Elevate Your Craft With the Best Hand Saw Available
People who are into woodworking or other work that requires a high level of precision know that in some projects, you simply can’t create the same level of accuracy with a power tool as you can with a hand saw. These types of tools provide a firm grip and great precision that allows you to carve and cut wood with more finesse. You can shape wood as per your preference using a high-quality hand saw. Here are some of the most elite hand saws in 2023 that are available for purchase online.
Top-Notch Hand Saws in 2023
Home Planet Gear Folding Hand Saw
– Best Overall
This saw provides high precision with little force. It’s made from premium materials that are highly durable and don’t bend or break under high force or pressure. It is foldable and has a pull cut hand saw with a medium-tooth carbon steel blade that enables you to easily cut through wood and plastic without breaking or bending. It also has a strong gear lock that prevents it from snapping open inside the pocket or your backpack. Its versatility lands it at the top of our list of the top hand saws as best overall.
SUIZAN Japanese Pull Saw Hand Saw
– Most Unique Design
This saw has a unique Japanese double-edged design that makes it very useful for numerous cutting or sawing applications. In contrast to traditional push saws, this product works as a pull saw. It is made of premium quality Japanese steel that’s incredibly durable and sharp, thus making it easy for you to cut through various materials. It’s lighter than other hand saws and can cut through wood with less power, ensuring a cleaner and more precise cut.
STANLEY FATMAX Hand Saw
– Quickest Cutter
This saw is perfect for craftsmen or woodcutters who work with large blocks of wood. It has a 9 TPI blade that allows it to cut through wood 50% faster than other hand saws available online. It has a tough and durable stainless steel blade with induction-hardened teeth that are sharper than standard teeth. It also has a thick and ergonomic rubber-coated grip that makes it easy to hold and use, providing you with maximum comfort and stability as you cut through wood.
FLORA GUARD Folding Hand Saw
– Most Accurate
This heavy-duty saw has a compact and ergonomic design that makes it easy to hold and carry, with a triple-cut razor blade that’s strong enough to cut through large tree branches without bending or breaking. It is perfect for craftsmen and gardeners who have to work with large pieces of wood or tree branches. It also has a heavy-duty ultra-sharp blade that provides a clean and precise cut and lets you work on jobs that require greater accuracy. It’s made from the strongest high-grade stainless steel, ensuring longevity.
COHER Folding Hand Saw
– Most Versatile
This compact and heavy-duty saw provides greater cutting power with the least applied force. You can use it for a variety of purposes, such as pruning, gardening, hunting, woodcutting, and more. This product is made from highly durable 65mn steel and TPR material that is perfect for long-term use without rusting or breaking. The ergonomically designed plastic case with a non-slip handle and folding mechanism ensures safety while you carry it and stability as you use the saw to cut through wood or other objects.
Spear & Jackson Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw
– Most Comfortable to Use
This backhand saw is made for general uses, both for cutting across and along the grain, with its specialized ground teeth that have a universal precision. You will find this saw to be very comfortable to use; its conventional wooden handles feel soft on the hands.
SUIZAN Japanese Dozuki Dovetail Hand Saw
– Most Dependable
The SUIZAN saw offers the dependability expected of high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The Japanese steel is incredibly sharp and creates excellent cuts. The lifespan of the saw is further enhanced by its bi-material one-piece handle build, which also provides superior comfort when you use it.
Stanley FatMax Back Saw
– Most Precise
You can cut very precisely with this high-quality backhand saw, as it uses top-grade steel that makes its blade super sharp and extremely durable. The bi-material one-piece handle build also provides extra longevity and comfort.
IRWIN Dovetail Saw
– Most User-Friendly
This IRWIN saw offers the comfort needed when working hard. The ProTouch handle is ideal for safe use, no matter what you cut, and fits firmly in the hand while working. This product has a wide-body blade for better cuts, a high tooth count, and its spring-loaded blade is reversible.
GreatNeck Back Saw
– Best Accessories
This 14-inch backhand saw comes with a 12-inch miter box that allows you to make precise cuts on any piece of wood. The box also has a ruler edge, making it easier for you to measure your cuts with greater accuracy.
Buying Guide to the Best Hand Saws
What Is a Hand Saw?
A hand saw is a tool that you can use for light DIY woodworking and other projects in your workshop or garage. For more delicate work that doesn’t require a jigsaw, circular saw, or any electrical saw, this type of tool is much safer – especially for novice woodworkers with no experience with power tools.
While most saw options these days are equipped with a motor, there are some jobs you can do with just a regular hand saw. If you are in the market for one of these tools, make sure you get the right one.
How To Choose the Best Hand Saw
Choosing a saw is not that tricky, but there are some considerations you need to watch out for if you want to get your money’s worth and get something that you can actually use. Here are some of the most significant factors to consider if you are looking for a trusty tool for your next woodworking project.
Hand saw by type
First, you need to choose the right type of product for the project you are trying to complete. Here are the different types of hand saws you can choose from:
- Hacksaw
A hacksaw is equipped with a 10- to 12-inch blade. They are commonly supported by a c-shaped frame that effectively creates tension on the blade for effective cutting. These saws are widely used for cutting through metal and plastic materials, and they cut quite nicely thanks to their fine-tooth edges.
- Panel saw
A panel saw is on the longer side. It is equipped with a blade that spans up to 26 inches, and it is best used for 2 x 4s and larger sheets of wood. The slightly angled handle creates enough tension that makes you cut more comfortably through large wood sheets.
- Woodworking saw
If you are looking for a blade with fine teeth for intricate cuts, you will need a woodworking saw. These types of saws are commonly used for woodworking and other crafts and artistic purposes.
- Jab saw
Lastly, a jab saw is a long and skinny blade that resembles a turkey carver with large teeth. You can use one to cut holes through drywall, and the blade has a pointy end that allows you to push through materials. With a jab saw, you can effectively create holes for lighting and other electrical wires.
Teeth
When choosing a hand saw, you have to consider the teeth per inch or TPI. It is pretty simple. The fewer the teeth, the larger the spaces will be between each cut. At the same time, more teeth are equal to a more precise cut.
Larger gaps between the teeth make it quicker to cut through large or thick pieces of lumber or wood. However, it will not leave a very smooth finish. On the other hand, more teeth will give you a smoother finish. But since you are pulling more teeth through the wood, it will require more force to cut through each piece.
Choosing a saw with the right TPI is probably the most vital factor to consider when choosing the right saw for your projects. So make sure you know whether you need smooth cuts for finishing or if you just need a quick way to slice through wood.
Flex
Notice that most hand saws bend a little or have flex. Less flex on a blade makes it easier to cut straight lines, but it will take more force to get through. Thinner blades with more flex make cutting through more straightforward, but it requires you to be steadier.
If you want something with good flex, but is easier to cut straight with, you should try a woodworking saw. The cut motion naturally straightens it out, making it easier for you to cut a straight line.
A hacksaw provides support for both edges of the blade and reduces the flex a little bit, allowing you to cut a straight line easier.
Blade
The blade is usually made with durable steel, which is hardened to last longer. Blade shapes vary between various hand saw types.
Handle
The handle or grip is also essential to consider. Having a good grip on the handle makes it more comfortable for you to cut through wood. If you will be doing a ton of woodworking with a hand saw, you should choose one with an ergonomic handle, which allows you to maximize control and comfort
Tension
The tension, the same as the flex, affects the straightness of your cut. Saw blades made with high-quality materials and hardened steel alloy have a consistent curve that allows the user to cut a straight line easier at a precise angle.
Length
When measuring the length of the blade, the handle is left out. With a longer blade, you can cut through more wood with fewer stokes. It does not really affect the precision of your cutting. So when choosing a hand saw, it all comes down to your preference.
What Can You Use a Hand Saw For?
Woodworking
You can use these saws for creating arts and crafts made out of wooden materials. Sometimes hand saws work better for precision cutting compared to electrical saws. You can also use them for building anything from wood, such as tables and chairs.
Home improvement and repairs
You can use hand saws for replacing hardwood floors, cutting drywall for adding lighting fixtures, and other electrical and plumbing tasks.
Hand Saw Safety
Just as with any other tool, it is important to know how to use a hand saw safely. This video from Dan Leipert will provide you with some valuable safety tips.
People Also Asked
A: You will need a clamp and a metal file to sharpen your saw. First, use a vice grip and place the blade between two scraps on the side while the edge is facing upward. Then, use a metal file on the teeth until each tooth is at the same height.
A: You can start the cut by using your thumb to guide the blade to cut straight. It is best to start cutting with the teeth that are near the handle. For better force, keep your elbow as closer to your body as possible and repeat the cutting motion until you ultimately cut through the piece of wood.
