i'm putting together an order myself, and the Zubat (curved blade) seems to be the saw of choice according to about 6 climbers i have asked elsewhere.
Handsaws
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Kneejerk Bombas
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I use a 13" fanno in a black scabbard. Then I saw the silky's, wich was recomended by a few guys. I bought the bigger sized curved blade and plastic scabbard for around $75.
The curve in the blade stops the sawing motion long before you reach the end of the blade and makes pulling it very hard. I think it has too much curve.
The saw is heavy.
The saw snaps into the the scabbard, which prevents it from falling out when the scabbard it inverted, but it also makes it hard to get the saw out for each cut or use. If I just hang the saw off my belt, when you pull on the saw it slightly twists the scabbard so it would almost take two hands to get it out.
The top of the scabbard has a smaller opening than the fanno scabbard which makes putting it back harder, and found that clothing would sometimes get pulled into it along with the saw.
The scabbard comes with a belt which some guys are using to attach the saw to their lower leg. I did try this for a while and found no advantage and some problems, although it looked cool.
I think I would put up the problems with the scabbard if the saw cut better, and I think the straigth blade would solve this, but I havent tried it because I don't want to waste another $75. As it stands, the silky sits in the truck unused.
Overall grade: D+
The curve in the blade stops the sawing motion long before you reach the end of the blade and makes pulling it very hard. I think it has too much curve.
The saw is heavy.
The saw snaps into the the scabbard, which prevents it from falling out when the scabbard it inverted, but it also makes it hard to get the saw out for each cut or use. If I just hang the saw off my belt, when you pull on the saw it slightly twists the scabbard so it would almost take two hands to get it out.
The top of the scabbard has a smaller opening than the fanno scabbard which makes putting it back harder, and found that clothing would sometimes get pulled into it along with the saw.
The scabbard comes with a belt which some guys are using to attach the saw to their lower leg. I did try this for a while and found no advantage and some problems, although it looked cool.
I think I would put up the problems with the scabbard if the saw cut better, and I think the straigth blade would solve this, but I havent tried it because I don't want to waste another $75. As it stands, the silky sits in the truck unused.
Overall grade: D+
I have a Prosenthei, nice but awful delicate; we have broken two blades. Next is a straight blade Natanoko, which has a soft rubber handle, which is solidified by the metal blade extension inside. Someone must have stepped on it recently, as it just broke. Replacement blade is steep at $33. Next purchase will be a Zubat, and maybe the extension pole. The Ibuki, which Mike is referring too, I think, does look to have too much built in curve. There is a larger straight blade model, not carried by Sherril, that looks great for finishing off final hinge wood cuts, and has a beefier handle, like the Zubat. I saw Duane Neustater's in action, and will eventually get one. I also have a 21 foot Hayauchi, which is great if reach is needed, and very fast cutting, but fragile. "Bull in the china shop" me has bent it once and now broken it......Still somewhat useable, but can't fully retract it anymore.
Silkys are very fast cutting, hold an edge longer than anything else, but handle designs and fragility are issues, as well as price.
I still really like the cheap Coronas, which cut faster and hold an edge longer than Fanno.
Just don't call me a flower child:
Silkys are very fast cutting, hold an edge longer than anything else, but handle designs and fragility are issues, as well as price.
I still really like the cheap Coronas, which cut faster and hold an edge longer than Fanno.
Just don't call me a flower child:
Kevin
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have a Zubat but its too pretty to use. 
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
Zubat is the best saw I've ever used, My 020 gets lonely these days. Curve and agressiveness is near perfect on this saw, maybe a little too much for people like me that force the balde, but I'm getting better, only snapped one blade. The edge lasts at least 3 months. the guys at Alexander Equipment told me at a show they are seeing 10-12 lag time on replacement blade orders.
I used to go through Fanno baldes every 4-5 weeks.
I used to go through Fanno baldes every 4-5 weeks.
DDM
Addicted to ArboristSite
Ive got a Silky I think its the Ginsu Model Love It even Slices tomatoes & aluminum Cans.
Wow, remember the Ginsu?
I think it is like the most hailed tv advertising of all time in some category. It is awesome his-terical record that the Ginsu was found as being sold cheaply all around in grocery discount bins. This guy picks it up, likes it, buys a ton, and puts this add on TV..............
I think it is like the most hailed tv advertising of all time in some category. It is awesome his-terical record that the Ginsu was found as being sold cheaply all around in grocery discount bins. This guy picks it up, likes it, buys a ton, and puts this add on TV..............
I went from a 13in curved corona to the 13in curved Zubat, and I think the Zubat is by far superior to the Corona. It holds its sharpness much better, and even though they look almost identical (blades) the Zubat cuts much faster. I also like the plastic scabbard. It does not lock the saw down like Mike mentions, I easily take it in and out one handed. It is very nice to rip through 1in cuts in one stroke. I am pretty hard on my saw and have not had it bend or break yet. I've got a friend who has the longer curved saw and he really likes it, it just looked too long to me.
Greg
Greg
tshanefreeman
ArboristSite Operative
I personally prefer and recommend the Silky Zubat......
It is extremely sharp, retains its edge, and still is versitile enough to fit into most tight places.............
However, one must remember that an extremely sharp saw will remain extremely sharp when it comes in contact with your skin. I raked across my thumb nail and knuckle around Christmas and my nail is just starting to look normal now...............KEEP YOUR BAND-AIDS CLOSE........but have fun making the perfect cut!
Shane Freeman
Total Tree Care & Consulting
It is extremely sharp, retains its edge, and still is versitile enough to fit into most tight places.............
However, one must remember that an extremely sharp saw will remain extremely sharp when it comes in contact with your skin. I raked across my thumb nail and knuckle around Christmas and my nail is just starting to look normal now...............KEEP YOUR BAND-AIDS CLOSE........but have fun making the perfect cut!
Shane Freeman
Total Tree Care & Consulting
I always teel the guys that the best way not to cut your hands is to keep them on the handle, these saws are sharpExcept if 1 Corona screw comes out and the remaining one becomes a pivot making the blade fold!
i think the triple anti-b. ointments and bandaid is way to go. Bring it back to a 'sea' state, heals faster and more completely.
i think the triple anti-b. ointments and bandaid is way to go. Bring it back to a 'sea' state, heals faster and more completely.
I live by neosporin!! Heals good with no scars. My Dr told me that if I ever have a cut on the face to use polysporin, and never Vitamin E on the face. He said that Vit E and Neo both will promote blood vessel growth causing red looking areas that take a long time to fade away.
greg
greg
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
I keep bandage tape and TP in the truck for feild expediant bandaging.
When I was still using a Fanno to wack deadwood off (silky is so sharp the cut takes one stroke) Iwas alwaus dinging my hands and knucklers wit the follow through
When I was still using a Fanno to wack deadwood off (silky is so sharp the cut takes one stroke) Iwas alwaus dinging my hands and knucklers wit the follow through
Kneejerk Bombas
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The Zubat test.
Well, on all youse guyses advice(real good english, anahey?) I went out and picked up a Zubat(silky). I also bought an ARS 13" blade for my fanno handle.
Both saws are 13", curved blade. The Zubat came with a totally useless scabbard(at least that's what the salesman told me and after a couple hours use, I agree).
The zubat blade is flimsier, I have not decided if that's better or worse.
The zubat handle is rubber(or rubber like), I perfer the wood fanno.
The zubat has a nice little nub on the end that helps keep the saw from pulling out of the cut if you stroke too far.
The test: Both saws pulled with about the same effort, but the zubat cut through a 4.5" oak branch in 9 or 10 full strokes, while the ARS blade took 11 or 12 strokes. I made one cut with each saw and then repeated on a straight limb, each time cutting about 1" of wood off the log and counting the strokes.
I give the zubat about a 20% faster cut.
Zubat and scabbard: $59
ARS blade: $13
Well, on all youse guyses advice(real good english, anahey?) I went out and picked up a Zubat(silky). I also bought an ARS 13" blade for my fanno handle.
Both saws are 13", curved blade. The Zubat came with a totally useless scabbard(at least that's what the salesman told me and after a couple hours use, I agree).
The zubat blade is flimsier, I have not decided if that's better or worse.
The zubat handle is rubber(or rubber like), I perfer the wood fanno.
The zubat has a nice little nub on the end that helps keep the saw from pulling out of the cut if you stroke too far.
The test: Both saws pulled with about the same effort, but the zubat cut through a 4.5" oak branch in 9 or 10 full strokes, while the ARS blade took 11 or 12 strokes. I made one cut with each saw and then repeated on a straight limb, each time cutting about 1" of wood off the log and counting the strokes.
I give the zubat about a 20% faster cut.
Zubat and scabbard: $59
ARS blade: $13
Tom Dunlap
Addicted to ArboristSite
You will probably come to like the handle on the Z. [That's Zubat for the acronym impaired ] The rubber is grippy and cushions too. The sheath is great. Tape or glue the swivel so that it hangs straight down. I haven't heard of any complaints about bending blades with the Z. If they do bend, its propably from pilot error trying to force a cut.
Tom
] The rubber is grippy and cushions too. The sheath is great. Tape or glue the swivel so that it hangs straight down. I haven't heard of any complaints about bending blades with the Z. If they do bend, its propably from pilot error trying to force a cut.Tom
DDM
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have the Ginga er Ginsu I like the saw But i have to agree the Scabbards leave much to be desired.
I like the saw But i have to agree the Scabbards leave much to be desired.
tshanefreeman
ArboristSite Operative
Mike,
To begin I will openly state that I use the Zubat for my handsaw and I also have the Silky Hayauchi polesaw (similar blade) and I love the cutting performance of both.
You stated the huge difference in the price between ARS and Silky's. Perhaps a good question that should be asked is if the Silky is sharper, how many ARS's will a user go through before he/she throws away their first Silky?
Perhaps the price difference isn't that great after all!
Sidenote: The Hayauchi polesaw cuts great but the friction locks on the extendable pole are perhaps the most frustrating things ever created on this rock we call Earth.....
And now that I have vented, I'm ok!
To begin I will openly state that I use the Zubat for my handsaw and I also have the Silky Hayauchi polesaw (similar blade) and I love the cutting performance of both.
You stated the huge difference in the price between ARS and Silky's. Perhaps a good question that should be asked is if the Silky is sharper, how many ARS's will a user go through before he/she throws away their first Silky?
Perhaps the price difference isn't that great after all!
Sidenote: The Hayauchi polesaw cuts great but the friction locks on the extendable pole are perhaps the most frustrating things ever created on this rock we call Earth.....
And now that I have vented, I'm ok!
Yeah, and the poles are so delicate. I broke one of mine...But found the Silky US website, that says parts are available. I will ask them if the replacement red clamps have been redesigned. Maybe they could be modified, that was my thought when I first got mine two years ago.
I have never used ARS, but know the quality is high, I'd guess they'd last quite a while too...?
I like the Silky handsaw scabbards, a lttle slow to get the saw out, but not if you give a quick jerk, and they stay in, and dont get pulled out by ropes or brush.
I have never used ARS, but know the quality is high, I'd guess they'd last quite a while too...?
I like the Silky handsaw scabbards, a lttle slow to get the saw out, but not if you give a quick jerk, and they stay in, and dont get pulled out by ropes or brush.
tshanefreeman
ArboristSite Operative
I too have considered some modifications to be placed on my Hayauchi, but what they are.......I'm still not sure.
If you hear anything about re-designed clamps.....post it and let people like me know.
Talk to you later!
If you hear anything about re-designed clamps.....post it and let people like me know.
Talk to you later!
budroe69moni
ArboristSite Operative
mike,
is it worth it to fork out $59 on a new zubat??????
i was about to buy a new flanno..... my arms almost
fell off cleaning out 2 laurel oaks using my corona folding wood handle. let me know.
thanks,
budroe
is it worth it to fork out $59 on a new zubat??????
i was about to buy a new flanno..... my arms almost
fell off cleaning out 2 laurel oaks using my corona folding wood handle. let me know.
thanks,
budroe
Kneejerk Bombas
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Bud,
I would say look for an ARS blade over a fanno.
As for the zubat over the ARS, I don't know. $59 bucks is a lot of dough. I hear that the zubat lasts, which would be a good thing, but how do you test that?
The ginsu reference was pretty good, the blade is thin and sharp, just like a ginsu.
I would say look for an ARS blade over a fanno.
As for the zubat over the ARS, I don't know. $59 bucks is a lot of dough. I hear that the zubat lasts, which would be a good thing, but how do you test that?
The ginsu reference was pretty good, the blade is thin and sharp, just like a ginsu.
