Japanese Pull Saws

[Frank Medina]

I love them (Thanks Frank)
Are the BIG Dollar ones worth the BIG money???
Thanks

[Cliff Morris]

The price of a tool is not always the indicator that it is the best tool for your purpose. I'm just finishing up a round of tool aquisition so I have a fairly capable shop setup to do hand work. I still have some power tools but I really like the futsy hand tools. Regarding the Japanese type saws, many of the cheaper ones work well for western woodworkers because they are sharpened properly and induction hardened so the edges are quite hard. The higher priced ones are frequently made of a better steel but not hardened in the same way so that the woodworker can use a special file to sharpen his own saw. Unless you really are trained or familiar in the Japanese techniques to sharpen these tools all you end up with is an expensive tool that you have to send out to sharpen or you end up frustrated with it. Bottom line is the cheaper ones are better for most of us.

[John Cadd]

Cliff
I heard about one chap who sends his saws back to Japan for sharpening.He really loves his saws.
Chap(English) --Guy(American) Just checking there.An American lady once asked me "Is your LORRY the same as our TRUCK? It was a nice moment.

[Cliff Morris]

Oh they are great saws. I'm just sure that I would be constantly needing that saw while it was busy getting shipped from here to Japan and back. For me it works out better to buy the mid range ones and a replacement blade for when it finally does get dull or I get stupid and knock a tooth off on something. I use a lot of the japanese chisels just for the wonderful edge they hold. I may yet buy one of the higher dollar saws to go with my Disstons but I'm getting to the point where I have to decide to make and restore tools or make things with the tools.
I was in Coventry and Stratford last year with the family, we truly are a people separated by a common language aren't we. I hope you didn't offer the American lady the courtesy of "knocking her up" in the morning. :) Seriously, I loved England, though roundabouts and driving on the left were a bit stressful for a few days. I'd really enjoy a chance to see more of you country.

[Donald A. Fortune]

Hey Mac-- yeah that saw came from Home Depot I have one and sware by it
cost was about 10 bucks and I liked the first one so much I baught 3 more just like it so I will have spares when I ware the first one out--
Cheers,
Donald

[Michael Tulloch]

I've used them (pull saws) as a Finish Carpenter / Woodworker professionally for 20 years. I use the less expensive ones that have the blade change feature. A blade lasts me about 8 months with care and costs about $18. ( I keep the handles). I tried one of the more expensive ones some time back...think it was a $300 thing. Hand Made Hammered steel and all that. I remember being very impressed, and do plan to buy one...but to keep it in the shop, and be very carefull with it. I buy from The Japan Woodworker.

The premium units are of course worth sharpening and you will need to at some point, so you would want to learn and set up to do that, or I hear Japan Woodworker can send them back to Japan for sharpening for you.

So ...I think they are worth the money, the question would be more to : Are they worth it to you?


michael

[Cliff Morris]

Exactly Michael. Japan woodworker is a first class company to deal with too. They have the files and books and anything you might need regarding the japanese style tools. I believe it's Hida Tools that is the other major US supplier of the best japanese tools though you can get them from more sources now like Woodcraft and Lee-Veritas.