Modern Cabinetmakers still use hand saws. Believe it!
Japanese woodwork has had a heavy influence on our hand saws.
So I like to divide our saws into 2 categories.
Western Push Japanese Pull
 |
| Dozuki Saw |
 |
| Dovetail Saw |
We use these saws to hand cut joints or do fine work that an electric saw would be too cumbersome to do. The teeth on a saw only cut in one direction. Either western style, while pushing the saw away from you. Or Japanese style, while drawing the saw toward you. Weather you prefer push or pull is up to you.
 | |
| Both Western and Japanese saws have models which are made to perform either a Crosscut or a Rip |
One way to tell the difference is to examine the RAKE
Rip Saws have a rake which is closer to 90 degrees
Japanese Influence on modern Handsaws have reduced the of western saw's set.
Today's saws have a more narrow SET and therefore leave a thinner KERF.
The Japanese saw's teeth have an inward angle on them called the FLEAM.
The fleam is what allows the set to be so narrow and cut so well.
Today it is common to find western handsaws with a fleam.
The other thing that differentiates Rip saws from Crosscut saws is the back.
Back Saws never rip because their back, which is designed to keep the blade rigid, is wider than the kerf they create.
Western Saws
- Backless / Rip or Crosscut
- Backsaw / Crosscut
- Coping / Curved sawing
- Keyhole Saw / small places
It has a very thin set.
- Kataba / Crosscut
- Ryoba / Combination Crosscut and Rip
- Dozuki / For making Joints
- Kugihiki / Flush cutting
Teeth Per Inch
 |
The more teeth per inch the finer the cut.
So saws with less TPI are used for fast rough work like big Western rip saws. Contrary, more TPI is typically a dovetail or dozuki saw for precision.
 | ||
| William "Saw" this Ryoba and grabbed it to do some precision ripping. |
