Frequently asked questions...
Curved Blade or Straight Blade? One of the most frequent questions we get… which is better?
It’s pretty easy. Neither... and both. A curved blade will cut faster than a straight blade. The natural curve of the blade will bite into the wood at the toe end of the cut as you pull the blade towards you, slightly increasing cut speed.
A curved blade is also advantageous when you’re cutting above your head. The blade will stay in the cut more easily and again the curve will naturally assist cut speed. And for these reasons... all polesaw blades are curved!
It’s pretty easy. Neither... and both. A curved blade will cut faster than a straight blade. The natural curve of the blade will bite into the wood at the toe end of the cut as you pull the blade towards you, slightly increasing cut speed.
A curved blade is also advantageous when you’re cutting above your head. The blade will stay in the cut more easily and again the curve will naturally assist cut speed. And for these reasons... all polesaw blades are curved!
|
Straight blades have been the traditional choice of Arborists and Orchardists. They are a better choice for undercutting and are slightly easier to get into tight spaces.
Other than this, it all comes down to personal choice. It’s like the age old argument of Ford versus Holden. You’ll never convince everybody which one they should use, but they all enjoy the benefits of working with a high performance tool. |
|
Should I buy a sheath saw… or a folding saw?
The key question here is, what kind of usage is planned for it? If your customer is a commercial user who will be using it continuously for long periods during the day and generally cutting bigger limbs, then a sheath saw is generally where we would point them.
If your customer is just looking to use it around the garden or using it sporadically throughout the day, then a smaller fold out saw is a good option.
As a general rule, the folding saws are shorter in length… although the BigBoy range with their 360mm blade is a notable exception.
There are also other exceptions of course. Hunters, hikers and DOC workers will always prefer the folding saws but depending on usage can choose anything between a 130mm Pocketboy blade through to the Katanaboy 500mm, 650mm and now even the 1000mm.
The key question here is, what kind of usage is planned for it? If your customer is a commercial user who will be using it continuously for long periods during the day and generally cutting bigger limbs, then a sheath saw is generally where we would point them.
If your customer is just looking to use it around the garden or using it sporadically throughout the day, then a smaller fold out saw is a good option.
As a general rule, the folding saws are shorter in length… although the BigBoy range with their 360mm blade is a notable exception.
There are also other exceptions of course. Hunters, hikers and DOC workers will always prefer the folding saws but depending on usage can choose anything between a 130mm Pocketboy blade through to the Katanaboy 500mm, 650mm and now even the 1000mm.
How many teeth do I need?
Silky has an abundance of saws in their range and a plethora of teeth designs and sizes, so it can be a little confusing. Silky grade their saws by the number of teeth per 30mm. Have a look at our Silky Technology page for detailed information on what teeth configuration would be best suited for your requirements.
Silky has an abundance of saws in their range and a plethora of teeth designs and sizes, so it can be a little confusing. Silky grade their saws by the number of teeth per 30mm. Have a look at our Silky Technology page for detailed information on what teeth configuration would be best suited for your requirements.
Can Silky Saw blades be sharpened?
The answer is both yes and no. For most customers it is hard to recapture the original edge and many prefer to simply replace the blade. So it is possible, however the blades are made of very high quality Japanese steel and are heat tempered on the cutting edges for long lasting service. They were not designed to be sharpened but instead to keep the edge sharper much longer than traditional blades.
The answer is both yes and no. For most customers it is hard to recapture the original edge and many prefer to simply replace the blade. So it is possible, however the blades are made of very high quality Japanese steel and are heat tempered on the cutting edges for long lasting service. They were not designed to be sharpened but instead to keep the edge sharper much longer than traditional blades.
|
Check out the Silky Saw Listing in this website or the latest catalogue, and if the saw you have has an icon like this, then the blade can be sharpened with a file. We recommend the Silky Feather Edge File for this.
|
|
Do Silky Saws only cut on the pull stroke?
Yes, they cut only on the pull stroke and they need a very little pressure to cut efficiently. The kerf of the blade is such that it bites into the wood as it's pulled across without extra pressure from the user. Remember, extra pressure and wrenching the saw may break your blades!
Yes, they cut only on the pull stroke and they need a very little pressure to cut efficiently. The kerf of the blade is such that it bites into the wood as it's pulled across without extra pressure from the user. Remember, extra pressure and wrenching the saw may break your blades!
How should I clean my Silky Saw blade?
After use the blades do collect tree sap and the easiest way our customers have found to clean them is simply by using soap and water or a mild cleaner (do not use solvent). Make sure you dry the blades thoroughly after cleaning and wipe or spray some tool oil to add extra protection. We recommend our range of Camellia Oil for this, in either the Arboratsubo Tool Oiler or the 240ml Atomiser Spray Bottle.
After use the blades do collect tree sap and the easiest way our customers have found to clean them is simply by using soap and water or a mild cleaner (do not use solvent). Make sure you dry the blades thoroughly after cleaning and wipe or spray some tool oil to add extra protection. We recommend our range of Camellia Oil for this, in either the Arboratsubo Tool Oiler or the 240ml Atomiser Spray Bottle.
Are replacement parts available?
Yes, we have replacement blades for all saws plus other assorted hardware including screw sets and bolts, sheaths, belt clips. hand grips, and springs, as well as replacement sections for the pole saws. Parts are not listed on this website, so please contact us directly on either sales@silextools.co.nz or 035476874.
Yes, we have replacement blades for all saws plus other assorted hardware including screw sets and bolts, sheaths, belt clips. hand grips, and springs, as well as replacement sections for the pole saws. Parts are not listed on this website, so please contact us directly on either sales@silextools.co.nz or 035476874.