Bushcraft? Pruning? Firewood? This saw makes it all easy

You’re looking for a folding saw that makes you wonder why you ever found sawing wood difficult? Read Fi’s review of the Silky Gomboy Curve saw.

Made by experts. Perfect for amateurs.

And I should know as I’m relatively new to bushcraft and have never really been that great with a pruning saw. My Silky Gomboy Curve was a most welcome Christmas present. It’s taken me from, ‘Please can you saw this for me?’ to someone who goes out to find new things to saw. I’ve even used it to help me carve my first spoon.

My name is Fi and I can finally saw in a straight line. 

‘Wow that’s sharp!’ Was the first thing I said when I opened up my new saw. Of course I touched the teeth, but only once. There are so many of them, and they are so sharp, it’s no wonder this saw cuts so well.

I immediately loved the size and weight of this Silky Gomboy Curve saw as well as its curved shape, and thought the hard case that came with this Outback edition was a really good idea.

My first cut with it was a 10cm piece of green sycamore. Not difficult for most people but I’ve always struggled before. Not anymore. I was so pleased with the clean, straight cut, I brought it home to show my husband.

5/5

PROS

Amazing cutting performance

Nickel and tin coated blade (and teeth)

Two blade positions

Comfortable easy-grip handle

CONS

More flexible blade than some

Holster not included

Super easy. The blade pulls out as you would expect and the safety catch is sensibly placed for closing and ease of use. The super-sharp teeth bed in quickly with the first couple of cuts and have made speedy work, with no slipping, of everything I have so far tried to cut.

Actually like a saw through butter.

With a kerf (slot width) of only 1.3mm, the Silky Gomboy curve does have a more flexible blade than I’m used to. This has made me more careful with my cuts but so far, I haven’t had any problems. If I did, replacement blades are available.

I did initially find this saw fiddly to get back in its protective case but I’ve now worked out how to orientate it.

Sharper than any hand saw I’ve used before. The nickel and tin coated teeth on the Gomboy Curve cut through wood in a remarkably short amount of time.

Unlike my Laplander pruning saw, which cuts both forwards and back, the Silky cuts only on the pull stroke (towards you). You might think this makes it less efficient but it absolutely doesn’t. The Silky is so sharp it cuts much more quickly. I now enjoy making a small stack of firewood for my firepit, and it takes a fraction of the time.

And gives me much less arm ache.

If the value of a tool is measured in the amount of enjoyment the user gets out of it, then the Gomboy Curve scores very high in my book.

But if we’re measuring value just in price, it’s nearest rival (that I have tried) is the Bahco Laplander folding saw, which retails at £20 plus. By comparison, this Gomboy Curve Outback edition costs £55 plus.

For a first-time purchase, the Laplander is a great folding saw. I have both but if I lost them, I’d be saving up to buy the Silky saw again. It’s a touch more delicate but it gets the job done with far more ease.