How to Use a Japanese Style Pull Saw

I wanted to have a quick chat about pull-saws.

They are really different than western saws, and I've become a big fan.
There are two sides to this type of saw, one for cuts along the grain and one for across the grain. The fine-toothed one is for cross cuts and it is what I'll use.

I highly recommend these types of saws, and if you want one you can get them for pretty cheap here.

This is a fantastic book on Japanese Joinery, if you're interested in learning more about how these masters work.

Japanese woodworking is a pretty broad subject. This is one of my favorite books by Toshio Odate, which explains what to use when, and why.

If you're serious about doing joinery, you should also have a "Kataba" saw, which has only one edge and a rib that steadies the back of the blade (similar to what you'd see in a dovetail saw).

Step 1: Making a Perfectly Square Cut Across the Grain

I wanted to show you how I make quick work of a cut and make it
perfectly square.

We're going to make a cut here on the end of the scrap of wood. I start by using my square to mark where I want the cut to be. Next I'm going to follow this line down onto the perpendicular faces. This will give me a guide for when I'm cutting to ensure that I'm cutting 90degrees to my line.

Step 2: Now I'm Ready to Make My Cut!

I use a small block of wood to clamp against my work-piece. If I don't, the clamps will leave a mark.

I start my cut on the corner, and pull down towards me.

I'll make a shallow pass on the top line, and then work my way down the perpendicular line. Using my finger to steady the saw helps me guide it.

Step 3: Easy Does It at the End

Be gentle at the end and hold the off cut so that the last bit of wood doesn't splinter off.

And there you go, nice 90deg cuts with a Japanese pull saw.

Thanks for reading!

If you're interested in more woodworking tutorials like this, come join me in my YouTube Woodworking channel, Click Clack Clunk!