Choosing a new handsaw

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I have a leg scabard, a zubat scabard, and a regular hanging scabard. Of the three, I like the regular hanging scabard best. All three have advantages and disadvantages. The leg scarbard looks cool but the strap can be irratating to your skin under the strap and it has a tendency to move down. The zubat scabard locks the blade in, but can be difficult to get out. The regular scabard is right there. You can pull the saw out without even looking, like a quick draw. It does fall out once in a while though.

I have not tried climbing with a folding saw. I use my handsaw a lot and I have a feeling opening and closing a folding saw 40 or 50 times a tree might be too much. Although they do have their advantages too, I'm sure.

 

[treeguy347]

You're right Mike, my first hand saw was a folding... pain in the rear IMO, I'll stick with the Gomtaro. A good hand saw definitely changes how you work. Sometimes I don't even pull a chainsaw up with me. Anything under a couple inches I can whip through faster than I can put muffs on, start the saw and hang it back up.

Brandon

 

[timberfell]

Hey thanks guys. Looks like I have it narrowed down between the zubat and the gomtaro, but it will definetly be a silky. The zubat is about 20$ more, and the gomtaro seems pretty popular, we'll see. Thanks for the info, this site is great!

 

[Tim Gardner]

Originally posted by TreeCo
I just got the Zubat and I don't see where it's any faster than the other tri cut blades I've used.

It does have a nice handle and scabbard.

Dan
Atlanta

Check out every 7th tooth on the Zubat. It out cuts my older handsaw.

 

[scopulorum]

A Silky saw is a great investment. As far as 13" curved pruning saws go, you will not find a better saw. The 13" Zubat is very light and has a great feel. The blade runs thru the entire handle, resulting in great balance. You will require less energy to cut a limb with a Silky than a Corona or Fanno. Keep this in mind, as many new users of the Silky Zubat break the tip off or break the blade in two. The Silky Zubat comes with its own scabbard, it is a high quality plastic jobby, but I prefer to use a double pocket leather scabbard for climbing. We have a local supplier that sells lots of these for a fair price. Check out
www.canadianarborist.com

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

TreeCo, I don't know if you were just tugging at our chains, but the Zubat is faster than any tri-cut I have used, and not by a little. Look at a thread I started called the Zubat test, I tested two brand new saws, a Zubat and an ARS. The Zubat kick a$$ and took names. The ARS tri cut is a dang fast saw too, but not by comparison to the Zubat.

If you really have a brand that is as fast as the Zubat, I'd love to hear about it. Heck, even if it's close.

Do some timed cuts and let us know.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

To me 25% is a big difference. That's 25% less work.
Anyway, here's the thread.
My comments were on page 3 of a long thread which is worth reading, I think that's what I linked.
I too found about a 20% difference. Since that test, I've only replaced the blade once. I would guess they last about twice as long, which you need to take into consideration when talkiing about price.

 

[treeclimber165]

Mike-
Thanks for linking that thread. I went back and re-read the whole thing and find it fascinating how many of our opinions changed over time. The first couple pages were from mid-2001, then the thread was revived in 10-2002. I think it's funny that two years later no one is questioning the superiority of the Silky saws- especially the Zubat.

Anyone still using their old Corona, ARS or Fanno?

 

[Treeman14]

Originally posted by treeclimber165
Anyone still using their old Corona, ARS or Fanno?

I was, until I got my new Zubat last week. NICE.

 

[Stumper]

Yeah, I'm still using and liking my Corona-but I'm ordering a Zubat.

 

[mikecross23]

Originally posted by Stumper
Yeah, I'm still using and liking my Corona-but I'm ordering a Zubat.

DITTO

 

[monkeypuzzle]

Well, the UPS man brung our first silky handsaws. Zubat and a Gomtaro. Bought time huh.

We have had the 21 footer for about a year now, Hayauchi which I am not happy with. The blade is nice but that is it.


Too wet to dismantle trees today but I did try the new hand saws on a few trash trees in the woods lastnite. SWEET, I do worry about the Gomtaro scabbard.

 

[jimmyq]

silky website, turn on those speakers...

http://www.silky.jp/en/index.html

 

[mmayo]

ibuki

Yes sir.... I'm a believer- the ibuki is one tough mother. I've almost eliminated using a chain saw for prunes. Its drawback- to big for fine cuts. Answer- for me its carrying a smaller handsaw as well. I have to say its nice not hauling a chain saw around, though I do if there is a lot of large deadwood. Depends what I'm working on

 

[Tree Machine]

Silky guy

I, too, am a Silky Man. I quit using the top-handled chainsaws altogether about a year and a half ago. I like the Gomboy 300 mm with it's comfortable rubber handle, exceptional balance and 10% of the price of a Husky 335.

I keep two around - one is for climbing and the other hangs off the chipper for more rustic use like, well, like using it as a machete. I don't recommend this with a new one, but an old worn-out handle with an old worn-out blade and I use this to sculpt over bushes in seconds. Also, if I'm going to get into some dirty stuff, I use the 'machete'.

I also like the Silky Root Saw - red handled 240 mm sheathed saw with a special chromated blade. Tough, tough little saw with a long lasting blade. I usually climb with both the folding Gomboy and the root saw. If I climb with just one and it finds its way to the ground, I feel rather naked up there with just a chainsaw. -TM-

 

[ORclimber]

My zubat came this week, for the sale price figured nothing to lose. After all the hype was a bit dissapointed to actually have to pull the saw through the wood . After reading the above posts, think I'll add some other silky models to my arsenal.

 

[ORclimber]

Brian, weren't you a folding saw guy? Why the switch?

I've nicked myself a couple times with a chainsaw too, both times one handing, trying to control the cut limb w/ other hand.

 

[TREETX]

Anyone packin' an Ibuki??

 

[okietreedude1]

I still use my fanno 1311. I do have a silky folding saw in my personal truck (sorry, dont know what style) that I won at a TCC. For work though, have been using Fanno for 9 yrs and am not changing now. Like they say, 'If it aint broke, dont fix it'.

 

[mmayo]

Originally posted by TREETX
Anyone packin' an Ibuki??

Page up to find out!!


P.S.I love it!!