Shopsmith Forums

Any of you folks use a Japanese hand saw in your shop? I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts, comments and recommendations. Thanks!

Tom

Tom - I use one at work. They leave a very thin kerf and are a pleasure to use. As a result, I bought one for the home shop and find myself reaching for it regularly. The one I use is not Japanese per se, but is a "pullsaw" in the japanese style. It is available at Grizzly for just over 20 dollars. Alec

I've used them for about 20 years.
My son is stationed in Japan and he sent me my 4th one last year. A Ryoba with interchangeable blades.
I have one with no set that I use to flush cut with. It's an american made tool in the Dhozuki style. My first was a double edged Ryoba with a permanent blade. They are all very enjoyable to use and serve well.

I use both a Dozuki and a Ryoba and like them both. Mine came from Highland Woodworking and I would call them mid range saws. I've used mine for dovetails and tenons in the joinery department but I reach for them often for other things.

It's amazing how often I use the Ryoba for a quick crosscut rather than setting up something bigger. I also use the Dozuki with an X-Acto miter box for small stock crosscuts and miters. Very handy.

I find that cutting on the pull stroke is easier for me to control; especially in the joinery department.

I love them, as someone said cutting on the pull stroke works for me.

One thing I learned:eek: was with the blade being so very thin you can get a nasty cut on th efinger without ever going near the teeth.

I always use a blade guard and one day I slide my hand over the non tooth edge removing the guard and laid my finger wide open.

This thinnest is what make the saw so great!

I got one about 20 years ago. It is relatively small, with 2 different tooth sizes back to back on the blade. I find it extremely handy, fast cutting and very easy to use. I like the pull stroke concept; seems more precise than push stroke saws. I also have another large non Japanese made pull stroke with a more conventioal handle. I like it as well, but I don't reach for it near as often as the original one. The larger pull stroke one tends to compete with my motorized saws when I would use it. Don

I learned the hard way not to let anyone use a pull saw that isn't used to the pull concept. That thin blade will buckle and develop a permanent kink before you can yell "stop."

Wow, thanks very much to you all! I think I'll get one.

I have two and I use them alot also.

I bought a cheapie at HF and use it a little bit for flush cutting plugs, and also was intending to use it for cutting fret slots in guitar fingerboards because of the narrow kerf. I chickened out for the frets, though, and bought an aluminum guide box and slotted scale and pull saw from Stewart-Macdonald. I am used to pull saws as I was a bench jeweler and silversmith for over 30 years. Try to use a 0000 jewelers saw blade and you'll learn to use a steady, very light touch.