Straight Talk About Silky Saws

[@Steakfrie]

I solved the problems of both Silky and Bahco by buying Corona Razor Tooth. Less than half the price of a Silky in high visibility red. It's proven itself for about a decade of hard use, gifting them several times because I found them so impressive. None lost, none broken after shelter building, processing camp firewood, annual prunings around the house, even harvesting Cypress knees. I prefer the 10" folder. It doesn't get nearly the love it deserves from the bushcraft community. It's truly an 'outdoors on the cheap' saw. I also don't buy into, "If you treat a Silky with kid gloves all will be OK" for the most expensive bushcraft saw.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I solved the same problem with a folding buck saw lol

[@Steakfrie]

@@alanbierhoff6831 I'm sure they are great until you get into tight spaces. They also limit cut depth.

[@terryjones8588]

Great video! I've had my Silky F180 for about a year. Like you, I put on a bright green lanyard and I added bright colored beads. I have 12 acres and use it mostly for pruning fruit and nut trees (some Bodark and Black Locust trees). I have had it bend but not break. Now I'm going to look at a Bahco also. Thanks!

[@toddcarr.]

My woods Carry is a combo of a Kabar BK9, Ruike Jager, Sily Ultra Accel, and a Fiskars X7. Along with pocket knives and a leatherman surge. This combo has served me very well over the years. Silky saw are very dependable and work amazing well when using properly. Great ferro rod striker as well. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable.

[@scottnorvell2955]

The color indicates the Teeth Per Inch. It’s not just. A color. The black is typically the most useful for bushcraft. Red is the least. Yellow works pretty good. I have all colors in various models plus the Outback series that I added this year. The spring steel on the Outback series is much more durable and I would recommend that series over the others.

[@osmia]

Learning something new everyday

[@shaynehawkins713]

I carry the silky pocket boy. Axes I'm not doing. Most of the time I'm just going too break off branches and snap them between trees. Like your one video. I'm learning a lot recently. But most is too complex. So I'm weeding out the unneeded and keeping and doing the simple stuff.

[@shadowcastre]

Silky saws are awesome! I find that I take my Silky Bigboy 2000 on most every outing. It does the most for me and paired up with a heavy blade Machete... the axe or hatchet stays home. The vast majority of blade breakage is do to user error. I do like your thought on saving the Bahco for novice or young user. I believe that personnel preference really does play a large role in choosing/using any type of gear. Gear that doesn't fit well or perfom for a particular user... will cause issues & possibly injuries, may affect the experience, or may not get used at all. Example... it took trying on close to 50 different backpacks before we found one fit my wife that she could comfortably use. Thanks for the video...

[@woodnugget1301]

My Laplander has the orange handle

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Mine too 👍🏻

[@greyscout01]

I appreciate the info. I have a Silky, but I'm going to buy a Bahco because 'robust' is much more important to me. Ill use the Silky around the house where it doesn't matter.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I want to preface my comments by saying that I’m REALLY enjoying your channel! The good folks over at Karamat Wilderness Ways are preferential to blue over orange for visibility and I very much agree with them. Just something to mull over. Wanna know why I’ll never own a Silky? Well, I’m gonna tell ya 😂 Silky GomBoy 240 (121-24) or (717-24) with medium or large teeth: $58USD - $65USD Silky GomBoy *proprietary* replacement (122-24) blade $47USD MATH! That’s why 😁 Also, you can’t just wander into most hardware stores and grab a new blade for your Silky. I personally prefer folding bow saws. You know what works well for me on wood knife handles and my Fiskars tools? HiVis colored hockey stick tape. You’re welcome 😊

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Thanks man. Yes they are not cheap that's for sure.

[@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548]

That second blade position is for cutting on the ground to give more room, I have both saw brands and many others and fortunately havent lost or broken any. I really like the corona razor tooth folding saw because it cuts like a silky but is tough like the bahco laplander, the price is also not bad but I would recommend the newer version that has the redesigned handle to fully cover the teeth. Random saws on amazon are stepping up their game and some really arent bad and I grabbed some for review so new videos coming soon lol, the next saw I buy that is more costly would be something with full tang pistol grip, perhaps the ichiban samurai or maybe even the silky zubat...only time will tell lol. Dont be afraid to try amazon saws because if theyre junk you can return them lol. 👍

[@osmia]

Thanks for the info on that upward angle position. I came checking out the comments to see if anybody knew what that was for

[@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548]

@osmia no problem 👍 it doesn't only have to be used on the ground tho lol it could be useful for strange positions too 🤷

[@ostekuste3646]

I carry a Pocketboy in my haversack, and a Bigboy in my backpack. I use them to clear downed trees on trails and for processing firewood. I’ve used them at home fro yard work for years. I’ve never broken or bent one because I am conscious of how they are designed to be used. It’s not the tools fault if you misused it.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

Honestly, I have had good performance for several seasons out of the Ozark Trail Folding Saw from Walmart. It is basically a Silky copy for $10 made in China, but it holds up very well with constant use on limbs up 4-inches in diameter. The blade is thin, and can be bent if you get careless, but it is hard and the teeth pattern is aggressive. As far as performance, I’d say that it is a high-value folding saw… it cuts and it isn’t very expensive. JMO

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

It's amazing how many good knockoffs are out there!

[@covenantking]

“Military green” seems to be the most popular colour for Mora Companions. Because it looks cool and helps you stay hidden when bugging out. I wonder if the sensible Swedes favour that colour too…

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Well - the old classic typically had a red handle - so I'd have to say yes :)

[@t2brfu67]

Personally never have tried them,but Silky has an "Outdoor" series.Still not exactly high visibility,but are double thick blades,and composite handles...

[@dejanjocic3477]

For me not breaking/bending is bigger plus than cutting faster. So, it is Bahco for me. But realistically, any descent folding saw will do, be it Silky, Bahco, Opinel... Also, whichever you pick, color is for most of them problem for sure :)

[@gizmocarr3093]

When I looked at Silky saw, prices I crossed them off my list. I will say I have used a Coughlan’ s sierra saw; I bought for $15 bucks or less I bought at Walmart with an 8-inch blade for years. They make some folding Bow saws to. I trapped, hunted waterfowl, built binds and tree stands using a $15 dollar saw and a set of Ratchet Pruning Shears that I learned are worth always having. I bought and use a Wyoming saw and use a Wyoming game-processing knife for years. I learned there the best tool I found to pull hides off about everything that has one. Saws are wonderful to have but they all break and bend. My little Estwing hatchet I bought with Green Stamps is still working for me now. If you took most anyone now days and dumped them in the real wilderness, they would be buzzard bait in less than week. With their Silky saw and their $200 dollar Bush Craft, knife gleaming in the sun. 🤣😂😆😅👍

[@geraldwilliams497]

Try a silky saw and you'll understand why they cost more than a cheap folding saw. You'll saw the same object twice as fast and with half the effort. That's a quarter of the work. When I bought my first silky. I bought a cheap one at the same time. Just to see if I wasted my money on the silky. I used both a few times and then stuck the cheap saw somewhere. I still have it, but I don't really have a clue as to where I put the damn thing

[@gizmocarr3093]

@@geraldwilliams497 Thank you for your reply I have no doubt a Silky is the best folding saw and so popular for good reason. I heard someone once say you can drink top shelf whisky and I can drink cheap whisky but you can’t get any drunker than I can.😅🤣😆

[@geraldwilliams497]

@@gizmocarr3093I don't know if silky is the best. I've never used any of the other saws that people say are good. I'm kind of lazy. So anything that decreases the work of work is right up my alley.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

ha ha :) Good points man. Yes there is an over-emphasis on high end gear for sure.

[@geraldwilliams497]

@@outdoorsonthecheap you're right and most of the time it isn't necessary. Like spending a few hundred dollars on an axe or hatchet. When you can pick up a Collins at the local hardware store for thirty bucks. Which will do just as good of a job as that two hundred dollar gran fors bruks. Maybe you'll need to replace the handle sooner but it won't chop any different or require any more effort. The same is often true with knives backpacks, and plenty of other gear. Where you're paying for a brand name and not getting much more for your dollar. Then to demonstrate how much money you spent, but when you're getting your money's worth. As you do with a silky it's worth the extra cost. It takes experience to figure out when it's worth the extra cost and when it's just an extravagance. People can watch videos on social media day in and day out and they won't learn a quarter of what they could. By spending a day outside. Using their gear. I'm guilty of spending way too much on knives and most days. When I gear up to go outdoors. I bring my cheap knives. BPS or beavercraft seen to be my favorites at the present.

[@davidjustice1848]

Find that bacho dude. They are light and easy to cary in your pocket. Cut good and dont break. Put a bright cord in it

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

Personally I have never used a folding saw when camping. I have a couple, but my default is an axe. I have a couple of old school bow saws that I have used but I carry them in my truck, which I call my Bug Out Bag. I have a different definition of Bug Out tho. To me Bugging Out is when I need to get away from the 'Joneses'. So I head out on a logging road nearby and wander into the bush for a while with my dog. Great vid on the saw tho, I will consider buying a Silky. Maybe will ponder the idea while sharpening and rehanging my Pulaski.

[@toms_dayoff]

👍 I've used a few folding saws over the years and never lost one. But if I had to buy a new saw for outdoor, I personally wouldn't buy a folding saw again. Only fixed branch saws, those with a solid revolver-style handle and a saw quiver for it. And of course in beautiful, eye-catching colors.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I agree those are the better saws, although they can't easily be stuck in a side-pocket.

[@toms_dayoff]

@@outdoorsonthecheap Where is the problem? People also carry an ax with on they tripps throw the woods, so there is room for a pruning saw with a fixed handle, such as the Fiskars SW 84 for example, just to be able to better explain what type of pruning saw I mean. But you said it right about the shiny colors for the tools!

[@multilecful]

Interesting topic, breaking blades on the silky seems to be a common problem. The blade is only marginally cheaper than the whole thing. Backo use hardened teeth but the blade is flexible and will bend back if bent. On all of them ive had the locking mechanism slip at one time or another. My other gripe is theres never enough plastic shrouding around the tip end when its closed.

[@shadowcastre]

multilecful... Breaking Silky saw blades is user error!

[@DavidMFChapman]

I use a folding saw in my yard for pruning trees. It cuts on the pull and has an orange handle. I can’t recall the brand. For some reason I associate “cut on pull” with Japanese tools.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Yes - that's kind of a Japanese thing. It's a good design.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I checked mine-it’s a Corona brand sold by one of the chain DIY stores.

[@carrdoug99]

Anybody out there who's interested in this, you're like me, and you figure bigger is better. The Bigboy fits perfectly under a 13ltr Mountainsmith lumbar (fanny) pack. I wish I could share the photo. It's a slick setup. Great saws.👍👍

[@SuperWiz666]

Just like to note that the yellow handle, at least on my screens could be lost in the Moses behind you🎉

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Moses was behind me?

[@davem4193]

Good summary of Silky vs. Bahco. I have both and agree with everything you said. Silky 100% outperforms the Bahco but I've broken two Silky blades and the replacement cost is stupid. For the cost of the silky and two replacement blades I could have bought something better like a Boreal 15 that won't break. I have never broken a Bahco blade. I also have a Sven saw that cuts great and has never broken a blade.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Thanks man

[@CoastalGardening]

👍👍

[@labotimy]

Got a gomboy. Bahco is just better. Does the same job I need it to do but it's significantly smaller, comes in hi vis colors, and is less than half the price. Got one in orange and another in green that came with a mora companion branded under bahco. The combo knife/saw deal is unbeatable in value. Add a council tool hatchet for 50$ and you have an excellent little camping set for less than a 100$.

[@jimf1964]

I don’t disagree with anything you said, except that the silky saws are made for arborists, and NOT for survivalists etc…, so the colour is up to you to get, it’s not a fault with the company…..hell, I saw a cammo wallet in the hunting section.at the store one day…..now that was stupid! 😀

[@mvbmx]

Only a Canadian references a hockey skate to explain a point 😅

[@thethan302]

Haha green/black is bad. But i’ll do you one better; I have a no-name saw with a CLEAR handle. Yeah, that’s right, totally see-through. If you set it down it’s gone, just gone. I need to take the blade off and spray paint it haha.

[@jelkel25]

You Silky people did us Bahco people a favour, the price of the Laplander went down when you all started buying Silkys. I've never had to adjust my Bahco, it doesn't try to tunnel through my pocket, the blade has never warped or broken. Did manage to mess up the teeth a little cutting up thick beef bones for the dog but a hammer and nail put them straight again. Got a Gerber Freescape (on sale) so I'll have an option with different blades but still easily portable. Haven't used it to the point I have an opinion on it but so far it's ok.

[@jackvoss5841]

It seems that Silky brand saws have become a fad. Some guys buy the overly long one for camp use. Large overkill, but satisfies machismo needs, I guess. I’ve used folding pruning saws for camp use for about 25 years now. I started with cheap, no brand ones from the hardware. They last a couple of years. Now, I carry a Corona 10” pruning saw. It has shown its usefulness well. A buck saw is heavy, slow to get set up and to take apart. A folding pruning saw is as close to instantaneous as most things get. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@shadowcastre]

Jackvoss5841... Silky saws are not a fad... The company has been around for over 100 years and they work exceptionally well! The overly large silky saws really shine when it's full on winter, 3 feet of snow, & -20° F. It will cut some serious firewood!

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I kndof agree - a good bow saw will always outperform everything.

[@jackvoss5841]

@@shadowcastre G’day, Shadow. Thanks for your feedback. I used the term fad partly because the Silky brand and I hadn’t crossed paths until fast a few years ago. And the guys I know who have one, tended to show off with them. I had been using folding pruning saws for camp firewood for over 25 years before the name of Silky and I met. Maybe they weren’t sold in areas where I camped? What is good, is that we campers have some good options to buy and use. Our choices are plentiful. My best to you. Enjoy our outdoors. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@jackvoss5841]

@@outdoorsonthecheap G’day, Outdoors. If I’m on a job where cords of firewood are being cut, I’ll be using a chainsaw

[@shadowcastre]

@@jackvoss5841 I agree.. a chainsaw is best, but if I've hiked miles back in the woods and I need wood then the Silky saw is the tool for the job.

[@brianbartulis9709]

(ducking) "tired, not thinking" ya broke a blade. Ok. You're lucky you didn't flip over and strangle yourself with that neck knife. (-: Tired/not thinking..bit of rushing due to the third Red Box tornado warning closing in on radar, wanting to clear the large trees. That's what I was talking about as I want to put a fusible link in my neck strap. ~ which idea came from my 90s ice escape spikes worn around my neck. Velcro'd ends is all I meant. ~~ Only pocket type saw I have is an older Fiskars 6" retractable which I got for maintaining local snowmobile honey bee trails. It works well, but I don't recall cutting anything larger than 3" dia. ~ Using as a 4" saw can do and thought that had merit for close to, bit of fine work..ferro striker ta boot. I like the 6". It slides in front pocket of my canteen kit day pack with flap still over the canteen.

[@brianbartulis9709]

Is that a white birch forest or aspen? If birch look up Chaga fungi medicinal, then keep an eye out for one. js

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

There's chaga in various spots in that area - I've harvested it from time to time over the years.

[@dasta7658]

Own two Silky's and a Laplander, don't agree with your thoughts about Silky's being smoother than the Laplander; depends on whether someone gets the rough or fine tooth Silky saw. Depends on the size, wood hardness and location of the what someone is cutting. Think you are trivialising 'novices use a Laplander or other saws' and "experts use Silky's" such a BS mindset. I take my Laplander out on hard all day tasks because I know it can handle it, I take my Silky out if I am doing minor work or soft tasks because I don't want to risk being fatigued and breaking a saw and then having to walk all the way back to the vehicle to get another. I would say the Laplander is a hard use tool made to be worked whilst the Silky is like a precious princess that needs to be treated properly or will break and cry. For those us who work all day in the outdoors and aren't posers on socials, we know a good strong product vs a product that should probably be reserved for trimming trees around the house or making a bushcraft video on YT. BTW I work in environmental revegetation and restoration so I pretty much spend all day working in the bush.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

said the BL was good for beginners because it's hard to break - I didn't say that only beginners use the BL. I was giving the BL credit for its ruggedness. I think yer being a little sensitive...

[@stevenensminger5737]

I've owned silky saws for years and I never snapped a blade I am a bushcraft survival instructor I'm in the bush 2 to 3 days a week and I'm always cutting with them most people seem to forget that silky cuts on the pull not the push and when I see people brake blades its always on the push .learn how your saw works it's not rocket science.....😖🥴

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I would have said the same as you - used mine for 10 years heavily. Then one day, in one situation, through one moment of inattention, I broke it. That's the point. The saw is not ideal for beginners (apparently you've seen people break them so you must agree with that), and there is always a risk, however small, if a blade getting broken, even with experienced users, even if they are rocket scientists.

[@4ager505]

Been wanting a Silky...just don't feel quite entitled enough to spend the $...and the blade breakage is widely reported. Checked the price of the replacement blades...may as well abandon the handle wherever you break a blade...the blades essentially cost the same as the complete saw. So...maybe I don't want one. The Laplander colors are too depressing to look at, and a recipe for misplacing the saw in a forest environment. The hunt goes on for a sensible saw.

[@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548]

Go with the corona razor tooth folding saw hands down lol, it cuts like a silky but is tough like a bahco.

[@4ager505]

@@alphaomegasurvivalsupply6548 I'll check it out...Thanks!😀

[@shadowcastre]

4ager505... Blade breakage on a Silky is due to user error...

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

There's lots of $20 options on Amazon.

[@jasonaffeldt7838]

👍👍👍.🇺🇲🔪🌲🔥

[@harryroger1739]

Don't use it then.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

...?