Hand and Pole saws

carlos

Hello all

I am after some serious hand and pole saws that are up for the commercial challenge, I have not been able to find much at my local dealers that stands out.

Has any one got any ideas or preferences on what they recon is good on the market the noo.

I have been on the arborlab web site and they have some "silky" saw that sound alright, any one got any feed back?



much appreciated Carlos

Eric Frei

A good hand pole saw is that Wolfe Garten one ... without the hook on the end of the blade. Many other attachments too.

And Stihl HT75 for a power one.

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treeseer

I love the WolfGarten too, WITH the hook on the blade. Careful--the blade rusts easily. Their pruner head is awesome.

This month's Arborist News has a look at telescoping pole saws. Maybe you know an ISA member you can borrow it from.

Eric Frei

Why do you like the hook?

I find it gets stuck a lot ... palms that is.

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treeseer

No palms here. i like the hook because it keeps me from pulling the blade out of the kerf.

blair duncanson

For years i have trusted in Silky Natanoko 330. Very sharp, adaptable saw. Very fast cutting in tree, once you get used to them. Cutting offlevel can sometimes snap tip off saw but easily avoidable.Cannot recommend this saw enough.New upgraded 330 is the 2000, have not tried it yet but i would be confident in buying it. Good finish in target pruning, far cleaner than using chainsaw. Get one!Pole saws i try to avoid, do not find them very practical for target pruning, ok for deadwooding though.

carlos

nice nice thancks for the info

StrictlyPalms

From Ekka's Link on ATRAES
[ZM-V4] Wolf Garten Vario Handle 4m AUD$99.75

From Amazon.com
WOLF GARTEN Vario Handle, 86-1/2" to 157" [Misc.] USD$44.12

All the items seem more than double the price, is it that costly to import? I know our dollar isn't that much better than the Australian.

Just curious

SP

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Eric Frei

No, that's the typical rip off we cop and why we source (well, the smart online ones) elsewhere.

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ohpi

either wolf or jameson ... both highly recommended ... check here ... New Age Arbor - The Tree Equipment Specialists - High Reach Pruning - Poles & Hooks - Victoria Australia

Eric Frei

Jameson are great for arbo's ... fits ya big shot head. But I like the Wolfe's extendibility and simplicity, positive locking and range of attachments.

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bstewert

I have two Silkys, the LongBoy polesaw and the Sugoi 360 WITH the hook. I especially like the hook for grabbing stuff just out of reach. They stay sharp for a long time and really leave a clean cut, especially in fingers.

Be careful when it comes to sharpening time. I trashed my first blade on the LongBoy by having it sharpened. They reduced the four angles on each tooth to two, and it sure felt sharp, but it didn't cut as smoothly. Then I learned from Silky that the impulse hardened blades are supposed to be replaced, not sharpened.

The Sugoi blade can be sharpened, and I found a guy who specifically knows how to sharpen Silkys. He said he really enjoyed working on that saw. I read some people have cut off the hook on the Sugoi handle cuz it tangles in their rope. That doesn't bother me too much, but I did change out the legstraps to velcro for easier on and off. One bothersome thing to me is the scabbard tends to slide around to the back side of my leg even if I "overtighten" the straps. Silky put these little rubber wedges on the straps, which helps a bit, but I'm looking for a better solution.

I also found that Zymol car wax works well for cleaning the blades.

dr who

hi

this is Tilia's dad, Dr Who

I specialize in high quality tree work on old country property gardens across SE Australia

I travel from Hobart to N NSW every year.

I use about 50 contract climbers every year

I insist they all have a Wolf 4m pole, which I buy in bulk and sell for $85; some have a homemade extension, giving a 6m reach. Poles have 101 uses.

I used to buy Corona pole saw hooks from Woodchuck, but they are no longer made. So I am having them made for my climbers and their contacts. Next batch ready in 2 wks.

The hook is aluminium with slots for quick attachment with hose clamps and holes for space-saving attachment with nuts and bolts. The main hook is 10cm wide, so the pole can be hung on a branch 10cm diameter. On the end of the hook is a rope lifting hook, so a climbing rope can be set 8m above ground within one minute. Their is a 15cm hole for a karabiner. The deluxe version will have GPS & DVD player.

Wolf pole saw blades are ok but v expensive. I sell them for $75. When blunt or bent I drill them out and attach an identical but nuch cheaper Bahco blade. Some Melbourne climbers buy a local aluminium shaft that can fit a finer-toothed blade.

Hand saws. Silky saw are ok, but I prefer a finer tooth which gives a smoother cut, requires less effort; but more frequent blade changes, which I would always encourage, as I am able to sell blades at bulk rates. The saws I use and sell to climbers are

ARS Duke 25 (25cm with plastic scabbard and nice flexible rubber attachment)

ARS CAM18LN (18cm, more compact but scabbard and attachment badly designed and can get caught when climbing over branches)

ARS GR17 (17cm curved, best folding saw by far)

all these saws have a thinner blade than Silky saws & finer teeth with truncated tip for increased pulling efficiency.

Do contact me for further info, I will be in Tasmania every Feb & March, mostly in the Midlands, particularly Longford, Campbelltown, Ross, Fingal, St Marys.

Where are you and what are you doing?

carlos

thanks a lot for all you info people, although i think im more confused now than what i was before!

na i think it looks like its going to be wolf just for the shear versitility of the tool.

my next problem is who to buy it off!

Done it

Well, just to confuse you even more, I just bought a Barnell pole saw after checking them all out & with a few tips after asking about them here. It has some advantages, like adjustable lengths & lopping attachment. [I'm getting that] So far I'm pleased with it, did the job I bought it for and I seem to be using it quite often. Have a look here, very fast delivery: Forestry Tools - Tools for Professionals

By the way, Silky make a 6.3 Hayate as well as the 7.7 but they don't stock it.

Straw

Looks like I'm the "resurrecter" (if thats even a word :P) of old threads! lol This is the 3rd or 4th old thread I have posted in :P

I have an old Craftsman pole saw ( I know; please don't laugh) that has the lopper and saw head combined into one unit. Half of the time I remove the cord because it is in the way and cumbersome. I picked Craftsman back in the day because a Sears was close by and they would replace it free of charge if it had issues. Now I am far far away from any Sears and the saw is dull as hell, plus the pole tends to have a major bent in it when using and hard to manipulate. The hand saw I have is a cheap one I was handed down from my brother. It was semi dull when I got it and now is just a PITA to use. A true sweat builder.

I usually purchase from Wesspur since it is relatively close to my general area and they include free shipping on orders over $100. So I usually wait until I need over $100. worth of stuff and use them. For most all of the pole saws they sell free shipping is a no go so I am open to find what I need for this purchase else where if the need arises.

I have always had good luck with Japanese steel so I think Silky is the brand
I'm looking at. I am open to change if someone can steer me into the right direction.

I am toying with the idea of a leg scabbard for my hand saw. Seams smart to keep a sharp saw away from my belt and riggings.

As I have mentioned in other threads weight and compactness is key for me as my "kit' travels with me in a single truck set up with limited space.

These are a few set ups I am considering.

Silky Hand Saws Featuring Zubat, Ibuki, and Sugoi
Silky Saw Arborist Pole Saws
Hand Saw Sheaths and Scabbards

(1) First, a Silky Sugoi 14” Hand Saw and a Silky Longboy Pole Saw /w Silky Hook Fox Add On Hook.

Pro's to this combo is the leg scabbard, vine cutter, aggressive cutting on the hand saw. Plus it just plain looks cool Then the pole saw is collapsible to fit snug into my rig, has the vine cutter on the tip ( or so it looks like in the pic no mention of it in the description) and has the extra hook attachment that is multi functional. Con's to this combo the hand saw and pole saw use totally separate saw blades = extra cash to maintain, the pole saw doesn't have the reach of other saws on the market, and I couldn't find a loper head that matches up with it, not sure if the "big shot head" will fit it.

(2) Second, a Silky Zubat 13” Hand Saw w/ Silky Leg Scabbard and a Silky Zubat Pole Saw.

Pro's, both use the same blade so interchangeable in a pinch. Con's, no real attachments that I could find to increase the functionality, pole is not as long as others on the market, not sure if the "big shot head' will fit it

(3) Third, anyone of the Silky hand saws (probably the Silky Sugoi 14” Hand Saw) w/ the Silky Leg Scabbard and Silky Hayauchi Pole Saw.

Pro's on the hand saw, Silky looks to be a great saw long lasting and very aggressive with several features. On the Pole saw very nice reach, full line of attachments to add to the functionality. Con's still not sure if I can attach the "big shot head' to it.

Sorry for the book long post heh. Any advice / help for me to make an informed decision on this matter is much appreciated.

Thanks, Straw

stirmantrees

you can go wrong with silky.
i luv the 3 or for stage hyachi. what a life saver. trim a queen palm from the ground sometimes.
handsaws are just as nice.

Done it

I've had that Barnell for over a year now and wish I'd had it years ago.

If I have to replace it I'd go for the Silky.

There is a new lopper head for them. Lopper Accessory SINTUNG 50 for HAYAUCHI Pole Saw

Gunslinger

I've been using a Silky Sugoi for over a year and it's still razor sharp. As mentioned it cuts flesh even better than it cuts tree limbs. With only a partial stroke it cut through my glove, finger tip and finger nail. Took a month to heal.

Apocalypsse

Ouchy. Thats the one I wanna get tho, strap it to ma leg or if im keen, my arm.

TrevMcRev

Just let me know when ya want one

Apocalypsse

Went out to Cannings (I love student discounts :P) and got the Yamabico, they didnt have the Sugoi in stock. They had the info sheet for it tho, that thing looked huge on the guys leg, from basically the ground to just above the knee, bit big for me.

EDIT: Woooow, just looked at your prices, bigger saving even with the discount, but I did kinda need it on the rush.

Nebula

I was looking at the silky sugoi also the zubat. They are pricey saws, I guess you get what you pay for. God do we get screwed here, half the price in the USA just like everything else

Treegear have the best prices I have seen online for these saws in OZ, forestry tools are a RIP OFF $40 more for the Zubat in comparison to Treegear.

Anyone know much about the Fanno's?

Nebula

Gun slinger do you use the 14" or 16" Sugoi?

Apocalypsse

Had a play with my Yamabico @ TAFE on Monday, my gods thats one fkn sharp saw. Best thing handsaw I've ever used, even better with the little saw on the top of the blade, makes things soo much easier and elimates the hastle of the chainsaw in some more squishy positions.

TrevMcRev

Dude! I have a stack of Sugois in stock, all ya had to do was ask!

Remember me next time hey

Best prices in Aust & some good deals for TreeWorld regulars

Gunslinger

It think that they call it the 15" version. I don't remember if the 16.5" version was available when I bought it.

Apocalypsse

Checked out the Sugoi @ SherrilTree today @ the seminar, felt heavier and slightly less comfortable than my Yamabico. No doubt about the cutting power tho, it took me a while to figure out how to cut with the main blade, just the tiniest bit of pressure got it stuck in the branch.

spidermike

i got a fan but got a zubat 330 coming just spint 500$ last week and 300$ this week on gear i cant get better tell i git better gear had the same stuff for 6 years way to long and try blue ridge 4 supply

Nebula

I just grabbed a sugoi after hearing great things, should be here this week I grabbed it from the States $95AUS shipped not a bad price I thought.