The Japanese saw or used in woodworking and Japanese carpentry differs from its North American and European counterpart since it cuts on the pull stroke as opposed to the push stroke. This allows it to have thinner blades that cut more efficiently and leave a narrower kerf. Push-saws require a thick blade to remain rigid. Otherwise, the blade would flex wildly as the craftperson pushed on the handle, instead of cutting. A pull-saw, on the other hand, is under tension rather than compression during cutting. Therefore there is no stiffness requirement, and the blade can be much thinner.

Japanese style saws have also gained popularity outside Japan.

Types of Japanese hand saws

• Dōzuki

A type of backsaw. From Japanese 胴付鋸　dō = trunk, tsuki/zuki = attached, thus a saw with a stiffening strip attached, i.e., a backsaw.

• Ryōba

Multi-purpose carpentry saw with two cutting edges. From Japanese ryō= both, ha/ba = blade. There is cross-cutting (yoko-biki) blade on one side and a ripping (tate-biki) blade on the other.

• Azebiki

A small ryōba saw used for cutting into the flat surface of a board rather than from the edge. The blade has a convex curve which can begin the cut anywhere on the surface.

• Mawashibiki

From Japanese mawashi = turn, hiki/biki = cut (with a saw). A thin saw used for cutting curves, i.e. a keyhole saw.

• Kaeba

From Japanese kae = change, ha/ba = blade. A saw with a disposable blade.

Other Japanese saws

• Oga

A large two person saw used for ripping large boards in the days before power saws. One person stood on a raised platform, with the board below him, and the other person stood underneath him/her.

See also

• Japanese carpentry

External links

Saws | Woodworking hand tools | Japanese tools

Japansäge