Hand saw suggestions

Raven27

Raven27

Participating member
Location
Pittsfield, Ma
Looking to upgrade my handsaw. I have the Samuri Ichiban, it's ok. I is We to have a Silky Zubat years ago but someone swiped it
I used it once so I can't remember how good it was. I feel like I work too hard with the Samuri, like it's just not fast enough. I won a Sherril hand saw at Arborfest this year, but gave it to my partner as he didn't have one, he always comments my saw seems full, or slow compared to that one. What do you guys find fast/ efficient/ stays sharp, etc... don't mind spending on one, they sure come in handy.
 
I just received a Silky Sugoi as an early christmas present, no complaints! Pretty aggressive / fast cutting -- but I've seen some people say it's too aggressive, and mostly useful for larger cuts, and the Zubat is better for all-around use. Never used a Zubat so I don't know.
 
I've sampled from most of the Silky buffet of saws (and a few others...):

Sugoi gets used most of the time. (a nice bonus is that it can be sharpened)

Tsurugi gets used on smaller trees and trees with tight crotches (pear and linden, for example...).

Gomtaro got used more before the Tsurugi came along.

Zubat hardly gets used...it is comparable to the Sugoi except that it has a thicker kerf meaning it takes more energy to do the same amount of work. And I don't think it is sharpenable.

One more thing: I really like several of the tree supply dealers, but watching Silky prices on Amazon I have found prices about 40-50% cheaper (or more) but the prices come and go away quickly.
 
Oh yeah another suggestion. For root pruning I want a good sharp blade but not too expensive cuz they're going to get ruining quickly in the dirt and crap. I use less expensive Silky Accel and the F-180.

Those narrow blade Tsurugis are great for tight spots as ATH mentioned
 
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ATH said:
I've sampled from most of the Silky buffet of saws (and a few others...):

Sugoi gets used most of the time. (a nice bonus is that it can be sharpened)

Tsurugi gets used on smaller trees and trees with tight crotches (pear and linden, for example...).

Gomtaro got used more before the Tsurugi came along.

Zubat hardly gets used...it is comparable to the Sugoi except that it has a thicker kerf meaning it takes more energy to do the same amount of work. And I don't think it is sharpenable.

One more thing: I really like several of the tree supply dealers, but watching Silky prices on Amazon I have found prices about 40-50% cheaper (or more) but the prices come and go away quickly.
Click to expand...

I think I recall a thread that said that the japanese zubat blade is thinner than the american one, and that they're cheaper on amazon. Something about force vs finesse trends... I don't remember all of the details.
I have never tried the zubat; I like the big silky saws but they don't work on my leg. I switched to the straight tsurugi. I love it.
The zubat comes with XL teeth now, though. I am going that way for the next one.
 
JD3000 said:
Oh yeah another suggestion. For root pruning I want a good sharp blade but not too expensive cuz they're going to get ruining quickly in the dirt and crap. I use less expensive Silky Accel and the F-180.
...
Click to expand...
I have Corona's Root saw. It does a pretty good job and is super easy to sharpen with a feather file. I am not convinced, however, that it is any different than a run of the mill drywall saw I just like it because I have the scabbard for it so it goes in my bag without tearing other things, the bag, or my fingers up. I also keep an 18V Milwaukee "Hackzall" on hand with some 'pruning' blades for roots only (also useful to have and metal cutting blades for the wire cages that I find when can't get a good cutting angle with the bolt cutters.)
 
I have been using the Silky Sugoi 420 for 2 years now and have had no complaints for removals. When trimming I often have to use less pressure as I tend to be pretty aggressive with it, and can make a pretty rough cut in certain woods. Before this saw I used a Stihl handsaw (p90?) I could be wrong on the model number, I would often brake the blade as it would get in a bind in the cut and would snap when I pushed it forward. This has never been an issue with the silky, possibly because of the tapered blade? If you primarily prune a finer tooth would probably be best, but if you primarily remove I don't think you can go wrong with this saw.
 
I ordered the Silky Sugio 360. After looking at it, it was the one I had swipped off me previously. I what's one to go o my leg and it appears to come with the straps for that. It seems that it is also highly preferred as well.
 
Raven27 said:
I ordered the Silky Sugio 360. After looking at it, it was the one I had swipped off me previously. I what's one to go o my leg and it appears to come with the straps for that. It seems that it is also highly preferred as well.
Click to expand...
I never thought about getting a short sugoi. I should consider that one for my next one.
 
Raven27 said:
I ordered the Silky Sugio 360. After looking at it, it was the one I had swipped off me previously. I what's one to go o my leg and it appears to come with the straps for that. It seems that it is also highly preferred as well.
Click to expand...

The silky sheaths are uncomfortable when strapped on my leg. Consider the notch talon or the other system out there to help achieve a better fit on your leg.
 
colb said:
The silky sheaths are uncomfortable when strapped on my leg. Consider the notch talon or the other system out there to help achieve a better fit on your leg.
Click to expand...
Will do. Have to give this one a go this weekend, see how it feels as I can't remember from when I first had it
 
Raven27 said:
Looking to upgrade my handsaw. I have the Samuri Ichiban, it's ok. I is We to have a Silky Zubat years ago but someone swiped it
I used it once so I can't remember how good it was. I feel like I work too hard with the Samuri, like it's just not fast enough. I won a Sherril hand saw at Arborfest this year, but gave it to my partner as he didn't have one, he always comments my saw seems full, or slow compared to that one. What do you guys find fast/ efficient/ stays sharp, etc... don't mind spending on one, they sure come in handy.
Click to expand...
the very best saw ive ever used and will be my only saw from now on is the silky zubat arborist edition, it has larger teeth to really rip so i can cut so much faster, i used it to limb and top a big pine the other day, it cuts so fast it was better safer and faster than using my chainsaw
 
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