Hand Tools Reviews

I purchased this saw for my husband. He thinks it is great.

Most professional turbocut handsaws work just fine for most pruning jobs; I'm certainly quite happy with my much cheaper ARS saw, for example, and I have a Silky Gomtaro that I use for smaller branches. But I *prize* my Silky Ibuki. It's a truly beautiful saw that makes clean, easy, outrageously-fast cuts on large-diameter limbs.

The product description on Amazon calls the Ibuki an 'alternative to heavy chain saws', and there's much truth to this (though I would *not* recommend that commercial arborists swap their chainsaws for Ibukis, as it's of course quite a bit slower than a chainsaw). Consulting arborists, arboriculture instructors, homeowners who like to take care of their own trees, and others in the market for a large handsaw will be pleased that the Ibuki is able to cut through most of the same targets as a climber's chainsaw, without the noise or mess. If you don't need to prune eight trees in an afternoon, the Ibuki will get the job done, and it'll do it in style. It's also built very well -- I've had mine four years now, and I expect to continue using it for a very long time.

I purchased this as a companion to my Hayate 21' pole saw, and could not be more satisfied with the saw. Use the big one to fell the large timber and the hand saw to make it easy getting to the curb. Do not skimp on a less expensive saw, the Silky line is THE BEST value for your money, you can fire your tree man and pay for the saw in just one or two cuts. Just one word of warning, Do not let your neighbors see this tool, because one of two things will happen, they will ask to borrow it or you will end up trimming the neighbors trees

I purchased this saw as a companion to the 20' Hayate pole saw. Use the pole saw for the hard to reach and this to cut the fallen and the low stuff.I said it before and say it again, these Silky products are the most impressive saws on the market period. If you want the best than you need not look any further

We have a small ranch in central Texas, and I spend alot of time cutting things----especially the ubiquitous cedar tree (Texas ashe juniper), which grows everywhere and which is a huge water thief, among other things. Although I just got my Silky Gomboy 210 Large Teeth delivered today, I already have the feeling I'm going to like it.

It is a beautiful saw to behold and to hold---slim, sturdy, with a very "grippy" handle, and an incredibly sharp blade. Easy to carry in your pocket, and easy to remove. I am hoping and thinking the "large teeth blade" is just about right for cutting dry timber and branches, etc., as well as green (living ) cedars. I do a lot of both on my place, and having a small, handsome saw in your pocket as you traipse over the land is a gift, indeed.

Very brief preliminary tests have so far confirmed my belief that this saw is great for both dry, dead wood, and for live, greener ('i'e' resinous) limbs and trunks.

I am very impressed with this small saw. Very sharp, excellent cutting ability, fit and finish are impressive. Small enough to fit in your pocket, large enough to take off 3-4" branches easily. This is a "pull saw"---cuts only on the pull stroke, and does so with very little effort (downward pressure) applied.

Replaceable blade is a plus, and customer service, both from SilkyStore.com and the manufacturer, has been superior---fast, helpful, and friendly. I contrast this with the extremely poor customer service, and product quality problems, I experienced with the SharkSaw products.

I love the extensive line of SilkySaw models, and I'm sure I'll be a repeat customer.

I own the BigBoy 360 Large Teeth folding saw, along with two smaller Silky folding saws, the PocketBoy 170 Extra Large Teeth, and the Gomboy 210 Large Teeth. I am a new Silky owner, but I've got to say I am already a big fan. The solid and well-engineered build quality of these Japanese pullsaws will be apparent as soon as you pull one out of the box. Fit and finish are excellent, and attention to detail is evident. The design of each is clever and very functional.

I just got a chance to try out the BigBoy on our ranch, and it was up to the task of removing four large cedar trees on a point of our creek (cedars are notorious water thieves, and central Texans spend alot of time keeping them under control). The trees each had an approx. 6' trunk, and, though I got a workout, I was very happy with the saw's cutting ability. The long handle allows you to use both arms, and really lay into it. A bonus is that the saw folds and can even be carried in your pocket. It is a beautiful saw, well balanced and sharp, and just feels good in your hands.

There are many Silky Saw models to choose from, and usually a few different blade types available for each model. An e-mail to either the Silky Store or the manufacturer will get you a prompt reply, with advice as to which ones best suit your needs. I previously owned Sharksaws, another brand of Japanese pullsaw, and though their cutting ability was good, their handle design was weak, and their customer service in response to my complaints was slow, curt, and unsatisfactory. My experience with the Silky saws, and with the Silky Store has been just the opposite----great saws and great people!

This Silky Pocketboy 170 with FINE teeth makes it easy to cut branches from shrubs and trees. I chose the fine tooth model in the Silky Pocketboy series because I wanted the best possible control when removing a branch that is pressed up next to a branch I wanted to save. You can use a very light touch with this super sharp saw which allows excellent control when unwanted and wanted branches are close together. When the saw has been hard to push or pull I have discovered that I am pressing too hard. It seems like a light "scratching" motion cuts effortlessly and quickly. This light touch is terrific for controlling a cut and protecting nearby branches from damage. On garden shrubs it allows bonsai like control.

The 6.7 inch blade on the 170 is plenty long enough for pruning branches an inch thick. I have just ordered the Silky POCKETBOY 130 fine blade which has a 5.12 inch blade. I think this length will be even better for pruning small diameter branches out of the base of shrubs.

In order to prevent bowing and buckling of the blade it only cuts when you are pulling toward you. This adds to the nice control over the cut.

I have been using it instead of my Felco #8 for many cutting jobs. It really is often a better choice. I now think a folding saw is an essential. It is on my tool belt with my Felcos and my Japanese weeder. It comes with a very nice, closed (for safety) scabbard that is designed to hang on a tool belt.

Highly recommended. An ESSENTIAL for the well equipped gardener.

An excellent alternative to a western hand saw with terrific speed and feel. I enjoy the hand connection from cross-cutting rough stock with the Silky Carpentry Saw Master 360 before I mill to size. I find the handle to be very sturdy and look forward to purchase other Silky Saws.

I recently acquired a Gunman 300 Fine Teeth Silky Saw, and I love it! I am using it for cutting firewood and kindling, and it is excellent for that purpose. The fine teeth are much faster than the larger teeth models for this use, and the thin and flexible blade and extreme light weight require less effort than would otherwise be required. The handle is very comfortable, and the overall "feel" is great. This is a beautiful little saw, and I highly recommend it.

I have owned both Silky Saw and Sharksaw makes of Japanese pruning and carpentry saws, and the Silky Saws win hands down. The Sharksaw blades are sharp, but the Silkies are sharper. The Shark handle design and durability are poor, and the Silkies are excellent. Finally, based on my experience, Sharksaw customer service is curt and unhelpful, and Silky's is very responsive and informative. Silky is simply the best.