Silky Gomboy
Score: 90/100
Suizan Ryoba
Score: 92/100Rankings
The Suizan Ryoba is a professional-grade Japanese pull saw featuring a 9.5-inch double-edge blade with 9 TPI for rip cuts and 15 TPI for cross cuts. It utilizes razor-sharp Japanese steel with a thin kerf to deliver clean, precise cuts with minimal effort, available in folding and fixed handle variants.
The Silky Gomboy Curve is a durable, versatile folding pruning saw featuring a curved 240 mm blade optimized for aggressive cutting of branches, dry timber, and bone. Its replaceable blade system and secure locking mechanism make it a favorite among professionals, though it is heavier than ultralight options. It is best suited for arborists and bushcrafters needing heavy-duty performance.
| Attribute | Silky Gomboy | |
|---|---|---|
9.45 inches | 9.5 inchesbest | |
6.8 TPIbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.57 lbs | 0.44 lbsbest |
17.5 inches | 23.62 inchesbest | |
— | 0.5 mmbest | |
— | 2.5 inchesbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | Silky Gomboy | |
|---|---|---|
Handle & Ergonomics(2) | ||
Handle Material | Rubber-clad Steel | Cane-wrapped or Polypropylene |
Handle Type | Fixed | Interchangeable |
Dimensions & Weight(2) | ||
Weight (lbs) | 0.57 lbs | 0.44 lbs |
Overall Length (inches) | 17.5 inches | 23.62 inches |
Performance & Usage(3) | ||
Intended Use | Pruning, Bushcraft | Woodworking |
Saw Type | Folding | Japanese Pull Saw |
Suitable Materials | Wood, Bone | Wood |
Blade Specifications(4) | ||
Blade Length (inches) | 9.45 inches | 9.5 inches |
Teeth Per Inch (TPI) (TPI) | 6.8 TPI | 9/15 TPI |
Blade Thickness (mm) | mm | 0.5 mm |
Blade Width (inches) | inches | 2.5 inches |
Build & Durability(1) | ||
Blade Coating | Chrome/Black Plated | null |
General(1) | ||
Warranty | Limited Lifetime | null |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors praise the Silky Gomboy Curve as a 'reworked classic' that excels in cutting speed and durability, highlighting its special taper-ground design and impulse-hardened teeth.
Everyday consumers commonly praise the saw for its razor-sharp cutting speed, often describing it as cutting 'like butter' and being capable of one-handed operation. Recurring complaints focus on the saw's weight and rougher kerfs on smaller limbs.
Professional reviewers, including Jonathan Katz-Moses, praise the Suizan Ryoba as a personal favorite for all-around hand sawing due to its weight balance, sharp edge, and thin kerf. Experts highlight the efficiency of the pull-stroke design and the durability of the Japanese steel, though they note that users must adapt to the non-cutting forward motion.
Everyday consumers commonly praise the saw for its immediate sharpness, smooth cutting performance, and lightweight efficiency compared to Western saws. Users appreciate the versatility of the dual-edge blade and the value for Japanese quality. Recurring complaints focus on the difficulty of cleaning cane handles, the initial learning curve for the pull stroke, and occasional cosmetic cracks in the hand-wrapped handles.
“cuts like butter”
“eats through wood at an almost shocking rate”
“incredibly sharp”
