Trail saw

This time of year, we expect that enough people have been out and about on our public trails that any tree clearing should be done. So, why carry a bulky, smelly chainsaw and spare fuel?

I agree. But just this last weekend, we had a wind event that had sustained 50 mph winds over the sierras. The odds of coming across a tree blocking your way increased dramatically.

Now it’s not as big a deal on your way in to find a tree across the trail. Remember, Turn Around, Don’t Go Around. You could just turn around and find another place to go enjoy the mountains. But what if you’re on your way out. You can’t turn around because you need to get out. You won’t drive off trail to go around the tree because that’s really bad.

Here’s my solution:

The Silky Katana Boy. It’s larger than you think at almost four feet long!

The blade length is 20″. you need two hands to use this monster. The teeth are very aggressive.

It folds up in to the provided pouch to about 27″.

It’s not going to clear a 30″ tree in two minutes. But for most of the trees you’ll come across, it will do the job. Even if you only score one side half way in, you could pull the tree with your vehicle and break the tree and get past it.

It’s not bulky and it doesn’t require fuel. If I’m not carrying my chainsaw, I always carry this one.

Okay, the downside. It’s a little pricey. I just looked on Amazon and it runs about $135.

Rubicon Ronin