Japanese Pull Saws for Carpentry?

paperclap

Hi all,

I'll soon be fitting new MDF skirting and architrave.

I'll also be fitting laminate flooring soon though, and undercutting the existing door linings.

Does anyone have any experience with Japanese hand saws? Much finer teeth, cut on the pull (opposed to typical Western saws which cut on the push), and supposedly give a much better, neater cut.

Can't find any at all on the typical stores (Screwfix, Toolstation, Travis Perkins, B&Q, Wickes).

Thanks!

dil1976

Not looking very hard are you?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-jack-19tpi-wood-extra-fine-pullsaw-10-270mm/1576k?_requestid=279735

dil1976

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=japanes+saw&adgrpid=56817307887&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp_yerNi-9AIVkI9oCR19BgmREAAYASAAEgLfXfD_BwE&hvadid=259034144852&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046392&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16766055292331180346&hvtargid=kwd-299577198864&hydadcr=20056_1747521&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_1bmapvq0og_e

theoretica

Both Japanese and Western - quality matters and selecting the right saw for the job.  I tend to go Western - because I am used to them, but Japanese can be nice for small fine work (it's the thinner blade, you can get very fine teeth on push saws) and when speed isn't an issue.  Never had access to an appropriate Japanese saw for large cuts.

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said: I'll also be fitting laminate flooring soon though, and undercutting the existing door linings.

The go-to tool for this sort of job is usually a Multitool - https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emt300-qc-300w-electric-multi-tool-220-240v/622fx - With the right blade, you can cut just about anything, and it is great for flush cuts where a regular hand saw can't get to.

paperclap

dil1976 said:

Not looking very hard are you?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-jack-19tpi-wood-extra-fine-pullsaw-10-270mm/1576k?_requestid=279735

I had seen this. But, A, it is not the same as a Japanese pull saw. And, B, it is not available for click and collect or delivery at any store, so safe to assume it is discontinued from Screwfix.

paperclap

FreeBear said:

laurencewhymark said: I'll also be fitting laminate flooring soon though, and undercutting the existing door linings.

The go-to tool for this sort of job is usually a Multitool - https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emt300-qc-300w-electric-multi-tool-220-240v/622fx - With the right blade, you can cut just about anything, and it is great for flush cuts where a regular hand saw can't get to.

Had alrrady given this some thought… but I’m not sure when I would use a multitool again!

theoretica

Is there a tool library in your area?

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/home-garden/library-things-directory

Alderbank

That Irwin Jack saw from Screwfix is a pull saw but it is not a Japanese saw. Japanese pull saws have different teeth and have unique abilities.

Ryoba is a respected Japanese brand. Here is an example:
https://www.axminstertools.com/japanese-double-edge-ryoba-saw-250mm-103696

If you buy one from Amazon avoid the much inferior Chinese copies

paperclap

Alderbank said:

That Irwin Jack saw from Screwfix is a pull saw but it is not a Japanese saw. Japanese pull saws have different teeth and have unique abilities.

Ryoba is a respected Japanese brand. Here is an example:
https://www.axminstertools.com/japanese-double-edge-ryoba-saw-250mm-103696

If you buy one from Amazon avoid the much inferior Chinese copies

Thanks for the insight to that brand!

That is largely the reason I didn’t want to shop on Amazon for this. I’m not clued up on the top brands for these Japanese saws… so would probably end up buying one of those Chinese duds!

Sadly, Amazon seem to have gone down hill a fair bit lately with Chinese copies. Noticed it with quite a few products (not just tools).

EDIT: Upon closer inspection, isn’t the brand of that particular saw called Z-Saw?

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said:

FreeBear said:

laurencewhymark said: I'll also be fitting laminate flooring soon though, and undercutting the existing door linings.

The go-to tool for this sort of job is usually a Multitool - https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emt300-qc-300w-electric-multi-tool-220-240v/622fx - With the right blade, you can cut just about anything, and it is great for flush cuts where a regular hand saw can't get to.

Had alrrady given this some thought… but I’m not sure when I would use a multitool again!

I keep on finding uses for mine.

e.g. Removing grout between tiles (with a carbide blade). Trimming odd little bits of wood/plastic/etc. Cutting floorboards prior to lifting them. Detail sanding right up to an edge or into a corner. The list goes on.