Best Hand Saws

 

Best Hand Saws

If you like to do work around the house, then you might need a hand saw. This nifty little tool is a must-have for any basic tool-set and is a staple for woodwork. Chances are, you are looking for one.

While the options for a chainsaw are there, the charm of a good old hand saw never dies. That’s because they can be more reliable. They are more portable and easier to operate with. These devices are also pretty easy to use. So, I’m going to present to you a list for the best hand saws.

Why Get A Hand Saw?

Despite talking about the more obvious advantages that a hand saw has; I’d like to elaborate why a hand saw can often be the better choice for you compared to chainsaws. For those not convinced, here are the reasons why you should get a hand saw.

1. Lightweight

This one should go without saying. You need both hands and a bit of strength to wield a chainsaw. Hand saws, on the other hand, are much lighter and you could just swing it around with one hand easily.

2. Not Expensive

Tell me this, why would you spend over a hundred dollars to get a chainsaw when you can get a hand saw that does the same thing while costing under fifty bucks. That’s right, they are that cheap.

3. Portable

Again, this is another more obvious point. A chainsaw needs a constant power source, while a hand saw needs only the force of your hand. So, you can carry it around with no problem.

4. Versatile

A hand saw can also be versatile. If you are looking for finer cuts you can get alternative teeth with certain models. You can use it to cut through bones if that’s your requirement.

5. Less Maintenance

If something happens to a chainsaw, it is a trip to the hardware store, and even if you’re lucky, it will still cost you a good deal of money. With a handsaw, you could tinker with it yourself and often get it fixed.

Even if you need to replace teeth, they usually are cheap. In case you snap the blade off, it can still be patched up at home.

Top 5 Best Hand Saws Review 

Now you might be confused about which one to get. After all, there are so many options. Don’t worry! I’ve put together a list for you to choose from.

1. EverSaw Folding Hand Saw All-Purpose

 

This robust model is excellent in both endurance and quality. It is durable enough for you to go rough on it. Something that many handsaws struggle with is cutting things that are too big. This handsaw, however, is nothing like that. It is very strong and can cut pieces of wood or bone up to six inches wide.

Since it is a very durable and strong saw, you’d expect it to be very heavy, huge, or somewhat unwieldy. But no, not at all. It comes with a folding handle. This can let you put the thing away once you’re done. And the saw itself is small enough to fit in your pocket. This can prove to be invaluable especially if you’re traveling.

One technical issue to keep in mind, however, is that it does have a mild curve. Being a Japanese saw, it has a one-sided blade. And thus, it cuts on the pull. On the push, it slides over the material. This can be confusing to some. You apply pressure on the pull. On the push, you are to relax the pressure to get the best results.

Don’t underestimate its one-sided blade though, it can cut almost anything except metal. You could use it to clear branches out with ease. Small trees can be chopped down with this too! And, it is pretty versatile. It’s good for gutting animals and can slide through bone seamlessly.

There is one drawback though. The handle is a little too heavy compared to the blade. This can result in imbalance, which could cause inconvenience to many. It can prevent you from getting a good grip, and that can even lead to accidents. Be careful about this if you’re really considering this saw for purchase.

Pros

• Cuts up to six inches

• Small size; portable

• Very sharp

• Versatile

Cons

• Handle too heavy compared to the blade

2. BLACK+DECKER PHS550B Handsaw

 

The only electric saw on this list is the model by Black & Decker which boasts a lot of firepower. It is only one here that can cut metal. So, say goodbye to your hacksaw. We don’t need that anymore. It can cut wood clean off with no issue whatsoever.

There is almost no dust either. Metal, although a little tougher, can be cut with this almost seamlessly as well.

Since it is electric, cutting wood is easy. While it can cut metal, it is very useful in cutting wood. Clearing out branches is a cakewalk. And even thicker branches and trees can be cleared with this one with no problem at all. Bear in mind that it is not a chainsaw. You still have to move it back and forth. However, it is a lot easier.

Operation of this is easy. Just push the button. That will do the job. And since it is electrical, it works wonders for people who don’t seem to have the strength to forcefully operate a regular handsaw. No physical effort is needed. You don’t have to push much. Just a mild press should send it cutting through most materials.

However, while the operation is easy, the setup has left lots of people with their heads scratching. Yes, the saw does require setting up and it’s a little complicated. Fitting the blade has proven to be the most challenging. The locking pin, which sets the saw blade in place, is a bit difficult to secure. This can be time-consuming.

Owing to its electric build it can cut through almost anything and if the blades wear down, you can get easy replacements for just a couple of bucks. And, replacements do not necessarily have to be of the same kind.

That’s right, you can get teeth of any size you want. This will allow you to customize this machine however you want it.

Pros

• Cuts metal

• Easy to operate

• Clean cut

• Various types of teeth can be fitted

Cons

• Difficult to set up

• Not portable as it needs electricity

3. Silky GomBoy Curve Professional Folding Saw

 

By the virtue of being a Japanese style saw, it only cuts along one side. On the “push” part of the stroke, the saw simply slides along the material that is cut. You should pay attention to the “pull” part of the stroke because that’s when it actually cuts through. You should apply pressure on the pull, and it’ll cut smoothly.

Unfortunately, not everyone can do this properly. The backstroke or the pull stroke has to be correctly executed for the blade to advance into the material. Many simply can’t do it on the first try and just assume that it is a low-quality saw. Try it with a good backstroke. There are lots of tutorial videos for this on the web.

The extent of cut on the thing is pretty impressive too. While metal is off limits, it can easily stride through the wood. Even branches as thick as seven inches are a piece of cake for this heavy-duty unit. Need to chop up bones? Fear not. This can easily serve that purpose. Tough meat is no problem either.

Owing to its versatile nature, you can take this out for your travels as well. You could use it in the backyard for some vegetation control, or you could pack this to go camping. And when you are setting up camp, it can be useful in various ways.

It’s a very good option for clearing up vegetation. If you want to clear some land really quickly, then this is your tool. It can cut trees and is on par with a chainsaw for that matter. Although it is not very fast and effortless, it still can get the same job done.

Pros

• Cuts up to six-inch bones and wood

• Can cut down trees

Cons

• Learning to use is difficult

4. Tarvol Heavy Duty Pruning Saw 

 

This model, although it is a Japanese style and uses premium quality Japanese steel, cuts along smoothly with both the “push” and the “pull” stroke of the blade. For people who have issues with the one-way blade, this can be a good alternative. The double ended blade means that the cutting is done faster.

In this product the blade itself is sturdy. This is because it was made to be thick. You can ram it in there with no fear of it bending or something.

Thin blades are often the weak point of many hand saws. They can bend if you plunge it in and can flat out snap if you push it too hard. The thick blade on this will endure all of that and perform well.

Sturdiness aside, the blade of the saw is curved. This unique design was made to balance the weight between the blade and the handle. In an effort to reduce weight the blades are often thinned to the point where the handle becomes too heavy in many saws.

To avoid that and for a better grip, this model is made to be well balanced.

Something that is often a complaint with many hand saws is the absence of a sheath. The sheath is basically there to protect you from the sharpness. It is unsafe to carry it around openly. And the exposure can also eat away at the sharpness of your handsaw. This one includes a fully operational scabbard.

The teeth on this are fine and precise. This means little dust. Dust can make for a hazard and more dust usually implies an imprecise cut. It is very sharp and that means you can use it to cut softer materials such as meat or skin. This makes it a good choice for gutting animals.

Overall this is one of the best hand saws I’ve tried

Pros

• Good cut

• Two-way teeth

• Good balance between handle and blade

• Sheath included

• Clean cut

Cons

• The sheath is difficult to equip

5. Silky 270-33 Zubat PROFESSIONAL Series Curved Blade Hand Saw

This is another ultra-sharp tool. It cuts past wood, up to six inches thick with ease. Hence, you could use it to clear up medium-sized trees and branches. This can also cut through thick bone. So, this proves useful in hunting and camping as well.

The teeth on the saw are extremely sharp! So much so that just a little press, and you can cut a fairly thick wood clean off. This is particularly useful if you are an elderly person or if you just simply don’t have too much strength to spare. Besides, pressing it too hard can bend the saw or lead to accidents.

Since you don’t need too much pressure to operate the thing, you hack away pretty fast at the saw. In fact, this is one of the fastest tree hand saws right now in the market. You could be done with a tree in under ten minutes. This speed can really boost your efficiency around the house. It rivals the speed of a chainsaw.

There is no “proper” way of grabbing it. And there is no specific angle to hold it in; it is just your average table saw. Many saws have a certain technique to them which can pose a problem. This model is basic and very easy to use. It is also lightweight, and that can reduce the stress on you too.

Scabbards, sheaths themselves are a rare inclusion in hand saws. And on top of that, the sheaths can be difficult to use. This model fixed that problem with a simple locking pin. This lets you put on the sheath when not using it and open it quickly as well.

Pros

• Can cut up to six inches of wood

• Good sheath system

• Fast cuts

• Less force needed to cut

Cons

• Unable to cut metal

Definitive Guide to Buying the Best One Possible

There are many factors to consider before you buy. They are listed below.

Sharpness

While this might seem obvious, there are some things to talk about here. Sharpness essentially means how easily the material you are cutting will yield. So, if you don’t fancy dragging the blade along the material, look for sharpness in your table saw.

Ultra-sharp teeth might be a tad pricey though and it can be uneconomical if you are just going to use it to cut some trees.

Tip-top sharpness is offered on many hand saws but the best application for that is usually in woodworking where you need to make precise cuts. So, if you’re just looking for a rough cutting tool, you don’t need to mind that.

Thickness of Blade

Thickness matters a lot. And it’s not what you think. It not as simple as “the thicker, the better”. The thicker your blade, the more you can roughly handle it. You can really hack it in without worrying about precision. However, the thickness comes with added weight. And beyond a certain point, it’s just not viable.

On the other hand, thinner blades are light and much easier to wield. However, they suffer from fragility. Go too hard and your blade will snap. You should know the type of materials you will be cutting and pick a hand saw that has a blade which is balanced.

Length of Blade

Again, for this, it is not as simple. You might think a long blade is the best but there are things to consider before you go for a three-feet-long blade. Length is good, especially if you’re going to use it to cut down trees.

However, the longer it gets, the more susceptible it is to bending or even snapping. The excess length might just make it wobbly.

Then again, getting something too short is an equally bad idea. You need a saw to stretch across the width or diameter of the material to cut it properly. Otherwise, it’s going to just be extremely tedious. I suggest going for a medium length.

Durability

Now, the durability I’m going to talk about is of two types. The first one is of immediate durability. That refers to whether it can take some rough handling and still retain its performance. That is a key requirement. You’re going to be using this regularly. If it was to be treated like fragile goods, it won’t be fun for anyone.

Now let’s talk about long-term durability. You can afford a little bit of leeway here. But the thing should last a reasonable length of time. The teeth shouldn’t dull for at least a few months. Yes, over time it can wear out, but you should get something that gives peak performance for at least a year or so.

Design

While the design has a large subjective element to it, there are some objective aspects. I’ll talk about the functional execution of the design. In regard to the blade, you have the curved and straight designs. Tree trunks are cylindrical and as such, curved blades may be useful here. The straight blade is more for general usage.

Many users prefer a harder handle with little cushioning to get a good grip on the saw. On the other hand, many like the softer feel of a padded handle. The issue of including a scabbard also falls in the design category.

Some saws have a folding system to keep the cutting edge out of the way. Others use a separate scabbard or sheath.

Versatility

This is arguably the most important aspect of a hand saw as it is one of the biggest advantages over a chainsaw. Look for the size and ease of usage. It should be smaller and using it should be very simple. You might want to look into its other uses too if you’re looking for a general-purpose saw.

Many saws double as a bone cutting tool. So, if you are looking to go hunting look for those details. You should also look into the size of the tool, whether or not it can be put away easily. Finally, check if extra teeth sets are provided with your saw.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I get a curved blade saw or straight blade saw?

It depends on what you prefer. Since trees are usually more cylindrical, a curved blade can be used on them to cut faster. However, this leaves them mismatched if the branch or trunk is of irregular shapes and thus, can take longer. A straight edge is more general-purpose and cuts a little slower on all surfaces.

2. Can the blade be sharpened?

Yes, you can use a sharpening stone to sharpen the teeth if they dull. In fact, it is a good idea to do so for maintenance. However, if they are too worn, you might want to opt for a set of new teeth.

3. Do I need a sheath?

That depends on the type of saw. Many tree hand saws circumvent the need for a sheath by using a folding handle. If you don’t have that on your saw, look for a sheath. That can provide some extra safety.

4. How do I maintain the saw?

Just keep it clean. Avoid storing the handsaw in damp areas. Even a smidge of rust can quickly spread and dull your entire blade. You can also maintain the sharpness of the teeth with a sharpening stone.

5. What are one-sided teeth?

This is something people get confused over and end up thinking that their saw is bad. One-sided teeth are those that cut on the “pull” stroke and simply glide over on the “push” stroke. They usually last longer and are easier to operate with.

Conclusion

These are some suggestions and tips towards getting the best hand saws. Hopefully, you’ll get the right one as per your preference. Thank you for reading Best Hand Saws. Hope you have a great time hunting down your saw of choice! Good luck!

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