The Best Handsaws

Having a handsaw in your toolkit is essential for tackling a range of tasks in and around your home and backyard. From cutting boards and trimming shrubs to repairing furniture and more, a hand saw proves invaluable for working with wood, metal, or plastic. Hand saws come in various styles, offering versatility for multi-tasking or specialization for specific materials and cuts. Whether you’re a novice woodworker or a skilled carpenter, this comprehensive guide will assist you in selecting the best hand saws to suit your specific projects and requirements.

Types of Hand Saws

Let’s explore the various types of hand saws commonly used for tasks in and around the house, workshop, or backyard. Each saw serves a specific purpose, and understanding their differences can be helpful.

Panel Saws: These traditional hand saws feature a large blade attached to a rounded handle. With sharp teeth, panel saws are perfect for cutting through different types of wood.

Japanese Pull Saws: These saws have teeth angled backward along the blade, allowing them to cut effectively when pulled back. Typically with rectangular blades and teeth on both sides, they offer excellent control for clean, straight lines.

Hacksaws: Designed for cutting metal, plastic, and wood, hacksaws feature long, thin blades set in a C-shaped frame with handles on one or both ends.

Backsaws: Ideal for precise cuts, backsaws (or tenon saws) have straight blades with a stiff ridge on top. Their fine teeth ensure accuracy.

Jab Saws: Also known as keyhole saws, jab saws have long, narrow blades attached to small handles. They excel at cutting through challenging or oddly shaped materials like drywall.

Pruning Saws: Tailored for trimming shrubs and branches, pruning saws have long, slightly curved blades with sharp teeth and handles on one end. They can tackle tough branches that traditional pruning shears may struggle with.

The Best Hand Saws

These hand saws stand out as top-notch options due to their exceptional quality materials, innovative design elements, and outstanding cutting performance.

Great Neck N2610 26-inch Crosscut Hand Saw

• Dimensions: 28.7 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Weight: 1.65 lbs
• Warranty: Lifetime

For those seeking a formidable saw capable of effortlessly slicing through thick branches or delicate woodworking pieces, the Great Neck Crosscut Hand Saw is the ultimate tool. Crafted from robust carbon steel, the blade boasts exceptional strength and durability, ensuring a lifetime of reliable performance. Featuring crosscut style teeth at a rate of 12 teeth per inch (TPI), this saw delivers powerful cuts across the grain. Moreover, its competitive price makes it a remarkable value for such an exceptional saw.

The Great Neck Crosscut Hand Saw embodies the timeless charm of a classic panel saw with its elegant wooden handle. The handle provides a firm grip, facilitating precise cuts. Its dark-stained and weather-resistant coating enhances longevity, while the engraved leaf pattern adds a touch of sophistication. To ensure enhanced stability, the handle is securely fastened to the blade with four screws. Additionally, both the blade and handle are covered by a lifetime warranty, providing further peace of mind.

Pros:

• 26 inches to handle large and small jobs
• Strong carbon steel blade
• Crosscut teeth for hefty cuts
• Weather-resistant hardwood handle
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Handle could be a bit bigger

WilFiks 16-inch Pro Hand Saw

• Dimensions: 18.9 x 5 x 1.25 inches
• Weight: 13.6 oz
• Warranty: N/A

Engineered for versatility, the WilFiks 16-inch Pro Hand Saw is a dependable tool capable of tackling various materials, including wood, plastic pipes, and plywood. Its high-carbon steel blade features three cutting surfaces, facilitating effortless pushing, pulling, and efficient wood chip removal. With its induction hardened teeth, this saw delivers smooth cuts while maintaining sharpness for extended periods.

Designed with user comfort in mind, the ergonomically crafted, extra-large handle accommodates hands of all sizes. Its non-slip rubber grip provides a soft, secure hold, ensuring optimal control. The handle’s shape allows for experimentation with different angles, enabling precise cuts while reducing fatigue. To enhance durability, the handle is securely fastened to the blade with three screws, preventing loosening and unwanted movement.

Pros:

• High-carbon steel blade
• Three cutting services for smooth cuts and speed
• Induction hardened teeth stay sharp
• Extra-large handle with non-slip grip

Cons:

• Handle can bend when dealing with larger branches and thick wood

Craftsman 15-inch Handsaw

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 12.8 oz
• Warranty: Lifetime

Craftsman’s budget-friendly panel saw offers unbeatable value. Its robust construction ensures durability, and it arrives pre-sharpened for immediate use. With a compact size, it’s easy to store in garages or sheds without occupying excessive space. The double-sided blade features sharpened teeth, allowing for efficient cutting on both the downstroke and upstroke, ensuring speedy progress. Boasting 8 teeth per inch (TPI), it delivers solid cuts, although a perfectly smooth finish may require additional finishing touches.

The heavy-duty handle provides a comfortable grip, enhanced by a rubber coating that absorbs impact and reduces the risk of blisters. Its textured surface improves control during operation. Moreover, the handle offers the flexibility to work at either a 90-degree or 45-degree angle, granting superior leverage for precise cuts. Additionally, the saw is backed by a lifetime warranty, providing peace of mind and hassle-free returns in the case of any manufacturer’s defects.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Teeth sharpened on both sides to cut both ways
• Induction hardened teeth stay sharp longer
• Heavy-duty handle with rubber grip
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Can leave jagged cuts in delicate material

Suizan Japanese Ryoba Pull Saw

• Dimensions: 10.63 x 1.97 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 5.6 oz
• Warranty: 30 days

For over a century, Suizan has upheld a legacy of crafting top-notch hand tools. Today, their highly coveted implements continue to be meticulously fashioned by skilled artisans who blend traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. The Ryoba Pull Saw exemplifies Suizan’s commitment to excellence. Its razor-sharp, slender blade, forged from Japanese steel, boasts cross-cut teeth on one side and rip-saw teeth on the other, allowing for versatile cutting options against or along the wood grain.

Japanese pull saws captivate with their lightweight design and compactness, enabling remarkable precision and delivering smooth, flawless cuts. They excel in intricate woodworking projects that demand meticulous accuracy. Another alluring feature of this saw is its interchangeable blade system, allowing users to effortlessly replace the blade with other Suizan blades, expanding the tool’s versatility.

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact
• High-quality Japanese steel blade
• Double-sided blade has cross-cut teeth and rip-saw teeth
• Blade is removable and replaceable

Cons:

• Handle wrapping can come loose

Dewalt 5-in-1 Hacksaw

• Dimensions: 18.25 x 9.5 x 6.7 inches
• Weight: 2 lbs
• Warranty: Lifetime

Conquer a multitude of tasks around your home and outdoor spaces with the adaptable Dewalt 5-in-1 Hacksaw. Its sharp and slender blade, boasting 8 teeth per inch (TPI), fearlessly slices through challenging materials like wood, metal, and more. Enjoy the flexibility to position the blade at a 45-degree angle for flush cuts or a 90-degree angle for standard cuts. Furthermore, this versatile tool easily transforms into a jab saw by pivoting the blade outward from the front of the handle.

Constructed for resilience, this sturdy hacksaw supports up to 330 pounds of blade tension. Equipped with two handles on opposite sides of the frame, each featuring rubberized grips, it ensures both comfort and stability during use. To convert it into a jab saw, simply detach the back handle, utilizing the front handle as a pistol grip for enhanced reach and maneuverability.

Pros:

• Blade can cut through wood and metal
• Can be set at a 45-degree angle or 90-degree angle 
• Transforms into a jab saw
• Two handles can be converted into one
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Slightly heavy

Spear & Jackson 9550B Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw

• Dimensions: 170 x 61 x 11.8 inches
• Weight: 1.44lbs
• Warranty: 1 year

Back saws are the go-to tools for precise and accurate cuts, especially for furniture joints and small woodworking projects. The Spear & Jackson 9550B Back Saw takes it a step further with its robust design. Its brass ridge provides exceptional stability, ensuring clean and straight cuts through delicate materials. The handle securely connects to the tempered carbon steel blade using three bifurcated rivets, guaranteeing reliable support during use.

Featuring precision ground teeth with a universal cut, the Spear & Jackson 9550B allows you to effortlessly cut both across and along the grain. While the teeth arrive sharp out of the box, they can be easily sharpened as needed since they are not hardened. This versatility empowers you to customize the tooth angle or shape to suit your specific cutting requirements.

Pros:

• Tempered carbon steel blade
• Strong brass back for stability
• Universal teeth cut along and against the grain
• Handle fastened with three bifurcated rivets

Cons:

• Wooden handle can be uncomfortable

Goldblatt Heavy Duty Drywall Jab Saw

• Dimensions: 14.1 x 3 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 5.2 oz
• Warranty: Lifetime

For effortless hole-making in drywall, plywood, cement, or PVC, the Goldblatt Heavy Duty Drywall Jab Saw is a standout choice. Crafted with an extra thick high carbon blade, treated with black Teflon for smooth cutting, this lightweight saw ensures efficient paneling work.

Designed for comfort, the ergonomic handle boasts a soft, slip-resistant grip and features a generous guard to shield your hand from the blade. With precision-cut inverted teeth on both sides of the six-inch blade, you can easily maneuver in both push and pull motions. The sharp beveled point excels at puncturing, while the gullets prevent material buildup during slicing.

Pros:

• Extra thick high carbon blade
• Sharp beveled point for puncturing
• Teeth are inverted on both sides for easy pushing and pulling
• Soft, non-slip handle with large safety guard

Cons:

• Doesn’t fold like some other jab saws

Corona RS 7265D Razortooth Folding Pruning Saw

• Dimensions: 1 x 2.68 x 12 inches
• Weight: 12.8 oz
• Warranty: Lifetime

The Corona RS 7265 Razortooth Pruning Saw is a formidable tool for tackling bark and branches. Its 10-inch curved blade effortlessly cuts through branches up to five or six inches in diameter. With a chrome-plated finish to reduce friction and triple-ground teeth for enhanced cutting speed, this saw excels at handling tough, dry wood. Boasting 6 TPI, it delivers rugged cuts across various wood types.

Weighing a mere 12.8 ounces, this pruning saw ensures prolonged use without fatigue. The ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip, while the co-molding minimizes impact fatigue and chafing. For safety during transport, the blade conveniently folds into the handle and can be securely locked. Additionally, the blade is replaceable, providing longevity to this exceptional pruning saw.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Chrome-plated, replaceable blade
• Triple ground teeth
• Ergonomic handle
• Folding and locking mechanism

Cons:

• Some teeth are still exposed when folded

What to Look for in a Hand Saw

When navigating the vast array of hand saws available, selecting the right one can be daunting. Consider the following factors when purchasing a hand saw:

• Saw Type: To effectively tackle specific projects, choose the appropriate saw type. For yard work and trimming branches, a pruning or panel saw will suffice. For delicate tasks like joints or trim, opt for a back saw or Japanese pull saw.
• Blade: Hand saw blades typically consist of robust steel. Blade shape and length vary based on the saw type. Long, wide, and thick blades handle larger items, while thin blades provide flexibility for cutting thinner materials. A long, slender blade with a beveled end excels at making holes.
• Teeth: The teeth are crucial for cutting, with rip saw teeth ideal for parallel cuts along the wood grain and crosscut teeth for cuts against the grain. Universal cut teeth work in both directions. The number of teeth per inch (TPI) influences the cut quality: fewer TPI results in rougher cuts, while more TPI provides finer and more precise cuts.
• Handle: Since using a hand saw can be physically demanding, prioritize a comfortable handle. Look for wide grips that fit your hand and consider features like smooth wood, grooves, rubberized grips, and non-slip textures. Angled handles offer versatility for different hand positions.
• Folding Saws: For portability during hiking, camping, or tasks around your property, folding saws are a practical choice. These saws have blades that fold into the handle, saving space and ensuring safety during storage and transportation.

Final Thoughts

Throughout history, hand saws have stood the test of time, remaining an indispensable tool in the hands of craftsmen and homeowners alike. Their ability to swiftly conquer diverse materials and facilitate a wide range of yard and household tasks is unparalleled. With the correct hand saw selected to match the specific job at hand, you’ll effortlessly glide through any obstacle that crosses your path. Embrace the legacy of these remarkable cutting tools and unlock endless possibilities in your projects.