Author: Tony Carrick | Updated 9:42 AM, October 20, 2020

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Today, it seems that every cutting tool—reciprocating saw, circular saw, compound miter saw, jig saw—has some kind of motor. They make the handsaw look like a relic of the past, like something that only your grandfather would use.

Although it seems that there is a power saw that can meet various cutting needs, in fact, the hand saw is still an important tool in most workshops. Sometimes, only the best hand saw can do the job.

If you want to equip your workshop with the best hand saw, read on to learn what features you should look for in a hand saw and why these selected saws are suitable for recommendation.

When choosing your first hand saw or its replacement, please keep these precautions in mind when shopping.

There are many styles of hand saws, and each style is designed for a different purpose.

The teeth of the hand saw determine the speed at which it cuts the wood and the cleanliness of the cut. The number of teeth is usually expressed in teeth per inch (TPI). The fewer teeth per inch, the larger the teeth, and the greater the space (or alveolar) between them.

Coarse-toothed blades have 1 to 7 teeth per inch. These blades can cut through large pieces of material quickly, but they are not very smooth; the large teeth can tear some wood fibers, leaving a rough surface.

Blades with 10 or more teeth per inch have smaller teeth and fewer tooth spaces between them. With more teeth per inch, the blade can cut more smoothly. However, since you are going to pull more teeth on the wood, you will use more force to cut it open.

The best TPI for you depends on how you plan to use the handsaw. For example, a tear-off blade designed to cut wood grain quickly has a TPI of about 5. On the other hand, the cross-cutting blade is designed for smooth cutting and has 10 to 12 TPI.

The teeth also determine how the saw cuts. The saw blade with sharp serrations on both sides can be cut during the push-pull stroke. However, a blade with sharp teeth on only one side will cut during the push stroke or the pull stroke, but not at the same time.

The hand saw blade is made of hardened steel alloy to prevent the teeth from becoming dull too quickly. Although they use the same material, the shape of the blade can vary greatly depending on the type of saw and its purpose.

Most hand saws are inherently curved, which means that the blade will bend.

The bending of the saw makes straight cutting difficult. A saw with a thicker blade is stronger, but requires more effort to cut the material. On the other hand, thinner blades will penetrate the material faster, but have greater flexibility.

Some saws are designed to overcome this bending dilemma by adding support to the blade. For example, a hacksaw is characterized by a frame that can hold the blade on both sides. The adjustment screw on the frame creates tension on the blade to prevent it from bending when cutting harder materials such as metal.

The woodworking saw only cuts in the pulling part of the stroke. Contrary to pushing, the tension generated by pulling causes the blade to naturally straighten during the cutting stroke.

Proper blade tension is essential for making straight and even cuts. When you press the saw blade on a solid object, it should bend slightly. A well-made saw blade will have a consistent curve when bent, which means it should not be bent at a sharper angle anywhere. When you release the blade, it should immediately spring back straight.

Some hand saws are designed to create tension on the blade. For example, the hacksaw blade is characterized by a C-shaped frame connected to the ends of the thin saw blade. Tension adjustment allows you to increase the tension of the blade to make it stronger. Some saws can generate blade tensions as high as 50,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), creating the stiffness required to cut harder materials such as metals.

Given that you manually operate a handsaw, the handle is almost as important as the blade. A saw with a poorly designed handle will be difficult to control and uncomfortable to use. Many saws are designed with ergonomic molded handles and rubber handles for maximum control and comfort. However, this is not true for all hand saws. Some manufacturers design their saws with classic, beautiful stained wooden handles. Although this design may sacrifice comfort, displaying a hand saw with this time-honored look will undoubtedly add character to your studio.

Length refers to the cutting blade, not including the handle. A longer saw will cut more material in one stroke, which means less stroke is required to complete the cut. Longer saws also tend to provide more uniform and consistent cutting lines. In other words, the length of the saw mainly depends on personal preference. People with larger arm lengths may prefer a 26-inch saw, while people with shorter arm lengths may prefer a 15-inch hand saw.

Below you will find some hand saws that are best for your workshop. From cutting wood to sawing metal, these recommendations can handle almost any type of work.

When it comes to hand saws, most DIY enthusiasts want something that can handle various tasks. With its 9 TPI ​​and deep tooth grooves, this saw can quickly cross-cut wood, tear planks, and occasionally cut branches. It is flexible enough, but it can still be cut quickly.

The saw's 16-inch blade allows long-stroke cutting in both directions, speeding up the cutting process. Due to its lightweight design (weight less than a pound) and ergonomic non-slip handle, it is also comfortable to use, providing control and comfort. With its versatile design and comfortable handle, this is a hand saw that is very suitable for daily use.

One advantage of hand saws is that they are much cheaper than the successor of electric saws, as can be seen in the price tag of this Craftsman 15-inch hand saw. It has a tooth-shaped structure that allows deeper cuts when stroked down, and gentler cuts when backstroke, in order to achieve fast and smooth cutting. With its induction hardened teeth, the saw can stay sharp for a long time.

In order to increase control, this saw has a sturdy handle to provide you with a firm grip, and a rubber handle, which is more comfortable when sawing thicker boards. The handle also has built-in 90 degree and 45 degree angles, so you can use the blunt side of the blade to draw precise cutting lines.

When it comes to cutting metal efficiently, high-pressure blades are essential to ensure straight cuts. But how much tension is enough? This Lenox hacksaw can generate up to 50,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) blade tension, ensuring that you can cut directly through the hardest materials.

The comfortable rubber handle allows you to control the saw when cutting metal. This saw also provides many hidden features, including a convenient storage cavity for up to five blades and a holder for turning this tool into the second blade of the jigsaw.

For hand-held tools, comfort is the most important-especially in dirty work such as drywall. Without a motor to assist you, your arm will do all the work. With its molded rubber handle, you can hold this DEWALT jigsaw firmly.

Using its aggressive tooth geometry, this saw can quickly complete drywall cutting operations, which can speed up your project progress and save your arm some energy. This tool can also cut other building materials, including plastic. Moreover, with its induction hardened teeth, the blade should remain sharp in many projects.

This AIRAJ hacksaw is very versatile. With its advanced hacksaw blade and ergonomic handle, it can easily cut plastic pipes, wood and metal. It also has a convenient adjuster for fine-tuning the tension of the blade during operation, allowing you to optimize its cutting performance.

The saw includes two sets of brackets that allow you to cut at standard 90 degrees or 45 degrees. Rubber grips provide control and comfort. The second handle on the other end allows you to use the saw with both hands to make those tricky cuts. AIRAJ 12 is equipped with 10 steel blades.

Most Western-style saws cut in the pushing part of the stroke. This Japanese hand saw uses a blade to cut through the pulling part of the stroke to flip the script. what is the benefit? The see-saw allows for more accurate cutting. This saw also has a thin blade to cut wood effortlessly.

This Japanese see-saw combines two saws into one: the fine-toothed side allows for smooth cross-cutting, and the other side includes larger, more aggressive serrations that can be used for tearing cuts. These features make it an excellent choice for fine woodworking. Both blades are made of Japanese steel, very sharp and durable. Rubber handles provide ample grip for excellent control.

There are some guidelines to consider when using a handsaw.

If you still have questions about the new handsaw, please check these frequently asked questions.

Use your thumb to help align the saw blade with the cutting line. Start with the tooth closest to the handle. Make sure to start cutting on the scrap side next to the production line. Make some back cuts until you create a clear opening in the wood. Place the saw at a 45 degree angle to the material. Bring your elbows close to your body and start with some short forward strokes to deepen the incision. Then, start to make longer strokes.

Clamp the saw blade in a vise between two scrap wood chips with the saw blade side up. Make sure that the clamp clamps the blade close to the cutting edge. File the teeth with a double-cut metal file until they are the same height.

To prevent rust, lubricate the saw after each use. You can use a variety of lubricants, including WD-40, gun oil, or paste wax. In addition to preventing metal oxidation, lubricants also help the blade to slide in the wood.

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