The Best Japanese Pull Saws for Woodworking Projects

Pull saws are used to cut all elements, whether they are Plywood, Pine, or any other wood. They are also used to cut laminate, melamine, and even PVC pipes. This buying guide will help you find a pull saw that will not cramp your hands, make a fine cut with minimum effort, and last a long time.

A detailed analysis of each component of the saw and its contribution to the overall cutting efficiency will better enable you to navigate the available saws in the market.
The accuracy, simplicity, and efficiency required in wood cutting determine which kind of pull saw is best for you.

This is why it’s important to compare and contrast three different pull saws prior to purchasing.

The Types of Pull Saw on the Market

Kataba saw

Kataba looks like a large chef’s knife but with only one cutting edge. It can cut through large pieces of wood because of its ability to penetrate deep. Best suited for flush cutting and along the wood grain, you can choose a cross-cut or rip-cut type depending on your need.

Ryoba pull saw

Ryoba is the most popular saw type because of its shape and twin edges. Easy to identify because of its pale rattan handle and chromed sleek blade, the two edges have different purposes.

While the finer cuts do cross-cutting, the less fine side works to cut parallel to the wood grain.

Quality Parameters of a Quality Japanese Pull Saw

A Japanese pull saw has all its properties in microscopic detail. The teeth per inch saw length, and design all need to be considered before the final verdict.

Just as a missing feature can result in a less than satisfactory purchase, quality can make a difference if your plan is to cut into wood or harder surfaces. A poorly made pull saw may have you replacing your product sooner than a higher-quality one – and the last thing you want is to make multiple repeat purchases.

Cutting accuracy

The accuracy of a Japanese saw is a fraction of a millimeter (less than half, to be precise). This is often measured in terms of the kerf, the narrowest piece of wood a saw can cut.

A 0.3mm kerf meets most cutting needs and is easily achievable using most Japanese saws. Their thin design makes it possible to keep the view clear, contributing to the ease of making sophisticated designs.

Zero-effort cutting

With a pull saw, you should not worry about throwing your body weight on the blade, as is the case with European saws. Pull saws are thinner, sharper, and more flexible – so they rip into the surface using only the pull motion and a downward directional force.

Twin edges

You can get double value for money if you choose a twin-edged pull saw. The most common types of cuts available in a double-edged saw are the following:

Rip-Cut is suitable for cutting along the wood grain. This edge has rough, less dense teeth which are traditionally designed at ten teeth per inch.

Cross-cut is suitable for cutting the wood fiber using a denser and finer teeth design. The saw edge for this type of cut has around 17 to 20 teeth per inch.

Reinvented pull saw

While traditional Japanese tools are great, a well-thought-out reinvention further increases the value in all aspects. For example, ergonomic handles, finer teeth, durable blade material, and innovative teeth designs are the common upgrades seen with many top-rated saws.

The handle

While ergonomic handles prevent cramping and provide superior accuracy with just about any tool, it is hard to find on a Japanese saw. The Japanese conventional design, which looks like a Katana from Kill Bill, is very popular among woodworkers – and manufacturers oblige by sticking to the rattan handle.

Nonetheless, you can still find innovation making its way into ergonomic handles that promote better accident protection.

Replaceable blades

While most pull saws have blade replacement options available, what matters is that the holding mechanism should be easy to operate and reliable in keeping the blade firmly in place.

Hooks, clamps, auto-lock buttons, and bolts are popular choices.

Add-on features

No – your screwdrivers, rivets, wrenches, and pens are not hammers. But where there’s a will (and a handle) there’s a hammer. Manufacturers have since taken note of this hassle and are putting a piece of metal under the handle to make it multifunctional.

Other unique add-ons include a nail puller, knife, and filer.

Tips for Using a Japanese Pull Saw

• Always tighten the blade after replacing it to ensure safety. Whichever mechanism of locking the blade is put in your pull saw, it is best to test the fit on all angles.
• When you have marked the wood for a straight cut, you can place your saw on the wood and use the thumb of your other hand to keep the blade exactly on top of the marked line. When you feel confident that you have established the kerf, you should hold the handle in both hands to apply appropriate force.

Conclusion

Japanese saws have many types, and manufacturers are constantly trying to improve them, resulting in multiple variants of each type. Traditional Japanese pull saws, such as Ryoba and Kataba, are still the highest-rated types.

Pull saws take less effort, provide finer cuts, and better control. A chromed SK4 steel blade on a wooden handle can last over six months with regular use.

You can also replace the blade when its efficiency decreases.