Figured out the hard way that a Silky saw needs to be cleaned after every use

I was trimming a big live oak in Atlanta three weeks ago and my Silky Zubat started binding halfway through a decent sized limb. It took me 45 minutes to finish a cut that normally takes 5 minutes because the resin had built up so bad. I had been lazy about cleaning it for about two months just wiping it off with a rag. Finally had to soak the blade in kerosene overnight and scrub it with a wire brush to get it back to cutting right. Now I carry a can of spray lubricant and a stiff brush in my truck. Does anyone else deal with this buildup on their handsaws or am I the only one who neglects maintenance like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

lopez.quinn23d ago

Kerosene soak sounds like a chore, but bet it works better than my WD-40 routine.

robinf5123d agoTop Commenter

You ever try packing the rusted part in a potato overnight - sounds weird but it works for me?

taylorellis23d ago

Oh man, the potato trick actually worked for me on an old wrench I found! Soaked it overnight and the rust scrubbed right off the next morning.