Having a campfire is something we really look forward to while tripping. We cook a lot of food in a reflector oven, on the grate and relaxing after dark around the fire if the weather permits.

I'm not a fan of burning sticks and little pieces of wood that are only an 1" in diameter. I much prefer finding a nice dry tree way back in the woods that is 6"-8" in diameter to cut into 1' long rounds and split to pieces about the size of my forearm. If things are really going good I usually leave a nice stack of wood behind.

My issue is finding a saw strong enough to cut the larger rounds of wood. Does anyone have experience with the Silky saws or especially the Silky Bigboy 360 saw? If so, is it up to the job and can you get on it with both hands and not worry about it binding?

Silkys are nice Saws, some of the best, but for the money it's really hard to beat the Irwin saw, it will make short work of a 6-8" log.

+1 on the Irwin. It makes short work of any job.

+1 on the Irwin-

Our group and even solos-- I/we burn wood with the best of them , especially in the Spring.

Silky Bigboy 360 ... I've gone through oak trees in excess of 12" with it. You CAN use both hands. The blade is very flexible, so it can bind if you aren't careful. If the log is horizontal, I'll generally begin my cut from the top, to about 1/2 way through and then back cut from the underside so the sections separate as the two cuts meet.

It takes a little getting use to since the cutting is performed on the pull stroke rather than push. With the padded/rubberized handle, you have a no-slip grip and it fits comfortably in your hand so the saw is less fatiguing than many models. It also has two blade-angle settings, which also makes back cuts easier.

Being reasonably light weight )1 lb.) and quickly foldable makes it my "go to" saw for back country trips. I even did a little trail clearing on a trip to Opasquia Provincial Park this past canoe season.

Do I like it? Well, my current saw is my 2nd. Unfortunately, the first lies resting on the bottom in a chute in the western part of Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. So I liked enough to buy a 2nd (and yes, there are cheaper saws available).

dd

I also bring an Irwin Marathon 15" Coarse cut saw. I have it strapped in a sheath to the outside of my pack to make quick work of downed trees on portages as well as for in camp. I often travel in PMA's in addition to more remote areas of Northern Ontario so coming upon downed trees that can not be easily gotten past occurs frequently.

Yes it is a little bigger than many of the compact saws but it is stout enough for the work, has a comfortable handle to lessen fatigue, does not bind and cuts easily in both directions. I used to have a Sven saw and I have used other compact saws that friends have brought and for me the Irwin is the only way to go and it usually costs less than the compact saws (usually right around $20)

Irwin saw

Here is my Irwin in the sheath that my travel partner made for it.

Irwin in Sheath

Amazon carries the Irwin saw for $14.00, with free delivery. I just ordered one.

I go after similar wood and have always loved my SVEN saw. Cuts, and Cuts and Cuts and folds up to nice, small, cut proof "rod" for packing.

quote Knoozer: "Amazon carries the Irwin saw for $14.00, with free delivery. I just ordered one."

You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)

You guys are at it again. Now I think I need a new saw. My name is Leanne and I am addicted to camping gear.

quote AndySG: "
You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)"

I am planning on making some more soon, almost started the other weekend but came down with a nasty cold. Now I'm changing the design slightly, but a batch should be ready shortly.

Are you going to have a thread - taking orders. Or is this just making them for your friends kind of thing?

I was pretty set on buying a Silky but you guys have me rethinking my choice. One positive is for the price of the Irwin if I don't like it I won't feel too bad about buying a Silky for the next trip.

quote DeanL: "One positive is for the price of the Irwin if I don't like it..."

you will love it.

I really like my Silky Saw Katanaboy.

quote Ragged: "

quote AndySG: "
You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)"

I am planning on making some more soon, almost started the other weekend but came down with a nasty cold. Now I'm changing the design slightly, but a batch should be ready shortly."

Good to hear! I wasn't going to bring it up -- I know that life has gotten busy lately. I hope that you recall that I would like to buy two more. :) And don't be shy on that price point that we discussed. Your quality workmanship is worth it.

quote Ragged: "

quote AndySG: "
You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)"

I am planning on making some more soon, almost started the other weekend but came down with a nasty cold. Now I'm changing the design slightly, but a batch should be ready shortly."

If you have an available sheath next round add me to the list, I'd be willing to pay whatever you deem fair. No rush, either. Thanks

quote Ragged: "

quote AndySG: "
You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)"

I am planning on making some more soon, almost started the other weekend but came down with a nasty cold. Now I'm changing the design slightly, but a batch should be ready shortly."

Ragged,

My duck tape over the cardboard Irwin packaging didn't make it through the last season. If you make a batch I would be very happy to purchase one.

I keep thinking I will build a sheath from a thin cutting board, but I never buy the right tools to rivet the thing. I know I will never get to it.

Oh... to the original post. I bought a knockoff brand version of the silky, it worked better than I imagined, but do really like the Irwin.

quote deerhuntertyler: "

quote Ragged: "

quote AndySG: "
You won't regret it. Maybe Ragged will make some more sheaths. ;-)"

I am planning on making some more soon, almost started the other weekend but came down with a nasty cold. Now I'm changing the design slightly, but a batch should be ready shortly."

If you have an available sheath next round add me to the list, I'd be willing to pay whatever you deem fair. No rush, either. Thanks"

Me too.

We should all get a discount from Irwin for how many saws we sell for them through this website :-)

Picked this saw up over the winter to use for firewood after reading a previous post on big saws. Looks like a combination of the old crosscut saws with the deep gullets and few teeth per inch, with the curve of a more modern arborist saw that cuts only on the pull stroke. It's definetly in the big category at 25".

So I have to ask, is the Irwin really that superior to say my Sven saw? I just put a new blade on mine last year, and it cuts well enough, but always ends up cutting diagonal on larger wood.

Is it that much of an improvement to warrant replacing it with an Irwin?

Thanks!

quote Saberboys: "So I have to ask, is the Irwin really that superior to say my Sven saw? I just put a new blade on mine last year, and it cuts well enough, but always ends up cutting diagonal on larger wood.


Is it that much of an improvement to warrant replacing it with an Irwin?


Thanks!"

I own both size Sven saws, have not even thought about using them after switching to the Irwin. The grip is 100% more comfortable, there is no assembly procedure, no wing nut that can be lost, starts easier (front teeth are not as course to ease in starting). Like most I keep it right on the side of the pack so its ready to go at a moments notice. I always hated the crooked cuts of my bow saws, not the case with the Irwin, the 15" blade has a ton of backbone, I have never had it bind up once. I also find that if you have to, you can cut bigger wood with it, I was always running into the front position of the frame on my Sven saw.

quote Drab: "Are you going to have a thread - taking orders. Or is this just making them for your friends kind of thing?"

Cant really make a thread on here, would be violating the rules of the site.

If anyone wants to chat Irwin saw sheaths just drop me an email. I plan on making 50-60.

They will function the same as the previous iterations but will feature some more improvements. This will be the 3rd generation, the first run sheaths were prone to snagging on the webbing, the 2nd gen ones had a much more defined thermoformed area that helped that issue a lot but still required you to somewhat watch the webbing to make sure it was tight. This next gen will 100% eliminate that issue as the thermoformed "pop out" area will be eliminated. Instead a separate machined/formed part will be riveted on, more parts, more work, more time, but should be about perfect.

quote schweady: "
Good to hear! I wasn't going to bring it up -- I know that life has gotten busy lately. I hope that you recall that I would like to buy two more. :) And don't be shy on that price point that we discussed. Your quality workmanship is worth it. "

Yep, got you down. I have a giant list of people that have been asking over the past few years and hopefully I'll be able to weed through those old emails and contact them, yourself included.

For those still on the fence about the saws...If you go with a Silky saw get a curved blade. They are much faster.

I have access to 3 or 4 different sizes and shapes of Silky's and use them all for different things.

quote Saberboys: "So I have to ask, is the Irwin really that superior to say my Sven saw? I just put a new blade on mine last year, and it cuts well enough, but always ends up cutting diagonal on larger wood.


Is it that much of an improvement to warrant replacing it with an Irwin?


Thanks!"

I sold my sven saw to a fellow BWCA.com member for $5 after I had my Irwin for a couple of years. Between the time it takes to set the sven up, always worrying about losing the wing nut, the blade binding and sometimes cutting wierd and the lack of comfort in the handle it was an easy decision.

We're veering way off topic, but it appears that DeanL (the OP, remember him?) may have changed his mind on the Silky. So, now that we have blown this thread up completely:

Anybody looking for the Irwin... I bought all 3 of mine at Zoro Tools. Pretty sure I first heard about them on this site. (That was back when I thought I only needed one...)

I came to buy a Silky and it looks like I'm gonna leave with an Irwin. Love the honest advice from everyone here. Maybe a trip partner will have a Silky some day I can check out first hand.

For all you Irwin owners what is the size preference? I'm less concerned about shaving ounces and more focused on making piles of sawdust.

quote DeanL: "For all you Irwin owners what is the size preference? I'm less concerned about shaving ounces and more focused on making piles of sawdust."

Take a look at the model in Zoro link I posted. You don't have to buy it there (good price right now, tho) but that's the 15 inch size everyone is using, and the one that fits into the fine plastic sheaths that Ragged makes.

go with the 15", its plenty big.

quote kanoes: "go with the 15", its plenty big."

Agreed, the 20" just isn't the same, wants to buckle on you if you don't watch it. Its too thin up front, if it was just as tall at the tip as the 15" it might be a different story, but its not and if you come back to far and she grabs you will tweak it..... don't ask me how I know....... :)

+1 on the 15" being the ideal size.

Only time the 15" is an issue would be on a huge white or red pine that fell that is over 15" in diameter.

But let's face it none of us are cutting that monster up anyway leaving it for the clearing crews who have the large crosscuts-we will just hack our way over it or we will make a path around it.

Denton Doc gave some good advice and he is very experienced. I own 2 Silky saws and they are flat out amazing. There is a reason they are expensive.........its because they are freakin awesome.

A word of warning.........sharp is putting it mildly. These things will lay you wide open if your not careful.

quote mastertangler: I own 2 Silky saws and they are flat out amazing. There is a reason they are expensive

Just to keep things in perspective a bit I don't know if I'd call them expensive at roughly $30. That might be twice as much as an Irwin but still far from extravagant.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "

quote mastertangler: I own 2 Silky saws and they are flat out amazing. There is a reason they are expensive

Just to keep things in perspective a bit I don't know if I'd call them expensive at roughly $30. That might be twice as much as an Irwin but still far from extravagant.

Alan"

If you are interested in a Silky, I think I'd jump on it. At $30, that is about 1/2 of price I paid for each of my saw purchases. So, MT's assessment ... somewhat expensive (at $60). (BTW: He is also accurate about "sharp" ... lightly bounced a tooth or two on a finger and hit bone. Now I wear leather gloves when using it.)

dd

quote Alan Gage: "


Just to keep things in perspective a bit I don't know if I'd call them expensive at roughly $30. That might be twice as much as an Irwin but still far from extravagant.


Alan"

What model are you getting for $30? From the limited interaction I've had with them they seem nice, but I too thought they were a bit more coin than that.

quote Ragged: "

quote Alan Gage: "


Just to keep things in perspective a bit I don't know if I'd call them expensive at roughly $30. That might be twice as much as an Irwin but still far from extravagant.

Alan"

What model are you getting for $30? From the limited interaction I've had with them they seem nice, but I too thought they were a bit more coin than that. "

I noticed that Amazon had the Big Boy 360 for sale for under $40 (and PRIME eligible for free shipping). Might be other locations that are a little less.

BTW: I just took delivery of one of the Irwin saws. The Silky is about 2 inches shorter (when folded) and about that much narrower. The weight is almost identical (both in the 14 oz. class +/- a half oz.). Of course, the Silky folds into its own sheath, where you'd have to add something to protect your gear with the Irwin.

I'll try to give them a side-by-side performance test this weekend.

dd

All this talk of saws had me thinking. I have a Wyoming Saw from Cabelas with a nice pouch but I get tired of assembly and it sometimes coming apart in the middle of cutting when I apply a lot of pressure. Never thought of a carpenter saw before and that Irwin looks dandy. This morning I was down at Lowes and bought an Irwin 15" with course teeth for about $14. Those small folding saws have generally disappointed me. I have used a Swen but do not really care for the handle and hitting the end bugs me. I'll email Ragged and see if he can add me to the list for a sheath.

quote Ragged: "

quote Alan Gage: "



Just to keep things in perspective a bit I don't know if I'd call them expensive at roughly $30. That might be twice as much as an Irwin but still far from extravagant.



Alan"

What model are you getting for $30? From the limited interaction I've had with them they seem nice, but I too thought they were a bit more coin than that. "

I was looking at the Gomboys on Amazon. They come with up to a 10.5" blade if I remember correctly, anywhere from fine to course, and all seemed to be around $30.

I didn't look at the Big Boys, more than I need, so don't know their price range.

Ok, just checked and the Big Boys max out around $38 with a 14" blade.

Alan

quote dentondoc: "

I'll try to give them a side-by-side performance test this weekend.

dd"

I'll be most interested in your report.

I just bought the Irwin, - came today. Initial trials on my back yard wood pile have left me underwhelmed. Perhaps they had gotten too hyped in my mind, by reading all the glowing reports here.

Side by side with my old - veteran of several trips, and many uses around the house, never sharpened - 15" Stanley hand saw I have here, I would say they are pretty much even.

I am going to ask my wife how much of a hassle it is to return things to Amazon.



-- Seems I am always the odd man out when it comes to gear that everyone else loves...

quote Drab: "

I'll be most interested in your report.


I just bought the Irwin, - came today. Initial trials on my back yard wood pile have left me underwhelmed. Perhaps they had gotten too hyped in my mind, by reading all the glowing reports here.


Side by side with my old - veteran of several trips, and many uses around the house, never sharpened - 15" Stanley hand saw I have here, I would say they are pretty much even.

I am going to ask my wife how much of a hassle it is to return things to Amazon.



-- Seems I am always the odd man out when it comes to gear that everyone else loves...


"

Is it the "course" cut with the gullets or the fine tooth model?

this is the one we are talking about

were you cutting oak?

Yes, That is the exact one I ordered. The rough cut with the gullets.

I tried oak, hickory and elm - cause that is what I have here at my house in sizes that made sense to cut with that saw.

You think I would get different results on other woods?

It worked fine enough, just not any better than the Stanley.

quote Drab: "You think I would get different results on other woods?"

yes, big time.

The maples and other harder woods are coming north, but as long as you get up to the BW/Q within the next 50 years or so, you can look forward to cutting the much softer pine, cedar, and birch for your fires.

Add me to the list if you can.

Side-by-side performance comparison:
Silky Bigboy 360 (large teeth) .. approximately 4 years only and has seen about 3 months of trip usage.
Irwin 15" (as reference above) new out of the "box"

Horizontal cross-cut test (~3" dry western red cedar limb with bark on): Irwin was slightly quicker at 43 seconds. Silky did the work in 49 seconds. (I also cut roughly the same diameter material with green growth off the tree. Times were a couple of seconds longer and with the same spread.) The cut on the Irwin was a bit rough, but not bad. The Silky was as smooth as silk (hence the name I guess).

Effort: Single-handed, the Irwin took a tad less effort than the Silky (remember, the Silky has seen some work), and required little effort. Double-handed, the Silky took almost no effort (no double hand option for the Irwin.) Also keep in mind that the Irwin cuts on the push stroke, where the Silky cuts on the pull stroke.

Grip: Both have provide a positive grip. The Irwin is more of the pistol style, where the feel of grabbing a Silky is more like grabbing a hammer. The grip material is more rubberized on the Silky, providing a bit more cushion/shock absorber. (Although not tried for this test, I suspect the Silky would be better in wet conditions.)

Standing cut: When I finished the horizontal cuts, I still had some limbing to do on a few trees around the yard (again western red cedar with limbs up to 3" in diameter). In all honestly, there was no comparison ... Silky hands down!!! The narrower, more flexible blade made it easy to put the blade on the work where needed, even up against the trunk. Keep in mind the cedar here is more a "clump" tree that a vertical shaft, meaning the limbs are very close together. The Irwin's blade was just too wide to get at many of the limbs directly. An additional plus for the Silky is the longer handle. This allows you some "stand off" distance from your work, so you don't have to get tight to the tree.

Trail use: As with any tool, it depends on what your intended use. If your plan is to cut firewood in camp, there is probably no reason to spend the extra $$'s on the Silky. However, if you are looking for something more versatile and would be effective as a trail saw (e.g., working on clearing portages, etc.), I think you'd find the Silky to better fit your needs.

Well, that's my take folks ... your mileage may vary!!

dd

Thanks for the comparison.

I wonder how the Silky with the X-tra large teeth would do, in comparison.

I think I will put it on my Father's day list.

I really appreciate your objective review Dentondoc.

Just wanted to follow up after our trip. I will admit defeat as I had it in my mind there was no way on earth a $13 carpenters saw would perform better than all the $$$ saws out there. But when an overwhelming number of members here recommended the Irwin I figured whats $13. I was simply in awe of how much better this saw worked that all the ones I have tried before.

Attached is a picture of a down cedar we found, it measured about 14" in diameter and one round provided enough wood for a night of cooking and relaxing.

Listing the "Ragged Sheath" in the For Sale forum would be considered a value to the community. Feel free

Another Irwin fan, but I have no experience with the Silky and I appreciate dentodoc's comparison; thanks!

Ragged, could you shoot me an email? Can't find yours. Mine is on my profile.

Thanks.

quote bojibob: "Listing the "Ragged Sheath" in the For Sale forum would be considered a value to the community. Feel free "

Boji, you should see the new ones! I completely redesigned it over the winter. The new ones are the "Rolls Royce" of Irwin saw covers. The new one is a much refined version of the old ones. External webbing retention features mean no more snagging of the webbing. All loose/cut ends of the webbing are completely hidden now, extremely clean looking. Webbing is permanently tensioned, no more tri-glides to cinch up. Body is made of .125" material instead of .090" but there is more weight reducing cutouts to offset it. All rivets are backed up on both sides with stainless mil-spec washers. There is also a quick release belt loop. As always, all Rivets are individually hand set.


Old unit on the left, New 2015 unit on the right

quote Jaymon: "Ragged, could you shoot me an email? Can't find yours. Mine is on my profile.


Thanks."

The envelope located under my name should work, but I can toss you an email just in case.

Silky saws the best.

quote Ragged: "

quote bojibob: "Listing the "Ragged Sheath" in the For Sale forum would be considered a value to the community. Feel free "

Boji, you should see the new ones! I completely redesigned it over the winter. The new ones are the "Rolls Royce" of Irwin saw covers. The new one is a much refined version of the old ones. External webbing retention features mean no more snagging of the webbing. All loose/cut ends of the webbing are completely hidden now, extremely clean looking. Webbing is permanently tensioned, no more tri-glides to cinch up. Body is made of .125" material instead of .090" but there is more weight reducing cutouts to offset it. All rivets are backed up on both sides with stainless mil-spec washers. There is also a quick release belt loop. AS always, all Rivets are individually hand set.



Old unit on the left, New 2015 unit on the right

quote Jaymon: "Ragged, could you shoot me an email? Can't find yours. Mine is on my profile.



Thanks."

The envelope located under my name should work, but I can toss you an email just in case. "

this isn't a knock, its a question. why didn't you come up with a way to eliminate all that excess webbing? better/easier to just have a continuous loop? pk's design just had one small piece of webbing, one side riveted, the other side going to a snap.

quote kanoes: "
this isn't a knock, its a question. why didn't you come up with a way to eliminate all that excess webbing? better to just have a continuous loop?"

People really like the feature, it allows for many different ways of securing it to the outside of the pack, any pack. I myself always run one of the side compression straps through the upper portion for peace of mind, can still pull the saw out eaisly, just don't have to worry about it possibly sliding out if it got caught on something. With the new design you could actually cut the webbing off at any point and it would still hold the saw in as its secured with lugs up near the handle area.

Bought a Silky Boy last fall and used it the first time on my recent 6 day solo. It is a fine saw. Compact, cuts fast and handles well. Easier to handle than my sven saw.

They do go on sale. Probably end of year clearance. At full price it seems expensive, so I watched and found them on sale for $31.95 plus shipping, but due to losing all my email records I can't find where I bought it.

Just found it by searching for Silky Boy saws. I think it was in October or November. Wasn't Amazon.

If I had the need for a new one one of these would be in the running.

Wear heavy gloves when using a Silky. Without a full hand guard, ramming the back of one's hand into a stubby log is quite unpleasant.

I'd be interested in hearing the advantages of the Irwin over my favorite saw (which has already been mentioned here):

Corona RS 7160

Thoughts?

Dang, I bought a Bob Dustrude saw a couple trips ago after using a friend's, and I thought I had the best saw ever.

Not sure I'm convinced I need another one. Interesting though, that a carpenter's saw is getting such a following from the voyageurs!

Joe

quote joewildlife: "Interesting though, that a carpenter's saw is getting such a following from the voyageurs!


Joe
"

and it all got started by portagekeeper.

quote MNDan: "I'd be interested in hearing the advantages of the Irwin over my favorite saw (which has already been mentioned here):


Corona RS 7160


Thoughts? "

The only one piece saw I have used when camping is the Irwin "15 Marathon, so I can't compare it to others. I will say that it cuts through logs with little effort. Little pressure is required unless you're in a hurry. Just draw it through a log for a smooth effortless cut. The sharp offset teeth are the key. With the short, wide and stiff blade, one has to try hard to make it bend and bind.

So DeanL,
It's always a treat when a fine voyageur like yourself leaves a few pieces of split wood for the next guy.

I haven't carried an axe, so I can't pay it forward with split wood, but I do try to leave some cut 1" - 2" pieces for the next guy.

Soooo, not to deviate from the OP but I want to ask you, as a connoisseur of the finest equipment, what do you use to split your wood you are now cutting with the Irwin

Joe

My go to for wood splitting is my Gerber hatchet. I'm not positive of the model because I can't seem to find it but it looks very much like this Freescape Hatchet. It takes a heck of a beating and for the $$ I really don't mind, just touch it up with a stone before each trip and it's good to go. I have a Gransfors small forest axe but just can't work up the courage to bring it on group trips, and the Gerber works just fine.

My wife thinks there's something wrong with me but when you find a dry round like the one in the picture it's hard to not split more wood than you need and leave some behind. I think it's out of disgust for all the green pine and birch trees I see laying around fire pits that didn't burn.

DeanL,
fresh back from Quetico on my 6th backcountry trip, I think back...first couple trips we rarely had a fire. Was introduced to the Bob Dustrude saw http://www.duluthpack.com/bob-dustrude-qui
ck-buck-saw.html

We began to enjoy fires more, being able to make wood.

I'm kinda intrigued by the thought of doing a better job of it...having a good fire invites cooking on the fire which I enjoy. Was introduced to the Purcell Trench Travellers grill http://www.purcelltrench.com/grills.htm which made that a lot easier.

Was introduced to a good fillet knife when I broke my $10 cheapie...
http://www.amazon.com/Grohmann-Knives-Fillet-Leather-Sheath/dp/B003UDFNYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434768833&sr=8-1&keywords=grohmann+fillet+knife

but couldn't swing the cash for it. The Uncle Henry fillet knife is reasonable price and I couldn't be happier with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-168UH-Walleye-Fillet-Leather/dp/B003DZ1YZ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1434768891&sr=1-1&keywords=uncle+henry+fillet+knife

A better tent, sleeping pads, CCS packs, etc. Still need a Katadyn pocket water filter... Point IS, good equipment does add to the enjoyment of the trip!

Long story short, I'll get me an Irwin saw and already have the sheath coming. Was looking at the GB Wildlife hatchet...but too pricey. Like the knife choice, I think I found a more affordable but quality alternative with the Husqvarna 13" hatchet...also made in sweden by the oldest axe manufacturer still in business.

good stuff...can't wait to hit the Q again and have the opportunity and tools to make some good wood and leave a good pile for the next guy!
Joe

Joe,

Glad to hear you had a great trip.

I figured a sheath is a sheath and for the price compared to the saw just about passed on the deal from Ragged. Then I figured what the heck, the saw was so cheap I can justify the sheath. I'll just say that Ragged has his stuff together! The saw fits like a glove and sheath is as rugged and well built as anything I've seen. You'll be very happy with the combination.