Thread: Do REAL men use handsaws?

I wont use a handsaw as I am strong enough to pull the trigger on my electric saw.

No way would I give up my hand saws. I've bought two this year alone. One new S&J and an old Disston off eBay. Both tenon saws. I use them all at home for woodwork, but also at work ie on site where I use 'em to help me earn a living.

Ryoba! Ry-O-Ba! Ry-O-Ba!

with disposable blades!

OK, its half way there. If any of Dad's saws were sharp or rust free I might give it a go, but I usually do the snake shape thing with push saws.

well I never thought I would think it would come to this, but I now just about use handsaws more than power saws...by the time you get set up for the power saw, the cuts are done with a nice sharp handsaw.....

Originally Posted by Shane Watson

well I never thought I would think it would come to this, but I now just about use handsaws more than power saws...by the time you get set up for the power saw, the cuts are done with a nice sharp handsaw.....

And your point is ?? You still haven't got to use a power tool. What's the point of being at the top of the food chain if people are still going to use primitive HANDTOOLS

I have a number of power and hand saws. On the power side there is a sliding table saw, band saw, jig saw, circular saw, and a few others. The hand saws range from several Japanese Dozukis and Katabas, to a couple of Western tenon saws and several dovetail saws, plus several rip and crosscut panel saws. Add to these a hand mitre saw.

The table saw is still a mainstay, but the amount of work done by the hand saws is increasing all the time, and there are many sessions when they do all the work. The band saw gets a fair amount of use, but the jig saw, drop saw, and circular saw have not been used in months.

Like hand planes, hand saws require practice to cut accurately. Like planes, saws need to be set up correctly, sharp and with the appropriate set. The difference between a sharp and a blunt saw is amazing. Like the difference between a sharp and a blunt plane blade. Plus there is the need to choose the correct saw to use (again just like a plane). For example, I like the Japanese saws for softwoods and Western saws for hardwoods.

Why would one use a hand saw? The quality of a cut from a Japanese saw needs to be seen to be believed. It is possible to get a cut that is as smooth as a planed surface. The hand mitre saw is far more accurate than the power mitre saw, and together with a shooting board I can obtain perfect mitres.

It is often just more convenient to grab a saw and make a cut - no setting up, no adjustments needed, no noise, no chips flying at you - and the quiet pleasure of doing it yourself.

Vintage Western handsaws are every bit as good - and usually better than - the modern versions. Which means that it is possible to build a collection of saws quite cheaply. I bought a $20 John Cotterill 8" dovetail saw about a year ago, cleaned it up and had it professionally sharpened (rip, 15 tpi). It would not cut straight. So I gradually filed away the set on the one side, then the other. It cut smoother, but I ended up taking off too much set and it would just bind in the kerf. In frustration I lashed out and bought a new LN Independence dovetail saw. This is a stunner. I continued to play around with the John Cotterill, refilling the teeth and adding a smidgeon of set. It now cuts better than the LN!!

I think that if you are planning to use Western saws then you will need to learn to file and set the teeth. Japanese saws have replaceable blades, unless you buy very expensive custom jobs, so there is no need there.

I find great satisfaction in using hand saws, much like the satisfaction from hand planes. At this point I cannot see them replacing all my power saws, but anything is possible.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I use both power saws and hand saws.

It takes more skill to use a hand saw properly but there are times where a handsaw does the job perfectly and quickly especially in confined spaces.

To go to the effort of dismantling something so you can use a power saw rather than a hand saw and then re-assembling would be ridiculous.

To use a hand saw to cut large pieces rather than do the job quickly and accurately is equally ridiculous.

Each saw has their place and their uses and to stubbornly stick to one because you haven't got the other or haven't got the skills to use the other are the first signs of lunacy.

- Wood Borer

I line my stanley shark tooth saw. its excellent - when its blunt you can use the handle as push rod and the saw itself can be converted into scrapers or anything else that likes high tensile steel in a uniform thickness. having said that I have only ever blunted one and I use the replacement quite a bit.... sometimes I couldnt be farged to set up the circular saw or put up with the noise of powered machinary so out comes the handsaw. sometimes its easier to use a handsaw - eg when cutting skirting boards or small bits of something else. besides you gotta geta new one dont ya ? how else will you feed your addiction and fulfill he who dies with the most tools wins ? )

Totaly agree with Derek. I have a wide selection of hand saws but still couldn't resist buying a Japanese fine cabinet saw. Bloody incredible cut!
Kind regards
Termite san.

Termite,

Did you buy it in Canberra recently?

- Wood Borer

For rippign yes power up. But for crosscutting, how much time does it really take to use a good hand saw. I'm slowly learnin to make accurate crosscuts with a Ryoba, it's quick cheap and safe.

Although I have taken a bit of a gash out of my legs when the saw came through the bottom of the cut quicker than I anticipated.

Havign said all that, I dont think I could be bothered with teh whole resharpening and setting of old western saws and I can understand why people get their $2500 tablesaw out to crosscut a 19x45mm piece of pain.

Woodborer. No mate havent been near the place for years. Timbecon, but then I havent been near them for about 13 years either, dont have to their service is good.
Kind regards
Termite

The circular saw I was borrowing from my Dad kicked the bucket recently and just as I was about to start building a dvd shelf unit. Next pay wasn't until this week so I had no choice but to use my old hand saw. I was amazed at how blunt the thing is and how out of condition I am.

Cheers,
Craig

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Question: Is it really worth it? Do real men still use hand saws? Should I just make a violin bow and add them to my musical instrument collection?

Midge, is this question the modern equivalent of hand planes? Do real man use handsaws ( or planes or other handtools ) ? If so I'll stop now because we have had too many debates like that.

As a dedicated power tool man I have a Triton workcentre permanently set up and a SCMS and 3 circular saws ready for use but where appropriate I still use my handsaws. To me it is a matter of using the right tool for the job in hand. Ofcourse given a choice I use a power tool.

Peter.