Best Silky handsaw?

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treesmith

treesmith

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You folks with experience running Silky handsaws...which is the best model, in your opinion? I've heard/read somewhat about the Ibuki and the Zubat, but never hear anything about the Sugoi...is the Sugoi not a good model? Is the Ibuki worth the higher price over a Zubat? I'm thinking of giving a Silky a try, and am a little undecided on model.

As a sidenote...how do the Samurai handsaws compare to Silky, if anyone has given them a try?
 
I have a Sugoi 360.. it cuts really well but it is a little large. The Zubat, or any other impulse hardened models are supposed to last longer but cannot be sharpened with a file. The Sugoi is supposedly able to be sharpened with a file. The Sugoi 420 is even bigger, 420mm. The Zubat I had was pretty dull as it was a hand me down from PTS.

Overall I am very happy with Sugoi360, the scabbard is sweet and it has built in/included leg straps and such for mounting it on the calf if you wish. I did remove the dumb plastic click connector and replaced it with a metal hook.
 
I tried a Samurai once and liked it. Bought a zubat and it bounced around the crew and ended up laying in the shop. We just run fanno though they have been back ordered for 3 months!:X
 
The Ibuki is what I like, but I don't do fine pruning, I'm more of a slash and bash natural resource mangement climber type. Zubat sure has a lot of fans. The Ibuki has larger teeth than the Zubat, so the Zubat may be a tiny bit slower, but gives a better finish to the cut.
 
right tool for the right job is the most important thing. My every day carry is a Zubat 330, I have an Ibuki for bashing about on bigger stuff but its heavy and bulky. I have a Sugoi 360 and it has yet to see any work. In my camp gear I have a pocketboy 170 for short outings and a slightly larger Gomboy 240 (I think). All my saws are large teeth, the extra large teeth are too aggressive for pruning but I guess good for firewood.
 
I like the Natanoko a lot, but has recently switched to a Sugoi, just to try it out.
While I like having the scabbard on my leg, the whole thing is just too long.
It gets in the way when I'm climbing. Since I'm 6foot, 2" ( how does one write that, correctly?) I can imagine that it would be a real hassle for shorter folks. The saw cuts real fast, though.

For finer pruning, I use the Gomtaro.
 
I don't use the scabbard that came with my Zubat. I just didn't like it. I use a Weaver belted, the larger size. Using the larger allows me to push the saw deep into the scabbard, which allows it to sit SNUG.
 
I have an ibuki in a leather scabbard, I don't like the plastic scabbards all that much. The other saddle that my others guys wear has a samurai. Also have a gomtaro in the truck which works nice for finer pruning. I think the samurai holds its own for sure. The ibuki doesn't flex much and I like knocking out little deadwood with it. I think I have had it for 6-7 years now and it is on it's second blade. It is pretty darn bulletproof.
 
I've used the Zubat for awhile, liked it a lot. Switched to some new Silky handsaw that I won at TCIA, more of a straight blade, and I like it a ton. Light weight, cuts great, overall a great saw. Been thinking of giving Samurai a try later when my current one wears out, mostly because Sherrill is the sole importer for Silky products at the moment and I kinda like to avoid them when I can. But if I don't like the Samurai's at all, I'll switch back to my Silky.
 
I prefer the Zubat.

Ive tried the Sugoi, but it seemed to wanna hang up mid stroke almost all of the time for some reason. Dont know if the curve was too aggressive or what.

For finer pruning, I use the Natananko(sp?) with both the fine teeth and course teeth.
 
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Based on input from you all, I decided on a 330 Zubat. If Wesspur ships out as usual, I should have it next Friday. Hopefully I won't be disappointed.

And thanks for the input!
 
I like my Sugoi. I have two scabbards, one with a a pruner poach (I think it is a Weaver Belted) and the one that came with it. I do not like the scabbard that came with it on my leg. I just slap a crab on the belt loop thingy and hang it off my saddle. I also wear it while I brush out properties to work my way under the crown with out being in a tangled mess with a chainsaw sometimes. I like the reach and also the vine hook. I deal with so much poison oak in trees, it comes in handy. I still need to get a straight blade for take downs though. Better for that final cut on a top when you throw it.
 
i used to have the ibuki and liked it alot (except the scabbard). i lost it and replaced it with the sugoi (large one) and love it. i use it all day every day, unless im doing fiddly cuts on fruit trees, then i use a corona folding saw. im 6' and i have a 6'6" arm span, so with the long blade on the sugoi i hardly need a pole pruner;). plus i sharpen the teeth myself. the blade on the ibuki lasted me three years, and would have gone longer had i not lost it.
 
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