Tools & Materials
An Overview of Japanese Saws
Andrew Hunter shares some of his techniques for ripping, crosscutting, posture and workholding, and buying Japanese saws.
Jul 24, 2019
Andrew Hunter taught himself to use Japanese pullsaws. Admittedly not a purist when it comes to using Japanese tools, his techniques are a mixture of Japanese and Western ways of working. As a result, the postures he uses, along with many of his techniques, are a compromise between the advantages of the Japanese approach and the ability of a Western-trained body and mind to adapt. In this video, Andrew shares some of his techniques for ripping, crosscutting, posture and workholding, and buying Japanese saws. He also offers guidance on which saws to buy first, including three versatile saws that should take care of most of your sawing tasks.
More on FineWoodworking.com:
- Choosing and Using Japanese Handsaws – by Toshio Odate #101–July/Aug 1993 Issue
Thin blades and sharp teeth to pull through the wood - Using a Japanese Pull Saw by Gary Rogowski #188–Tools & Shops 2007 Issue
An alternative to the western dovetail saw, the lesser-known pull saw is versatile and produces a thinner kerf - Japanese-Style Dovetail Saws by Charles Durfee #188–Tools & Shops 2007 Issue
These fast-cutting saws are affordable and razor-sharp out of the box
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Comments
Where did you get the hardwood rip dozuki and the large backless rip saw?
Was fortunate to take a class instructed by Mr Hunter, without a doubt one of the most inserting classes I have ever taken. Andrew is extremely knowledgeable and equally humble. I have applied his teachings since and my craftsmanship has gone up another level.
Excellent video. Thank you Andrew and good work FW. I continue to receive great value from your various publications. You really know what the woodworker is wanting to learn.
Great information, and I'd vote for another Andrew build video.
Great intro to Japanese saws. Andrew is very compelling to watch. His knowledge and delivery, coupled with teaching Japanese woodworking is a winner.
The most valuable insight was how to sit and cut on the benchtop without having to use a vise/workholding device. That seems very efficient and easy on the back. I would really like to see more content from Andrew.
Another great show-and-tell video from Ben Strano. Your Andrew Hunter interviews are inspiring. There is much to learn from our Asian Brother Woodworkers. I reach for my Japanese saws frequently when I need my most accurate cuts. "My collection grows, as my Western saws languish. Saw dust drifts like lotus blossoms to my shop floor." (With apologies to any form of haiku ever written!)
One thing I love about my Japanese saws is that they are so doggone quiet. One can saw indoors and they just whisper through the wood. As I get older, my ears are more sensitive to noise, even the noise of a Western saw, sad to say.
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