Which Silky?

[Stumper]

Those that have used the various Silky saws please give an opinion. I know the Zubat has been favored by most for pruning aloft. I have a Gomtaro which I really like for Orchard pruning. I am looking to buy a gift for my Dad. He doesn't do much pruning anymore-THIS IS NOT INTENDED FOR DAY TO DAY PRUNING. He needs a bowstave collection tool. He cuts plenty with chainsaws but even a small saw is a pain to carry on a hike where he hopes to find one or 2 special staves. The parameters are-cutting small trees or branches up to a maximum of 8"(he has to carry the staves out)-the ones he can drive up to he can use his chainsaws on.

 

[alanarbor]

How about one of the big 13" folding models? that would probably do it.

 

[Ax-man]

The Ibuki would fill this need easily, I have used one since last winter and like it very much for the larger, coarser hand saw type cuts. Plenty of speed with this hand saw. As a pruning saw it would suck because the the teeth are large and coarse, not to mention the curve in the blade, on small stuff it leaves a ragged cut that rips more than it cuts.

For what your dad's needs it would work good, little pricey though, wouldn't a small size camping type bow saw fit the bill for this.

Larry

 

[ORclimber]

If you have to go Silky, I'd go Ibuki. It has a much thicker blade than the pruning saws and will take more abuse for those long tired cuts. My groundie has broken 2 zubat blades and a gunman, the Ibuki lives on.

I think the big fanno's might be better for 8" cuts though. They make a blade with big gaps between the teeth for pulling chips, kind of a modern misery whip. Very efficient on big cuts, not so good on little stuff.

 

[glens]

Maybe the http://www.silkysaws.com/gomboy300lt.htm or one of its little brethren?  I've seen TreeMachine's 360, but not on the site... it must have been a prototype?

Sratch that, his must be the "BIGBOY".

Glen

 

[Big A]

Dont Know if its available out there but I got a Silky Mazaru, a good heavy duty saw for coarse cutting and dead wood, 330cm blade and still in one piece - excellent.

 

[Stumper]

What I'm looking for is the speed and ease of cut of a Silky. Does the Ibuki provide that? I note that it has coarser teeth and does not feature induction hardening of the teeth. I have a 20inch Fanno I could give him but I know from experience that it is more work to use-I'd rather have a 13" Corona Razortooth than that saw(this is an older conventional tooth design-I haven't tried the Fanno or Corona large Razortooth designs). A bow saw wouldn't cost much and cuts well-but they are bulky and awkward. Even when cutting in the middle of nowhere it is nice to make proper cuts if it is a branch being harvested.

 

[ORclimber]

Man, you can't have just one handsaw . The Ibuki is different, you'd need smaller silky for pretty cuts.

Here's the fanno i like for big cuts.

 

[huskycandoit]

I would go with the silky if your dad doesn't mind it bouncing around when he is walking. But if he does then go with the Sugoi. Because i guess it can strap to a leg or arm. But I would strap it to an arm. LOL

 

[treeman82]

I have a super accel which is nice for walking around because you can just stick it in your pocket. No holster, just fold it up and put it in your pocket.

 

[ORclimber]

Stumper, I'll sell you a light, easy on the arms, redmax tophandle for the same cost as an Ibuki

 

[Stumper]

ORclimber, You are tempting me. Another Tophandle for myself sounds fun. Dad has a good little Echo for stave gathering as well as a Husky 372 for bigger trees. Carrying the saw in and then having to carry it AND the staves out is a pain. Some of these stave hunts are conjoined with bowhaunting in the sense of trying to poke sharp broadhead arrows through critters. Quiet cutting that doesn't cover the operator with gasoline odor is an important attribute.

 

[Stumper]

Glen, Have you used the Gomboy on large cuts? The Gomtaro wich I like so much for orchard pruning gets a bit overmatched on stuff much over 4 inches in diameter.

 

[glens]

I have not, but I watched Jim whiz right through an ash limb of about 6", if memory serves...

But like I said, he had the 360, so there was plenty of stroke available.  I tried taunting him into this thread but he didn't bite.

Glen

 

[Stumper]

Send him some vegetable oil.

 

[jimmyq]

I would also suggest the Gomboy folding saw, its got a lot of punch for its size. I dont use mine everyday for work pruning but I do have it around for camping and glove box space filler on four wheeling trips. But I voted Zubat.

 

[Stumper]

Ah... the man who owns ALL the Silky models has spoken. Thanks Paul.

 

[tshanefreeman]

I personally like the Zubat, but this is biased for I haven't tried the whole line. I do not care for the supplied scabbard, so I purchased a Buckingham Shin Scabbard. I find this set-up much more functional......you always know where your leg is, so it's not hard finding your saw when not in view, whereas their supplied scabbard could be anywhere!

I am also going to buy the new Sugoi come spring. It looks much like the Zubat, but I like the new scabbard and the cool color scheme doesn't hurt anything either....

 

[P_woozel]

I have an Ibuki, Masuru, Gunman, Gomboy out of those I would go with the Masuru, the straght blade works well for ground use. It is a little thinner than the Ibuki blade but I think being a straight blade works better for some cuts. :umpkin:

 

[Stumper]

Based upon the input-particularly that of Glen, Paul and P., I ordered the Bigboy 360 with extra large teeth. I also ordered a Sugoi for myself. I will report on both when I have tested them.