Japanese Saws

[riclepp]

Afternoon all

I need some advise on Japanese Saws as what experiences you have had with them and is one make more favorable than another. I am aware that there is lots of brands out there, but the best information is best got from people who use them.

I am looking the following
Rip
Crosscut
Tenon
Dove tail
Flush Cut

Cheers in advance.

 

[Glynne]

For Dovetails you might want to have a look at this: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0sI3VUeNyk

Glynne

 

[riclepp]

Thanks Glynne much appreciated link

 

[morfa]

I have got the following:

http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Gyo ... _Grip.html

and

http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Gyo ... andle.html

Those two would do everything apart from the flush cutting. They aren't great for big long rips, but they're great for detailed work, as they're so fine they produce really neat cuts. The only thing I would say about them, is that they're both now stuffed. I've not had either of them for more than a year and the Kataba broke and the Ryoba is totally blunt. Admittedly for a while the Kataba was my only saw, so it did get used a lot, but the replacement blades are £20 each, so it's an expensive way to do things if you're planning on using them a lot.

 

[RogerS]

When I went to Japan a few years back I went bananas and bought up a load of saws. I never used any of them and sold them apart from one similar to the Dovetail saw. http://www.axminster.co.uk/japanese-ike ... vetail-saw

It's the saw i always 'Go-To'. If I need to do some serious cross-cutting then I use the SCMS!

 

[woodcrafter]

Check out the folding saw made by Bridge City Toolworks. Probably the best and most versatile Japanese style saw money can buy. Lots of cash but Christmas is coming so you needn't feel bad about treating yourself!
www.bridgecitytools.com
C.

 

[Zeddedhed]

I bought a Hassunme flush cut saw from Axi last week. It cost £31.60 and came with a free Rip blade. I also bought a crosscut blade with it. I haven't used either the rip or crosscut yet - just the flush cutting blade and I have to saw its chuffin' marvellous.

 

[Eric The Viking]

I bought a Hassunme flush cut saw from Axi last week. It cost £31.60 and came with a free Rip blade. I also bought a crosscut blade with it. I haven't used either the rip or crosscut yet - just the flush cutting blade and I have to saw its chuffin' marvellous.

I bought the same on Wednesday - it should arrive this morning.

I thought for the price it was a really good way to get started with them. Axminster's offer is still running this morning: one handle + one rip + one crosscut blade for £31.60 (part # 10039), but they're presently out of stock of extra crosscut blades (not part of the offer).

I played with those saws when we all went down there last year and was very impressed, but at the time they were much more expensive and bluntly I couldn't afford one. I'm wondering now if I should have bought two!

E.

 

[RossJarvis]

I have a pair of Ryoba saws from Dieter Schmidt Fine Tools;

http://www.fine-tools.com/ryoba.htm

These cut quickly and leave a very clean edge, however the finish does get messier if the teeth on the opposite blade get into the cut. I am finding it difficult at times to get straight or vertical cuts due to the flexibility of the blade and my technique. I think they do need a fair bit of practice to get the best out of them.

I also have some Z saws from;

http://www.woodworkprojects.co.uk/index ... ort=normal

The guy who runs this is very helpful and posting was quick and he does some very good deals on bulk orders. The Z saws are "meatier" and they also have blades specifically for Oak, which I've used and work well. I've found these seem to give a less than clean cut though in comparison to the Bakuma.

I wouldn't say Japanese saws are over-priced, but they are expensive to get in Europe and it is very easy to damage them if you're a beginner. As a starter I'd thoroughly recommend the 250mm Ryoba from Fine Tools. It will cut most types and sizes of wood, both across and along the grain leaving a very smooth finish, so is a good multipurpose saw. I've ripped through 4" thick seasoned oak with this and it was surprisingly easy to do, however I'm not good enough to do this straight yet. I also ripped 2" thick oak for a length of 45" which was also fairly easy apart from my own ability on straightness and verticality The larger sizes are really only necessary for large bits of wood. If you can get on with one of these, then you can move onto the more specialised single tooth type and back saw type.

 

[Dodge]

I have found these saws from Clas Ohlson to be excellent - have a couple in the workshop and for fine work they cannot be beaten!!

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Gyokucho-R ... r307169000