WHICH IS BETTER SILKY VS BAHCO 

I loved my Bahco for a long time, but once I started using the Silky there was no going back.

The bahco took you 64 strokes. The silky took 34. I just love your demonstrations. You cover everything and explain it perfectly 👍. Thanks for all the tips and tricks you show us. Keep em coming

"But you gotta rake out a lot more material". At age 79, I am ashamed to admit that the logic of this reasoning never occurred to me. Thank you, Blackie, for educating an old man. I would love to have a saw that incorporates the best features of both saws, especially the push/pull cut (but I may be wrong about that). BTW, the Bahco required ~60 strokes, the Silky ~30.

I own both as well, but if I had to pick only one to get through a survival situation, I’d take the Bahco Laplander. Why? It’s more durable, which means more reliable. It’s not always about speed and effort guys. -Stephen, Ohio 🇺🇸

Love my Silky saws, they are amazing! One of the best purchases I've ever made, no regrets. 👍

I have the new silky outback edition on order can't wait to get my hands on that bad boy

Well done sir. I concur fully. I learned this lesson the hard way. Broke my first Silky within the first few minutes. That was 2 years ago, haven't broke one since.

Sir, you truly have a knack for teaching. Love the content!

Got me a silky months ago. Tbh I never really thought about push/pull cutting when using a hand saw,as I've ALWAYS coasted pushing and RIPPING on the backstroke,it just always felt natural. Full disclosure learned how to do that from Gramps as a kid helping him cut wood for the fireplace and his woodburning stove. Great stuff as usual Blackie

Nice explaining the differences, thanks.

Great review. Both work very well. Each has pros and cons and I see folks do great things with both. For me the difference is - I dont lend silky to the new guy - thats how they get bent or broken.

I got a Bahco earlier this year, and I love it. But have been seeing others using the Silky and wondering how they went head to head before I bought it. I'm glad I found this video. Buying the Silky now.

I own both makes of saws and love both equally. I like the fact that the blade can be locked on the bahco and if someone want to borrow a saw I would lend them the bahco because it is indestructible and anyone can saw using it but a lot of people end up breaking the silky blades. I have 3 silky, Pocketboy, F180 and a 270mm long Oyakota. I have one for every occasion. Oh the little hole you ask about is a thumb knick to help you open the blade out. Great video. Kind regards.

I'm so glad I found your channel. I've been debating on which of these to buy and no one had a real comparison that I'd seen. Glad to hear the comparison! Everything I'd read seemed to put them close, but I couldn't see the difference very much in a single comparison video lol.

I advise THE Silkey Ultra Accel recurve for soft and fresh wood!! And THE Silkey Ultra Accel Taiko For hard and dead wood!! I swear by them!! I got 2 of them each!! So 4 in total. 2 are new for backup or trade items!! They are worth their weight in gold!!! No Bacco for me!! You are doing a great job!! Keep it up!! Greetings from the Netherlands!!!

Excellent review! You really touched on key points nobody else did in the other videos I watched.

HEY THIS IS BLACKIE..THANKS FOR WATCHING MY VIDEO..THESE ARE BOTH GREAT SAW TO CARRY IN A HAVERSACK..FOLLOW ALONG AS I GIVE MY THOUGHTS ON WHICH SAW IS THE BEST

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate all the YT content providers sharing what they know. I know lots of things and share them one on one with anyone whose shows an interest, but I don't take the time to make videos, so I give props to those of you who do. I think that hole in the blade is like the nail nick in a pocket knife's blade. I think you'll find that, when you tighten up the blade screw enough to ensure the blade stays closed, if its cold enough for gloves, that little slot provides just enough friction to keep your gloved fingers from sliding off the blade when you try to open the saw. You mentioned the availability of a second type blade for the Bahco, so since you didn't do the same for the Silky, I assume you may not be aware that most of their saws have more that one tooth pitch available for them also. They have even been praised for their ability to do rip cuts with the more aggressive pitch for each saw. The spare blade also fits the screw slot, so it makes for a tool free swap in the field, if you carry both with you.

Never snapped a bahco blade, snapped three silkies. Both are great I think it also depends on the wood you are cutting, your knowledge on said wood and the blades you are using. I prefer the robustness of the bahco to be honest.

Thanks for the video Blackie.

Blackie, I really like the way you tested both saw. Telling the pro and can on both saw. Thank Tim L.

Thank you the information Blackie being retired you must choose wisely I am going to get silky.

Found that the dual position has an effect on Flat 2x4 type lumber, square stakes, posts etc. Silky Saw in position 1 for round forest timber, however change to position 2 for flat, type wood products. Position 2 permits a less aggressive biting action and allows smooth gliding over a flat board of wood, and it cuts amazingly. Position 1 is steep and grabs the flat timbers to much, preventing a rythmic pull power stroke. Give it a whirl and see. Cheers!

Thanks Blackie: very helpful!

Thanks Blackie. Another great video! I have a Silky and do a fair amount of pruning with it. Very roughly speaking, I measured 30 seconds and about 60 strokes with the Bacho and 15 seconds and 35 strokes for the Silky. Far from scientific, but the Silky seems faster with the aggressive teeth

Thanks Blackie. i just recently purchased my second Bahco...may need to invest in a silkie as well

Excellent point regarding the pull saws, if one knows how to use them right very little effort is needed because the tendons do most of the work, push saws require muscle to stabilize the structure and move the saw forward.

Great review! I have both and still use both however I also prefer the Silky, I have the Silky 650 as well and as you have said it will cut through a 6" piece of wood and larger pretty quick. You may have mention this and and I probably missed it but the Silky blades have a slight taper from blade to spine and I believe this is to reduce binding of the blade. I wasn't sure of this on the COMBOY so I had to check, and it is thiner at spine. Again... Great video! I have gained a lot of info from watching your videos!

Thanks for a fair review of both of these saws. - Tennessee Smoky

Most guys can probably do pushups, but not many can do 100 pound curls in each arm. Either way, cutting on the pull is better because the action keeps the blade and cut straight while cutting on the push can buckle the blade and throw off the angle of the cut. Cheers.

In the country where Bachos are made they are a hunter camping saw as the teeth have a special set to them so they cut bone very well where poor old silky cant I own both and love them both

I own both saws and I agree with ya....I like the Silky better. I own the Gomboy 240 and it has more momentum with the pull and longer reach. My Bahco I keep in my vehicle emergency kit as a back up and the Silky is in my bug out bag! I also recommend the Corona Razor Tooth saw. It's another fav folding blade used by outdoorsmen. Awesome video bro 😃

Awesome video as always. I recently bought a SOG folding saw that didn’t last long before the blade broke a couple of inches from the tip. That’s $35 wasted. The blade was thin, but it cut on the push and pull stroke so it ate thru wood well. But since it broke, I went back to my cheap Walmart version saw I got from my work. It works ok, but I may be getting a Bacho soon. Stay safe and be well. Thanks for sharing.

I have owned both and they are both good. But for my money I would go with a Corona brand saw. Little over $20 and I believe it out preforms either of those.

Which one is it I have a 180 silky and I love it

Hello! I notice that you use the Japanese domestic version of the Gomboy. The export version has the words Professional on them and has a much thicker blade!

The first pull pruning saws I used was back in 1977 when I worked in an orchard. In the Winter and early Spring we pruned apple trees. I just reversed the blades. There are a few smallish specialty bow saws for pruning that much forward, but they don't cut in a tangle of branches. In 2005-2007, I pruned trees in my neighbor's orchard I also had few jobs on the side a few years earlier. the American made folding saws were garbage. In the orchard the owner got a few Bahco's and they were OK. When working as a forestry technician for a city, I got tired of trashy saws so I bought a Silky for myself, showed it to the crew boss and Forester. one day. They replaced the crews saws! Silky Pocket Boy also has a finer blade that can be used in finer bushcraft and craftwork. Eventually I picked up a Silky Big Boy that is used for much of the pruning I do around here, it also is used to fell moderate sized trees without a chainsaw. A few times it was used to release a stuck chainsaw. Keep one on the tool belt of tool bucket when out in the woods. Enjoy.

Great comparison. I do like the Japanese style of cut on pull ,and liked comments on possibility of deflection on pushing blade .

I noticed my Bahco had difficulty striking my ferro rod. I guess the Silky Saw is better if you aren't doing a speed test. Being old, I will always use the slow and steady methodology (plus is uses less energy). Great video.

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

I think you make an great point. They are both good saws.... I have not owned a Silky, I do have a Bako that I have yet to have the opportunity to use... I also have a Gerber Hunters saw that has a wood blade and bone blade.... I have used the heck out of that cause its on my hunting belt. Its a little smaller than the Bako but defiantly works well. I honestly feel the biggest difference between the two saws described is experience.... I feel a Bako would be more friendly to a novias bush crafter verses the silky. But then again that depends on experience with tools ect.... Most of all Great video. Thanks for your time.

I love the Silky saws. I can cut a ton of wood and not get tired. I've never heard of or tried the other ones. The Bahco since it has a thicker blade it means it's moving more wood. Meaning more work.

I'd still go with Bahco. European vs. Asian.

I agree with you for the most part, I love them both and in the short run, Silky is a bit better. The only thing is and you'll have the same experience I'm sure, over a couple of years time the Silky will not be as sharp yet the Bacho will still be impressively sharp. I've had my Bachco for 3 years now and my Silky for 2 years and my Bacho is impressively sharper than my Silky is, in fact my Silky really needs a new blade. Now you shocked me when you said that you had to put a 90° spine on your Bacho? Mine came with a perfect 90° spine straight out of the package, I have demonstrated that it throws awesome sparks a couple of times in my videos. I've never had to do anything to mine either, it still has a perfect 90° spine on it. Nevertheless, awesome video and I appreciate your upfront, non biased, and honest review between the two. Like I said, I own and love them both. Take care and stay awesome my brother 🙂

I have both and carry both. Both have their pro and cons. One pro with the Bacho is you can sharpen the blade if you had to in the field with a triangle file. The Silky you will have to replace the blade... when it dulls which will be a long time.

Great video Blackie! I think I will at lone last give the silky a try. Thanks Blackie!

Bahco is great for cutting roots while Silky is great for green woods.

An excellent informative discussion & if I hadn't just bought a BAHCO I'd be ordering the Silky right now. After limited use, I'm unimpressed with the BAHCO. Between sale price & bank card promotion, I've only got a few buck$ invested in the BACHO Laplander, but I guess I'll pay market price for the Gomboy & like you, save the BAHCO for the bug out bag.

Both are excellent saws I believe .. each with their specific pros and cons and fan base. Me .. I've got a cheap little Felco (a Pull Saw) .. bought at my local 'Bau Centre' in the Garden Section. It does what it has to do .. and if necessary, spare blades are just down the road. Pull Saws .. I believe that Japanese Carpenters favour Pull Saws in that they also give a 'more accurate / precise cut'. A good review .. thanks.

Bahco is n't only a wood saw.it's a saw designed to cut other materials too, like bones, plastic etc. It's blade is tempered with toughness in mind, so it can never fail (break) It's a soldiers, or hunters saw, that can perfectly be the best saw, for a survival situation, because of it's versatily and it's toughness. Silky saws, are the opposite, they are wood saws, that are not designed to have tough blades, but hard and sharp ones. That's why they cut wood faster. Now, what's better or not, since we compare different tools, that are designed for different purposes, that leads to what's your needs. You want a wood saw? Silky is what you should choose. For hunters, prepers, survival etc... Bahco is the best choice out there. Other good quality wood saws, that worth mentioning, are the Opinel No12 and the Corona saws. Hope, this helps.

I chose Silky, too.

Imo the bahco is best for beginners or survival as its practically indestructible, the silky cuts faster and smoother but takes proper technique or will certainly break lol. I think the hole in the silky blade just serves as a kind of nail nick to easily open with gloves on, id be interested to know for sure tho lol.

If the tool cuts on the pull stroke, it can be made of thinner metal. A thin blade has to cut and displace less material to make a kerf. It will cut with less work. A thinner blade is more apt to break when it occasionally binds on a push stroke. If you use good technique, never get fatigued, never get cold hands, and never make mistakes with your sawing motion, the thin blade works great. A bow saw is much, much less likely to bend or break, even with a thin blade. So, as a tool, the thin-bladed pull saw works best. A thicker-bladed folding saw is more work, but is less likely to fail catastrophically, while way out in the boonies. So it's the better folding saw for survival. A bow saw is tougher than either. Its blades are cheaper, and are light weight, which allows easier carrying of a spare blade. Either you fabricate the frame in the field, or a complete bow saw is a lot to carry. It requires a pack. It's not for belt or pocket carry. My attitude is: take a saw with you that can at least cut a 4" limb. If you're gonna be way out in the boonies, don't carry one thin-bladed saw as your only saw.

Silky for the win

I have the Silky SuperAccel21. It has an aluminum handle instead of the steel handle of the Gomboy. Mine has the large teeth, but a fine tooth blade is available.

I've been comparing these two hand saws for a few weeks now myself and it's turned out to be a tough choice for me. My mind was made-up until just a few minutes ago when I started watching this year old video that popped-up in my feed suggestions. I was definitely going with the Bahco, I come to that decision because it cuts both ways, so I figured heck can't go wrong there. I even argued with someone on another video about it. I was like how can a saw that only cuts one way be better than a saw that cuts two ways:) HA! Guess I should just do like you and get'em both:) Back to the drawing board I guess, good review Blackie...

Excellent explanation of the quality of these two saws. I have owned a couple of Bacos and the Silkys are far superior in my opinion.

Finally made up my mind the silky 210 is on it's way.

Going to have a village in Japan named after you just like the one in Nepal!! 😂 and I agree 100% with you, I own and use both. Cheers

Thumbs up!!! Clark

Retired carpenter. I have a folding reciprocating saw that takes all kinds of blades from metal to crosscut to 12'' pruning blades. Three position handle, smaller than the other two, very compact. I have Silky and Bahco but my reciprocating saw beats them both by a long shot. Been using it for 25+ years. I carry a variety of blades in my bugout bag so I can cut locks or wood etc no problem and lots of easy to find disposable blades.

Had a cheaper folding saw before the Bahco. It warped with the heat being produced when I was cutting up a fair bit of hard wood. The Bahco has never done that. It's very reliable, a tried and tested bit of kit. I'm sticking with the Bahco.

I own both. Use both. For durability & comfort, I'll take the Laplander. However In terms of calories expended per cut, the Silky is a much better option, but it isn't as durable as the Laplander and the blade isn't as tough.

You could use bank line or small cordage in a loop with a cord lock through the mid blade hole on the Silky to hold blade closed. After removing, use it as wrist lanyard. Cheers

Good video Blackie.I own the Silky

Good side by side comparison. I’m still interested in seeing the video on those quick adjust pre-made guylines.

Try the 10 inch Corona I think it’s the sweet spot in between the two…

'Lenox trifold folding saw handle' takes all reciprocating saw blades. Its similar to silky or Bahco saw handle but takes all kinds of blades. Disposable blades, easy to find in any hardware store. Blades can be bent to cut into tight areas and bent back. Other companies make similar folding saw handles

Best review of the 2 I've seen . Think I will buy the silky. Been wanting to up grade my saw.

I use a sawzall at home for limbing, hell with a hand saw. Backpacking on the other hand. Bacho is more durable.

Nice Work Blackie! now regarding the pull cutting stroke, I think there are 2 more reasons behind it. All Japanese wood working tools are pull cutting, and that I think has also got to do with the fact that drawing enhances accuracy of motion. And for being a pruning saw, let's not forget that branches to be cut are ABOVE the user mostly. So a pull stroke is both intuitive And necessary.

Just got myself the Bahco, it will accompany my Samuray Ichiban saw. Was tempted by the Silky. Great demo, great description of quality of both saws.

The $20 Corona also has a Japanese blade .

Bahco for long term bug out = Gorilla proof slow but sure. Silky week ends as faster but can break easier and that's ok for a weekend the silky is less forgiving and in a survival situation / cold / injured / ..... Mistakes can happen and the Bahco is some what more forgiving. In the end both are great tools for the Correct task / conditions. There is no right or wrong here just have both and enjoy the outdoors. How I see it with 60+ years experience. Your mileage may vary.

Bahco have teeth for dry wood, bone,... Silky have teeth for pruning... So two different teeth... Bahco have 396 JT BLADE and cut like Silky becouse they both have teeth for pruning and compare Silky and Bahco 396 JT BLADE, now that would be fair test. Best regards

I have no idea what the hole in the blade is for. Just saw replacement blades for The Silky Super Accel on eBay that does not have a hole. Also saw a complete saw for sale on Wesspur that did not have a hole in the blade. My Super Accel does have the hole in the blade.

Iv owned PB 170 & ultra excell 240 for 4 + yrs. Hole is to grip w/ thumb & fore finger to open blade. Not to hang it. Use that grey matter.

Ive always wondered who was the actual woodsman who introduced this idea of carrying a folding saw. Anyone got any idea?? Thanks Blackie

might have to get a silky

Silky big boy and small silky for me I have a Baco and for the life of me I can not find where I put it .maybe lost in the woods .😢

Ill bet the whole on the silky saw blade is for one handed opening.

silky cuts a lot better but the bacho is a lot harder to misuse and break. broken saws dont cut, the bacho you can just bend back into place is you bend it. that being said ive got 2 silkys and prefer them over the bacho. if i were to gift someone a saw who doesnt have one it will 100% always be the bacho because its more reliable in a beginners hands

I got a hammock it's got a netting for mosquitoes and bugs that's hooked on permanently zipper to where I can get out of it but it takes two lines to put it dang it right can I use those two lines as a Ridgeline

Nothing you said is not true. On the other hand nobody is forcing you to put pressure on the push stroke using the Bahco. Of course if you don't this will make it slower but it will stay in one piece. On the other hand if you do make the mistake to put pressure on the push stroke with the Silky it's very likely to snap. Silky even warns about this and you see many videos where this happened even with very experienced people. Sure they are both pruning saws. You can get different blades for different types of wood for the Silky so that's a pruning advantage as long as you have these other blades or can order them online. The Bahco Laplander will even cut bone. Now this extended part on the Silky you use for striking your ferro rod will also rub through your pack or haversack in time. The Bahco Laplander has an all smooth rounded housing and won't rub through fabric in a hurry. It's also locked in the closed position. So even though they are basically the same size and could be considered pruning size saws there's a whole different mindset behind the two saws. To compare them one on one is like comparing a filet knife with a thick saber grind all purpose knife. But your conclusion is right. Going out in the garden get the right Silky with the right blade, order some spare blades online. Throwing in your pack get the Bahco and call it a day.

try cutting fat wood with both and tell me which one you like best. We have had the silky plug and stop cutting. Bahco keeps on going. Just my personal observations.

ARS and Tagima.

60+ cuts for Bahco, 30+ for Silky. bigger teeth better. i would buy Silky

Doesn't the Silky blades have a tendency to break? Where the Bahco blade flexes a lot more and resists that.

Silky took about 33 full strokes. The other blade took about twice as many full strokes.

Silky silky silky! Trendy

The fact that many American's think that sawing is on the push stroke just means they have forgotten how to use a hand saw. It has always been a greenhorn problem not to know what kind of saw they are using and trying to power through the process. You could find the same number who do not know how to properly use a hammer or an ax.

medium teeth or large teeth 210

I'll say it again, the only way a Silky blade is broken is through USER ERROR. Is it easy to do? Yes it is, but YOU broke it, the saw didn't break. It isn't a design flaw, or a defect. YOU broke it. All these people blaming the tool are simply not using it right. Don't buy or use a tool unless you use it correctly, goes for any tool. I've used Sandvik Laplanders (pre-Bahco) for decades before finding Silkys. There is NO comparison. (Edit) I think the hole is simply a notch to help open the blade.

Ive cut alot of wood with a Bahco. I swear it looked to me like you purposely went slow

Do u have a link were u can get it

So when you pull something you use both your biceps and your back muscles, but when you do a pushing action, you use only your triceps? No pectoral muscles? Hmm. Have you ever noticed that doing push ups is somewhat easier than doing pull ups? Someone who cannot execute a single pull up might be able to do a couple of push ups, and a fit person who can do both will always do twice or thrice as much when going for max reps?

Regarding the hole in the Silky Saw blade: It's been suggested that it's to provide a 'bite' for your fingers/thumb when opening the blade. Another possibility is that it's used in the manufacturing process as a second anchor point (the first being the hole at the base of the blade for mounting to the handle) that is used to anchor the blade for sharpening purposes. It's definitely not for 'hanging' the saw, as the hole is too small and not at all positioned properly to serve as a way to hang a saw (such as from a wall nail, as many carpenter saws have holes at the ends of their blades for just that purpose). One suggestion I've heard ... which I thought was hilarious given your 'how to lock a Silky Saw' video (great tip by the way) ... was so that you could put a zip-tie through there to lock the blade down ... LOL ! That would render the darn thing useless unless you've got something to cut the zip-tie off with every time you used it ... and had extra zip ties every time you were done with it.

If.there were.more.than one.hole in the.blade.id almost bet it was for cooling the.blade.but I could be totally wrong

ill just use my kukri

Silky is better