A hand saw is a manual cutting tool with a toothed blade used for cutting wood. Hand saws are distinguished by blade shape, tooth geometry, and frame design according to their intended application.
A bow saw has a narrow, replaceable blade held in tension by a tubular or H-shaped metal frame. The frame maintains blade tension for straight, accurate cuts.
Key specifications:
The bow saw is one of the most efficient manual saws for crosscutting wood. The replaceable blades allow the user to fit coarse or fine blades for different tasks. The narrow blade produces a narrow kerf (cut width), reducing effort.
A pruning saw has a curved, aggressive-toothed blade designed for cutting live wood. The curved shape allows the saw to cut on the pull stroke, reducing binding.
Key specifications:
Pruning saws typically have impulse-hardened teeth that remain sharp for extended use. The aggressive tooth pattern cuts quickly through green wood without clogging. Many pruning saws have a folding design for safe storage.
A crosscut saw is a long, tapered blade designed for cutting across the grain of dimension lumber.
Key specifications:
Ripsaws have chisel-shaped teeth optimized for cutting along the grain. Crosscut saws have alternating beveled teeth (fleam) that slice across the grain. The primary bevel angles differ substantially: rip teeth are filed straight across (0° fleam), while crosscut teeth are filed at 15–30° fleam.
A coping saw has a very narrow, fine-toothed blade held in a U-shaped frame. It is used for cutting curves and intricate shapes in thin wood.
A keyhole saw (or jab saw) has a narrow, pointed blade used for cutting small holes and starting cuts in the middle of a panel.
Saw teeth are characterized by:
Saws are sharpened with a triangular file, maintaining the original rake, fleam, and bevel angles. The correct file size depends on TPI (e.g., a 4-inch slim taper file for 7–10 TPI). Teeth should be jointed (leveled) before filing. Set can be restored with a saw set tool. Saws should be stored with blade guards or in a dry location to prevent rust. Light oil on the blade prevents corrosion.