Gerber. Oh it's a Portland Oregon company that is absolutely known for subpar workmanship absolute garbage materials as well as horrible customer service.
I happen to own their most expensive knife ever the prototype Bowie. The handmade prototype Bowie. The machine made prototype production Bowie series actually was the best of all of them functionality wise. And of course the production version was absolute garbage.
Funny thing is they do not know anything about their own products.
And since outsourcing to China quality standards have dropped even further especially with that garbage machete. It really wasn't even worth the time trying it out. I've got a $10 machete that actually holds an edge and doesn't chip the blade on trees and bushes.
As for the saws I've got one and absolutely a folding saw is super highly important. I might need to get a larger version however if it's that big I could just use my little chainsaw.
Definitely choose the right tool for the job.
One of my library patrons is a landscaper. He said today that Silky is the brand he buys, whether folding or fixed. The other patron I had previously talkedto about saws was also in, and he favors the really big Silkuly katanaboy folding saws for clearing bike trails. I think at that size I would agree with Wranglerstar and go with a fixed handsaw, but to each their own.
There was a time when Gerber made some neat tools, including a credible Leatherman competitor my dad used to have, but they seem to be more name than substance now.
I've got a fixed saw for big stuff. Plus the chainsaw.
Those silkies cut good I like them. But any good saw should work just fine.
And to Gerber. I was a huge fan. Paid alot for the products. Had the multitool set. A friend worked at Gerber. So I'm really familiar having owned alot of thier stuff.
And the multitool? That was a flop. Leatherman is another Portland company... They crushed Gerber to the point they had to ship production to china.
Worst company ever. And the lack of quality control makes that a dangerous machete. Had one bust and nearly cut my leg off. Same with SOG! The lower end products are more dangerous to you than helpful. Especially when these need a first aid kit and hospital run to get stitches.
Yeah gotta choose a tool that won't hurt you. And the lowest quality control of both companies is pretty appalling.
SOG... I remember when they were a thing. Not anymore.
When it comes to tools, it's usually best to buy once, cry once. Especially if you're planning to be away from easy replacements, like when going camping, or just dealing with infrastructure hurdles like the last 2 years of COVID disruption.
My Leatherman Wave didn't broke in over a decade and I sent it in because one tool got broken and the pliers were loose and they sent me a brand new one. Latest model of Leatherman Wave. All sorts of amazing updates same tools and a brand new fresh diamond file.
My Gerber multi tools had a lifespan of only a year or two before they would fail and then of course the horrible customer service of Gerber made getting things fixed and impossibility and they just laughed and said buy another one.
Leatherman has fixed multiple multi-tools for me even some that I've gotten on extreme discount and or broken. They absolutely stand by their product. And on top of it I've got phenomenal amounts of quality control as well as quality materials. And it's all manufactured right here in Portland Oregon.
So absolutely pain a little more extra for the reliability and the quality of your tool. Because the last thing you need in a situation is for your important tools to fail or break when you need them the most.
Sog? That once was the highest end of multi-tools and they didn't exceptional geared multi-tool plier.
However after they outsourced manufacturing to China quality control nose dived. Absolutely warranty says they will replace defective tools however you have to mail them to the factory which sometimes is more of a cost by double than it is to just go buy a brand new one. Absolutely I would get one of their older knives. However anything new is shockingly bad quality. The SOG SEAL pup was a favorite of mine for a long time until a knife maker friend of mine got upset and showed me how the steel wasn't even heat treated and the edge would never stay.
It is really difficult trying to track down a quality blade.
A proper tool most times is a lifesaver and the improper tool most times is the reason why most people don't survive.