Japanese Pruning Saw's

[Tourist]

I have a Japanese wood pull-saw for fine and detailed work. But, yesterday I had a tree surgeon over to deal with a tree belonging to the neighbouring farmer and he had a jap pruning saw. Absolutely amazing at going thru branches, 30cm blade and it needed two pulls to get thru 3 inches of poplar in less than 2 seconds. I had a couple of goes with it and unpracticed as I am with the tool it worked an absolute treat.

I had a quick google to check on prices, they are a tad dear but well worth the dosh in relation to a cheaper saw for dealing with green wood......I am going to get myself one.

The downside was paying the tree surgeon for his visit, the upside is I now also have a nice pile of poplar to make base boards for bow and drill.

 

[dwardo]

A neighbour was raving about these recently and also managed to get one from B&Q for less than a tenner. Will have to give one a try

 

[Andy B]

I was a tree surgeon and my hands and fingers will testify to how sharp these little babies are.

Excellent tools with one of the most well known makes being Silky turbo-cut. These professional quality saws will be far sharper and of superior quality to anything you would buy in B&Q hence the £30 odd price tag.

I have two in the house and they make cheaper saws look like butter knives.

Get one but mine the fingers.

Cheers

Andy.

 

[Tourist]

I have two in the house and they make cheaper saws look like butter knives.

Yer right, they make my sharp steak knives look like chop sticks. They do useful folding ones too.

http://www.silkyfox.co.uk/index.html

I have nothing to do with the company or anyone who works there.

 

[Toddy]

Another vote in favour here. I've got one of these that has replaceable blades and it is an excellent tool.....lightweight in my pack too

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Aaron]

I use a silky for both tree work and bushcraft - they're fantastic. Like Andy B said though watch your fingers - a mate of mine severed the tendons across the back of his hand with one.

 

[gunnix]

Is it possible to get standard 30 cm japanese saw blade to put in normal saws? I mean to ask if there are blades which I could use with the Commando Pack Saw I got. http://www.kitbag.com.au/prod739.htm

 

[Snufkin]

I've an Oyakata, I didn't realise how large it was when I ordered it but I't's a superb bit of kit.
I don't suppose anyone knows who stocks them, as I need a new blade. I got mine from Axminster, but they don't carry them anymore.

 

[SOAR]

Yeh I will vote for Silky's i use them at work they are the dogs, I particulary like the Zubat its a curved saw ,very good cut. Again caution they are very sharp even our tree officer cut his hand.

 

[Tourist]

I checked out the B&Q saws yesterday, while buying paint. They are not as good as the Japanese saw that I had a go with........the quality and general appearance does not look as good as the real Japanese ones. To be honest the Japanese ones had that 'Whooa' factor of a good tool.

 

[KAE1]

I used to prune orchards commercially and there is a lot to be said for a good saw and secateurs. I raised a few eyebrows on here when I suggested that kukris and machetes were a bit 'macho' and that a good saw does a fast efficient job.
I use a folding Gerber at the moment but check this link, these are very good

http://www.abbeygardensales.co.uk/hand-tools/corona-pruning-saws/showitem-TL-30.aspx

 

[SOAR]

Carona also make good saws, they are a japanese blade, I think. theey are cheaper than silkys and are a good saw.

Simon.

 

[KAE1]

Yep the ones we used to use were fixed blade wooden handled caronas.Then we moved on to pneumatic secateurs........very scary.

 

[Andy B]

http://www.samurai-tools.com/

Some nice examples of professional pruning saws can be found on the above link.

 

[SOAR]

They look like good saws, might be pricey though.

 

[British Red]

I have to say I swore by my Laplander until I bought a (worryingly named) "Silky Pocket Boy". It is a fantastic saw and fits in a pocket without problem. I would love a large Silky too, but, to be honest, between the pocket boy and a take down Bucksaw, can't really justify another saw. They aren't like axes - theres ALWAYS room for another axe!

Red

 

[Minotaur]

I used to prune orchards commercially and there is a lot to be said for a good saw and secateurs. I raised a few eyebrows on here when I suggested that kukris and machetes were a bit 'macho' and that a good saw does a fast efficient job.
I use a folding Gerber at the moment but check this link, these are very good

http://www.abbeygardensales.co.uk/hand-tools/corona-pruning-saws/showitem-TL-30.aspx

I think one of the problems here is the axe centric viewpoint. I still do not own an axe, and am waiting for an answer to the question of why to buy one. My billhook, and bow saw can do the same things, most times with less effort.

One thing I will say, if you get the chance to use a real Kuri, do. They are an amazing tool.

 

[benp1]

do people generally rate them as better than laplanders? i've never head of them before

 

[benp1]

plus, are more or less teeth per inch better? i imagine they have their own particular strengths and weaknesses

 

[Toddy]

Well, I've got both, and to be honest I reckon my laplander is pretty bombproof, and while the Japanese saw is excellent, I'm always slightly wary on coarse stuff because the blade bends. I've been using both today and thinking about it I make more use of the laplander. I have a longer handled Japanese saw I use in the workshop but it's too long to be bothered carrying in my pack.
Horses for courses, I reckon, with a big dose of personal choice.

I too prefer a billhook, saw and good pruners to carrying an axe for most things.

cheers,
Toddy