Silky BigBoy 2000 vs Agawa Canyon Boreal 21

[@ktoadd]

Great video. These are the two saws I'm trying to decide between, and your video didn't get me any closer to a decision, haha! I'm still stuck at 50/50. Appreciate the honest review.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

The motion of pulling or pushing is likely the final decision. I still use old bow saws also. Silky is sharp and durable. And it can reach in between narrow branches which bow saws can't.

[@cab9191]

I was deciding between these 2, but then I got the silky zubat... The zubat is clearly superior to the bigboy IMO with the full tang curved blade and pistol grip and better use of space...

[@plmn93]

Nice review. Both great saws, but after much consideration, I'm going with the Agawa. The less aggressive blade means we (including wife and kids) are less likely to hurt ourselves, the hand position is much more ergonomic for one handed sawing, and replacement blades are cheap and readily available. Never having to worry about it being unusable on a trip is a pretty big advantage, IMO. You can get the saw, a replacement blade, spare part kit, and a sheath with attachment loops to carry it all in for the same price as the Silky with one replacement blade. The Silky folds smaller and can access tight spaces better, so it definitely has its strong points, but the Agawa's strengths match my needs better.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

There is a reason I have both, including your reasons for the Agawa. Enjoy your outdoors. Jeff.

[@timdupont3227]

Couldn't decide. So I bought both 😆

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Same as me... Lol

[@schedvi]

My opinion is that the Silky is superior. That said, I just ordered a Boreal due to the ease, cheapness and availability of replacement blades.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Totally agree, and often bring both, the silky and a bow saw. Now carrying a smaller hardware store folder like a laplander....lol.

[@schedvi]

JEFF ALLEN # OFF THE GRIDIRON LOL, same. Truth be told, my Silky F180 will still probably be my go to when hiking.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

@@schedvi I'll have to check out the F180. I have been happy with Silky products. Maybe Katana boy in my future... Lol

[@GetUpTheMountains]

Four years later, which are you still using?

[@schedvi]

@@GetUpTheMountains still using both! The Silky for smaller jobs, the Boreal for larger diameter stuff.

[@mattsmith6297]

I own both a silky gomboy & the boreal 21. Don't get me wrong the gomboy is a nice saw but the reason I go for the Boreal as my go-to is because of the durability of the actual blade. The silky blades seem so fragile and last thing you need is to worry about a blade out in the field. The Boreal is just a solid all-round saw that is very durable. Even though the silky saws have they're positives that the Boreal doesn't have, I will choose reliability and durability every time. Both nice saws!

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing. They do each have replaceable blades which in nice. Boreal better for bucking up wood. Silky for limbing and camp craft tasks. Cheers.

[@mattsmith6297]

@@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON Yes, I like how the Silky can slide into tighter spaces, cuts really fast and great for getting up to higher branches among other advantages. I just feel that when out in the field and that is my only saw, I am babying it a bit because I know if I snap that flexy blade then I am screwed. With the Boreal I can go to town on the wood and I don't have to worry about the blade snapping

[@JTDOutdoors]

great vid man have a boreal 24 on its way. will be doing a review of it when it arrives

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

I have purchased a new boreal 21 and have not used it. I think the reason is that I am not bucking up firewood which is the best use of that saw in my opinion. Good luck.

[@JTDOutdoors]

@@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON will be the hell out of little folding saw in my fort build lol the struggle is real when trying to process logs

[@anthonyortiz7924]

Thanks for the review. FYI, audio was *really* low, I couldn't hear anything past the mid-point most of the time.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Yes, and I apologize about that. I think this video was all shot on my phone with no mic. Hope you recieved enough info to make an informed decision.

[@huntshackwildernessexperie6820]

Nice review. I must say I don't own either of these saws but I have seen 3 or 4 videos where a silky saw snapped in half. I wonder if it's the steel of the heat treat but a broken saw is useless no matter how good it used to cut. I wonder what your experience is on this. ATB

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

I have owned the Silky for almost 2 years. I believe as with any piece of gear, it is usually user fault causing the failure. If you are not careful, and trying to muscle through a cut and it binds, the end result can be catastrophic and blade failure. The biggest issue is constant awareness of saw blade binding potential on the push stroke (for a pull cut saw) as that is where you will force a flex or bend in a saw blade, causing a weakness or breakage. Anyone who bucks enough wood, regardless of saw type, should have any saw for many years of use in my opinion. Replacement blades for Silky are nearly the price of a new saw. For its ability to get in-between branches, reach high overhead, compactness, I have nothing but good things to say about it and actually have never seen a breakage in person to know the true circumstance for failure.

[@jamescameron4150]

I would say I would go with the Boreal because when you buy it with the Sheath it come with a spare blade so you could never get stuck, just my feel.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

James. Thanks for your comment! I agree, the availability for replacement blades at most hardware stores (beyond original purchase) for the B21 may see more of them purchased, especially with a sheath included as an option. However, I have never found anyone disappointed with any of the Silky products and even fewer who ever broke a blade through proper use. Both awesome saws!

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good, Thank you very much

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Thomas. I still use the silky for most outings. For large cutting jobs bucking up wood, a bow saw or Boreal 21 better.

[@mikha007]

how do you sharpen the silky teeth?

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Good question. You don't is my assessment. Likely buy a new saw or blade replacement one would guess.

[@kr639]

Wrong and wrong. The BB has a sheath you can order and replacement blades are on Amazon.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Yes. Good to know but sheath not necessary. Still reach for my BB everytime. AG still in original pkg.

[@rivercitymetaldetecting9854]

Boreal cuts on both the push and pull stroke.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Correct, however I typically am not applying downward pressure on the pull stoke, and primarily using as push stroke saw with return pull cleaning out groove. But, yes, you are correct.

[@rivercitymetaldetecting9854]

@@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON I've had the 15 & 21... have some time on my 24 as well now. Great saws especially for processing with the Sidney Rancher 2 blade on it. I see you run the all purpose blade on yours. There are times where my Silky Ultra Accel 240 curved has the advantage though. Processing definitely goes to the Agawa. Be wll man. Nice vid.

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

@@rivercitymetaldetecting9854 I'll have to try a new blade as you mentioned but currently I am running a new blade when need something cut NOW... Katana Boy 500. So sick. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5Kqn6KYdrFmnMk

[@marxlife5205]

Like the video...but fix your volume...

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Totally agree. Very poor audio but thanks for watching. I may remake this video one day.

[@jamesgraves1639]

I really like the video but couldn't hear a word you were saying!

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

James. Yes, not very good audio. I have since invested in better camera and mic setup and should redue the video. Subtitles or a quiet place to listen might help but agree with you. Thanks for watching.

[@albinosquirlz]

Silky blade is too flimsy because it is not supported in the same way as the Boreal. This will make cutting a bit more cumbersome during sticky cuts on bigger pieces. Obviously more susceptible to breakage and you are not likely to be carrying a spare. The unlimited diameter advantage of the Silky is pretty useless, as I would never use that tool to cut anything bigger than what the Boreal can cut anyway. Plus I like to buy local whenever I can when the quality is high. 🇨🇦

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

All very good points. I too have a boreal and bought the Silky Katanaboy for larger bucking. My final opinion has me using Silky over boreal for everything but bucking up wood.

[@escapetherace1943]

Information in the video is not accurate. The Boreal doesn't just cut on the push, it cuts on the pull AND the push and shoves sawdust out of both sides. Also it was worth pointing out the Boreal can clear bigger logs than the silky because it has a longer blade, and if the log is too big you can simply rotate it

[@JEFFALLENOFFTHEGRIDIRON]

Both have advantages but Boreal works best on push in contrast to Silky as a pull. Quite different techniques for new user. And if rolling a tree is not an option like a large downed tree, you are disadvantaged slightly with the frame of the saw impeding the straight drop cut. Both great saws and have them both. Enjoy your favourite saw and thanks for watching.