About a year ago I picked up the Chainmate Pocket Chainsaw for my bug out bag. I heard that these small chainsaws were ideal for a bug out bag due to their small profile, light weight, and performance.
Packs down to about the size of your palm
On my last camping trip I re-discovered the chainsaw in my smaller survival gear pouch. You see, this chainsaw was so small and light weight that I had forgotten that it was even in my pouch.
Pocket chainsaws have a bad rap amongst survivalists. Most of the time, survival kits will come with the flimsy wire chainsaws that tend to fall apart when you give it a funny look. The wire chainsaws as mostly garbage and not worth the space they take up in your survival kit.
Although the premise always sounded like a good idea – a chainsaw blade attached to handles. Basically a human powered chainsaw.
I was still a bit skeptical when I opened this pocket chainsaw. It looked sturdy but how would it hold up cutting through a 4 inch, freshly felled tree?
Pros:
The Chainmate Pocket Chainsaw cut through the 4 inch trunk cleanly.
I was surprised at how quickly the saw made it through the wood. Even though the tree was still green, the saw had no problem slicing though the wet wood.
Well, not really a “green” tree.
Cons:
About the only downside to the pocket chainsaw is that you have to make sure the chain is straight and you saw through the wood. A slight deviation in the angle will cause the chain to bind. After a few minutes you do get used to the motion and it begins to become almost effortless.
Overall:
The Chainmate Pocket Chainsaw is definitely a great addition to your survival kit or your bug out bag. This chainsaw will cut through all but the hardest and/or thickest of wood.
Now stop giggling at the last sentence.
Be Smart and Be Safe
The Nature N3rd 