Silky Tsurugi Curved Hand Saw, Large Teeth, 330mm

The Silky Tsurugi curved hand saw pairs a 330 mm blade with large teeth, so it moves through thicker green limbs quickly. It is a strong pick for climbers who prune bigger wood and want a fixed curved saw in a scabbard.

What the Tsurugi is good at

The curve on the Tsurugi pulls the blade into the wood on the draw stroke, which helps when you are reaching overhead or cutting at an awkward angle from a climbing position. Large teeth remove more wood per stroke, so this setup is about speed in green limbs rather than a fine finish.

At 330 mm it sits in the middle of Silky's range: long enough for real limbs, short enough to ride on a saddle all day. Compare it with other models in hand saws and scabbards.

Large teeth do leave a rougher surface than fine or medium teeth. For most removal and heavy pruning cuts that does not matter, and the speed saves effort over a long day. If most of your work is detail pruning on ornamentals, a finer tooth may suit you better.

Use and care

Let the saw do the work. Long, smooth strokes are faster and keep the blade from binding. Support or undercut limbs where needed so the kerf does not close on the blade.

Silky teeth are hardened and cannot be filed, so when the blade dulls, fit a replacement blade. Clean sap off at the end of the day and keep the saw sheathed whenever you are moving in the tree.

Keep an eye on the scabbard as well as the blade. A worn sheath lets the tip poke through and can catch your rope or leg.