Hand Saws: Types and Technique
Every carpenter needs to understand hand saws before reaching for a power tool. The crosscut saw has teeth designed to sever wood fibers across the grain — the teeth are beveled to cut on the push stroke (Western style) or pull stroke (Japanese style). A rip saw has fewer, larger, chisel-shaped teeth designed to cut with the grain by tearing fibers apart — faster than a crosscut saw for ripping lumber. The tenon saw (or back saw) has a stiff spine along the top edge to prevent blade flex — used for precise joinery cuts in a miter box or dovetail guide. Japanese pull saws cut on the pull stroke, producing a thinner kerf and finer finish than Western push saws. Starting a cut: score a line with a knife before sawing to define a crisp edge, then start the saw with light pull strokes to establish a kerf, and only then apply full strokes.