Japanese pull saws changed my whole approach to finish work

I used Western push saws for 15 years and thought they were fine. Last year I grabbed a $30 Japanese pull saw on a whim and the kerf is so THIN I barely need to sand joints anymore. Anyone else find pull saws just feel more natural?

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3 Comments

theas282mo ago

Totally get that, the thin kerf is a game changer for sure.

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olivia_white932mo ago

Doesn't the thin kerf just cause more blade wobble on tough cuts?

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alicer532mo ago

The thin kerf actually works better for me when I'm cutting dense hardwoods like oak or maple. Less material removal means the saw blade doesn't bog down as much, so cleaner cuts with less burning. The real trick is matching the blade to your saw's horsepower, a thin kerf on an underpowered saw can definitely wobble if you push too hard. I actually keep a full kerf blade for ripping thick pressure treated lumber, the extra heft keeps it stable. Different tools for different jobs, you know.

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