Along with hammer and screwdriver, the hand saw is one of the most common and basic tools in the woodworker's workshop. For short cutting tasks, nothing is more convenient.
The teeth of the blade flare slightly outwards, alternating right and left with each tooth. This causes the teeth to cut through lumber, in a groove known as a kerf. Because the teeth cut outwards, the kerf is slightly wider than the blade itself, preventing the blade from getting stuck in the groove it creates.
In general, the more teeth per inch (tpi), the finer the cut and the longer it's going to take to make it. So, if you are building a large structure, like a deck or a shed, you'll want a saw with fewer tpi. If you are going to be working on furniture, you'll want a saw with more tpi.
Types of Hand Saws
Handsaw
The classic handsaw has a wide angular blade with a wooden handle at the wider end. It is designed for cutting straight lines through wood.
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Within this category, there are different saws designed for specific tasks. A
crosscut saw, for example, is designed to cut best at an angle perpendicular to the wood grain. A
rip saw is designed to cut parallel to the grain. The difference between the two is a slight difference in the shape of the teeth. A
plywood or
panel saw is made with a finer set of teeth to avoid splintering the outer layers of plywood.
Although each specific saw works best for its specific task, it isn't necessary to have one for each. A crosscut saw can do rip cuts. Likewise, a rip saw can make cross cuts. On the other hand, handsaws are not expensive.
Backsaw
Like the classic handsaw, the backsaw has a wide, flat blade and a wooden handle on one side. But instead of being triangular, the backsaw blade forms a rectangle. The metal is reinforced along the top edge by a metal strip. This keeps the saw from bending while it is pushed through the wood. Backsaws are also known as dovetail or tenon saws.
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Keyhole Saws
A keyhold saw has a much smaller blade, usually with a sharp tip. The function of the saw is to cut into drywall or paneling, much like electric sabre saw. There are various different varieties of keyhole saws, known as drywall, wallboard, utility, jab, and compass saws.
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Pruning Saws
Pruning saws have narrow, curved blades. They are designed to be used on trees and bushes and often fold up so that they can be conveniently tucked into a sheath or toolbox.
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Coping Saws
Coping saws are a type of frame saw. A frame saw provides a "frame" in which a saw blade can be held taut. The blades are usually very thin and long. They are expected to break or dull over time. The user then attaches a new blade into the frame of the saw and continues working.
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Coping saws are used to cut curves and scrolling patterns into a piece of material. The curve of the frame is designed to give the woodworker room to maneuver the blade within the material.
Hacksaws
Hacksaws are frame saws and look similar to coping saws, but they are designed to hold blades that cut through metal, rather than wood.
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Bow Saws
Bow saws also follow the general design of framing saws like coping saws and hacksaws. However, they have a similar purpose to pruning saws--to cut through fresh green wood.
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Accessories
Miter Box
A miter box is a handy tool for cutting precise 90° and 45° angles. A piece of lumber (most often a 2 x 4) is placed inside the box and flush with one side. The saw, usually a backsaw, is then placed in the one of the grooves in the box, depending on the angle desired. This can save a lot of time, as the angle doesn't need to be marked before being cut.
For wider pieces of wood, a miter block can be used.
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Rip Fence
Rip fences are often sold as power saw accessories, but they are useful for handsaws as well. A rip fence is a long straight piece of metal that can help guide the blade on long rip cuts.
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Wood Clamps
Wood clamps are indispensable accessories. They are used to clamp a piece of wood to a sawhorse or table and keep it steady as it is cut.
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Price Range
In general, a good handsaw is going to cost anywhere from about $10-$25. Because of the low price, most of these saws are meant to be replaced when the blades dull.
The exceptions to that rule are the frame saw and the keyhole saw blades. These frames and handles are kept while the blades are removed and replaced. A frame saw shouldn't cost much more than $25, and many can be found for around $15.
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