Ultralight hiker’s dream saw is here. If you need to saw something but the tool must fit in your pocket without being just a blade, get yourself this. A short blade isn’t of course suited for large-scale forestry but all the small jobs at the camp will get done. Proper good Japanese quality.
- Total length: 290 mm (11.4")
- Blade length: 130 mm (5.0")
- Closed length: 165 mm (6.5")
- Weight: c. 180 g (0.4 lbs)
- Handle color: Black
- Steel: Chrome-plated SK4 high carbon steel
- Tooth configuration: Medium teeth, 10 teeth/30 mm (8.5 teeth/inch)
- Handle: Rubber
- Lanyard hole
- Comes with a transparent hard storage case
- Made in Japan
Blade
SilkyPocketboy features a 130 mm (6.5") blade. The blade length you want depends on the diameter of the wood you want to cut. A rule of thumb is that the blade should be at least twice as long as the branch. Of course, the longer the blade, the faster the job gets done.
This saw has Medium teeth, which are at their best for softwood. They can handle hardwood as well, but not with the same engineer-like precision as small teeth. They are nevertheless easier to control than the larger teeth and produce a cleaner finish. Medium is a very multifunctional tooth configuration, giving you sort of the best of both worlds. If you want to cut big trees and the coarse finish isn’t a problem, go with bigger. If you like even more accuracy and control, go with smaller.
The precision-ground teeth have four cutting surfaces each. Unlike classic Western saws, they are "non-set", so the teeth don’t tear the wood, instead, they create a very fine and smooth saw cut. The clever design of the teeth has several advantages. You can saw faster with less power and the blade doesn’t get stuck in the wood that easily. The impulse-hardened teeth cannot be sharpened with a hand file but they last three times longer than non-treated teeth. If needed the saw blade can be easily replaced.
Materials
The saw blade is made from premium Japanese SK4 carbon steel. It has a high wear resistance so that the blade remains sharp for a long time. The core is softer, so the saw stays flexible. The chrome plating reduces friction and increases the lifetime of the blade. Furthermore, it protects the blade from rust.
The lightweight aluminum frame handle is rubber-coated. The rubber absorbs sawing vibrations and offers a good grip even when wet or while wearing gloves. Moreover, the handle feels reasonably warm, even in cold temperatures. The hole in the handle enables you to attach a carabiner or a lanyard to the saw.
Use
Unlike the western saws, Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke. Pulling keeps the blade straight, so the blade can be thinner without feeling wobbly. They are also easier to use because pulling is easier to control than pushing and they take less energy.
When not in use, clean your Gomboy of dirt and store it in the closed position in a dry place. The saw comes with a transparent hard case with a belt holder.
Made by Silky
Silky is a Japanese company with 100 years of experience in the production of handsaws. They offer a complete range of saws - from folding saws to fixed saws, from curved to straight saw blades, each with a wide selection of teeth configurations. They are used by professionals and hobbyists all over the world for pruning, woodworking, bushcraft, hiking, hunting, and home use. Silky saws are manufactured in Ono, Japan.
