com.au/bow-saw-blade-90cm-long-dry-wood-cutting-p-101388.html)

And Bunnings.

Don.

[steveG]

Dropped past Bunnings today and found they had Irwin brand blades in 3 different sizes and for green and dry wood.
Buggered if I know why I couldn't see them on the website the other night, but can see them there now.
Mine is a 21" version and the blade cost me just under $10.
A complete new saw was $13.

Don - I've got a setting tool so I'll throw that and a file in next time I go camping. Good little downtime task and will give me a good spare blade.

Steve

[gromit]

I think that the teeth on those type of blades are surface hardened & not designed to be sharpened. You either struggle to make an impression with a file or file through the hardening & it won't hold an edge.


Colin

[Tins]

I think that the teeth on those type of blades are surface hardened & not designed to be sharpened. You either struggle to make an impression with a file or file through the hardening & it won't hold an edge.


Colin

X2

[steveG]

Looking at the heat pattern on the teeth it goes right down to the root, and given the thickness of the blade I'd be surprised if it was just surface hard. Will have a play and see....

Steve

[Don 130]

Dropped past Bunnings today and found they had Irwin brand blades in 3 different sizes and for green and dry wood.
Buggered if I know why I couldn't see them on the website the other night, but can see them there now.
Mine is a 21" version and the blade cost me just under $10.
A complete new saw was $13.

Don - I've got a setting tool so I'll throw that and a file in next time I go camping. Good little downtime task and will give me a good spare blade.

Steve

Best done with the blade held snuggly and low down in a vice. Glad to see you got a blade.
Don.

[Don 130]

I think that the teeth on those type of blades are surface hardened & not designed to be sharpened. You either struggle to make an impression with a file or file through the hardening & it won't hold an edge.


Colin

I've sharpened both my bow saws and got very good results and even comments from others on how the saw was flying through the wood. Some may be hardened by mine aren't.
By the way Colin, I've got your T-shirt.[bigwhistle]
Don.

[gromit]

By the way Colin, I've got your T-shirt.[bigwhistle]
Don.

I have a few Wallace & Gromit T-shirts but it's scary when you meet people who have never heard of them ........


Colin