In the territory where chainsaws reign supreme, the best saw is still the one you have with you. For a short trip a chainsaw is usually an easy inclusion, but for us the bulk of a chainsaw, 2-stroke or electric, is just too big for everyday carry and remote trips.

Enter the Silky Katanaboy. Made in Japan, this is a professional grade saw and is a go-to for trail builders and arborists the world around.

The blade is 500mm long and is made from SK4 Carbon Steel. The razor sharp teeth are sharpenable to keep the saw performing well for years to come.

The Silky Katanaboy is a pull saw, meaning it cuts on the pull stroke. It also has a full-size handle for an aggressive two-handed grip. Cutting is a simple matter of gliding the saw forward and then applying firm pressure on the pull movement to cut. And cut this Silky does, it’s an absolute weapon!

With no pressure on the push it doesn’t jam like regular saws, and it cuts deep with each effort making it an extremely satisfying tool to use.

This Simpson Desert timber was rock hard and the Katanaboy sliced up a pile of solid pieces of timber which kept our fire burning well into the night.

The security screw and lever locks the blade open or closed. Stowed the Silky Katanaboy measures 665mm and weighs 920 grams.

While it wouldn’t get through every obstacle, there are plenty of blocked tracks that this Silky’s 500mm razor sheep blade would clear with ease. If the timber is softer, or still green, the Katanaboy is a hot knife through butter, and will take relatively large diameter logs in it’s stride.

For us, it’s usually about firewood collection, and our Hultafors axe and Katanaboy are now the perfect tool combination and are both permanent fixtures in our LandCruiser.

Mike Collister

Founder of Adventure Curated, Mike has spent his life outdoors. He has represented Australia as a slalom kayaker, guided whitewater expeditions in Nepal, and taught outdoor education and wilderness medicine. He’s paddled the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River in the wet season, across the Bass Strait and has explored many of Australia’s remote areas by 4x4.