Do you ever wonder why some people carry an axe, and others carry a saw? We’ve all seen the iconic photos of the almighty bushcrafters walking the woods with an axe strapped to the side of their packs. And sure, an axe has its time and place. But a saw processes wood faster. Much faster! It’s also quite the rescue tool to get you un-stranded – which we’ll cover in this post! We’ll also sneak in a little review of my favourite saw, the Silky BIGBOY 2000! So let’s get started.
Spread the Love
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through our links result in a small commission to us at no charge to you. We only recommend products that meet our brand standards based on testing and first hand use by our authors.
The Silky BIGBOY Saw’s Greatest Advantage: Getting Un-Stranded!
Yes, you read that correctly, and obviously, we are not talking about an on-foot situation, as that wouldn’t make sense. No,No, this is for the overland experience by car or that side-by-side trip down a trail. Speaking of trails, maybe even that snowmobile trip you always dreamed of.
The trouble is when you travel down a forest trail or road, you’ll often find a tree that has come down and blocked your way out. That’s if you are lucky. A nasty storm can bring down multiple trees. Going around can often mean a hundred kilometres or more of a detour. And that usually happens when you least expect it.
If you are already wondering why not just go around, imagine a forest so dense even an ATV or sled can’t get by. If you still think it’s not possible, it’s happened to me at least 3 times in the last 5 years – which is why the Silky BIGBOY has a permanent home in my kit!
The axe lovers here will argue they can do anything with an axe. But if you need to cut large limbs, usually in 2 places so you can drag a section off the road, it’s more work than you think, especially if it’s a hardwood and 2 feet in diameter. The Silky 2000 can handle big jobs in 5 minutes without physically draining yourself by hacking at something that feels as hard as a rock and is in the way of your freedom.
Arm your adventure with the ultimate tool - the Silky BigBoy 2000 Folding Saw. From the backcountry adventurist to the outdoor arborist, the Silky's powerful XL teeth and long blade will help you process wood faster. Plus, it's small profile helps fit discretly into any backpack or vehicle's glove box.
- Compact Size
- Excellent Cutting
- Little Cutting Effort Required
- Blades Last a Long Time
- A Bit Expensive
- Doesn't Come with a Sheath
RELATED: Morakniv Garberg Carbon: What Makes Bushcraft Knives So Special?
Processing Wood Faster
Many people will argue this is the saw’s greatest advantage. I place self-rescue in the first place, just because we can avoid so many other problems, potentially serious problems, by getting out of the one we’re already in. But forget rescue or emergencies for a minute. If we’re camping, hiking, overlanding, canoe tripping, and so on, a saw will process wood MUCH FASTER than an axe. And by wood, we mean small trunks for firewood.
Another reason why the BIGBOY is always in my pack. When ATVing and out 30 clicks on a lonely trail, if an emergency presents and I have to spend the night, it won’t be a problem. With fire, we have heat, a source to cook food, and a means to make water safe for drinking.
For those overlanding, heading to a hunt camp, and so on, the saw is a great backup to your chainsaw. If you’ve ever had your chainsaw pinched where you need a second incision to relieve tension (and get your chainsaw back), you’ll know exactly what I mean. If not, maybe you just need to get out more:)
RELATED: Leatherman Charge + TTi: Say Hello to My Little Multi-tool
Why the Silky BIGBOY?
The question should be, why would you want anything else? First and foremost, the Silky BIGBOY is a folding saw. This right here cuts the size down in half when not in use. Not to mention, protect its blade (and you and your pack) in the process. It also fits my 37-litre backpack, zipped up neatly in the back outside pocket, which is outstanding.
Opening up the saw yields a 14.5″ (360 mm) cutting-edge blade length, which is massive for a hand saw. It features 5.5 tpi of XL teeth, allowing for fast cutting and a larger cutting capacity. Not to mention, the hard chrome-plated blade made from Japanese steel also contributes to cutting power. The longer blade makes for a longer stroke, which allows greater reach and to take on bigger material. Couple that with the fact that it only weighs a pound, and you quickly realize you have the potential to carry some serious machinery in a light payload.
Blade Options
When purchasing your BIGBOY, you have options in teeth sizes – marked by a color-coded handle. Here is a breakdown by handle type:
| Colour | TPI * | USE |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow – Extra Large Teeth | 5.5 | Pruning, Green Wood |
| Red – Large Teeth | 6 | Pruning, Green Wood |
| Black – Medium Teeth | 8.5 | Soft Wood |
| Blue – Fine Teeth | 11 | Hard Wood, Bamboo |
I’ve had the pleasure of owning a BIGBOY for years now, and by complete accident, or let’s rephrase that, choice of stock at the time ended up with the yellow handle with extra large teeth. I can wholeheartedly say that because of its razor-sharp teeth, it cuts with ease. Should your blade ever dull, Silky does sell a replacement blade. After all these years, I’m still on my first!
What is the Difference in a Silky BIGBOY “2000”?
Until now, we have referred to the saw as the BIGBOY, which is the model. Silky, by the way, is the manufacturer. So when it comes to the BIGBOY 2000, it simply has a curved blade instead of a straight one, and it only comes in the XL tooth version. If you are wondering, my saw referenced above is a BIGBOY 2000.
Silky claims the low angle curve of the 2000 model “enables cutting branches smoothly and incredibly fast.” I don’t have a regular BIGBOY to compare to and can’t speak to their claim – but their brand and saws are legendary. I would assume that they are both comparable.
Silky Quality
Silky provides a non-slip cushion rubber grip on the saw, which makes for a comfortable grip. It really is well thought out from all aspects. The BIGBOY and the BIGBOY 2000 are Japanese-made, which instills a lot of confidence. If that’s not enough, their limited lifetime warranty should dispel any quality concerns. After years of use, mine looks brand new. I can’t imagine requiring any warranty service.
Are There Any Issues with the Silky BIGBOY Saw?
Only one. But it’s super minor and also easily fixable yourself! So, this would be the moment we should mention the blade locks in place in the open position. That’s expected, of course. But there’s no locking mechanism to keep it closed in its folded state. The saw would open up in my pack, and I would worry about damaging the insides of the backpack and/or other items in the same pocket.
For a good year, I used a simple Velcro cable wrap. Once set to the right size, you could slide it over the end of the saw until snug to keep it closed. A friend of mine had the same squabbles with his saw – so I gave him the Velcro solution. However, you can’t lose the Velcro, and it’s an extra step every time you pull out or put away the saw.
Then, I found an even better solution:
Other Saws to Consider
Perhaps getting stuck somewhere is never a concern for you. Or maybe you don’t need to cut bigger chunks of wood. So be it. But if a saw still sounds like a good idea, consider the Silky POCKETBOY. And, of course, we have one of these as well, and yes, it fits perfectly into your back pocket! 🙂
The Silky Pocket Boy saw model comes in 2 sizes: 5.12″ (130 mm) or 6.69″ (170 mm), the smaller one weighing only 170g (6.0 oz.). It, too, features an excellent grip. I don’t know about you, but when I order black forest ham at the deli, it’s usually 200 grams, which is a pretty small bundle. In other words, the saw lives up to its “pocket” name in size and weight.
Unlike the BIGBOY, the POCKETBOY comes in a hard plastic sheath that keeps it perfectly secure. The sheath is attachable to a belt or pack. It is an outstanding piece of gear to add to any kit and a very HANDY item to carry in your pocket if frequent cutting is your thing.
Conclusion
We will always stand behind our comment that the saw is mightier than the axe. But then again, the hardcore bushcrafters will always want both, and the combination of things you can do with these 2 tools is limitless. So, who knows? Maybe you want both as well. You can not go wrong with either the Silky BIGBOY or POCKETBOY. They both offer superior control for smoother, faster cutting and peace of mind in the outdoors.
Do you have any cutting experience you want to share? Comment down below.
Further Reading
We can’t write a novel about a saw, but the good news for you blade lovers is we have a very in-depth review of the Morakniv Garberg Carbon. It’s a wicked bushcraft knife that should always go hand in hand with that shiny new Silky saw. Just don’t forget the band-aid aisle!
