That is some serious hand saw!

 

The only thing I dislike about my Silky is how the handle extends further than the blade. If were only long enough to cover the blade when folded, it would be some 10cm shorter, making it even more compact, with the only downside being a small loss of reach.

 

Nice saws, but if I'm cutting a 14" log, it will be with something that makes noise.

 

Splurged a couple years ago to buy a smaller one, Gomboy 240. Damn thing overheated and snapped blades like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Judging by the cuts in these press pictures, these were mostly cut in a stop and go style. Pretty wild for 3-4” diameter small stuff with these huge blades. Also doesn’t show any of the bigger stuff they are “rated” for. 🙄

 

You snapped blades due to poor technique. You need to cut on the pull stroke. Thin blades can only be loaded in tension because the buckling load is very small.

 

What saw would you recommend for cutting 10" logs?

 

Maybe this is a rhetorical question, but I like the pistol grip saws, except they stick out of your backpack a bit. Corona is pretty thick, and doubles as a machete if you want to wear your blade out a little quicker.

I think Silky folding saws have blades that are too thin unless you go slow and put wedges in your cuts. They bend whenever they bind up. Again, I think Corona is pretty durable for folding saws, they just don't cut as fast.

But unless you absolutely have to ride in to cut your tree, or are in wilderness, walking in a chainsaw is going to beat a katanaboy for about the same money.

 

Great to see a review for something like this. I have two smaller Silky saws and they're great. By the time you get to this size and price point, I'm using my 6" or 18" electric chainsaw.

 

Corona folding saws work well, only an 10 inch blade but for 30$ why not

 

I love my small packable silky I can put in a pack for trailwork or in a frame-bag, but these are way too big for practicality IMO. The electric chainsaw is what I'm using then.

 

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Holy price hike! I’m sure I paid around half that for my katanaboy five years ago. And just to further the thread drift, this little madman was $460 and will actually cut a pile of firewood in a pinch.

 

I’ve always got a pocketboy with me when I ride. Amazing saws. I’ve taken out some big branches with this tiny thing.

 

Those Katanaboys are huge! Here is my Bigboy 2000 being put to use yesterday. It is a great saw for longer hikes or bikes to deal with deadfall when I don't want to use a chainsaw.

 

Solid work there Baker

 

I love it when people tell me I need my chainsaw!!

 

It's a matter of efficiency for me, I'm not packing a "large" saw in my pack or bike, it's simply not practical. If I'm going out for trailwork for a few hrs and I gotta cut through stuff, the chainsaw is a far better use of my time. Especially with the E-chainsaw, it's not heavy, it's quiet, it's fast. I always bring a silky saw for trailwork when I don't bring a chainsaw, but a small one, usually because I'm loaded with other tools like rogue hoe and pick-axe, etc.

 

Put me in with the "I don't have a problem with my Silky Saws" group.
I have a Big and Katana Boy and cut mainly Dry Ca. Oak and a bit of Wet from time to time....
Luckily, we don't get too many whole-trees that hit the deck but a decent amount yearly of large branches or splits at the trunk.

-Now if I lived in say Tahoe or the PNW, I'd have Gas powered saw(s) for those Spring cleanups.

Horses for courses I say and there's room/needs for both. Enjoy your toys, whatever you choose!

 

Katanas are nice but I moved on to far less expensive Corona folding saws years ago. I find the blades on the Coronas to be thicker and less prone to bending. And even the large folding one cost only like $25. I suppose buying expensive once is not a big deal for most, but I get to maintain a local trail system so I do tend to wear out these saws.

 

I have to laugh at the log size ratings for the two Katana Boys. I cut larger logs than that with my 14" Big Boy, which fits comfortably in my hydration pack. I've even cut logs larger in diameter than the blade length, it just requires some creative technique and a masochistic streak.

 

if you are bending blades you are doing it wrong

-silky cuts on the pull, you don't push it much at all. if it sticks pull it out don't push it
it'll cut a little on the push but let the saw do that cut, never push hard
-I've gotten pinched. so then I work on finding a lever and fulcrum to move and pry that log
and unpinch my saw. I don't force it. or even better... cut and make some wedges ahead of time and be ready with a rock to pound in some wedges on the big stuff that might pinch
-it's not a weedwacker, don't swing at anything*
-it's awesome at removing branches. just show a 4 inch your silky and that branch lets go by itself
-I've done bigger than 20 with my bigboy, it just takes time, and sometimes extra small logs to
lever and jack the big log off the dirt so you can complete the cuts

*the only time I needed to replace a bigboy blade was when I did use it as a weedwacker
[knowing I shouldn't], and I hit a rock and it cracked.

 

Agree. But out in the field lots of **** happens after enough long hours of trail work…. Including people borrowing and misusing your tools. They are great saws but for me and my probable hamfisted technique, Coronas have out performed them.

 

I recently ordered a Silky Professional BIGBOY 2000 based on recommendation from a supremely skilled sawyer who helped clear a number of downed and leaner trees on two local trails. Also scored a couple of GÜP Industries Holster Utility Straps to transport it on the downtube. Props to @looks easy from here from an archived thread comment, that also had some controversy due to Silky... name + "interpretations" LOL

Should be a nice addition to my trusty Bahco Laplander.