DIY Network

Eastern Influence: Using Japanese Saws From "DIY Tools & Techniques" episode DIT-311

Left: Western Saw Right: Japanese Saw

In this segment, professional Cabinetmaker Patrick Huggins shares with David Thiel the proper technique for using Japanese saws.

• Like the hand plane, the Japanese saw cuts on the pull stroke while Western saws traditionally cut on the push stroke. Cutting on the pull stroke allows the tool to have a thinner blade. This provides a smoother, faster cut. The teeth of the Japanese saw are close to the blade, which provides a finer cut. It has one set of teeth on one side for ripping and another set of teeth used for both applications. The Western saw has one set of teeth used for both applications.
  

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  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C

  Note: the Japanese saw is preferred when it comes to detail cutting or cutting wood quickly.

• Each saw cuts differently. The Western saw is hard to start into the cut and leaves a rough edge. The Japanese saw starts easy with a thinner cut and a smoother line. Notice the different edges on either side of the board in this example (figure A).

• These saws are used in fine joinery. The two on the left are Western back-saws. Notice how much thicker their blades are than the Japanese saw on the right (figure B). The Japanese saw is similar to the Western back-saw, but it cuts more smoothly and starts more easily than its Western counterpart. This kind of saw can be used to cut thin pins for the dovetail joints (figure C).

RESOURCES :

Noden Adjust-a-Bench
Geoffrey Noden Furniture Design
Website: www.adjustabench.com

GUESTS :
Patrick Huggins
720 Camellia Trace
Knoxville, TN 37801
Phone: 865-681-7781