Getting a hand saw can help you with various wood projects as they are designed for making precise cuts and do other detailing work. However, it is important to know the essential factors about these tools so that you won’t make a mistake while purchasing one. The construction, material, blade designs, and other such features play an important role while depicting the strength and durability of the product and will help you to get the best hand saw for your projects.
What Are The Essential Features To Choose The Best Hand Saws?
Construction
While looking for a hand saw, it is important to consider the construction of the tool as it will determine the quality and durability of the product. Most companies use stainless steel for the construction process and add an extra rust-proof coating to prevent it from getting damaged. Though stainless steel is good, it is pretty heavy and can strain your hand after some time. It is better to look for a hand saw made of Carbon steel as it is sturdy, reliable, and light in weight.
Grip
Working with a hand saw is a tiring job that can further result in wrist pain. Hence, you need to look for a saw that has a comfortable grip and will give you good control over the tool. A good grip can help you in cutting the metal with precision and less pressure. Manufacturers mainly use well-textured TPR rubber with finger grooves as a grip for the saw, which gives maximum comfort to the user.
Tooth Shape
Hand saws come in two different tooth shapes: Rip saw tooth and Cross-cut saw tooth. The shape of the teeth states whether the saw would be able to make sharp cuts or not.
- The rip saw teeth are constructed to cut lengthwise on the board or metal. These teeth cut along the grain of the wood and do not make precise cuts. They are perfect for doing any long projects where sharpness is not much required.
- Cross-cut teeth are designed to cut across the grain and make fine cuts. They work more like a knife but with more sharpness and are used for detailing work, where precision is important.
Resharpenable Teeth
Most saws have hardpoint teeth that cannot be resharpened once they get dull. They are affordable and designed to last for a long time. Once the teeth become dull, you have no other choice but to throw the saw away. Resharpening saws are expensive but have the benefit of sharpening the teeth in regular intervals. These saws are suitable for professional woodcutters as it would save them money on buying new saws.
TPI Or Teeth-Per-Inch
The TPI is the teeth count of a hand saw and determines the type of material the tool can cut. If the TPI is around 2 to 8 TPI, then it is suitable to cut softwoods and perfect for small DIY projects. A saw with a TPI around 20 to 30 is designed to cut through strong metals precisely and handle heavy duty work as well.
Saw Length
Length plays a vital role while choosing the best hand saw. Most saws have a large blade length, around 30 inches, designed to cut through thick tree trunks. A smaller saw has a length of approximately 15 to 17 inches designed explicitly for light maintenance work. Smaller saws are perfect for people who don’t do much wood cutting duties, whereas larger saws are for professional woodcutters.
Blade Design
The blade’s design and construction must be intact, as it plays an essential role in stating the sturdiness of the tool. If the thickness of the blade is less, there are chances that it will bend or break under high pressure. But, if a blade has a good thickness, it can handle high pressure and last for a long time.
Replaceable Blades
Blades tend to get dull or rusted after prolonged use and need to be changed regularly. If the hand saw does not have the feature of changing blades, then it would simply be a waste of money. However, if you get a saw that supports replaceable blades, then make sure that the specific blade is available in the market.
What Are The Various Types Of Hand Saws?
Universal Saw
Universal saw is the most general hand saw available on the market. It comes in various teeth designs and TPI that is suitable for all kinds of woodcutting jobs. This saw is designed for professionals as well as beginners in the field.
Coping Saw
Coping saws are the easiest hand tools to use for any wood jobs. They have thin blades designed in a U-shape that is perfect for cutting softwoods and doing DIY wood projects. Moreover, the blades are replaceable and safe to use.
Tenon Saw
Tenon saws are designed to make angular cuts in wooden boards or metals. You can use them with a mitre box and get precise results. They are mostly used for making doors, windows, and other interior wood designs.
Final Words
Hand saws are essential for woodcutters as they help in making precise cuts without much effort. A good saw can improve your skills and give you excellent results. However, while buying a hand saw, make sure to do your research and note down important factors for future references. We hope that this article would have helped you to understand the various factors so that you can select the best hand saw for your wood projects.
Hand Saw FAQ
Q: How much TPI is needed to cut through hard plastic?
A: For cutting hard plastic, you need a hand saw with TPI around 10-12. It would help you to cut through the material precisely.
Q: Is it important to replace the blades regularly?
A: Yes, it is important to change the blades regularly to prevent them from getting damaged. Moreover, old blades cannot make sharp cuts and need more pressure to work properly.
Q: What type of hand saw is perfect for DIY projects?
A: A coping saw is perfect for doing any DIY wood projects. They are safe to use, portable, and have thin blades.