Bob Beecham | posted 11:30 AM, January 27, 2021

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Since Roman times, bow saws have been popular with carpenters. Early bow saws were made of wood with steel blades and twisted ropes or wires for tensioning. This design has not changed much since its introduction and has been used by cabinet manufacturers and other artisans for hundreds of years.

Nowadays, bow saws are rarely used as hand saws for furniture manufacturing and general woodworking. In fact, in addition to framing and roof work, many people use bow saws for garden and woodland purposes. Read on for tips on how to find the best hack saw for fast and efficient cutting.

Visit any hardware store or online store to find a large number of saws, many of which are easy to use due to corded or cordless power supplies. Even so, these multi-function saws still cannot compare with the simplicity, economy and portability of hack saws, making them ideal choices for gardeners, survivors, framers and roofers. Although the best bow is a basic tool, there are still some aspects worthy of careful study. Here are a few key factors to consider when buying the best hack saw.

Saw blades are usually rated by TPI (tooths per inch). The more serrations, the smoother the cut. However, high TPI blades may cause sawdust to get stuck in the tooth grooves or gaps between teeth, which slows down the cutting process and overheats the blade (shortening its service life). Bow saw blades are very rough—only 3 TPI and rarely more than 14—allowing them to make fast, aggressive cuts. Low TPI blades are very suitable for green wood; when cutting wood, a higher TPI model is better.

Many manufacturers did not mention TPI. In contrast, hack saw blades are designated for wet cutting or dry cutting. Wet wood sticks to the blade more easily, so this blade has fewer teeth (lower TPI). They may also be "raked", where each pair has an offset. The blades of the rake can make wider cuts and remove waste as they move. Unlike many other types of saw blades (which only cut on the push stroke), hack saws usually cut in two directions.

The price of replacing bow saw blades varies, so it's worth shopping around. Higher prices usually mean better saw blade quality. Inexpensive bow saw blades usually have poor cutting results and rarely show good value.

In order for the hack saw blade to cut effectively, it needs to be under tension. Otherwise, it will bend or twist, making the saw difficult to control, causing the cut to deviate from the track. This is especially important when cutting 2×4 lumber for partition walls or larger sizes for roof beams.

In the original design of the hack saw, tension was applied by twisting a rope or a thin wire. This pulls on the wooden frame. It is effective but provides a weakness that requires regular replacement. The handle end of modern metal frame hacksaws is equipped with adjustable screws or cam levers (sometimes both). The former allows precise changes in blade tension. Although the latter usually doesn't-it hooks into pre-made holes and tension when closed-it is the more common method and is very fast.

Bow saws can be used for tasks such as cutting storm-damaged branches from trees, general pruning, and sawing logs. Each of these tasks usually needs to be completed quickly. This is an effective action, but it may cause rough skin on the knuckles.

Although not all hacksaws have knuckle guards, the best ones are of course. On low-cost models, it is usually just a flat metal strip, simple but effective. On better models, it may be molded into a handle. When wearing gloves, check if there is enough space to place your hands between the frame/handle and the joint guard.

Folding hacksaws, regardless of quality, are an exception. They need to be folded flat, which means that the knuckle guard cannot be installed.

Most hacksaw frames are made of steel pipe, which combines strength and durability. Although prone to rust, they usually have a powder coating that provides a protective plastic skin.

Some bow saws, especially folding bow saws, are made of aluminum. It is not as strong as steel, but is much lighter, so it is the perfect tool for camping or hiking trips.

The most common shape is a bow, much like a bow and arrow drawn by a child. The gap between the blade and the back of the frame defines the largest log or branch diameter that can be cut, so they have the largest capacity. Triangular bow saws are also provided. These make it easier to enter small spaces—such as between branches—and are popular with roofers. Folding hacksaws are flat, easy to transport, and usually follow a triangular pattern when ready to use, although some are trapezoidal (straight-sided bows).

The bow saw is mainly specified by the length of its blade. The compact 12-inch model has a moderate capacity in terms of cutable thickness, but it can still be used as an alternative to pruning saws, for example, when dealing with large shrubs or small fruit trees. They are also very portable and very useful as part of the RV toolkit. At the other end of the scale, a 36-inch bow saw can cut thick beams and fell trees up to 18 inches in diameter (the generally accepted maximum cut is equal to half the length of the blade).

Many projects that use a hack saw can also be processed with a chain saw. However, the price of a bow saw is only a small part of it, it is easier to carry, does not require fuel (except maybe a good breakfast), and it is very quiet. In the hands of experienced people, the bow saw can prove to be a fast and effective tool.

After understanding the applicable features in detail, it is time to apply them to the hack saws you can buy today. Although our best overall choice is a great all-rounder and will meet the needs of many craftsmen, we have also studied other hacksaw models that provide specific advantages in their respective categories.

Truper is a general purpose bow saw. The steel frame has a considerable thickness, giving it good strength. It is an open design that provides ample space between the blade and the back of the frame, thereby maximizing the size of wood or logs it can saw. The blade tensioning is through the cam lever, which is quick and easy. Truper saws weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds, which is relatively light.

Although the blades provided are designed for cutting green wood, the dry cutting version is relatively cheap, and the additional blades will provide buyers with an excellent all-rounder.

GreatNeck is known for producing basic, value-for-money hacksaws. This compact 12-inch model adds versatility and includes a hacksaw blade and standard bow saw blade, so it can cut metal and wood. Despite the low cost, the frame is powder-coated to prevent rust and has a simple but fully functional steering knuckle guard-something that budget-friendly hacksaws often lack.

The 12-inch blade does limit the cutting capacity, and the quality of the blade can be improved (not expensive to replace). Nonetheless, it is worth the money as a tool for daily work around the yard, or as a supplement to the RV owner’s tool kit.

The frame design of the bow saw makes it an impractical tool for hiking in the wild, but it is safer and easier to use than an axe. solution? Buy a folding bow saw, such as Sven-Saw made in Sweden.

With its extremely sharp 15-inch tempered steel blade, Sven-Saw can handle almost any campsite activity. It has an aluminum frame that will not rust, and in addition to space-saving dimensions, it also weighs about 1 pound. A 21-inch model is also available.

No bag is provided, and finding a bag is a necessary condition for putting the components together. For example, a missing wing nut can hinder assembly and use.

Bahco has an unparalleled reputation for manufacturing high-quality hacksaws-they produce a range of tools to meet most needs. Whether managing woodland or on the job site, this 30-inch model is capable of heavy-duty cutting.

Although the steel frame is a common feature, Bahco is thicker than most, giving it the high strength needed to survive in harsh environments. Despite its large size, this hack saw is lightweight and easy to manage. It is also powder-coated to prevent rust. There are blades suitable for raw wood or dry wood to choose from, a strong knuckle guard built into the handle provides all-day comfort, and a fine adjuster for precise blade tension. It is a larger hacksaw than many people need, but it has few competitors in cutting large-diameter branches or thick-section wood.

At first glance, Agawa looks a lot like any other general purpose hacksaw, but it is more angular than normal. The sturdy, lightweight anodized aluminum frame accommodates 21-inch blades, is designed for powerful cutting, and provides good capacity. The only thing missing is the knuckle guard.

However, loosen a nut and the whole thing will fold on its own. This not only makes it compact and easy to carry, but it also wraps the blade so it can be safely held in the hand or placed with other items. It will be assembled in a few seconds and automatically tension the blade when doing so.

It is more expensive than most hacksaws, but for some people, the functionality and undeniable convenience are worth it.

You should now understand the most important characteristics of bow saws and have the opportunity to learn some of the best. However, you may still have some questions about their purchase and use. The FAQ section below provides answers to some of the most popular queries.

Generally, folding saws have a wider sheet metal blade that extends from the handle and folds back to the handle for transportation. This mechanism is different from a pocket knife. A folding saw is a one-handed tool, usually used for branches that do not exceed a few inches in diameter.

Initially, cut a V-shaped wedge near the bottom and cut through a third of the tree on the side where you want it to fall. After removing the wedge, walk to the other side of the tree and look at "V" from a slightly downward angle. Be realistic-the diameter of the largest tree should not exceed half the length of the saw blade. Cutting down trees can be dangerous, so if possible, learn from someone who has experience.

Blade wear will depend on what you see and how often. The steel frame itself is very durable. If it is kept clean and free of rust, it should be usable for many years.

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