Japanese wood saws are well-known for their high-quality and impressive performance. While European saws are pushed through the wood, these specialist Japanese tools cut wood by pulling. Thanks to their lightweight nature, you require less power yet the edge is clear and neat.
If you’re looking for the best Japanese pull saw in Australia, you’ll find our top picks here!
RazorSaw 371 Japanese 25 TPI Dozuki Saw
If you’re looking for a multifunctional, all-purpose Japanese pull saw, the RazorSaw 371 is your best bet. Suitable for use as a dovetail saw, backsaw or tenon, it features wafer thin blades. The kerf measures just 0.3mm!
How To Find The Best Japanese Saws In Australia?
| Image | Name | Features | |
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RazorSaw 371 Japanese 25 TPI Dozuki Saw |
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RazorSaw Japanese Double Flush-Cutting Saw |
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see price on amazon
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RazorSaw Japanese 16 TPI Dozuki Saw |
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see price on amazon
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Razorsaw 311 Japanese 19.5 TPI Dozuki Saw |
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see price on amazon
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If you’re looking for the best Japanese saw set, you’re going to need to know which features to consider. Here are some aspects to bear in mind when making your choice:
Style
There are a number of different kinds of Japanese pull saws. You need to ensure you’ve chosen the right kind so you can work with wood more comfortably. Some different varieties of Japanese saw include:
- Dozuki – these saws are excellent for getting deep and accurate cuts. They are the ultimate Japanese dovetail (1) saw.
- Kataba – this traditional, thick-bladed saw is good for general woodcutting.
- Ryoba – with two cutting teeth on each side, this is a double-edged saw. One side is for rip cutting and the other is for crosscutting (2).
The Saw Teeth
Carbatec Japanese Saw is also a great option
Every handsaw, whatever its origin, has teeth that have been designed to either cut across or with the grain. On both Eastern and Western saws, rip teeth are similar. They are fat triangles that have chisel-edged tips.
However, the teeth of Japanese pull saws are narrow and long. They are designed to slice through the fibres of the wood with 3 razor-sharp edges.
Sharpening a Western-style saw is easy, but it can be challenging to file the crosscut teeth of a Japanese saw. You need a lot of patience and skill. Therefore, you may need to replace the blade once it has become dull.
Other Features
There are a few other features to look out for when you’re choosing a Japanese pull saw. They include:
- Super thin blades – Japanese saws should have a kerf of under 1/32 of an inch.
- Handles – you should look out for saws that have straight handles. This will give you optimal control when carrying out woodworking projects.
- Folding blades – if you need your Japanese pull saw to be portable, a folding blade is ideal. It will also keep the blade edge well-protected.
- Curving blades – if you need to start a cut in the center of a piece of wood, a curved blade is ideal.
Our Japanese Pull Saws Reviews
Here, you’ll find our top four picks of the best Japanese pull saws on the market this year.
1. RazorSaw 371 Japanese 25 TPI Dozuki Saw – Best Overall
Specifications
Blade thickness – 0.3mm
- Dimensions – 61 x 9.5 x 2.9 centimetres
- Blade length – 240mm
If you’re looking for a multifunctional, all-purpose Japanese pull saw, the RazorSaw 371 is your best bet. Suitable for use as a dovetail saw, backsaw, or tenon, it features wafer-thin blades. The kerf measures just 0.3mm!
This Dozuki saw has a tooth configuration that is ideal for both end-grain and cross-grain cutting. It leaves a smooth and clean surface finish. This makes it a good option for all kinds of woodworking projects.
Built to last, this durable and strong tool offers the ultimate comfort during all woodworking activities. This makes it a wonderful all-rounder for anyone who wants a multi-purpose Japanese pull saw.
2. RazorSaw Japanese Double Flush-Cutting Saw – Best on a Budget
Specifications
Blade thickness – 0.3mm
- Dimensions – 30.2 x 9.2 x 14 centimetres
- Number of teeth – 22
If you’re looking for an affordable Japanese pull saw, the RazorSaw is ideal. A great option for any woodworker on a budget, this saw is the ideal backsaw, tenon or dovetail saw. It is multifunctional enough to carry out a wide variety of woodworking projects with ease.
The added spine allows the blades to be manufactured to an exceptionally thin degree. The kerf measures just 0.3mm. Meanwhile, the saw’s tooth configuration has been primarily designed for end grain and cross-grain cutting.
This saw is a good choice for all general woodworking purposes. It leaves a fine and smooth finish on the surface. Therefore, it’s a perfect option for novices and those who want great value for money.
3. RazorSaw Japanese 16 TPI Dozuki Saw
Specifications
Blade thickness – 0.3mm
- Dimensions – 18 x 3.1 centimetres
- Blade length – 180mm
This saw from RazorSaw is robust, user-friendly, and effective. Made by the popular RazorSaw brand, this tool is a versatile option for all kinds of woodworkers.
Perfect for use as a backsaw, tenon or dovetail saw, it can be used for all general woodworking purposes. It produces a fine, smooth surface finish thanks to the tooth configuration which is primarily for end-grain and cross-grain cutting.
Thanks to the well-designed top handle, this tool ensures optimal comfort while working. Made from strong and durable materials, it also guarantees a long useful lifespan.
4. Razorsaw 311 Japanese 19.5 TPI Dozuki Saw
Specifications
Blade thickness – 0.3mm
- Dimensions – 54.6 x 8.8 x 2.3 centimetres
- Blade length – 9.5”
The RazorSaw 311 Japanese 19.5 TPI Dozuki saw is strong, robust, and efficient. Ideal for use as a backsaw, tenon, or dovetail saw it produces an impressively fine finish.
If you’re seeking an effective general woodworking pull saw, this tool won’t disappoint. Its 9.5” blade length is complemented by a kerf thickness of just 0.3mm. It’s no surprise that this tool leaves a smooth finish on surfaces.
The comfortable handle makes this tool a breeze to use, and its strong and durable materials ensure a long lifespan. With teeth that are configured primarily for end and cross-grain cutting purposes, it is a good multi-functional choice.
The Verdict – Which Japanese Hand Saw Do We Recommend?
All four of these Japanese pull saws would be an excellent choice for both professional and novice woodworkers. However, overall, we would recommend the RazorSaw 371.
Its strong construction from quality materials ensures a long lifespan. Meanwhile, its handle has been designed for the ultimate comfort during even long periods of use.
The strong cross-cutting teeth make fast work of woodworking projects, all for an affordable price.
Japanese Pull Saws FAQs
The most distinctive difference between Western-style saws and Japanese saws has to be their handles. A pull saw usually has an extended handle. Many of the best brands will manufacture them with a wrapper for a more comfortable grip. Western tools, on the other hand, feature short handles and a long blade.
Japanese saw blades, unlike Western blades, have teeth that are angled in opposite directions. This means that the cutting action occurs when the tool is pulled towards you. With Western hand saws, the opposite occurs, i.e. the cutting action takes place when the tool is pushed.
A lot of Japanese saw brands define themselves as affordable professional hand tools. This means that their products are targeted towards a wide range of customers. Carpenters and professional woodworkers do use these tools. However, many DIYers and homeowners also use them regularly.
In the long-term, sharpening Japanese pull saw blades is better value for money. You’ll achieve far better cuts and blades will need to be replaced less frequently.
Some Japanese pull saws have teeth that are impulse-hardened. This uses a high-frequency heating technique to harden the teeth. Meanwhile, the blade is left untouched.
Some manufacturers, though, don’t sharpen their saws. This means you need to sharpen the blade yourself. You can do this using a special tool known as a feather file. This is available in a number of different sizes to suit various tooth counts.
Technically, you can use a Japanese pull saw to carry out joinery projects. Nevertheless, they aren’t specifically designed for this purpose. Even the very best Japanese saws require you to have a lot of skill to use them for this purpose.
References
- What is A Dovetail Joint? – Retrieved from https://www.rockler.com/learn/what-is-a-dovetail-joint
- 5 basic Woodworking Cuts You Need To Know How To Make- retrieved from https://woodworkingformeremortals.com/5-basic-woodworking-cuts
