Snow saw's in cold cold temps

Does anyone have experience with the SMC snow saw and the Lifelink snow saw in cold cold conditions? Also basic suggestions on which snow saws work better.

If there's a snow saw I recommend, it's the G3 Bone Saw.

ChrisJoosse wrote:If there's a snow saw I recommend, it's the G3 Bone Saw.

I dont have experience with the two saws you mentioned.
But I have used others... The G3 bone saw is good, the BCA snow saw is good too (super sharp). I use a Brooks Range Igloo foldable 70cm saw. Works great for large column stuff. However, the teeth are large and not quite as sharp as some of the small teeth type saws (BCA, G3). I think anything on the market will be good for "cold cold conditions" after all they are snow saws right?

PS; i have two BCA saws and looking to unload one if your interested..

I am not really psyched on my Life Link saw- compared to the Bone Saw a lot harder to pack away in a smaller bag.

Its not for avalanche use at all. It would be for igloo blocks. Im looking for the best mountaineering snow saw. So light, functional (even at minus 40), and packable. I don't mean to sound like an idiot when i say functional at cold temps. Im wondering if the light weight aluminium will get brittle at those temps.

Thanks for the comments. I want to know everyones opinion.

Where you headed, Peter?

Aluminum does not get brittle at lower temps. Aluminum is stonger and tougher at lower temps, though -40 isn't cold enough to see much difference from the properties at room temperature.

A Life Link saw worked just fine for me cutting blocks on Mt Logan a few years back, and it's pretty light. It stows well next to or under tent/avy poles on the side of your pack. It's worth duct taping a little bit of closed cell foam around the handle to make a more comfortable handle to grip - the way it comes ends up really digging into your hands after you use it awhile unless you do this or wrap something else around the handle before you grip it.

I've tried about every 'snow saw' there is. The best saw, by far, for both avalanche science and igloos wasn't purpose built for either. The Corona Model 49 pruning saw isn't as light as some, but superior in every other respect. It's stiff, sharp and the perfect size for cutting igloos blocks.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of these for sale in some time, and Corona doesn't currently list them on their website, at least as far as I could see. I've seen pruning saws of similar configuration that are longer and more flexible, but nothing that matches the combination of size, blade stiffness, and light weight of the 49. Plus, it has a 'D' handle, which is much easier to use than straight ones.

I also have a longer and heavier curved pruning saw I've used for igloo blocks along with a keyhole saw for trimming and fitting. The combination weighs about twice as much as the Corona.

I've used a Corona for 30 years to build igloos and cut blocks in Colorado, the Alaska Range, (at -30) and Himalaya. I usually carried it on summit days, just in case.

We always said - "If a fella could only have one saw, it'd be a Corona 49".

It works equally well for rough carpentry and of all things, pruning!

16.5" blade, 20.5" overall length, 1-1/2 wide at the tip, 2-3/4 at the handle.

It has 6 teeth per inch on one side and 8 teeth per inch on the other.