Buy Japanese Saws

One of the most striking features of the Japanese saw is that they are pull saws. This means that you guide the Japanese saw with pulling movements and do not push it through the wood like a western saw. The pulling motion of Japanese saws has several advantages over a pushing motion. The most important is that you can make a nicer cut this way. We will be happy to explain more about the advantages below!

Advantage 1: The saw blade of a Japanese pull saw does not need to withstand any tension, which means it can be made much thinner. The result is a more accurate saw cut than with western saws.

Advantage 2: The pulling movement also prevents the saw from getting stuck in the wood or bending. This prolongs the life of the saw.

Advantage 3: A pulling movement costs less power and therefore gives the user more control over the saw cut.

Advantage 4: Japanese saws are provided with special toothing. The teeth are ground razor-sharp on three sides (the so-called 'trapezoidal toothing') and positioned extremely carefully. This typical Japanese toothing cuts so cleanly through the wood that sanding is often no longer necessary. The difference to a normal western saw is clearly visible in the photo below.

We recommend sharpening the saw teeth only for saw blades with teeth that are not specially hardened. These can be easily recognised by the fact that the saw blades are not replaceable. You can use a special saw file for sharpening, you can find it here.

Almost all other Japanese saws are equipped with a replaceable saw blade. The teeth of these saw blades are pulse-hardened and therefore very difficult to sharpen. We therefore recommend simply replacing the saw blade if necessary.

Just like western saws, there are different types of Japanese saws. The most common types are the Kataba, Ryoba and Dozuki saws. We will be happy to explain the most important differences.

The Kataba This saw is the strong all-rounder among the Japanese saws. These saws are used in Japan for carpentry and are the most accessible Japanese saws.

The Kataba Japanese saws usually have a saw blade that is suitable for cutting and mitre work. Unlike Ryoba saws, the saw blade is toothed on one side only.

In some cases, the saw blade of a Kataba is equipped with a special hybrid toothing (M-toothing). This makes it possible to effectively cut longitudinal cuts with the same saw blade.
  
Ryoba Saws can be recognised by the saw blade, which is ground on both sides. Normally, one side is for cutting work and the other is specifically for longitudinal cutting.

Ryoba Japanese saws are used as fine carpentry saws and as workshop saws. For example, by furniture manufacturers and interior designers.

In Japan, the Ryoba is the most commonly used hand saw among woodworkers because of its various uses.
  
Dozuki Saws have particularly thin saw blades with very fine teeth. These hand saws are usually used for the finest sawing work (both cutting and mitre work).

With Dozuki Japanese saws, very precise saw cuts can be made for exactly fitting joints, such as picture frames and dovetail joints.

Dozuki-saws are also available with back reinforcement to additionally stabilise the sometimes only 0.30 mm thin saw blade.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the "best Japanese saw". Instead, ask yourself: "What is the best Japan saw for my application?"

You can find the answer to this question by determining what toothing you need, expressed as the number of teeth per inch or TPI (sometimes also PTI). This number shows how coarse or fine a saw is toothed. A saw with a low TPI has coarser teeth than a saw with a high TPI (see also the picture below).

But when should you choose which type of teeth? You will find our recommendation below!

Choose a coarse toothing of Maximum 13 TPIIf you are looking for a Japanese saw that goes through the wood quickly. The coarser the teeth, the more aggressive the saw.

The very coarse toothing is also suitable for garden wood. However, choose a special pruning saw for garden work. This has a coating that protects against rust and resin.

Coarse toothing is not suitable for hard types of wood. The teeth may get stuck behind the wood fibres.

Suitable for: Soft wood, coarse craft, wet wood, garden wood

Not suitable for: Hard wood, fine saw cuts, detail work
 

Japanese saws with a toothing of 14 TPI, 15 TPI or 16 TPI are the most balanced saws. The teeth of these saws (Ryoba or Kataba) are coarse enough to efficiently take off wood, but still fine enough to produce a very accurate saw cut. We recommend these accessible saws for general sawing and more precise woodwork.

Suitable for: Soft wood, general woodwork

Not suitable for: Hard wood, very fine saw cuts, garden wood
 

The most accurate saw cuts are achieved with fine toothing, from 17 TPI. These saws (Mostly Dozuki) are the best Japanese saws for making the finest joints and the most beautiful finish.

The finer/harder the intended use, the finer the toothing you need.

Watch out! A fine saw goes through soft wood less quickly than a coarse saw, but gives a much more accurate result.

Suitable for: Hard woods, very fine saw cuts, the most precise possible finish, detail work

Not suitable for: Quickly removing wood, rough woodwork, garden wood
 

There can be different types of saws with suitable serrations. Let your final choice depend on the desired blade thickness, blade length and your own preferences.

We understand that it can be difficult to choose your very first Japanese saw. There are many different types, brands and specifications to choose from. To make your choice a little easier, we have selected the saws that are best suited for beginners. These saws are selected according to accessibility and range of applications. For special applications, it is advisable to think about the most suitable toothing, as explained in the above chapter - What is the best Japanese saw? - explained.

Sawing with a Japanese saw is not difficult to learn, but it can take some getting used to. That is why all our recommendations have replaceable saw blades. For the less experienced woodworker, this means flexibility and safety, because the saw blade can be replaced cheaply if it is damaged during initial practice. There is then no need to buy a whole new Japanese saw.

Japanese saw set: Unfortunately, there is no one Japanese saw that is suitable for all tasks. If budget allows, we recommend considering a set of Japanese saws that includes at least a Kataba (for larger jobs), a Ryoba (for clean cuts and cuts along the length) and a Dozuki (for the smoothest and most detailed cuts). These 3 types of saws together form the basis that every woodworker can fall back on.

We recommend the Shark Saw (Pro) sets as they are authentic Japanese saws but adapted for European users. The result is an excellent Japanese saw set that is easy to use. In addition, the interchangeable saw blades can be changed quickly at the touch of a button. Take a look at the sets here an.

Would you rather just buy a Japanese saw? Take a look at our recommendations below. Choose the saw that best suits your use.

For carpentry: For larger projects, we recommend a robust Kataba carpenter's saw that can handle any task with ease. Think carpentry, clean cuts on the construction site and various jobs around the house. Kataba-saws are perfect for these applications. The main advantage of this Japanese saw for beginners is that the blade is generally thicker than on Dozuki- or Ryoba-saws. This makes it less flexible and easier to use for new users.

We love the Shark Saw Pro carpenter's saw 112312 because they make Japanese saws so accessible to new users.

Alternative: If you are looking for something more traditional, you can't go wrong with a traditional Kataba 300.

The most versatile Japanese saws: The Ryoba saw is probably the best-known Japanese saw thanks to its double-sided blade. The advantage is that you can use this saw for cross cuts and rip cuts. Remember that a Ryoba saw is generally more flexible than a Kataba, which can take some getting used to.
We recommend choosing a Ryoba for furniture making, interior finishing and similar work that requires a clean finish.

For beginners, it is advisable to start with a balanced to fine tooth setting (TPI). Two great options are the Shark Saw Pro two-sided saw 112440 and the more traditional Gyokucho Seiun Saku 240.

Optimal detail: If you use your Japanese saw for detailed work such as model making, frame making and instrument making, the best option is a Dozuki saw. With a Dozuki it is possible to make super smooth cuts that are less than 0.5 mm thick. To make all this possible, the blade has to be thin, which makes it very flexible. That is why they usually have a back reinforcement.

For beginners who are looking for a fine Japanese saw for various tasks, we recommend the Shark Saw Pro fine saw with back reinforcement 112410 or the more traditional Gyokucho Tatabiki Noko 240.

The Japanese saw owes its special properties largely to the high quality of the steel and the Japanese toothing. With careful use, it will provide years of good service. We are happy to share a few care tips that will guarantee a long life and safe use.

Prevent accidents: Japanese saws are razor-sharp. Therefore, make sure that the saw is never left unattended. After use, it is sensible to store the saw in a clean and dry place.

Protect the teeth: Most of our saws come with a tooth guard. This ensures that the teeth remain in top condition, even when the saw is in the toolbox. In addition, using the tooth guard prevents unnecessary accidents.

Keep the saw blade clean: Do not hold the saw blade with your fingers, but always use a cloth or glove. This will prevent the saw blade from getting dirty.
You can clean the saw every now and then. Use a clean cloth and a little oil for this. A multispray works well.

Practise using the Japanese saw: As a less experienced user, it is sensible to first get used to the sawing movement of the Japanese pull saw. This will prevent unnecessary damage.

When you use a Japanese saw for the first time, you immediately notice that the saw blade is thinner and more flexible than on a Western hand saw. It may take a little getting used to at first, but sawing with a Japanese saw is really not difficult. The only thing to remember is never to push the saw through the wood. Japanese saws are extremely strong, but that is the only way to damage them. Below we explain the correct sawing movement step by step:

Step 1: The saw cut of a Japanese pull saw starts at the back, close to the handle. Hold the saw at the point you want to cut and use (careful!!) your thumb to guide the blade a little way until there is an indentation in the wood.

Step 2: Pull the saw calmly towards you. Let the saw do its work and above all do not put too much pressure on the wood. This can be difficult if you are used to a western hand saw, as you actually have to apply pressure. Resist the temptation!

Finish the sawing movement smoothly and quickly, still without applying pressure and with attention to the pulling movement.

Step 3: Move the saw back to the start position. Be careful not to push the saw into the wood during the forward movement. The saw blade must not be under tension while pushing.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the job is done.

Tip! With traditional Japanese pull saws, you may also be able to hold the handle with two hands. These saws are equipped with a long handle that offers this freedom. Then make sure that you do not hold the saw too close to the saw blade.