[Tips] Ran into a fallen tree on a forest road! I bought a “Big Boy 2000” saw and gave it a try

Early one morning, while driving along a forest road on my way to a fishing spot, I found the road blocked by a fallen tree! I’ll share what happened and how I purchased a saw specifically for cutting down fallen trees as a precaution for the future. I also gave it a test run.

My first experience of having my path blocked by a fallen tree on a forest road early in the morning

At 6 a.m., while driving along a forest road, I came across a fallen tree blocking the path right in front of me. Since I didn’t have any tools to handle a situation like this, I found myself facing a real dilemma on a deserted forest road deep in the mountains.

I’ve driven on forest roads many times before and have seen fallen trees that had already been cleared away, but this was the first time I’d ever come across a tree that had just fallen.

When I got out of the car to check, I realized that while I could barely move the fallen tree by hand, it was still connected at the base, so it just bent and snapped back into place. Until then, I’d always just thought, “It’d be a real hassle if the road were blocked,” and I deeply regretted not having a saw in the car.

Since taking any other route to the fishing spot would require a major detour, I hesitated to turn back. There I was, all alone on a forest road deep in the mountains, wringing my hands in frustration.

Since we couldn't move it with the tow rope, we decided to take our time and break the branches by hand.

Since I had a tow rope, I decided to attach it to the Jimny and give it a try. However, since the engine had just been repaired and the car was finally running at full strength, I didn’t want to put any strain on the vehicle.

Since the angle is limited even when pulling from the back, it ends up feeling like the root is being pulled out, so in the end, the tow rope wasn't effective.

In the end, I wondered if I could take advantage of the Jimny’s high ground clearance to force my way over the branches. To prepare, I tried breaking off some of the thin branches that looked like they might get caught. Since the wood was green, the bark stayed attached, but I was able to break them off surprisingly easily, so I was able to drive the Jimny safely over the fallen tree.

However, I think it would have been absolutely impossible to get over it if the car had been as low to the ground as a sedan.

After spending several tens of minutes painstakingly breaking off branches, I managed to get through—though it was a blessing in disguise that I was able to clear the fallen tree without a knife or cell service. I realized all too clearly that I urgently need to prepare a plan for dealing with fallen trees—something I’d been putting off—if I want to continue stream fishing.

I Bought the “Big Boy 2000” Saw for Green Wood and Gave It a Try

After doing some research, I found that a chainsaw or a handsaw is the most effective tool for cutting down fallen trees. Since it’s not practical to carry a chainsaw with me at all times, I decided to buy a handsaw.The ideal saw for cutting down fallen trees has a “coarse-toothed blade,” a “blade length of 300 mm or more,” and is “designed for two-handed use.” The product that met these criteria was the “Big Boy 2000” (4,980 yen) from UM Industries (Silky).Since it’s foldable, it won’t take up much space in the car, and it should come in handy for camping, too.

When I compare the saw I own (Samurai FC-210-SH) with its blade, it looks like the image above. The Samurai blade, which I’ve been using since I started camping, is relatively fine-toothed, and there’s a big difference in the shape of the teeth compared to the Big Boy’s coarse-toothed blade.

Just how much of a difference is there in cutting power? To compare, I decided to count one push-and-pull motion as one stroke and test each axe with 20 strokes. The test logs were made of dried cherry wood, 100 mm in diameter.

When I actually tried cutting it, perhaps because the Samurai has a fine-tooth blade, it struggled to bite into the thick log and only made a cut a few millimeters deep.

Saw blades vary depending on their intended use; fine-tooth blades are designed for thin branches and to produce a clean cross-section. I’ve been using this one for a long time, so I’m well aware of how sharp it is, but it seems a bit unsuitable for felled trees.

On the other hand, when I tried the Big Boy, the blade cut through effortlessly, advancing nearly 50 mm in just 20 strokes. A coarse-toothed saw like the Big Boy excels at smoothly cutting green wood and thick branches that tend to get stuck. Although it does tend to leave a rough cut surface, it cuts very well.

For this particular task—clearing fallen trees—the Big Boy clearly proved to be the easier tool to use. For tasks like removing fallen trees or gathering firewood for camping, where the cross-section isn’t a concern, the coarse-grit version seems to be the better choice.

If you're a fan of forest roads, it might be a good idea to keep a saw for cutting fallen trees in your truck.

Another major feature of the Big Boy is that it can be held with both hands. When dealing with a thick tree, such as one blocking a road, I find it efficient—and less physically taxing—to hold it down with my feet while cutting with both hands.

Encountering the unexpected problem of a fallen tree actually broadened my knowledge of saws and led me to discover a wonderful companion. Since forest roads can be dangerous, I plan to head back into nature again once I’m fully prepared.

Reporting and Text by Kazuma Tanaka

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