Silky Zubat and Silky Tsurugi are the two best-selling scabbard saws on our site. Every other arborist has one of them on their belt. The question we get most from customers who call in is: "Which one should I choose?"
The short answer: Zubat if you work with mixed wood and want the most reliable choice. Tsurugi if you work in dense canopies and prioritize precision over power.
The longer answer takes two minutes to read.
Both are good. That's not why the answer is difficult.
Both are made in Japan with Silky's MIRAI steel. Both have a curved or tapered blade for a better cutting curve. Both have a scabbard that attaches to your belt or harness. Both last for several years if you take care of them.
The differences lie in three things: blade width, tooth characteristics, and weight. These factors determine which one suits your type of work.
Zubat: wider blade, more power
Silky Zubat Professional 330 has a curved blade that is slightly wider than the Tsurugi. The width does three things.
Steadier cuts in thick wood. The blade flexes less when you apply more force through it, making straight cuts straighter.
Better on dry and hard wood. Oak leaves, larch, old willow branches. The Zubat handles them without a fuss.
Deeper tooth. When you make a deep cut, it goes faster with the Zubat because each tooth takes a bigger bite.
The disadvantage is that the width makes it more cumbersome in tight branch structures. If you work a lot in the inner part of a dense canopy, where you have to maneuver the saw between intersecting branches, the Zubat will hit more often than the Tsurugi.
Price: SEK 767 for complete with scabbard. Replacement blade SEK 483.
Tsurugi: narrower blade, more precision
Silky Tsurugi Curve 330 has a narrower, tapered blade. That's where all the difference lies.
The narrow blade fits into tight spaces. Intersecting branches, dense canopies, pruning where you need to angle the saw sideways.
Tapered grinding means the blade is thinner at the tip than at the handle. This reduces friction. The saw glides more easily through the cut, especially on semi-dry to completely dry branches.
The slim design also makes the Tsurugi lighter. You won't notice it after one cut, but after a full day's work, you'll feel it in your arm.
The disadvantage is that the blade can feel less stable when making thick cuts over 8 cm. It flexes more than the Zubat. For precision work, it doesn't matter. For rigging jobs where you're bringing down large branches, you'll notice it.
Price: SEK 899 for complete. Replacement blade SEK 479.
Direct comparison
| Zubat 330 | Tsurugi Curve 330 | |
|---|---|---|
| Blade width | Wider | Narrower |
| Grinding | Standard | Tapered |
| Weight | Slightly heavier | Slightly lighter |
| Max branch thickness (comfortable) | 10–12 cm | 7–9 cm |
| Best for | All-round, mixed wood, thick branches | Precision, dense canopy, clean pruning |
| Complete price | SEK 767 | SEK 899 |
| Replacement blade price | SEK 483 | SEK 479 |
Which one suits you?
Here's how we reason with customers who call:
If you're a generalist arborist who does tree felling, crown reduction, and rigging: Zubat. It handles everything.
If you mainly work with shaping ornamental trees, fruit trees, or medium-sized urban trees where precision cuts matter: Tsurugi.
If you're unsure: Zubat. It's not a wrong choice. We sell more Zubats than Tsurugis and haven't heard an arborist regret it.
If you already have a Zubat and want a complementary saw that can do what the Zubat can't: Tsurugi. Then they complement each other instead of overlapping.
What they are not
Neither of them is a chainsaw. Both are hand saws, built for one hand. Branches over 12 cm in diameter should be handled with a chainsaw or a Silky Bigboy.
Both are made for professionals. If you're buying for home gardening, they are overkill. A Pocket Boy will last a long time for a private individual.
Both require maintenance. The blade should be replaced when the teeth are dull. It takes 30 seconds and costs half the price of the saw. Neither of them is disposable.
Tsurugi Lefty: for left-handers
Only the Tsurugi is available in a left-handed version. The Silky Tsurugi Lefty has the handle and blade mounted in reverse. If you are left-handed and want the saw to feel natural instead of adapted, the Tsurugi Lefty is the only choice in Silky's scabbard range.
Conclusion
Both are world-class. There is no wrong choice. The difference lies in how you work.
Wide wood and all-round: Zubat.
Precision and dense canopy: Tsurugi.
Unsure: Zubat.
Need help choosing? Get in touch. We have both in the field and can give concrete feedback based on what you prune most.