Silky Saw or Chainsaw???

H

Harrison Foott

New Member
I have been using a chainsaw for ages to collect firewood and clear tracks. It has been great with the quick and easy of using a chainsaw but the last couple of times it has been a pain in the a**. It seemed that every time i went to use it it would break down or be blunt and take ages to cut anything. not to mention all the gear you have to take with them and how bulky the actual item is. Don't get me wrong they make life very easy and if i was going somewhere for a long time i would defiantly consider taking it. but recently i bought one of the Silky Saws the Katanaboy's the meter long behemoth folding saw from silky. it has been great to have in the back of the 4wd and requires no maintenance. although requires a little more elbow grease. Just wondering if what peoples thoughts are on them in the long term if they have had them for a long period or thoughts on if they have just got one. any pros cons either way just want to know your thoughts.
 
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madmonk

madmonk

Active Member
I agree that the amount of equipment you need to keep a chainsaw running safely is quite extensive - eye and hearing protection, chainsaw pants or chaps, fuel and bar oil, files, depth gauge, tools to take the saw apart for cleaning, a stump vise, etc etc.

I don't own my own chainsaw and I think that the Silky saw would be a good addition to the bow saw and drag chain I always carry. I know that a lot of places ban the use and carrying of chainsaws so a really effective, human powered saw would be a smart gear choice. In the end, if I am stuck somewhere due to a fallen tree, it doesn't really matter how much time it takes to clear the track, just as long as you can get going eventually :)
 
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Bomber2012

Bomber2012

Well-Known Member
No comparison for me ill take the chainy every day of the week .
Sounds as if your not doing any maintenance on your chainsaw , Ive had a Stihl for quiet a few years now and never have any problems with it . Starts everytime I use it.
I do get it serviced once or twice a year and at the same time they sharpen the chain , I do take care not to let the chain hit the ground when using it and make sure whatever I'm cutting doesn't have dirt/soil on it . Dirt will blunten your saw quick smart .
The Silky Saws do look like a very handy tool and your right about very little maintenance but there will come a day that it will need to be sharpened .
For the areas i mostly drive i seriously wouldn't leave home with out my chainsaw .
Firewood collection is quick and easy with a chainsaw .:):)
 
H

Harrison Foott

New Member
Yes you are probably not wrong about maintenance. it usually live in the shed and i don't think about it till the night before i'm heading off.
so for me the silky is perfect just one less thing i have to think about while i'm in a mad rush to get ready. yeah i dare say that there will be a time
that i will need to get it sharpened been reading up on that to. some say there is not point sharpening it because they are so hard that it takes so much effort you are better off to get a replacement blade? but still for me i think its the way to go. but hopefully i just go with a couple of people that like to carry chainsaws haha
 
cloughcarib

cloughcarib

Well-Known Member
I have a cheap chain saw I bought off ebay quite a few yrs ago now and it gets regularly maintained by me. The safety gear isn't that much to carry as I have a bag that it all compacts into, while all the tools fit in the chainsaw bag.....
To your actual question though; The chainsaw only comes if I anticipate a need for a large fire or seriously overgrown trail. I also carry a Bahco pruning saw for the small jobs of a cooking fire, this lives in my recovery box.
Most of the time the pruning saw is sufficient, but......every now and then....:cool:
 
CB23

CB23

New Member
I carry a foldable saw, approx 500mm long blade which does most jobs. For camp gear I also pack an axe and wedge. The axe/foldable saw can cut anything I need for family but I only go for 3-4 days maximum. I kind of like the axe for exercise and beer/dinner tastes better after a workout :cool:

A chainsaw is good for home/work in my opinion, but it annoys me when I hear (petrol) one start up when camping in remote area. The new battery chain saws are quieter and look quite good.
 
aids84

aids84

Active Member
In places like the Vic high country a chainsaw is a pretty essential piece of gear. Two weeks ago I was down there and had been travelling along a narrow track for at least 10km when I came across a tree down over the track, probably 40cm in diameter and really dense heavy wood. If I had to backtrack because of it I would have been reversing for a fair while before finding anywhere to turn around. My cheap ebay chainsaw (sub $150) made easy work of it but you'd be there for ages with a handsaw. My saw seems to be a chinese copy of a Husky saw so as parts wears out on it I can upgrade with Husky parts.
 
rogerazz

rogerazz

4x4 Earth Contributer
I like the Silky saw, I don't have one, I carry and axe and sometimes a bow saw or a chainsaw depending on where I am going. The chainsaw is good however petrol, oil, goggles, earmuffs, face shield, heavy clothing and boots , sharpening chain , adjusting chain, the noise, the amount of stuff with it, maybe won't start. Biggest thing I see with people using chainsaws is they usually wear beach gear, Japanese work boots (thongs), no eye protection, gloves, etc. Yeah, I know, people will come back at me and tell me they do. Well I watched one of many 4wd shows two days ago and that's how the bloke was dressed using a chainsaw.:eek:.
You only have to do it wrong once and I have seen the results of professionals, farmers (a mate):eek:.
Lucky for me I am aware of safety regulations.
20160323_092808.jpg
 
Spooner

Spooner

Well-Known Member
I carry a great old bow saw and a nice quality (expensive) chain saw .
On a good quality chainsaw and chain , the rule of thumb is to one tank of fuel on hardwood , It is blunt.
I always carry a freshly sharpened spare chain , rotate the bar and fit the fresh one on.
Cheap chinese chainsaws are shite , complete crap , not worth anything if you are cutting hardwood .
Sometimes though , you just have to turn around and find another way , lol :) Not worth it even trying unless you have a Lumberjack sized one and can use it properly.
Tree Down.jpg
 
Beever

Beever

Active Member
Silky's can cut there's no denying that.
I like them. There not for every on though.
A mates chain saw fuel drum (metal) rubbed through once in his camper. He should have stowed it away better.
We had a bit of fun with him. Ha. Standing back from the door of the camper lighting matches. Ha.Ha.
Got him going.
 
phs

phs

Well-Known Member
A chainsaw is easier hands down, Like anything if you can spend the time and rather not carry all the associated gear for a chain saw a silky will do the job, I take a Silky curved bigboy away hiking they are good just slow in comparison.

It's worth understanding how to cut with a silky too, a friend bent my blade first hike.
 
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