Japanese Saws Explained, Which Brand I Use 

Love your workmanship. love your casual and funny style as well. Great content that I look forward to each week

Jessie thanks for another great video. I just ordered my first Japanese saw through your Amazon store. Both excited about the saw and supporting such an amazing craftsman!

thankyou Samurai carpenter,,, you make my day a little better every time, your mix of seriousity and craziness is fantastic

You have an good video however be aware the volume is a little soft at times. For the hard of hearing it is difficult to listen to. Thank you for your excellence in the way you present yourself and how you instruct it is appreciated.

Great video, I appreciate you shooting straight with us and I'm excited to try this stuff out.

Thank you for your advice I've been given some Japanese saws for Christmas managed to use them yesterday and today on my college course. So much better than a traditional western saw!!!

I just bought the Gyokucho Dozuki Noko Giri 9-1/2" Dovetail through your site and I expect my manhood to be fully awakened! I have been looking for a saw like this but the local big box stores don't carry them and I was uneducated about the differences until now. Keep being awesome!

Thanks for the video ! I'm a carpenter from Germany living in Canada now. I only used Japanese saws myself. There is also the kataba saw. With only half a spine.

I have been looking at japanese hand saws, thank you for this video It helps a lot in my search!

I just like cutting wood and making something that is almost decent. Never been too good at precision work no matter how hard I try. Watched this video two months ago, bought a Gyokucho Ryoba on your recommendation for less than $25 shipped on Amazon and now myself and others think I'm a skilled craftsman. The whole thin blade pull saw action is just perfect for me. You're great. The view across the water from your house is great. I live near enough to Lake Erie to almost have such a great view. People need to live close to large bodies of water if possible.

I've had a cross cut one for ages - just got a set of four more based on your advice - all Gyokucho of course! Cheers, John

Randomly stumbled upon some of these japanese saws today when I was getting a simple versatile saw for my toolkit (I don't have a shop so I just need some basic tools), and seeing how versatile these things are on your channel I purchased one. When I got home I checked the brand, and to my surprise it's actually a Gyokucho saw (210mm, double sided). So looks like these are far more available than I thought here in Norway :)

As a traditional English style woodworker I'm just not ready to give up my Pax saws quite yet. I am impressed with your work though. The ability to pull off Japanese style joints is truly the mark of a craftsman, however they are a little impractical in this day and age, at least for work exposed to weather. I own one Japanese flush cutting razor saw for slicing screw bungs off but it just doesn't have the solid feel of a traditional saw that I've been using for 40 years. In your case, your work is not about what tools you use, it's mainly your standard of workmanship that shows in what you do. I wish more people cared as much as you do.

Today I tested Gyokucho Flush Cut 1151 Saw I ordered from Japan after realizing that local sellers are selling bad copies. I needed to flush cut 40 dowels and decided that I will spend 18€ on a tool rather than trying to saw as close as possible and then sand. I was amazed how well it worked. Thanks for the interesting video.

I picked up one from Harbor Freight for ten bucks five years ago. I didn't expect it to be very good but it has become my go-to hand saw. Still sharp and the plastic handle has held up well. A couple of years ago I tried to build one out of a piece of blade from an old hand saw but when you consider how much time it took, I spent over 20 hours to save ten bucks. I'll go back for another one after this one wears out. If that ever happens.

While serving in Vietnam I watched some villagers using these saws ...or something very similar, and couldn't believe the degree of accuracy they were achieving. I watched one man rip a plank by squatting down on the board and pulling the blade toward himself on his mark as he constantly scooted back along the board. When he finished, I looked at the cut edge of the board and found it to be as straight as if he'd used a straight-edged guide. To watch from a distance you'd think it primitive the way they do things, but on close inspection you can't argue with the results. I hadn't thought about that in a long time, but now that I'm retired I think I'll go round up a few of these saws and begin "practicing" with them. I have a lot of power tools, but there's something to be said for projects made entirely by hand with nothing but manually operated tools.

This was very helpful. Thank you.

Thanks man. Very helpful and interesting presentation. Learned a lot.

A close up would be nice. Thanks for the lesson. You do great work!

appreciate the videos buddy. setting up a little shop in my garage. just ordered the Gyokucho double edge and dovetail saws using your links. cant wait to get them. i nice solid workbench will be my first project.

I use the Ryoba all the time instead of table saw for everything from hardwood floors to door jam trims. Very fun to use and safer than a table saw that hates me! Getting a bit dull but still gets the jobs done. Should have bought the replaceable blade version as SC says.

Thanks for the video and the info. Keep woodworking!

Lived in Okinawa Japan and these are great tools. Have the exact same one

Just ordered the 811 arame folding saw with spare blade for 30 UK pounds sterling delivered to replace my old Bahco laplander,it's going to be used for spoon making and bushcraft!

LOL, years of practice sharpening... I have my set of Japanese saws, and with it came a file to sharp them, quick look in you-tube gave me a quick "how to" and gave it a go, after 3-4 times, I am very happy with my technique and can sharp not only the Japanese ones but the western ones too, almost as sharp as it came out of the box :) The replaceable ones are way more unreliable than the one solid piece.

super pumped, just made my first order from the Samarai store. OH YEAH

Although i love watching your videos and I am not able to make anything as glorious as what I can ONLY (yes ill stroke your ego) see here. I still watch and 'like' thee types of videos as I'm just fascinated by all aspects of the craft. Its absolutely amazing what you do and I really enjoy seeing your works.

I’m just learning of these & found your video super helpful (although the first one I watched in my search).... Can u possibly do a video explaining the different blade options for the Gyokucho Ryoba Double Edge Razor Saw??

I just bought a Gyokucho Ryoba. I used it on some kiln dried cherry and it felt like i amazing. Very smooth both on the rip and cross cut! Thanks for the info!

Great instructive video. Could you please post details: brand, name & sizes of 4 starter saws you mention at the end of this video? Thank you

just stumbled over your channel - really enjoy your videos and style. You mention that you follow japanese master youtube channels. Could you name them - I would love to learn more about japanese carpentry but couldnt find decent content. Thx :)

just watched this video again for the umpteenth time. It was a tad different this time because I had my BRAND SPANKING NEW Ryoba in my hand.muwahahahahaha

Thanks mate,i have already ordered set of 4

Great job! I'd be more careful though in not piling those sharp saws together. :)

Great vid, great sound

Thumbs up for the Gyokucho saws. That very ryoba is the first hand tool I ever owned that actually did what it was supposed to do.

I've never enjoyed a carpentering channel more than yours A++

Thanks for posting Samurai Carpenter (bow). I noticed when he flicked the blade with his finger the noise it made sounded very much like the tones heard in traditional Japanese music.

Hey .... First thanks for the time you spend on this good video. you have given us your knowledge and show us how these Japanese saws work. ? can I use a miter-box with these saws. thanks deeman

I practiced for a long time to lean how to saw bookmatched tops for acoustic guitars. It took a while to master the technique. I also invested the time and effort to learn to sharpen hand forged Saws. After learning the techniques it isn't really very difficult. My recommendation is to buy a "western style saw. Grind off the teeth and then use the specialized files to form new teeth to match the Uapanese tooth patterns. The most difficult skill to acquire is the very gradual reduction in TPI. That took the logest to master. I spent 2 years learning to resharpen those very expensive saws. While learning how to sharpen my saws I used my set of replaceable blade saws.. I also have a set of timber saws. I cut trees into manageable planks with them. All together I have 14 Japanese saw from flush cutting to huge timber saws. I have been using them since the mid-1980's. I love them as much as my wooden Japanese planes. I still have some antique Stanley planes that were inherited from my Dad.

Any cutting recommendations? I already have mines. They just arrived today.

I have several Japanese saws, handmade the one you have there etc. I also have a Irwin from Lowes. And that thing is incredible for $22 + tax. I highly recommend it. Also make a saw vice and get you a diamond saw file. It's super easy to sharpen.

Thanks, Just what i needed :)

Hey Jesse, Love your vids about this topic. I just have one question; I've been looking into a decent Japanese saw which can cut dowels/ Domino's flush to the wood if you do a through wood connection for looks. Do you have any recommended brands or types? Thanks! I'm from The Netherlands and a novice on this subject so I hope I make some sense! Keep up the vids!

Keep doing, what your doing. Thanks!

What channels are you subscribed to where you see their work and the saws in action? Thank you. Love the channel.

Where can I find the smallest blade you showed at the end of the video? It looks like it would be very useful but I'm having a hard time finding it online. Great job explaining the different types!

Awaiting my 1st Gyokucho (?sp?) ryoba saw. Saw another video also going over the different types of Japanese saws and highly recommended the Dozuki(?) 702 model over the 703 model for dovetail cutting. The proof was in the pudding when the cutting action and results were demonstrated.

I plan to upgrade to these saws eventually, especially the Ryoba. I just went down and bought a $15 harbor freight "japanese style saw" (basically copies the shape of the Ryoba) and was pretty damn impressed with just that. I use it in all kinds of abusive little cuts here and there and it's razor sharp (compared to what I'm used to...). I can't imagine how much better a legit "Nihon no Nokogiri" would be! EDIT: Can you post the Kanji somewhere for us to look at? Maybe someone can translate. I have several Japanese friends I could ask...

Question... if you had to just get one to get started, which would you go with and which size? Thanks for the vid!

I took your advice and i bought a gyokucho "ryoba" and holy crap! it is no joke. a multi tool guy challenged me to a race cutting shims and i FRIGGEN WASTED HIM! then he challenged me to undercutting a door jamb, SMOKED HIM AGAIN! my multi tool has become a paper weight on my drafting table. gyokucho= one swipe per shim, even at the fattest wettest 3/8ths end (about 300% faster than your average multi tool blade in fair condition). then i bought the dewalt pull saw cuz it was at home depot and brand new out of the box it was FAR inferior to my gyokucho which was missing 3 teeth at the time.

The intro was useful for beginners like myself, thank you, but as you mentioned the option of getting saws that can take replacement blades, I was hoping that you might have a video on how to replace the blade, specifically on the smallest saw you showed us... Do you have such a video hidden in your channel somewhere, please? Thank you :)

Dude, just so you know, Wranglerstar just dropped your name while using one of his hand saws, and this video specifically. I always find it funny when RU-vidrs talk about other channels. You have great influence, Samurai!

I love your honesty bro

pickin saws put for my hubbs. we enjoy your videos and trust your recommendations. much appreciated ! I don't have RU-vid but we're on instagram.

Lee Valley I'm Canada NOW has them!!!! I love these saws!!

Entertaining and informative.

I discovered japanese style saws a number of years ago and like them for their speed and ease of use....cutting on the pull stroke seems to make more sense for so many reasons...

Very good! Thank you.

Gracias por el video. Muy informativo.

Hi maybe you can do a 2017 revisit of this theme. It'd be great to hear it from you on your new shop and new video gear. Thanks!

As finish carpentry specialist, I've been putting together an ultra-lean mission-impossible toolbelt setup, trying to be ready for maximum contingencies with minimum tools and weight. (Many such curated tools are multi-functional, which I realize involves some compromise; more specialized single function tools are kept near at hand in a tote.) Is there a decent quality folding ryoba saw (that could be sheathed in 12" or less) that you could recommend? Thanks so much for your informative channel and spicy style!

I really liked this video. Nice work and thanks. I do think that as a "Samurai Carpenter" you should learn (if you don't know) how to sharpen a Japanese saw. I am going to learn. While I know it's convenient, when you are in the middle of a project to be able to just change them out I hate just replacing my blades cause it's dull. Thanks again for the video, I learned some things and that's always good.

I have the last mentioned one. Is a beast

Have you made experiences with the Bakuma Ryoba yet? I'm currently trying out saws by Bakuma and Gyokucho and cannot quite decide which one to stick with. The Bakuma saws come with a hook mechanism to fix the blade to the handle instead of using a screw. Since I'm somewhat of a mobile worker, the ability to disassemble the saws to carry them around more easily, comes in very handy. On the other hand, most Japanese woodworkers do seem to use the Gyokucho as you already said... I wonder what the exact benefits are.

what are some of the channels you mentioned?

ty sir, keep up the awesomeness

I could only imagine how many times you dance around like that with your saw daily, off camera. ;) Also: Use a DeNoiser on your audio, fuzzy sounds.

Love it - fun personality!

I chose three Gyokucho saws several months ago and will start using them this winter. The ergonomics made sense to me so I chose pull over western for starting my hand tool journey. I am curious about the one fine saw that is not Gyokucho, i.e., a good description and possibly a source??

Gyokucho saws just happened to be the first saw I bought. And it turned out they were one of the best.

The unknown saw looks like a Kugihiki saw to me. Hishika makes great ones

I am thinking about buying a set of Japanese Hand Saws. I am enjoying this video, and your point of view very much. Thank you for all your efforts in bringing this to us. Hal

Thanks dude!

Nice Video. I also saw Japan, have a set (180mm Blade) and a Ryoba (300 mm sheet). But what'll still buy me.

When you said 'paper thin' I was like, "yeah ok, sure". Until The photo popped up. Blew my mind.

I dont care what anyone says, youre a freking NINJA Master! I just ordered that Ryobi saw, that thing cuts nice! I will probably end up with a collection of the Japanese Razor saws myself!

Very useful mon ami!

Great video! You use Gyokucho. Do you have an opinion on Suizan?

I ordered several of the saws in your store. Now that I have started receiving them, I am trying to map them back to your store references to make sure I got the right products. I received two 9 1/2 inch Dozuki Noko Giri Razor saws: model 370 and model 371. The only visible difference is the shape of the teeth. Can you explain which is which and what the difference is?

I was looking up these saws and there are many Dozuki saws. with slightly different dimensions and teeth Which models do you find best.

Boss, other than explain, can you please use every blade with the kind of cut it can do? I'm just starting woodworking in Italy and need to know what to buy.

I'm looking at getting my first dovetail saw and am looking at the Gyokucho Noko 372 & Tatebiki 303, specs say they are Rip saws and are for dovetails. Which one would you go for? There is also the Sunchild which is supposedly Rip/cross, would that one be even better?

Hi I have a question regarding these saws. If I want to buy one online will I have any trouble when it enters the country? Will it be considered a weapon and hence not allowed?

I've seen lots of videos on Japanese saws as of late. I noticed sometimes you can purchase saws specifically listed as " for hardwood". Is this important if you are cutting into hardwoods, or is it ok to buy the "regular" listed Japanese saws? And can you use to cut into softwoods to with these "hardwood" saws. I don't see a lot of RU-vid videos mention the specifically designed hardwood Japanese saws or if you have to go through the trouble of buying it specifically to cut into hardwoods. Your thoughts? thx

Some advice please! I'm crosscuting the last two millimeters of some large lumber (4 i nches thick) using the gyokucho ryoba saw. However, at the very end of the cut the saw wanders toward to the waste side. Its a pain to square endgrain. Can someone give some advice on how to prevent wandering? I'm using a guide and all is fine until I reach the end.

I use ryobas to rip planks for harpsichord soundboards, keys, case and sides...wonderful tools that rarely need sharpening.

I know you are partial to Gyokucho as am I. I have five. However, I am about to begin a project with pressure treated lumber and am hesitant to use my good saws so I picked up a "Japanese Style" saw at Harbor Freight for $7.99 ($9.99 plus a 20% coupon). Portland brand, Ryoba type, 7tpi and 16 tip, 9 3/4 inch blade, overall length 22 inches, made I. Taiwan. Haven't used it yet but the grip (some kind of rubberized material) is really comfortable. It's actually more comfortable than my Gyukuchos, probably because it is a little thicker than the rattan type handles on the Gyukuchos. Two questions: Have you ever used this so-called shiza saw? And have you ever used your Gyokuchos on pressure treated wood? If so, what was the result? Ooops, I guess that is three questions.

the pronunciation of "scheisse" is rather like you would say "snake" with a sharp sizzling! greetings from germany ;-)

i used one today at college and it was perfect

Could you post a link to that smaller saw you showed?

just curious, i purchased the no. 372 for dovetailing. did i make the wrong decision?? I always tend to take your advice on tools!

Great video and info. I've heard much about the Japanese saws lately. Oddly enough since I subscribed to you. Other videos keep showing up in my "recommended" list. Greatly appreciate you videos and I don't want to appear ungrateful but could you either write the names of these saws in the description or annotate them on the video when you mention them? Not sure I can properly spell them just from hearing the name. 6 years ago I had to make a major move and had to leave all of my tools behind. Yeah, that hurt. Trying to rebuild now and after hearing many talk about the Japanese saws I really want to get these.

I need to buy a good fine tooth saw for my Furniture Design course but even after this video I'm confused. I tried one of these style pull saws out as my teacher has one and I decided I needed to get my own as the Dovetail pull saws just aren't doing it for me. Could you please guide me as to what saw I should buy that would suit me best for cutting tendons and Dovetails.

Ive been using suizan saws for like a year now. Is it worth switching to gyokucho?

Do you have a link to the double edge saw for making miter wood frames using pine?

Cool tool vest, where'd you get that?

What are you wearing? that looks pretty awesome.

Samurai, know of a good place to buy replacement blades? I have quite a few saws, per your channel, and Im in the market for a new blade. Thanks

mate where did you get your belt from and is it magnetic on the back for your saws?