Pull saws are a type of Japanese hand saws used for woodworking. There are many different kinds of pull saws, and some are better suited for beginners than others!
As a beginner, you should choose either a Dozuki, Kataba, or Ryoba pull saw. The best choice depends on what exactly you’ll be using your pull saw for. As you gain more experience, you may want to add other types of pull saws to your collection.
Below, we’ll discuss the best pull saws for beginners, how to use a Japanese pull saw, and what purpose each type of pull saw is best suited for!
A good saw is usually the centerpiece of a workshop. We discuss all types of saw questions in our live workshop sessions. You can watch our past workshops on YouTube here(Link to Cucamonga Woodworking)
Best Pull Saws for Beginners
If you’ve never used a pull saw before, you probably don’t know exactly where to start. Here are some of the best options for beginners.
SUIZAN 6” Dozuki Pull Saw
This Dozuki pull saw is an excellent option for beginners due to its short, light, comfortable grip. It’s rattan-wrapped for optimum comfort and control, and the thin blade is excellent for making precision cuts. In addition, it’s handy for dovetail work.
The blade itself is just 0.012” wide and features 25 teeth per inch. The teeth are heat-treated, which is both a pro and a con. The heat treatment makes the teeth sharper but also makes them more brittle. Eventually, you’ll have to purchase a replacement blade. However, if you’re looking for a pull saw that’ll let you easily cut through hardwoods, this is an excellent option for those just starting.
SUIZAN Ryoba Double Edge Pull Saw
Ryoba pull saws are another great option for beginners. This particular saw features a 9.5” sharp, thin, double-edged blade, with one side meant for crosscutting and one for ripping. It makes smooth, accurate cuts thanks to its high-quality, Japanese steel construction. Like most Japanese pull saws, the handle is rattan-wrapped for comfort and control.
This is an excellent choice for any beginning woodworker who wants to make professional-grade cuts. If this is your goal, go with this Ryoba saw!
Z-Saw Dozuki
Z-Saw’s Dozuki pull saw is one of Japan’s best-selling pull saws! The high-precision blade is crafted from tensioned high-carbon steel and features 26 teeth per inch. It’s straightforward to handle and control, making it the ideal saw for those just starting with Japanese woodworking.
The blade is ideal for joinery and crosscuts. The spine is designed for making better long cuts, and the rigid back provides the user with more accuracy. If you’ll be doing a lot of precision work, this is an excellent pull saw to choose.
The Advantages of Japanese Pull Saws
Japanese pull saws are excellent for precision, easy to use, and require almost no maintenance. In Japanese culture, woodworking is regarded as a form of artistry. Therefore, the Japanese take it very seriously, which has led to years of durable, sustainable wooden architecture and design.
Using a Pull Saw
Unlike American hand saws, Japanese pull saws cut on the “pull” stroke. You start your cuts by using the rear of the blade, cutting slowly and gently to avoid jamming. As you make your next cuts, you’ll want to slowly build up your speed before slowing back down to finish. Your grip should be further down the handle, and you should avoid trying to cut the wood on the push stroke, as this can damage the saw’s teeth.
As far as maintenance, there’s very little you need to do. Just make sure to store your saw in a cool, dry place to avoid rust and corrosion.
Types of Pull Saws
While Western-style hand saws cut on the push stroke, Japanese-style hand saws cut on the pull stroke instead. Many different kinds of Japanese pull saws to choose from, and some are better suited to beginners than others. You’ll have to decide which pull saw to purchase from these options:
While all of these varieties of pull saws serve the same general purpose, there are some important distinctions.
Dozuki Pull Saws
Dozuki, or “tenon,” pull saws are among the best options for people just starting with Japanese hand saws. They work well for dovetail and joinery cuts and are appropriate for hard and soft wood types.
They’re closely related to Kataba saws, and the teeth have some similarities to those on a crosscut saw. The stiff spine on Dozuki saws helps the user make straighter cuts but reduces your ability to make deep cuts.
Ryoba Pull Saws
Like Dozuki and Kataba pull saws, Ryoba saws are a good option for beginning woodworkers. This saw can be used for various purposes it features teeth on both sides of the blade. Typically, the teeth on one side are filed for crosscutting. On the other side, they’re filed for ripping through wood. The teeth on some Ryoba saws are filed differently, where one side can be used for hardwood and the other for softer woods.
Anahiki Pull Saws
Anahiki pull saws are often used in Japanese culture for:
- Construction work
- Beam cutting
- Log cutting
You can use them on a wide variety of both seasoned and green types of woods. And, if you need to cut rough lumber, this is the type of saw to go with.
Kataba Pull Saws
Kataba saws are another good general-purpose option for those just starting. Unlike most varieties of Japanese pull saws, Kataba saws only have a blade on one side. This, along with the thicker blade, makes them perfect for making deeper cuts, and the teeth are filed properly for crosscuts and ripping.
Kabata saws specifically designed for ripping may also feature smaller teeth at the rear that gets larger as you move toward the tip of the blade. This is perfect for cutting deeper faster.
Azebiki Pull Saws
Azebiki saws are the most appropriate option for making cuts in tighter areas, thanks to the short, curved blade. They’re also often used to make the starting cuts in the center of a panel. Although they’re probably not the right pull saw to start with, they’re a handy tool to add to your collection as you become a more experienced woodworker!
Kugihiki Pull Saws
Kugihiki means “to cut nails.” These saws have no set teeth, and the flush-cut blade allows them to easily cut wooden dowels and nails, as the name suggests! In addition, the rear of the blade is thick to make stronger cuts, while the tip is thin and flexible. This lets Kugihiki saws cut at angles that other pull saws might not be able to without damaging the surface of the wood.
Sokomawashibiki Pull Saws
Sokomawashibiki saws are known as “bottom” saws because their original purpose was for cutting the wood for the bottom of wooden buckets! They have a curved blade, which allows you to make curved cuts in hard and soft wood varieties easily.
Mawashibiki Pull Saws
Mawashibiki pull saws are Japan’s version of a Western keyhole saw. As such, they have a narrow yet thick blade that’s ideal for cutting wood into curved pieces, as well as cutting keyholes!
At our Cucamonga Woodworking live online workshops we discuss bend and steaming wood at about the 5 minute mark of this video. You can also check out our other past workshops on Youtube Here(Link to Cucamonga Woodworking)
The Bottom Line
While the vast amount of options for Japanese pull saws may seem daunting, it’s straightforward to choose the best type once you have a bit more information! As a beginner, we’d recommend going with a:
- Dozuki pull saw
- Kataba pull saw
- Ryoba pull saw
Remember to take your time and consider the primary purpose you’ll be using your saw for before making your final decision!