Do You Use A Handsaw?

[MasterBlaster]

I wouldn't go to work w/o my handsaw. If I had two climbers applying for one climbing position, and both were equal in all ways except one didn't have a handsaw, guess which one I would hire?
Cranking a saw for every cut is INSANE, and besides that it damages the tree on things like watersprouts and tiny dead/twigs. There is no way I would believe anyone saying they're making proper cuts doing like that.

No handsaw? Unbelievable. Carrying a handsaw is one of the marks of a professional.

 

[SkwerI]

I climbed for years without one. I became aware of climbers using handsaws by reading about it on the internet forums. I bought my first handsaw (a Zubat) about 7-8 years ago and have been using them ever since.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Same here! Plus, my handsaw's gotten me outta one or two pinched saw situations!

 

[Greenhorn]

Just about to put fresh blades on the silkies for the week. How often do you guys change yours?

I am gettting to where I wont take a chainsaw up unless I have alot of stuff over 3" to remove. I can get around the tree faster without dragging the chainsaw. Now that its a lovely 100 degrees any reduced weight helps.

Swatted my knee with the silky last week. My sock was already getting soaked by the time I got down. Those little cuts bleed something aweful.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Heck yea they do! That's my only complaint about one.

 

[brendonv]

Handsaw here. I find I use it a lot when in an uncomfortable position. From cutting notches, to finishing the back cut on limb I know I am going for a ride.

Def. cannot get up a tree without it, although I used to use it TOO much.

Ditto on the silky cuts. I swatted my arm one day in a hickory, 3 teeth got me and it gushed like a water fountain.

 

[SkwerI]

I get 6 months to a year out of my Zubats, depending on where it's used. The one hanging in the bucket gets used a lot. The one hanging on my saddle, not so much.

 

[BostonBull]

I use a Zubat for anything 3-4" and under. I love mine and take it with me on all climbs.
I replace my blades every 8-12 months. Deadwood really seems to kill them faster.

 

[SkwerI]

In most cases, my limit is about 1"-1.5" diameter. I'd get laughed out of the tree if I was wasting time trying to cut 4" limbs with a Zubat.

 

[sotc]

handsaw used alot here. replace my fannos every couple months

 

[FJR]

I use an Ibuki. I don't know what I would do without a handsaw in the tree, it is nice not having to carry around the regular saw all the time.

 

[inztrees]

right leg rigged hand saw for me

 

[Ace76]

I love my Gomboy. Fastest cutting hand saw I have ever used.

 

[gf beranek]

Ibuki, the new handsaws are so sweet compared to our old offsets. But didn't know the fanno #12 was a dinosaur at the time.

Good for tripping cuts that you expect to get a ride out of. Just that last little strap,,, that could be too dangerous to trip with a powersaw.

Great for freeing up a stuck saw.

Light work, like small branches and sections you have to handle and toss out of the tree. Ah, working over 3 phase 12KV.

Busting deadwood out! Backside only!

Snaring that rope that is just out of reach, and throwlines that are being tossed up to you.

Fine pruning cuts when trimming. I think that's number one.

Style??? I style with my Ibuki.

 

[Greenhorn]

Just realized my replacement zubat blades are 300mm whereas I had 330mm before. A bit shorter, might like it better. what length are you guys running?

Cant stand silky scabbards, I roll a jameson leather looking one. Quick draw McGraw.

 

[NickfromWI]

I use the zubat and occasionally the Ibuki. That think will rip through some pretty big wood!

Anyone have an extra Zubat scabbard I can have?

love
nick

 

[DMc]

I use the Sugoi that I modified to suit my needs. I cannot believe how useful it is having the hook on the end. The hook on the handle was just a pain.

Dave

 

[MasterBlaster]

I wonder who the one lone holdout is? I'd like to hear why they voted like that. I have an idea...

 

[biggun]

Handsaw for me - always comes in handy, tidy pruning rips through some decent sized wood. plus, it doubles up a a rescue knife should you need it.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I do a lotta things with my handsaw, that's for dang sure!

 

[Mr. Sir]

I still have my first handsaw. Its about 3 feet long and weighs about 5 pounds. Now THAT puppy could strip some suckers, let me tell ya. I think I still have the leather scabbard too, the one with a clip for the paint pot. Who remembers paint pots?

Of course, I haven't used that one for quite some time. I now use a small Fanno pony saw with the wooden handle. I didn't like the Silky scabbard, kept falling out of the clip thingy.

 

[stehansen]

I carry one whether in the bucket or climbing. For all the reasons stated above. I think anything over 2 inches and I'm probably going to be starting up the chainaw, depending on if it is an awkward cutting position or not. I've never used a Zubat, sounds like they are considered to be the best. They sell Silkys at my local saw shop but i have never seen a Zubat on the rack, so I've used the Sugoi and the Ibuki, and I"ve used the Stihl handsaw also. Can't say as I can tell the difference between them. Are these sharpenable? I have a saw set and one of those skinny tapered files, but they look to be a lot more complicated than the old style of teeth. The guy that taught me to climb used one of those huge Fanno saws, and when I went to buy one they didn't have any of them and I bought one of the smaller ones. Way easier to carry IMO.

 

[JIML]

Use it all the time climbing or in the bucket. Good for cutting stuff and pulling it back away from the line.

 

[hugashe]

Sugoi here but i don't use it that much but if i need it its there.

 

[Jamin Mayer]

Zubat 330 here all the time.

I like the Ibuki, but I think their straight scabbard needs to be curved. It is too easy to cut the scabbard up in a little period of time.