Choosing a new handsaw

[timberfell]

I am looking for advise on a new handsaw. I have been using a 13'' Felco that cuts decent. I keep in on my saddle along with my chiansaw during removals. Thinking of getting a 17'' but don't want to be lugging around anything I don't absolutely need. Like everyone else, I want to spend as little time as possible getting the small stuff out of the way. Maybe just a better 13'' will do the trick, curved or straight blade? What do you guys use in this situation.

Kurt

 

[treeclimber165]

Get a Silky and you will never use another brand. If you like the traditional fixed blade style, the Zubat is what the majority of climbers use.

I prefer the folding type so I do not have to carry a scabbard. I have the 210mm Accel and the 300mm Gomboy. They are the best handsaws I've ever used.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I'm currently using a Corona 13" pony saw that I got from Home Depot for about $20. I'm inclined to agree with Brian, the Silky line of handsaws is the best to go with if you don't mind the extra cost. The Silky will be my next handsaw.

 

[ORclimber]

? for silky users

Do the silky folding saws stay shut while your climbing? I tried a stihl folding handsaw and it kept coming open and snagging on rope or rainpants.

 

[treeclimber165]

I've had no problem with my Silky folding saws. You can adjust the tension on the pivot by tightening or loosening the lockscrew that holds the blade. Mine have stayed put where I adjusted them without working loose.
I'm on the second blade on both the Accel and the Gomboy. I'm getting about 4-5 months out of a blade with regular use. (Try finding a replacement blade for those Coronas you buy in Home Depot!)

 

[Tim Gardner]

Silky Zubat. It is a 13" curved pony saw. You can order one from Sherrill. I use the Zubat pole saw and love it.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Silky!

I carry a straight bladed 300mm (12 inch I think) or 210mm gomtaro most of the time, and a masaru 360mm when its just to nice a day to start the chainsaw. If your working on a well spread tree and using not doing many large cuts (over 6inches) the masaru is what I carry, get good positioning and use both hands and its quicker than lightning. Any extra $ you spend on the saw is made up with the speed of the cutting and quality of finished work.
I use handsaws alot dismantling euc's if they are overhanging buildings or other targets, better control with cut and hold until the wood is big enough to merit the chainsaw.
If your going with a sheathed silky a few laps with duct tape around the part of the handle that goes into the sheath makes it less likey to go for a bottom of tree recon on its own. (makes it easier to find to)
Last month I spent 6 hours doing a thin of a huge pohutakawa (really hard wood). Light harness, silky in hand (did like 10minutes with my noisy cutting friend at the end) Summers day, sea views and cool breeze which rocked the tree just rythemically enough to be soothing and having a small radio in the tree listening to tunes. Man that was a beautiful day.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Could you explain the duck tape thing? I'm not getting what you are talking about. Thanks in advance.

I agree with everyone else Silky is the only saw to consider, I use a zubat.

 

[treeguy347]

I've tried Snap-cut (cheap price, not the greatest cut) Corona (not bad) and Silky (WOW!) I really like my Gomtaro 300mm, it fits my hand perfectly, the rubber on the handle is nice and grippy, and it cuts like a dream. I've never had to put duct tape on it anywhere though.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Treeguy347, I too, was skeptical about wrapping duct tape on a new saw, but think about it, what tool(or anything else) couldn't be improved with some duct tape?
My question wasn't doubting that the duct tape would improve it, I was just wondering where to wrap the tape, and why?

 

[treeclimber165]

Perhaps the duct tape is to be wrapped around the blade to protect the user from the sharp teeth. For some reason I still tend to scratch myself with my Silky about every third time I use it. Every time my boss sees blood on my arm he knows I've been using the handsaw.

 

[treeguy347]

Maybe where the handle meets the blade, like the thing that swords have. could tear the tape as you pull it off the roll, so you only get a 1/2" or however wide strip you want. Mike, I agree anything can be improved with duct tape We patched a hole in our barge one year, It worked so well, we just left it till the end of the year

 

[Tim Gardner]

A guy I woked with in NC had a straight blade Silky but the saw was kind of hard to get out. It has a different scabbard than the Zubat. I don't understad why it would fall out. I still like the scabbard that Sherrill sells (15929) better than the Zubat scabbard.

 

[treeman82]

Even though I don't have any experience with it, I have heard good things about the Ibuki, which is a large Silky saw.

 

[ramanujan]

i've used the corona handsaws a fair bit and i've borrowed a buddies silky for a climb or two but my favorite is a fanno 13" pony saw. perfect for what i use a handsaw for. nice wood handle, curved blade, and reasonably priced which i like in a handsaw since i've lost a few.

anyone had problems with the plastic silky scabbards breaking?

 

[mikecross23]

Originally posted by treeclimber165
(Try finding a replacement blade for those Coronas you buy in Home Depot!)

Come on Brian! I thought you had the Sherrill catalog memorized. They sell the same corona saw as home depot and offer replacement blades too (pg. 40 @ the top). I have the same one as Rich and like it, but don't take my word for it, it's the only hand saw I've ever used.

-Mike-

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Even if Home Depot doesn't sell replacement blades, at $20 the Corona is still cheaper than the replacement Silky blade at $36.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Okay! I will explain the duct tape!

If you tip a silky sheath you have had for a while upside down the saw slides out. It doesnt happen often but when it does its a right pain in the ass as those little suckers can be tough to find in undergrowth or caught up in a big monterey.
So some duct tape around the part of the handle near the blade which goes partly into the sheath makes the fit tighter and makes it less likely to go for a trip down tree!

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Here was one solution for silky scabbard from a while back.

 

[treeguy347]

How about leg scabbards vs.hanging them from your saddle?