Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke, so the blade can be thinner and the kerf narrower than a Western push saw, with less effort and a cleaner cut. Power Tool Services stocks Zetsaw and Suizan from Japan, Temple Tool pull saws and Pony Jorgensen double-edge and dovetail pull saws, in ryoba, dozuki, kataba and flush-cut patterns. Furniture makers, carpenters and anyone who has fought a dull panel saw will notice the difference on the first cut.
Choosing a Japanese saw
- Ryoba: double-edged, rip teeth on one side and crosscut on the other, 180mm to 250mm. The Zetsaw Carpenters Ryoba 250 and Suizan 240mm are the general-purpose choice for a one-saw workshop.
- Dozuki: a stiffening back and very fine teeth for dovetails, tenon shoulders and joinery. 150mm for small joints, 240mm for wider cuts. Temple Tool offers fine rip, fine crosscut and ultra-fine versions.
- Kataba: single-edged with no back, so there is no depth limit; the Temple 265mm and the Zetsaw Carpenters H-series handle framing and deep rips.
- Flush cut: a flexible blade with no set on one face, for trimming dowels, plugs and through-tenons level without scoring the surface. Suizan 120mm, Zetsaw 145mm, Pony Jorgensen 125mm and Temple 150mm double-edge.
- Folding: Pony Jorgensen 150mm and 240mm folding dovetail saws travel safely in a tool bag.
Japanese pull saw replacement blades
Most Zetsaw saws use replaceable blades, so when the impulse-hardened teeth finally dull you swap the blade rather than the saw; the double-sided flush cut replacement blade is stocked here. Hardened teeth cannot be resharpened, which is the trade-off for how long they stay sharp. For Western-pattern saws see hand saws, the rest of the Pony Jorgensen range, or coping saws for curves.
In stock in Cape Town with nationwide courier delivery, free on orders over R2000. Call 021 674 2119 for advice on which pattern suits your joinery.
