How to Choose the Right Handsaw - Part 1
By: The Working Man



Hand Saws are normally comprised of a blade with teeth and a
handle for manipulating the blade. There are an unbelievable
number of handsaws on the market, saws for trimming tree limbs to
saws for cutting pipe. But which one is which and what should you
buy for the specific job you need to do?

The Rip Saw

The Rip Saw is used for cutting wood; specifically, 2x4's or
other wooden pieces that you don't mind a rough edge on. The rip
saw is usually around two feet long and has seven tpi (teeth per
inch). You'll need some muscle to operate this saw and you'll
need to be careful to make sure that you hands are clear of the
blade in case it skips while you are cutting. Once you have a
trough or "kerf" to keep the blade in you don't need to worry as
much about your hands or fingers being cut, but be careful still,
of course.


The Cross Cut Saw

The Cross Cut Saw is for cutting across the grain of wood. A
Cross Cut Saw is about two feet (sixty-one centimeters) long and
has more teeth per inch than the rip saw, usually eight to
eleven. It isn't as fast at cutting as the rip saw but it leaves
a smooth edge when you are done cutting through the wood.


Panel or Short Cut or Box Saw

This saw is used to cut across the wood grain like a cross cut
saw except that it is shorter for ease of transportation. The
panel saw, as its name implies, is often used to trim thin
paneling.


The Bow Saw

You can use the Bow Saw to cut across wood in any direction. It
has a steel frame that is cylindrical, with a high-tension, thin
steel blade. This saw provides better leverage when sawing
through thick pieces and you can commonly see people using this
to trim thick tree branches.


Coping Saw

This saw blade is used for making coping joints or for fine wood
working because it can cut at extreme angles. A Coping Saw is
made with a deep steel tension frame and has very thin multiple
blades.


Back Saw

The Back Saw is used mostly to cut pieces of wooden molding and
trim. It is a tool for fine wood working. A Back Saw also has a
rigid piece along the back so that the saw does not kink up while
you are cutting.


More in part 2 Here


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