How and When to Use a Japanese Pull Saw | Ask This Old House

How and When to Use a Japanese Pull Saw

Cost: $20-$100, depending on the tool

Shopping List:

Steps:
1. Unlike traditional Western hand saws, the Japanese pull saw’s teeth are angled in the opposite direction, meaning that the cutting action happens when you pull the saw towards you instead of pushing away from you.
2. Japanese pull saws are also usually more flexible than traditional saws, so it’s great for flush cuts, like cutting trim along a floor or a bung on a flat surface.
3. There are basic Japanese pull saws that have teeth on both ends, which allows for both cross cuts and rip cuts. Higher end saws come with interchangeable blades and usually last a lot longer, but are more expensive.

Resources:

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Nathan Gilbert Carpentry.

Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet:

Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:

How and When to Use a Japanese Pull Saw | Ask This Old House

[karl_alan]

Gotta say, I do most all of my hand sawing with Japanese pull saws. Switched over to them almost exclusively and have not regretted it.

[AchievedZeus]

I'm not the only person that saw a red flash at 00:58 right?

[xcmskim]

Also great for trimming cured spray foam insulation!

[JeepingNet]

After getting a pull saw about 2 years ago I can't think of the last time I've grabbed my traditional saw.

[hasselhooph]

I got 2 pull saws, i use them as my primary. does not work well with wet wood, they teeth are fine and small. i had to switch to a push saw that was also a crosscut saw and it worked fine. the teeth were longer.

[Stelli]

I am using the Japanese Pull Saw for dovetail connections and other stuff where i need to make fine cuts. Great Tool

[billb.]

Now THIS is the kind of video that I want from TOH....informative and interesting.

[EDHBlvd]

My Vaughan “bear saw” uses the same pulling teeth design. Cuts tree branches down in seconds.

[juantransportador]

I'm the # 830 and the 👍#32, I'm still loving this clips😁

[TheDudeFromKalispell]

This video seems kind of short and incomplete... There are many different types of pull saws, which all have in common, that they cut more effortless and are easier to control. Maybe you won't cut huge lumber with them, but there are many with coarser or finer teeth, there are some that are very flexible, but others have spines on them so that they don't flex on you when you are cutting f.e. dovetails. So showing just two types here and only rather fine cutting work is less than half the picture.

[Orxenhorf]

Could call this "When to use a flush trim saw" for all the actual information they gave. (Oh, and these particular saws might not even be flush trim models if they have the teeth set to both sides.)

[michaelbaumgardner]

A small Sharp block plane works best on plugs, Just saying.

[michaelgabriel]

1:22 a normal japanese saw will scratch your surface, cause the teeth are bend both ways, if its not specifically a flush-cut saw

[daddynichol]

Intern now TOH contributor. Congratulations!

[johnroberts]

Hi TOH, I'm going too try & find one of these saws at home depot or menards ! 👍😃🛠

[johngallagher]

Doesn't tell me what I want to know. Should have explained the two sides/teeth and when to use each.

[BradThePitts]

The Japanese "Zen" thought regarding the pull saw: the nature - sawdust - is pulled toward you, and not pushed away.

[yogibeer]

Tommy gets blamed again, I know the feeling

[kencur]

Thank you for not filling the video with 5 mins of useless and silly jokes, as others do. I come here for information, not comedy.

[Bubbaspork]

Always keep one handy when going to meet the prison rat