Handsaws

Handsaws are used by woodcutters and carpenters to cut wood into different shapes and sizes. The cut pieces are usually used to build a larger object. Handsaws are one of the oldest hand tools used by man across civilizations.

Material of handsaw blades
Usually, handsaws have steel blades. Earlier handsaws used to have blades made of bronze.

Types of handsaw blades
The blades of handsaws can have two types of teeth – crosscut and rip. Crosscut saws have a blade with many small knife edged cuts, usually shaped with a metal file. They are used to cut across the grain of wood quickly, where tear off is not a problem. Rip saws have a blade with multiple chisel-like edges shaped into it. They are more useful in ripping through wood in the along the grain. When used against the grain, the cut is very ragged. However, many carpenters find rip saws more effective for cross cutting wood and vice versa.

Cutting strokes of handsaws
Handsaws can be classified into "push cut/stroke" and "pull cut/stroke" handsaws. Differentiating factors are power applied in cutting, cleanness of the cut, accuracy of the cut and thinness of the cut. Japanese handsaws and those used in ancient Egypt were pull stroke. Most handsaws seen in modern Europe and United States are push cut.

Types of handsaws
Many types of handsaws are available to serve various purposes. Some of these are:

• Keyhole saw or Compass Saws: This crosscut handsaw is used to cut out round openings that are too big for a drill. It is also used to start a cut from the center of a sheet or board from a drilled hole. It has removable blades.
• Backsaw: This is used to trim molding, for fine woodcutting and making angle cuts. It has a stiff blade ideal for this purpose. Types of backsaws include:
• Dovetail saw for fine joinery work such as cutting pins and dovetails.
• Carcass saw for cabinetry work.
• Miter saw is a large saw used in a miter box.
• Tenon saw is used for rough joinery work such as cutting tenon cheeks.
• Gents saw has a turned handle. It is used for work in cramped places and regular joinery work.
• Wallboard saw: This push cut handsaw is used to puncture plasterboard, backing board and wallboards with a stiff, thick and pointed blade.
• Coping saw: This saw is used to make contoured and smooth fine-line cuts and curves. It has a thin blade. It is usually pull stroke.
• Hacksaw: This saw is used to cut pipes, plastic and metal. The junior hacksaw and mini hacksaw are two variations of this handsaw.
• Panel saw: This saw is push cut, shorter in length than regular crosscut saws. They are useful in cutting thin wood and large joints.
• Flooring saw: This handsaw has a rounded nose to start a cut from the middle of a floorboard. The other edge is used as a normal handsaw.
• Fret saw: This handsaw is ideal for marquetry work and detailed scroll saw on wood, plastic or soft metals such as bronze and copper.
• Bow saw: This saw is used to cut logs into lengths. It cuts on push and pull. Larger versions are operated by two people.
• Pruning saw: This saw is typically used to cut or prune greenwood.
• Japanese saw: This saw has a very thin high precision steel blade. It is used to cut softwood and hardwood, and takes less effort. Three main types of Japanese saws are

1. The Dozuki - used for crosscut and angled cuts. It has a steel back.
2. The Kataba - used to cut down timber to size very quickly. It does not have a back.
3. The Ryoba - has two sets of teeth – one on each edge. One edge is for ripping and the other for crosscutting.

Buy the right handsaw for the job. Hold it to make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Verify the teeth per inch (tpi), length and type of cut before making your choice. With the right handsaw in your hands, you can achieve high quality results; ensure a longer life of the tool and your own safety.