Technology

Silky has gathered already 100 years of experience in the production of handsaws, always with the greatest devotion and according to the latest techniques. The special alloys used, the metalworking knowledge and the technical aspects of the different type of teeth configurations stand for a unique quality.

The saw blades of Silky saws are made from Authentic Premium Japanese Steel and cut out by laser. The blades are of unparalleled quality: they are very hard and longwearing, but remain flexible at the same time thanks to the metal’s soft core.

Hard and Wear Resistant

The chemical composition of the metal in combination with the unique heating and cooling process determine the high hardness of the metal. The high carbon content leads to a high wear resistance, so that the sharpness remains for a very long time.

Soft and Flexible

By forging the saws in such a way, the core of the saw tooth consists of soft metal with which the saw stays flexible and grabs the wood with ease.

Furthermore, several models, such as the Sugoi, Hayate and the Tsurugi, are made of high-alloyed steel, which makes the saw blade stronger, more corrosion resistant and better equipped against temperature changes. All saw blades are replaceable and the replacing itself is simple.

On this page these aspects are described extensively. By the pictograms these can be recognized and found on this website.

Materials

4-Retsume

Silky saws with 4-RETSUME teeth belong to the category of fastest handsaws on the market and are very well suited for the toughest jobs. The teeth are grinded in such a way so that every 4 teeth in a row form one combination. This does not only leave a very smooth tree wound but also enables a perfect discharge of saw dust.

Chrome Finish

Chrome plated blade

The chrome plating on the saw blade makes the surface of the blade extremely hard and longwearing, while reducing frictions and increasing the lifetime of the blade. Furthermore, the chrome plating protects the blade from rusting and resin. Before applying the chrome plating, Silky polishes the blade as smooth as silk. This makes that the blade encounters even less resistance in the wood while sawing.

Nickel Coating

The advantage of nickel is that this material pours well into the edges. Therefore, the nickel coating is equal all over the blade and that ensures a smooth surface and less material wastage. The nickel plating is applied after the teeth are ground into the blade. In doing so, the teeth will remain sharp for a long time and are protected against rust.

Process

Electro-Impulse Hardening

Induction hardening

The tips of the teeth are heated up to a very high temperature for a split second. As only the tip (or in other words the cutting part) of the tooth is heated, the rest of the tooth keeps its cutting quality but also its flexibility. Induction hardened teeth have a lifespan of three times that of non-treated teeth. They cannot be sharpened and are recognizable by the black teeth tips.

Benefits

Non-set Teeth

The teeth are grinded in the blade with precision, each with 4 cutting surfaces. The teeth are “non-set” (in compare to a classic Western saw), so that the cutting surface cuts straight into the wood, and destroys about 50% less wood cells in the process. The blades are grinded biconcave: the bottom part of the blade (at the teeth) is thickest, the top part slightly thinner and the blade is thinnest in the middle. This design has several advantages:

• Less power needed to saw: saw extremely fast
• Discharges saw dust effortlessly: no getting stuck in the wood
• Very clean saw cut: without breaking or tearing of the wood, it hardly splinters and creates a very fine, smooth saw cut.

SHARPENABLE

Chrome plated blade

When the teeth are not induction hardened, the blade can be sharpened with a file.

Genki Grip

A number of Silky saws (Tsurugi – Table Noco – Temagari) and axes / machetes (Nata – Ono – Yoki) are equipped with the unique Genki grip. This grip consists of two parts that can be zipped off the blade and placed on a new one without the use of tools. The rubber Genki grip absorbs the sawing vibrations to a maximum as no screws or bolts are attached that could guide the vibrations. The Genki grip offers a superior grip, even in wet conditions or while wearing gloves.

"Mirai Me"

"MIRAI-ME” – Silky’s patented teeth!

The razor sharp teeth are ground in the blade with precision, each with 4 cutting edges and an extremely smooth surface as a result. For an optimal discharge of saw dust, one of every so many teeth (depending on the saw model) has been ground to the outside. This unmatched patented MIRAI-ME technology makes it possible to use the saw for 3 types of sawing: crosscutting (perpendicular to the grain), rip-cutting (parallel to the direction of the grain) and diagonally. During pruning activities the smooth saw cut will allow the tree wound to be overgrown easily. Within carpentry, the smooth saw cut gives a fine finish, so that sanding is hardly necessary.

Rubber "GOM" Handle

GOM rubber handle

The GOM rubber handle absorbs sawing vibrations and offers a superior grip, even in wet conditions or while wearing gloves. Moreover, this handle always feels comfortably warm, even in extremely cold temperatures.

Configurations

Different Types of Handles

Silky uses different types of handles, straight – revolver grip and an intermediate. The handle is of influence on the angle between your saw and wrist, and therewith on how the teeth grab the wood. How bigger the angle between the saw blade and the handle, the better the saw is suited for sawing above shoulder height.

Straight handle: with a straight handle you can steer the wood deduction by the place on where you hold the handle. By holding the handle close to the blade, less tension is placed on the blade and this allows you to saw with great precision and control. The wood loss will be minimal. If you hold the handle further from the blade, there will be more tension on the blade. The saw can be fully utilized but with less precision.

Revolver grip: this handle offers a perfect angle between saw and wrist while sawing. Sawing requires less effort and less vibrations are created. Because the grip is in line with the wrist, the carpal tunnel is not pinched off.

Intermediate: the intermediate combines both styles. You are still capable of steering the wood deduction and the handle allows for an ergonomic angle between saw and wrist.

In case the saw has difficulty grabbing the wood, you could place the saw at a 10 degree angle to make sawing easier.

Different Teeth Configurations

Silky uses different kind of teeth configurations – from extra fine to extra-large. The teeth configuration of the saw is mentioned on the blade, next to the length of the saw.

SILKY TEETH
Large and extra-large: 4 to 8 teeth per 30 mm
Saws with large teeth saw faster and with more aggression. The large configuration is developed for fast growing, fresh wood with a lot of moisture in the wood cells. The extra-large configuration is especially ideal for the tougher jobs, such as cutting down trees or sawing thick tree trunks. When sawing in dry wood with (extra) large teeth, the teeth will have difficulties grabbing the wood and will cause heavy vibrations.

Medium: 10 teeth per 30 mm
The medium teeth configuration is a real all-rounder. Sawing with teeth configuration 10 is suited for both dead and fresh wood.

Fine and extra-fine: 13 to 32 teeth per 30 mm
The fine teeth configuration is specially developed for dry wood or wood with less moisture in the wood cells, such as apple and oak. Extra fine teeth, such as 26 or 32, are specially designed for woodworkers as furniture makers or instrument builders. When sawing with (extra) fine teeth in fresh wood, the teeth will be filled very quickly.

The blades with different teeth configurations within a certain saw series (such as the Pocketboy) are interchangeable within the same blade length.

Different Lengths of Blades

Silky has saw blades available with a length of 13 cm up to 100 cm. The preferred blade length is dependent on the diameter of the wood. You can follow a rule of thumb that the blade should be at least twice as long as the maximum branch diameter you want to cut. For instance, if you are planning to saw a branch of 8 cm, you will need a saw blade of at least 16 cm.

Straight and Curved Blades

There are saws with straight and curved blades. Both are used in different situations:

The straight blade gives a very clean saw cut with more precision than a curved blade. Straight blades are ideal for detailed (formative) pruning activities. Bushcrafters use straight blades to make precision cuts while building shelters, traps and tools.

The curved blade saws faster and with more aggression than the straight blade. While working above shoulder height and below the knees, you can still saw on top of the branch without any extra effort, while your arm, wrist and hand remain in their natural position. Furthermore, you can easily feel when the end of the saw cut is reached. This makes your work more efficient, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Two Sawing Positions

Almost all Silky folding saws can be used in two lock settings. By pressing your thumb on the spring-loaded blade lock, the saw can be unfolded and folded, and, when unfolded, makes it possible to choose between two available blade positions. While unfolding, the saw can be secured in the most ideal position for every situation because of two notches in the blade. The first notch is meant for the most ergonomic sawing position. The second notch offers the possibility to saw on a flat surface while keeping your knuckles away and allows to utilize the full length of the blade to the handle.

The locking mechanism is very solid and provides a secure locking for when the saw is used. There is no play, which is critical to delivering all of your energy into the blade.