Handsaws: Curved VS Straight

[Paul B]

welcome Edenarb

 

[sotc]

I thoroughly dislike hooks on polesaw blades, can't imagine one on a handsaw

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Hook is good for viney type stuff... We do a lot of poison oak covered trees here and it is kinda like ivy with out so many leaves.

 

[treesandsurf]

Only straight blades for me. I use the Silky Gomtaro and even bought the 6' polesaw version of the straight blade. SUPER light.

jp

 

[sotc]

I have heavy hooks on the back of my poles

 

[treesandsurf]

That is the downside with this pole saw, there's no good hook to hang it from in the tree. It has a small hole where you could tie a cord and hang it on the saddle, but I always cut myself carrying a pole saw around like that.



jp

 

[Blinky]

I've been re-thinking my handsaw lately. At the moment I use a Sugoi mostly for TDs. For pruning I have two saws taped together, a Zubat with a Prosentei... long story, had something to do with bleeding, anyway, the Zubat's curved and the Prosentei's straight. I find myself using the Prosentei most of the time. It's little but but it cuts like a demon.

I thinking of switching to just the little straight saw for everything I don't do with a chainsaw because it's small and stays out of the way.

It's always handy to be able to finish a back cut or cut a clean face with just a handsaw.

 

[MasterBlaster]

"Two saws taped together?"

 

[DMc]

That's a good looking handsaw you've got there, Butch.

I am curious the way all of you use your handsaws. I only use mine for trims on smaller branches. I have never even considered using one to finish a back cut on a removal. Just lazy I guess. But when would you use this? If I have got my chainsaw running and working on the cut, I just can't imagine shutting it off, hanging it and finishing the cut with my handsaw.

I have been using the Sugoi and I am happy with it since I have made a few modifications. I removed the annoying hook on the handle and the tip of the blade had a sharpened edge type hook that was useless for me. So I reground it to a functional hook, which works really well for untangling a hangar you have just cut or reaching a rope when it is just out of reach.

Dave

 

[Bermy]

I use a Zubat a LOT! Recently, way more than the chainsaw, renovating badly pruned avocado trees. I can get a decent face cut with it and the backcut seems to be fine on relatively small stuff, say 8".

Having said that there have been several times I have wished I had a straight blade, all on takedowns. Sometimes the last wee bit I want to cut, that will release the chunk, I want to do with the handsaw because I know I won't have sufficient time to slam on the chainbrake,dump the chainsaw and brace once it goes. The curved blade in these situations is not efficient, and the blunt tip on the Zubat is mildly annoying!

uh oh...is this like CAD (Chainsaw addictive disorder) only HAD..handsaw addictive disorder?

 

[brendonv]

On skinny little peck pole tops, or an awkward position it is SOP for me to finish with a handsaw.

 

[sotc]

Dave, often times I will release a top with my hand saw, specially if I need to push it over. Keeps the chain away from my guts.

 

[Bounce]

I prefer a curved blade for the same reason all pole saws have curved blades: they cut more agressively on the pull stroke. And for removals, faster is better. Also, ergonomics says curved blades are easier on your arm, although I don't understand the physics of that. I prefer straight blades for fruit tree pruning and ornamental stuff because you can get them into tight spaces. Notice that straight bladed saws on average have more teeth per inch than curved bladed saws. This is because straight blades are intended to be used for finer pruning and curved blades for faster pruning.

 

[rangerdanger]

I'm also a curved handsaw guy. It's just what I've always used, so it's what I've stuck with.

 

[rumination]

I started with a straight blade and then moved to a Zubat because everyone was raving about them. I'll probably buy another straight blade soon. They are much better for fine/fruit tree pruning. They're also better for palms but thankfully I don't have to prune palms anymore.

 

[Burnham]

Big ol' curved blade Ibuki for me, but I use mine for slash and bash type woods climbing, not fine pruning. I occasionally trip a release cut with it, never gave me any problem that I recall.

Paul fixed me up with a sweet little Pocket Boy folding Silky, straight blade. I love using it for ornamental pruning around the house. Doubt I'd ever climb with it.

 

[Blinky]

"Two saws taped together?"

Scabbards, I meant the scabbards are... were, taped together. The prosentei is little, about 14" long with a straight blade and a small handle.

I used to use a sugoi for everything, but on prunes I couldn't make small cuts or stub cuts without the saw following through and hitting stuff like the next limb, my rope, my hand or whatever else was in the way. That's when I got the little saw and taped it to the sugoi (the scabbards). After using it I decided it had more than enough ass to prune with so I taped it to a zubat. The zubat is just for big deadwood, I've been using the little saw for my primary... now I'm ditching the Zubat.

 

[Paul B]

Paul fixed me up with a sweet little Pocket Boy folding Silky, straight blade. I love using it for ornamental pruning around the house. Doubt I'd ever climb with it.

climb with it? HHAHAHAHA then I would have to relinquish my title of twigmaster! LOL

 

[Burnham]

It is a bit on the small side .

Nice in my apple trees, just the same.

 

[sotc]

Look at that shiney gear!!

 

[Paul B]

Willie, thats a pic from 2005, the saw is slightly dirtied and the helmet has a faceshield / muffs kit on it now, the saddle, well, its about the same

 

[Blinky]

You climb in blue jeans?

 

[MasterBlaster]

What's wrong with jeans?

 

[sotc]

Haha, just jerking your chain

 

[Paul B]

Blinker, I did that time, I have since switched to heavyweight pants like arborwear for working in. My climbing time is pretty limited though.