reciprocating saw or chainsaw??

[Trenthany]

I wouldn't say they hold up very well at all. Anytime your jamming a saw blade into dirt it's not going to cut well for long. I haven't collected for a few years but when I did, my recip saw with a spyder bore blade was quite handy.

Thank you. The price is so high I’m thinking I’ll stick with the cheaper demo ones others have been using if these aren’t exceptionally better. The ability to reverse a cut mid stroke is a nice feature though...

 

[Vin]

Thank you. The price is so high I’m thinking I’ll stick with the cheaper demo ones others have been using if these aren’t exceptionally better. The ability to reverse a cut mid stroke is a nice feature though...

I think one of the best tools to have is one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/Purpose-Tr...6592523&sprefix=round+nose+sh,aps,187&sr=8-39 I sharpened the round edge and when you plunge it into a fairly good size root "it will cut"

 

[leatherback]

I sharpened the round edge and when you plunge it into a fairly good size root "it will cut"

Yup, have a similar old-fashioned, well-made, hand welded spade here that has seen so much digging that it has sharpened itself. 2 inch Yew roots give in to it when I use my clogs.

 

[Alain BERTRAND]

I personally use this one, cut in half and driven with a sledge hammer. From time to time, I sharpen the plate (?) with an angle grinder.

 

[rockm]

None of the power options--chain saw, reciprocating saw is going to work underwater if you're going after Bald cypress in the swamp. BC wood is not very dense and cuts relatively quickly. A "pull" pruning saw (cuts on the pull stroke, not the push--easier work) works underwater and elsewhere where you can't get a power tool to work. I typically buy a new hand pruning saw every time I go collecting. They're not all that expensive.

an example (there are Japanese made saws like this but they tend to cost more)

https://www.amazon.com/Corona-RazorTOOTH-Folding-RS-7265D/dp/B001RD7LRO/ref=pd_lpo_86_t_1/133-2600852-3441233?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001RD7LRO&pd_rd_r=7af0d7f0-1dc6-4c06-83dc-c028b874b943&pd_rd_w=viOpm&pd_rd_wg=eNyh7&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=ZET67WWQY4JN7NW4RMM5&psc=1&refRID=ZET67WWQY4JN7NW4RMM5