I have a Nata and it's the best tool I own for making kindling. I never quite understood why people try to split logs down the middle. It's much easier to take a split towards one edge, or split off a corner of an already split log.
Nice vid! FWIW, Ontario has changed to a different sheath for the SP8. It now comes in a quick draw like the nata, with molle straps on the back. Much more user-friendly!
Yes, the Philippines has many, many types of farm & war tools. Maybe the *_kris & bolo_* are the most famous. Single bevel knives are good tools in Asia but the West does not like or use them really except for the chisel. God bless *Urban Jungle.*
The NATA is cool, but it is purpose built to be a heavy brush clearer, and that’s what it excels at. The Silky ONO Hatchet is a much better camping/survival wood processor. The Nata is way too heavy and not balanced to chop wood thicker than an inch or 2, it’s handle angle makes it uncomfortable to use on the ground for long. I own one and wanted it to work out, but it’s just not a great camping tool. The ONO Is, it’s incredible, chops and splits wood much better, it’s the best and easiest to pack hatchet I’ve ever owned.
I'll watch this with great interest. All my friends and I have Ontario sp8's. We've used them and thumps on them for years they're amazing knives that kind of fly under the radar. In our experience they're beyond proven. So I can't wait to see this silky saws version!
I've watched a LOT of videos on bushcraft and I only found out about the NATA when searching for a GOMBOY sheath recommended by Joshua Enyart. Then I landed here to get an opinion on the NATA. Very good review, sir, but even better music.
I started thinking about the single/chisel grind knife after living oversea. So many cultures use this type of edge on their big & small knives. I find this kind of blade sharper, easiest to sharpen, better at de-limbing, the best draw knife you can get, and so on. A disadvantage of the single/chisel grind is that the flat, non-angled side of the blade is weaker so you have to be careful not to put to much of a load on that side. You should get a Japanese Nata in a size you might think useful to your lifestyle Living Survival. They come in four sizes. The most used size in Japan is the 180 mm (7 inch) version.
You are welcome. The Nata Japanese small axes and the Ono (Japanese Western style axe) cost in the USA on Amazon about $100 to $130 USD. They are high quality stainless steel. Hope you get one for the New Year. Stay frosty.
I agree 100%. I lived in Japan for a decade and the traditional half-tanged Nata works fine for bamboo and most Japanese wood. I found that in Alaska (where I live now) the Silky full-tang Nata is better. The traditional Nata's wooden handles tend to split at the pins when used on the frozen hard woods on the tundra. Stay safe mats sawatsky.
I have C.U.M.A cleaver and it's been fine only thing was handle came loose. In saying that I don't try to chop down trees and baton through 4- or 6-inch-thick logs. Busting down pine pallets for some kindling which is what I mainly use it for and hacking small branches off to get them out the way.
Old school (traditional) is nice and pretty but new school is so much more practical. Some purists want everything with wooden handles, in carbon, and with leather sheaths. And I totally get that. I personally have a thing for a company like Karesuando for example. But in wet and cold conditions I'll take G10, Kydex and SS, thank you very much. I think gear that uses modern materials can look very cool when the design is functional. Plus an axe with a curly birch handle is a little bit silly tbh.
I live in Florida pretty soft dirt not many rocks but plenty of roots. So I use mine to dig poop holes. It's the right length and slices through the roots. I just push the front blade straight into the ground in a square pattern. Then I put the blade about half way and pop the square out dirt out like a big grass plug. After dropping a fat mre deuce I push the square clump of dirt back into the ground. Then I go back to following hikers to throw rocks and make grunting noises this make them think I'm Bigfoot. They usually throw some jerky in my direction and the cycle starts again.
Couple of months ago I was looking for review on a NATA single edged machete and could not find one (everyone seems to buy/review doubles). Today I am looking for a review on a SILKY Hibiki and I come across this by accident :D
Ironic but I am glad you like Silky saws as they really are the best or close to it. No.1 in Japan (I lived in Japan for about 9 years). - The single sided Nata is more popular in Japan than the double sided but you need a technique to use it correctly. - The Hibiki, Silky of Japan created it as a woodworking saw in the _"Ryoba"_ format (double-sided, pull-cut) for both ripping and cutting. Both excellent if you use them the right way & on the right medium. God bless.
The handle on the fiskars hatchet ,while very durable is most certainly not indestructible by any means. Not being able to replace the axe head is a bad thing.
El Ontario tiene ademas del filo una sierra, y una punta cuadrada afilada en bisel que le da mas uso que al cuchillo de cocina japones, no es por ser tradicionalista ni mucho menos, pero si tengo que estar en el bosque prefiero una herramienta mas completa y con mas posibilidades por el mismo peso, tengo un Ontario desde hace mas de 20 años, y me ha sacado de miles de apuros. no lo cambiaria por el Nata
I think part of the problem with the Ontario in this instance anyway brother is the finish and coatings as well as the lower primary edge bevels. The silky bevels are higher and straighter along the whole blade aren't they?? That coating on the ONTARIOs can be removed and you can polish them but why not just get the Silky??😆
I LOVE your videos, they're thoughtful, practical and in depth. As a woman who never thought of tools until I started prepping, your insights are truly much appreciated. Thank you! What's the name of the fiskars tool?
Thanks for your kind words. The tool you asked about is the Fiskars X7. This lightweight hatchet is very popular with hikers, campers, weekend warriors, and even some professional woodsmen. The X7 has a saber edge so just like a scandi edge it is easy to sharpen and this design can out chop the best axes out there, even Gandsfor Burks axes. EDIT: Oh, the best characteristic of the Fiskars X7 is it's price - $24.97 USD on Amazon.com
These "tests" aren't really proving anything really. Different woods, different sizes of logs, different dryness of woods... Yep. The only thing I can accept for sure is that the slimest profile, single bevel is going to be the best choper, but that's obvious even before testing. Also, no sharpness and edge retention test .
chibraxial No problem, sorry I didn't prove anything to you in my video. I just hope you liked it and it made your day better as it did other commenters. Siege the day!
Besides the Silky Nata, of all the similar tools (the Ka-Bar Tac Tool BK3, the CUMA Battle Cleaver, Columbia River Knife and Tool's Razel) I think the Ontario SP8 is the best as far as: - usefulness - weight (city use) - strength - and full rubber/polymer grip That rubber/polymer grip is very important when working in electrical areas.
Thomas Willows Hi Tom, I bought that curly Maple Enzo (D2 steel) from US Amazon online for $105 plus $9 USD shipping = $114 USD total. In pounds that's 69.47 British Pound Sterling. I got the Enzo Trapper for 3 season outdoor woodwork because it is lightweight, has a scandi grind, and is very reasonable in price for what you get. Even though it would probably be fine I don't use this nice Enzo in really cold weather (like in this video). I use the Moras for freezing temperatures so if I drop it off a mountain from cold hands or snap the tip off in a knot I won't end up with frozen tears on my cheeks.
Last week we had 20s with a few days in the 30s. But this week Anchorage weather is between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. I think that normal for Feb. I see you are at -13 to -20s up there. Nice. God Bless Fairbanks.
sweetcostarica lol yeah its not a nice day out today and that sounds about normal there for anchorage. where did those 40+ temps go? lol i kinda like alaska cold
Thank you for the review. I'm very surprised at the chopping power of the long blades. Have you compared the Nata to popular hatchet designs like Fiskars X7 and the GF Wildlife?
No, I have not yet. But I am pretty sure the Fiskars X7 and the GF Wildlife would beat the Silky Nata or Ontario SP8. All the weight of the hatchet is in it's head so that's more force compared to the weight being spread out a lot more on the Naya and SP8. Thanks for you kind words.
It seem that the thinner less blunt machete worked a little better over all but am wondering in the long run if the thinner blade will be way more maintenance than the spec 8 your thoughts?
+iwantosavemoney The Japanese have been using the Nata for 100s of years. So I'm pretty sure it will hold up to the chopping it is designed for. For heavy chopping an axe is the right tool. I think you don't have to worry about the toughness of a "Silky" Nata, very high quality. The Spec 8 is a tough tool too. So it personal preference as usual. Have a great day!
I don't know if you are still doing reviews or not but if you are a cool saw that I came across last year that will make you want to throw you 7 saw in the trash figuratively speaking is a Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw.
Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw is much faster than the Sven Saw. You are right. *Silky Saws are in turn much faster* than Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw. EDIT: They (Silky Saws) are amazing!
sweetcostarica I just found them a couple of days ago man them silky saw are bad to the bone. but, I wish they where not so proud of them I want one but they are not cheap for sure.
*Easy:* Silky Nata 180mm (length) with single bevel for camping &/or hiking. - chops the deepest - is not too heavy - great comfortable handle that covers the steel (no heat or cold burns in extreme weather) - high quality alloy steel
Martian Buddy Maybe, but alloys can crack/chip and high carbon steels can dent/bend with prying or wedging, etc. For this reason I carry a 6" to 7" mini pry bar (search this on Amazon they have many). Best to use an inexpensive specialized tool than your important tools.
Like the single edge Nata, I am told single edged tools in general are better in wood 🪵 for many reasons and applications. Please ask a professional in this area and report back what you found. Thanks.
Double bevel on both the single-edged and double-edged nata, as well as on the SP8. FWIW, the Silky nata also comes in 4 different blade lengths as well: 150, 180, 210 and 240 mm.
You said, "lol. you cant beat onterio.. ever." Dude, if you're going try and slam the competition you got to know how to spell their name. It called an *Ontario.* EDIT: I'm embarrassed for you bro.
I've heard that from a friend. That why I'm testing it side by side with the Nata (Japanese Hatchet). Hope I wasn't too negative, I'll be using the Ontario SP8 in the city for an everyday tool in my Anchorage emergency bag. But as for hiking and camping in the woods the Silky Nata far exceeds the SP8 in: Options - 4 different sizes with two edge bevel choices. All weather use - Jungle, tropical rain forest, boating, etc Weight for carry - 4 different weight classes from 750g (24.4 oz) to 570g (20.1 oz) Rubber handles - Long and comfortable - The best handle I've ever used. Blades - Replaceable blades with one of the highest quality stainless Steels from Ono, Japan. So from my tests I'm not saying the Ontario SP8 is a bad tool at all, I'm just saying the Silky Nata is better for bushcraft.
I have a Nata and it's the best tool I own for making kindling. I never quite understood why people try to split logs down the middle. It's much easier to take a split towards one edge, or split off a corner of an already split log.
Silky nata also comes in shorter sizes besides 240mm and can be purchased from Amazon Japan, even from the US.
thumbs up for the testing and decent music
Nice vid! FWIW, Ontario has changed to a different sheath for the SP8. It now comes in a quick draw like the nata, with molle straps on the back. Much more user-friendly!
The single bevel Bolo design is very popular here in the Philippines and is a great chopper and all round tool.
Yes, the Philippines has many, many types of farm & war tools. Maybe the *_kris & bolo_* are the most famous.
Single bevel knives are good tools in Asia but the West does not like or use them really except for the chisel.
God bless *Urban Jungle.*
Nice video! I've been looking at getting me a nata. Now I know which one. Thanks!
25 or 6 to 4... thats a thumbs up right there. Nice look at the different blades and grinds.
The NATA is cool, but it is purpose built to be a heavy brush clearer, and that’s what it excels at. The Silky ONO Hatchet is a much better camping/survival wood processor. The Nata is way too heavy and not balanced to chop wood thicker than an inch or 2, it’s handle angle makes it uncomfortable to use on the ground for long. I own one and wanted it to work out, but it’s just not a great camping tool. The ONO Is, it’s incredible, chops and splits wood much better, it’s the best and easiest to pack hatchet I’ve ever owned.
I'll watch this with great interest. All my friends and I have Ontario sp8's. We've used them and thumps on them for years they're amazing knives that kind of fly under the radar. In our experience they're beyond proven. So I can't wait to see this silky saws version!
I've watched a LOT of videos on bushcraft and I only found out about the NATA when searching for a GOMBOY sheath recommended by Joshua Enyart. Then I landed here to get an opinion on the NATA. Very good review, sir, but even better music.
Great review and video. I have the SP8 but you got me thinking the single edge Nata.
I started thinking about the single/chisel grind knife after living oversea. So many cultures use this type of edge on their big & small knives. I find this kind of blade sharper, easiest to sharpen, better at de-limbing, the best draw knife you can get, and so on. A disadvantage of the single/chisel grind is that the flat, non-angled side of the blade is weaker so you have to be careful not to put to much of a load on that side.
You should get a Japanese Nata in a size you might think useful to your lifestyle Living Survival. They come in four sizes. The most used size in Japan is the 180 mm (7 inch) version.
Awesome, thanks for the info and sub'd to your channel.
Have the SP8. This is my first time hearing about the Nata. Will look those up. Thank you for the info.
You are welcome. The Nata Japanese small axes and the Ono (Japanese Western style axe) cost in the USA on Amazon about $100 to $130 USD.
They are high quality stainless steel.
Hope you get one for the New Year. Stay frosty.
nata is a full tang version of traditional japanese nkife that they call a hatchet-wainly for bamboo-praise be to silky. worth every penny
I agree 100%. I lived in Japan for a decade and the traditional half-tanged Nata works fine for bamboo and most Japanese wood. I found that in Alaska (where I live now) the Silky full-tang Nata is better. The traditional Nata's wooden handles tend to split at the pins when used on the frozen hard woods on the tundra.
Stay safe mats sawatsky.
sweetcostarica as an arborist i have been using silky tools for many years. i'm glad to see their popularity grow. chop on, amigo!
I have C.U.M.A cleaver and it's been fine only thing was handle came loose. In saying that I don't try to chop down trees and baton through 4- or 6-inch-thick logs. Busting down pine pallets for some kindling which is what I mainly use it for and hacking small branches off to get them out the way.
Great video and the Trevor Jones music is fantastic, thanks
I have nata double edge and i like it😍😍😍
8 years later and I still swear I'm getting an sp8. Now maybe a silky, I dunno. In any event, I enjoyed the vid dude
All this work you`re doing is making me tired and thirsty think I`ll go have a Beer, and maybe a Shot,. Great Vid and very useful info Thanks
Mors Kochanski: "A man can survive with only a knife, but carry an axe and he lives like a king"
Sweetcostarica: Presents knife
Silky all the way.
Old school (traditional) is nice and pretty but new school is so much more practical. Some purists want everything with wooden handles, in carbon, and with leather sheaths. And I totally get that. I personally have a thing for a company like Karesuando for example. But in wet and cold conditions I'll take G10, Kydex and SS, thank you very much. I think gear that uses modern materials can look very cool when the design is functional. Plus an axe with a curly birch handle is a little bit silly tbh.
I live in Florida pretty soft dirt not many rocks but plenty of roots. So I use mine to dig poop holes. It's the right length and slices through the roots. I just push the front blade straight into the ground in a square pattern. Then I put the blade about half way and pop the square out dirt out like a big grass plug. After dropping a fat mre deuce I push the square clump of dirt back into the ground. Then I go back to following hikers to throw rocks and make grunting noises this make them think I'm Bigfoot. They usually throw some jerky in my direction and the cycle starts again.
Couple of months ago I was looking for review on a NATA single edged machete and could not find one (everyone seems to buy/review doubles).
Today I am looking for a review on a SILKY Hibiki and I come across this by accident :D
Ironic but I am glad you like Silky saws as they really are the best or close to it. No.1 in Japan (I lived in Japan for about 9 years).
- The single sided Nata is more popular in Japan than the double sided but you need a technique to use it correctly.
- The Hibiki, Silky of Japan created it as a woodworking saw in the _"Ryoba"_ format (double-sided, pull-cut) for both ripping and cutting.
Both excellent if you use them the right way & on the right medium.
God bless.
I have an ontario sp8 and i love it, its a great tool!
The handle on the fiskars hatchet ,while very durable is most certainly not indestructible by any means. Not being able to replace the axe head is a bad thing.
Id prefer the SP53 to the SP8...BUT the DB NATA looks great!
Still not a Tora, HIMIMP or CS Ghurkha Khukuri😂
El Ontario tiene ademas del filo una sierra, y una punta cuadrada afilada en bisel que le da mas uso que al cuchillo de cocina japones, no es por ser tradicionalista ni mucho menos, pero si tengo que estar en el bosque prefiero una herramienta mas completa y con mas posibilidades por el mismo peso, tengo un Ontario desde hace mas de 20 años, y me ha sacado de miles de apuros. no lo cambiaria por el Nata
Great review! I like the silky Nata! I also like the Ontario but I'm not a fan of the nylon sheaths the new knives come with.
I think part of the problem with the Ontario in this instance anyway brother is the finish and coatings as well as the lower primary edge bevels. The silky bevels are higher and straighter along the whole blade aren't they??
That coating on the ONTARIOs can be removed and you can polish them but why not just get the Silky??😆
I LOVE your videos, they're thoughtful, practical and in depth. As a woman who never thought of tools until I started prepping, your insights are truly much appreciated. Thank you!
What's the name of the fiskars tool?
Thanks for your kind words. The tool you asked about is the Fiskars X7. This lightweight hatchet is very popular with hikers, campers, weekend warriors, and even some professional woodsmen. The X7 has a saber edge so just like a scandi edge it is easy to sharpen and this design can out chop the best axes out there, even Gandsfor Burks axes.
EDIT: Oh, the best characteristic of the Fiskars X7 is it's price - $24.97 USD on Amazon.com
Not negative at all. Great video!
So I just got a new double edge 240 nata and it came in a silver sheath...
These "tests" aren't really proving anything really. Different woods, different sizes of logs, different dryness of woods... Yep.
The only thing I can accept for sure is that the slimest profile, single bevel is going to be the best choper, but that's obvious even before testing.
Also, no sharpness and edge retention test .
chibraxial No problem, sorry I didn't prove anything to you in my video.
I just hope you liked it and it made your day better as it did other commenters.
Siege the day!
sweetcostarica I always like knife videos ;)
Nice vid! Your yt clips are always so relaxing :D I might get sp8 soon...Cheers!
Besides the Silky Nata, of all the similar tools (the Ka-Bar Tac Tool BK3, the CUMA Battle Cleaver, Columbia River Knife and Tool's Razel) I think the Ontario SP8 is the best as far as:
- usefulness
- weight (city use)
- strength
- and full rubber/polymer grip
That rubber/polymer grip is very important when working in electrical areas.
sweetcostarica You convinced me...That Enzo of Yours, looks quite smart too(how much is it in $US; it is about £93)...
Thomas Willows Hi Tom, I bought that curly Maple Enzo (D2 steel) from US Amazon online for $105 plus $9 USD shipping = $114 USD total.
In pounds that's 69.47 British Pound Sterling.
I got the Enzo Trapper for 3 season outdoor woodwork because it is lightweight, has a scandi grind, and is very reasonable in price for what you get. Even though it would probably be fine I don't use this nice Enzo in really cold weather (like in this video). I use the Moras for freezing temperatures so if I drop it off a mountain from cold hands or snap the tip off in a knot I won't end up with frozen tears on my cheeks.
Like sp8 but i think i am gona buy the ontario sp53. It's stronger and a better chopper. ;)
I own three sp53, one sp8 and zero Nata. Sp53 is amazing, especially for 60 bucks. I chopped an almost tennis ball sized rock in half with it.
I really like that sheath for you hatchet where did it come from
so how is Anchorage up here in Fairbanks we are at annual temperature
Last week we had 20s with a few days in the 30s. But this week Anchorage weather is between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. I think that normal for Feb.
I see you are at -13 to -20s up there. Nice. God Bless Fairbanks.
sweetcostarica
lol yeah its not a nice day out today and that sounds about normal there for anchorage. where did those 40+ temps go? lol i kinda like alaska cold
Thank you for the review. I'm very surprised at the chopping power of the long blades. Have you compared the Nata to popular hatchet designs like Fiskars X7 and the GF Wildlife?
No, I have not yet. But I am pretty sure the Fiskars X7 and the GF Wildlife would beat the Silky Nata or Ontario SP8. All the weight of the hatchet is in it's head so that's more force compared to the weight being spread out a lot more on the Naya and SP8.
Thanks for you kind words.
It seem that the thinner less blunt machete worked a little better over all but am wondering in the long run if the thinner blade will be way more maintenance than the spec 8 your thoughts?
+iwantosavemoney The Japanese have been using the Nata for 100s of years. So I'm pretty sure it will hold up to the chopping it is designed for. For heavy chopping an axe is the right tool.
I think you don't have to worry about the toughness of a "Silky" Nata, very high quality. The Spec 8 is a tough tool too. So it personal preference as usual.
Have a great day!
I wouldn't waste my monry on any of the GADGETS. A Forestry axe will anything those will do!
music reminds me of 'Last of the Mohicans' film...
silky KATANABOY
Have you tried the Silky Katana?
+John Wallace I have the katana boy...dude...pure...saw...porn....
I keep my sp8 in my scav kit
The last of the Mohicans song had me laughing
I don't know if you are still doing reviews or not but if you are a cool saw that I came across last year that will make you want to throw you 7 saw in the trash figuratively speaking is a Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw.
Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw is much faster than the Sven Saw. You are right.
*Silky Saws are in turn much faster* than Bob Dustrude Quick Buck Saw.
EDIT: They (Silky Saws) are amazing!
sweetcostarica I just found them a couple of days ago man them silky saw are bad to the bone. but, I wish they where not so proud of them I want one but they are not cheap for sure.
They are coming down in price as more & more people buy them. But you do get what you pay for.
Check eBay for deals on Silkys.
If you had to pick one, which one would you choose?
*Easy:* Silky Nata 180mm (length) with single bevel for camping &/or hiking.
- chops the deepest
- is not too heavy
- great comfortable handle that covers the steel (no heat or cold burns in extreme weather)
- high quality alloy steel
+sweetcostarica think the tip can do similar job as sp8? Prying/wedging and such?
Martian Buddy Maybe, but alloys can crack/chip and high carbon steels can dent/bend with prying or wedging, etc.
For this reason I carry a 6" to 7" mini pry bar (search this on Amazon they have many). Best to use an inexpensive specialized tool than your important tools.
+sweetcostarica I never considered that. Thank you for your input great appreciate it. In a perfect rich world would get both lol
+sweetcostarica another question what's the difference between single and double, they look the same where's the second edge on the double?
How would you say the silky Nata compares to the crkt razel ss7?
I'm looking for a tool to fit that niche for my bushcraft
👍👍👍👍
1000 sub
I have trouble believing the single edge nata beats the double.. I think it's the swings. 🤔
Like the single edge Nata, I am told single edged tools in general are better in wood 🪵 for many reasons and applications. Please ask a professional in this area and report back what you found. Thanks.
double bevel on the nata or single
+Jonathan Eldridge We are using both single & double bevel Natas for comparison 1:05.
Double bevel on both the single-edged and double-edged nata, as well as on the SP8. FWIW, the Silky nata also comes in 4 different blade lengths as well: 150, 180, 210 and 240 mm.
wtf 666 grams holy shit be carefull lol
I weighed my Ontario three times on two scales to make sure of that 666 gram weight.
I felt funny about having that beastly weight!
sweetcostarica yeah man just be careful with the blades you buy LOL
Of curse it does (see what i did there)
lol. you cant beat Ontario ever.
You said, "lol. you cant beat onterio.. ever."
Dude, if you're going try and slam the competition you got to know how to spell their name.
It called an *Ontario.*
EDIT: I'm embarrassed for you bro.
sweetcostarica
Thank You .
That is how you do it.
Stay frosty.
I have an ontario sp8 and i love it, its a great tool!
I've heard that from a friend. That why I'm testing it side by side with the Nata (Japanese Hatchet). Hope I wasn't too negative, I'll be using the Ontario SP8 in the city for an everyday tool in my Anchorage emergency bag.
But as for hiking and camping in the woods the Silky Nata far exceeds the SP8 in:
Options - 4 different sizes with two edge bevel choices.
All weather use - Jungle, tropical rain forest, boating, etc
Weight for carry - 4 different weight classes from 750g (24.4 oz) to
570g (20.1 oz)
Rubber handles - Long and comfortable - The best handle I've ever used.
Blades - Replaceable blades with one of the highest quality stainless Steels from Ono, Japan.
So from my tests I'm not saying the Ontario SP8 is a bad tool at all, I'm just saying the Silky Nata is better for bushcraft.