Samurai Ichiban 13" Curved Saw with Scabbard (GC-330-LH)

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Code 4

Tenderfoot
Feb 25, 2020
86
50
65
Shrewsbury
I already have about 5 Silky saws and they are brilliant. I heard about this saw on YouTube. Some people seem to love it and others say its rubbish. I got mine last week and have been working with it over 4 days with the Silky Zubat and other saws.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iyha4F]sam4 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iyg9qi]sam1 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]

First a bit about its history.
The saws themselves are manufactured in Miki City, Japan. This is a place whose history of hardware manufacture stems back around 1,500 years with its origins in ancient Japanese blacksmithing. Miki is one of the oldest towns of blacksmiths.
A local farmer named Kanzawa began making saws for personal use around 1900 and this was the beginnings of what became Kanzawa Seiko Co, makers of Samurai pruning saws.
Its a 13 inch fixed blade saw made from SK5 with impulse hardened teeth. The blade is thinner than the Zubat and it is not full tang. If the handle works loose just tweak up a screw as you do with a wooden handled one.
We had some 25 foot Willows to take down and a storm damaged Pine. Real green wood, the Pine just oozed juice when you put an axe in it.
My wife used all the saws and it was on the 4th day when she said we need another one of these. This saws cuts quicker than a Zubat. I never thought I would say that but it does. Quicker and deeper. It really dug into a 7 inch fresh pine log.
You get a plastic sheath, not as good as the one on the Zubat but it has a detachable belt loop and a swivel so you can sit down comfortably.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iyg9pb]sam2 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]


The pistol grip is way better than the Zubat.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iyiHdb]sam3 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]


If you want one remember this is a GC series not the C series. I got mine from samurai Saws UK Ltd. I paid about £37 delivered that's £20 less than the Zubat. I get my Silky's from Chains Direct ltd. These are my opinions based on 4 days of testing from new. I have no idea how it will stand up to the test of regular use and time. You will find them available from the big online shops but check the model number and where its being posted from. I was genuinely amazed how well this saw cuts especially as I am a Silky fan.
Anyway hope this is useful. Cheers.
 
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sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
I've got a 330mm straight blade samurai. It's OK had it a while and used quite a bit
It definitely has stood up to some use but it isn't a patch on my sugoi.....but since the samurai was £20 it does pretty damn well!

What's the difference between C and GC?
Assuming ones the better grade how do we tell, handle colour?
 

Code 4

Tenderfoot
Feb 25, 2020
86
50
65
Shrewsbury
I've got a 330mm straight blade samurai. It's OK had it a while and used quite a bit
It definitely has stood up to some use but it isn't a patch on my sugoi.....but since the samurai was £20 it does pretty damn well!

What's the difference between C and GC?
Assuming ones the better grade how do we tell, handle colour?

I got the answer from the importer this morning.

In a nutshell:
GC series more sophisticated... thinner blank and taper ground with patented tooth design gives fastest cut. Also scabbard is better with a positive location when saw is sheathed.

C series. Thicker blank with set teeth so you are dragging more steel through the wood and teeth do not use patented design. Scabbard more basic.
Plus side, as a saw it is exceptional value and virtually indestructible/snappable. Great for groundies, coppice workers, hedgelayers and inexperienced users/volunteer groups or anyone looking for an excellent value saw.

I ordered a C series today, orange and black handle. Pictures on:

https://www.samuraisaws.co.uk/product-category/curved-saws/
 

sunndog

Full Member
May 23, 2014
3,561
477
derbyshire
Ah cool cheers.

I haven't read up on samurai saws just bought this one at a show. I use it to save my silky for climbing and just for smaller stuff
The retention on the sheath is awful on mine. Was ok for a few weeks but now basically just sits in there. I imagine something I hadnt noticed previously fell off and now there's nothing to catch on. Still its no issue on the ground and I can lend it without breaking into a sweat lol

The c and cg series might explain some mixed reports I've heard too. I didn't know they existed till I read this
 

Code 4

Tenderfoot
Feb 25, 2020
86
50
65
Shrewsbury
How well does it hold an edge? I've noticed that Silkys have definitely gone down in edge retention quality in recent years.
Too early to tell, only had it a week. I got the C series one as well yesterday but not had the chance to try it out yet. Its a thicker blade, seems heavy duty.
 

Code 4

Tenderfoot
Feb 25, 2020
86
50
65
Shrewsbury
Got the c series out this afternoon. Found a nice Scott's Pine trunk in the shed. I cut this down in 2014 so its well dry. To be honest it was not an easy cut, manged it but not easy. Tried the Zubat and the Ichiban but you had to work at it. 12 inch diameter roughly.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iz1jfq]saw5 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]

Left quite a smooth finish.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iyXLaE]saw6 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]

Not a problem for the Katanaboy.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2iz2CM4]saw7 by kymco kid, on Flickr[/URL]

The C series only cost me £27.50 delivered and its a good strong pull-saw that cuts very well but not as quick as the Ichiban. Took down some fresh Willow today and it cut through that easy. Well worth considering and £30 cheaper than a Zubat.
 

Code 4

Tenderfoot
Feb 25, 2020
86
50
65
Shrewsbury

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