Hand Saws

[GemCutter]

After hearing for years that Silky saws were about as good as it gets, I finally spent the $$ get a Silky Tsurugi Curved 330 Hand Saw (6.4 teeth/inch) to use around the yard and my woods. I had previously used a little folding Bahco Laplander (7 teeth/inch).

My impression of the Silky was that it did not cut nearly as well as I had expected. Yesterday I took both saws up an oak tree to do some minor deadwooding and confirmed what I had thought. On up to 3" branches, the little 8" Bahco out cut the longer Silky with ease. It leaves me very disappointed in the Tsurugi.

Anyone have a recommendation for a saw in the 13" range that cuts better than the Silky?

 

[tnh21]

Handsaw

I have the Zubat and after Fanno, I have not looked back!

 

[Jake Andrews]

Zubat 330 all the way bro. Add in a saw pod and the combo is golden.
J

 

[MasterBlaster]

Zubat!

What saw are you comparing it to, Joe?

 

[JMcC]

Yep Zubat here

 

[HBP]

I use a sugoi 360, it's pretty awesome.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I wish I had a couple hunnert to spend on that giant bastid!

 

[Bermy]

Zubat, it's like my third hand, feel nekkid without it.
I tried a Sugoi for the first time last summer, definitely for bigger branches and trunks, it's too coarse for small stuff. I used both on a cliff clearing job, I think I used the 200t for one tree.

 

[bonner1040]

sugoi 360...i hate to say.

 

[Altissimus]

Man...gotta upgrade my Fanno

 

[Peter]

Sugoi 420, the best tool for the job is always the biggest available......

 

[MasterBlaster]

The biggest?

 

[stig]

I have a Sugoi, but rarely use it.
If I have to cut something biggish, I reach for the T200.
I have a Zubat on my saddle.

 

[GemCutter]

A little more reading tells me the Tsurugi (and I assume other Silky saws) only cut on the pull stroke which I suppose makes sense with the longer blade, while the little Bahco cuts on both the pull and push strokes. This leaves me hard pressed to find a use for the Silky as the smaller saw out cuts it on < 3" limbs and I won't normally be pruning anything larger. Why does "live and learn" have to cost so much?

 

[MasterBlaster]

You have a handsaw that cuts on the push?

I've only heard about those type of saws in Japan.

 

[GemCutter]

You have a handsaw that cuts on the push?...

..I had previously used a little folding Bahco Laplander (7 teeth/inch)...

http://www.bahco.com/english/products/laplander_1.html ...well liked and recommened on outdoors forums. It's just a small "scratcher" saw, but it cuts very well.

Normal carpentry saws all cut on the push stroke.

 

[Tucker943]

Isnt it japanese saws that cut on the pull stroke?

 

[MasterBlaster]

Isnt it japanese saws that cut on the pull stroke?

You have a handsaw that cuts on the push?

I've only heard about those type of saws in Japan.

Yes.

 

[flushcut]

The biggest?

They make one where the cutting edge is 22" long and have something like five teeth per inch. It's almost $200 is that the one you're talking about?

 

[MasterBlaster]

That one is 196 plus tax. I'm pretty sure there aren't two models out there like this...

 

[flushcut]

Toys!

 

[squisher]

I have a zubat and sugoi. I prefer the zubat in most all instances. The toothpick my employee calls it.

 

[Peter]

Not a fan of the folding saws really, but if its the biggest I'll order one up anyway.

 

[pete mctree]

Sugoi 420 - the reach is as important as the size of the branch you can cut for me.

 

[Bermy]

I put new blades in my Zubat and Sugoi this week (thanks Tree Stuff!) Oh what a delight! Sometimes you don't realize how much of the edge was gone until you have a new blade.

Extra caution for fingers and forearms though...keep them out of the 'zone'!