There will always be a need for manual tools, and Japanese saws are some of the best hand saws on the market thanks to their ease of use.
We’re advocates of the almighty power tool. Power tools make every project a lot faster and easier in many ways, allowing woodworkers to complete pieces in less time and with pinpoint precision. However, there will always be a need for manual tools in any woodworker’s workspace. Power tools are amazing, but they aren’t the right choice for every job.
When it comes to hand saws, Japanese saws can be a better choice than Western saws in some cases. These come with some interesting benefits that can make hand sawing a lot faster and easier, with cleaner results.
Easier to Use
Western saws cut on the push stroke, which requires significant force to achieve. Japanese saws, on the other hand, cut on the pull stroke. Cutting on the pull stroke means Japanese saws require much less pressure to create cuts, making them significantly easier to use—especially for an amateur. When you have projects that require hand sawing, a Japanese saw can make the job much quicker and easier.
Narrow Kerf
Japanese saws are much thinner than Western saws. Western saws need to be thick because they cut on the push stroke and need to withstand the pressure being applied during cutting. However, since Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke, they can be up to 75% thinner than Western saws. A thinner saw means a narrower kerf, allowing for a cleaner cut and more precision than a Western saw.
Smooth Cuts
Not only do Japanese saws produce cleaner cuts, but they also produce very smooth cuts. Japanese saws are lined with lots of tiny teeth, which allows them to produce very smooth slices that barely disrupt the wood. In fact, sometimes the cuts are so smooth it’s as if they’ve already been planed and sanded. This is another way Japanese saws can make a job go more quickly and easily.
Replaceable Blades
Saw teeth break—it’s a fact of life. Over time, all saws need to be replaced after extensive use. Japanese saws, however, use blades that can be replaced without needing to buy a whole new saw. This can be a great way to save yourself quite a bit of money over time.
Hardwood Flooring from Jason Brown Wood Floors
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional-grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Abingdon showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, Mirka, Makita, Saw Stop, and Grex.
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