Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I looked long and hard for a good pole saw. I tried the typical hardware store saws with the cord operated lopper. ($60) The round steel handle had way too much flex and it was so heavy at the blade end, I'd only want to use it a few minutes at a time. Next I tried the type with the mini chainsaw at the top. Even worse. Arm fatigue was killing me. And the cutting, very slow.
Finally I bought the Silky. Unbelievable! This saw is so light, I can work for hours. I live on 11 acres in the forest. I limb up the pines and firs for forest fire mitigation. Over the last two years, I have limbed a couple hundred trees (a few thousand limbs) with the silky. The blade is incredibly sharp and thin. This is typical of Japanese cutting tools. It will glide through a three inch fir branch in a dozen strokes.
But, as with all Japanese saws, force does not make it work better. This saw requires a very light touch and it will go through just about anything. Which is good, because it lowers your fatigue level. If you try to add force, you will cause the handle to bow and the blade can bounce out of the cut. This is a user problem, not the saw's. Cutting something 20 feet above your head is not the time to be impatient.
The build quality is very nearly bulletproof. The handle locks are easy to use and rock solid. Not once have they failed. The handle is oval shaped in cross-section, which gives this saw a wonderful stiffness when extended, compared to others I've used. After two years of moderately heavy use, the blade still cuts like new. Again, not surprising when you consider that the Japanese had steel figured out before the Mayflower landed. Just look at those Samurai swords from 400 years ago.
Considering the one-star negative review from another user, I would suggest that the company send instructions with the saw. Japanese saws work on the pull stroke, which is lighter and more accurate than our western saws, (which we push). This is a difficult concept for westerners to grasp. But once you get the feel of it, it works like a charm. The act of buying a good tool doesn't automatically make you a craftsman. But this beautiful instrument will teach you what it wants, and if you pay attention and learn, it will outperform any other pole saw you can buy. Maybe it's a zen thing.
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Silky Telescoping Landscaping Pole Saw HAYAUCHI 390 16-Feet 178-39The Hayauchi pole saw has rigid aluminum poles that quickly extend to desired cutting length. The base pole has a comfortable rubber grip. The extension lock with spring loaded buttons at the end of each length. The nearly 16-inch blade not only sports the largest teeth available in a razor tooth design, but has a sharpened base and tip for scoring the branch, to avoid ripping damage to the branch collar. The upper sickle is used to cut vines; the lower one - to undercut bark allowing a clean cut without damaging the tree. The aluminum alloy extension pole is oval shaped, giving precise control to the direction of the saw blade (especially important for high cutting) and also giving strength and rigidity to the pole, reducing bending to the minimum. Push buttons allow multiple length adjustments and safety clamps hold the extensions firmly in place. A rubber hand-grip ensures good hold and control. The blade is adjustable for lower or higher cutting.Replacement parts list (340K pdf file)Product Features:2-Extensions (3 poles) model that extends to 16 feetExtension range 7'-8" to 16' (2,350 to 4,900mm) Maximum working reach 21 feet 15.35" (390mm) length chrome plated blade with 5.5 teeth per inch (6.5 teeth per 30mm) Approximate weight 2,250g (4.97lb) A lightweight and rigid aluminum oval shaped pole Double lock system insures your safety while working Comes with its own full length, hard plastic scabbard Limited lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanshipDo not use this item near electrical hazards.
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