Best Hand Saws for Fine Woodworking
One of the most essential tools for woodworking is a hand saw. Whether you are running a big carpentry workshop or you are just passionate about woodworking, this versatile tool is a must-have. You can use it for all sorts of woodworking projects for both indoor and outdoor projects.
However, there are so many types of hand saws available on the market today. For woodworking, you need to find a hand saw that is able to meet your specific needs.
Features of Best Hand Saws for Fine Woodworking
Here are some characteristics often seen in high-quality hand saws suitable for fine woodworking:
- Precision teeth: The best hand saws for fine woodworking usually have well-crafted, sharp teeth that enable for precise and clean cuts.
- High-quality Steel Blade: A strong, high-quality steel blade is essential for preserving sharpness and lifespan.
- Comfortable Handle Design: Ergonomically constructed handles with a comfortable grip increase user comfort and control.
- Well-balanced Design: A well-balanced hand saw is easier to control and decreases user fatigue after extended use. Balance is especially critical for precision in fine woodworking.
To help, we have put together some of the best hand saws for fine woodworking and a buying guide to help you choose the right kind. Let’s take a look.
Best Hand Saws for Fine Woodworking-Our Top Picks
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CRAFTSMAN Hand Saw 20-Inch Fine Finish
The CRAFTSMAN Hand Saw is one of the best hand saws for fine woodworking available on the market today. It features an exclusive tooth geometry which provides fast and ultra-clean cuts with any type of wood.
This hand saw comes with a 20-inch blade length and induction hardened teeth that maintain their sharpness for long. Even better, the teeth are very easy to re-sharpen when they get blunt. The handle is ergonomically designed for comfortable handling.
It is made with bi-material which provides better control when sawing large-sized pieces of wood. The handle also offers a square and miter feature with both 45-degree and 90-degree angles.
Another notable feature about this all-purpose hand saw is the lightweight design. You will have an easy time sawing wood with it for long hours. Above all, it is rough enough to cut wood easily and it’s perfect for either home or workshop use.
Features
- Bi-material handle
- Lightweight for easy handling
- 20-inch blade length
- Induction hardened teeth
- Exclusive tooth geometry
- Square and miter
- Long lasting sharpness
- Fast and clean cuts
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WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw
When it comes to versatility, it’s hard to go wrong with the WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw. It boasts sharp as razor blade made form premium-quality carbon steel. It works perfectly for woodworking and you can also use it for cutting plastic pipes, plywood, wall board and more.
Featuring induction-hardened teeth, this saw maintains its sharpness 5 times longer than standard teeth. The deep gullets all over the blade provide quick removal of chips even if it has nine teeth per inch.
Moreover, it comes with a rubber coated plastic handle which provides comfortable and non-slip grip during use. The handle is wide enough to fit small to extra-large hands and it is ergonomically designed to help minimize fatigue during use.
Thanks to the 16-inch-thick body steel blade, you get the rigidity and control that’s is much needed for woodworking. The saw also brings to the table three cutting surfaces which provide up to 50% quicker cuts than traditional handsaws.
Features
- 16-inch-thick body steel blade
- Anti-slip ergonomic handle
- Induction-hardened teeth
- Deep gullets for easy chips removal
- Superior cutting angle
- Large handle fits any hand size
- Long-lasting durability
- Lightweight
- 9 TPI blade
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Shark Corp 10-2312 12-Inch Carpentry Saw
The Shark Corp 10-2312 Carpentry Saw is a handy tool to have for woodworking and all-round carpentry work. It boasts a 12-inch blade with 14 TPI. From this, you can expect fast cutting and ultra-fine cutting as well.
This saw works well with diverse types of woods and comes with a flexible blade that’s easy to remove. With this blade, you will be able to cut excess materials in joints that are hard to reach when you are using a generic hand saw.
Additionally, this replaceable blade makes the saw more economical in the long run. Above all, the saw has a lightweight design which makes it easy to work with and it’s perfect for both home and workshop use.
Features
- Pistol style handle
- Sharp 14 TPI blade
- Replaceable blade
- Cuts every type of wood
- Flexible blade for flush cutting
- Fast and ultra-fine cuts
- Lightweight design
- Multi-material cutting
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GreatNeck N2610 26 Inch 12 TPI Crosscut Saw
Next on our list is the GreatNeck N2610 Crosscut saw. This saw is made to provide excellent performance and great durability. It features a 12 TPI, 26-inch blade made from premium-quality steel. This blade is powerful enough to cut all wood types and offer multi-material cutting as well.
The moderate-coarse teeth maintain their sharpness for long and you can use them for more aggressive cuts. For added convenience, this lightweight crosscut saw has a weather-resistant hardwood handle which provides sturdy grips for better handling.
Overall, it’s an excellent tool for woodworking, but you can also use it to cut trees.
Features
- Moderate-coarse teeth
- Weather-resistant hardwood handle
- Lightweight
- 12 TPI, 26-inch steel blade
- Comfortable and non-slip grip
- Durable construction
- Great versatility
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AIRAJ 12 inch Adjustable Hacksaw
If you are looking for the best hand saw for fine woodworking for the money, look no further than the AIRAJ 12 inch Adjustable Hacksaw. It offers good-quality features at a cost-effective price.
This tool is made with versatility in mind. It has a high-tension frame construction for multiple sawing purposes and you can easily adjust the hacksaw blade tension for different cutting functionalities. Even better, these blades are made from premium-quality steel for the ultimate durability.
Another good thing about the hacksaw is the comfortable handle. It is large enough to fit every hand size and has a soft rubber covering that provides an ergonomic and comfortable grip. To top it all, it comes with 10 extra spare blade saws which makes it an excellent tool for the money.
Features
- Rubber coated handle
- Durable frame
- Simple, tool-free assembly
- Easy to replace saw blade
- Comfortable handle
- 2 saw angles: 45° and 90°
- Alternative sheet tension
- Multi-material cutting
- 10 spare blades included
- 12” hacksaw blade
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HAUTMEC 16 in Pro Hand Saw
As one of the best hand saws for fine woodworking, the HAUTMEC 16 in Pro hand saw is a universal saw ideal for cutting wood, laminate and plastic. It has a 16-inch blade with 11 TPI for quick and fine cuts.
This saw boasts extra-sharp teeth that are triple-ground and induction hardened to maintain the sharpness for long. The high sharpness allows you to make ultra-smooth cuts in any type of wood, both soft and hard wood. Better yet, the blade has a precision polish treatment and low-friction coating for straighter cuts.
Moreover, the saw comes with an ergonomically designed large handle for comfortable handling. The handle also comes with straight angle markings to help you make 45° or 90° angles easily. Overall, this is a high-performance hand saw ideal for both home and workshop use.
Features
- Anti-slip grip
- Ergonomic and comfortable handle design
- Multi-purpose application
- Triple-ground and induction hardened teeth
- Precision polish treatment on the blade
- 11 TPI, 16-inch blade
- 45° or 90° cutting angles
- Rigid and low-friction blade
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CRAFTSMAN Hand Saw, 12-inch Hacksaw
Next up is the CRAFTSMAN Hand Saw. This is a cost-effective hand saw that provides precision cuts on different types of woods. It boasts a 12-inch fixed blade that makes smooth cuts up to 4.375” deep. It makes a perfect tool for both home usage and workshop application.
This hand saw features a solid metal design so you will get many years from it. You can adjust the blade in 90° or 180° angles and with the clamping meter box feature, you will be able to clamp the material you are working on for quick, repetitive cuts.
Moreover, the adjustable blade angles allow for flush cuts, while the induction hardened teeth ensure great durability and long-lasting sharpness.
Features
- Clamping meter box
- Solid metal frame
- 12-inch fixed blade
- 375” cutting depth
- Adjustable flush cuts at 90° and 180° angles
- Ergonomic and comfortable grip handle
- Induction hardened teeth
- Tension knob
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IRWIN Tools MARATHON 2011200 15-inch ProTouch Fine Cut Saw
If you are looking for a quick-cutting and sung saw, the IRWIN Tools MARATHON 15-inch ProTouch Fine Cut Saw suits you. It has an ultra-sharp 15-inch blade that’s long enough to cut through any type of wood and tress as well.
Featuring an advanced tooth geometry and Tri-ground teeth, the saw is perfect for woodworking and carpentry in general. Whether you are dealing with hard or soft wood, the saw provides fast and fine cuts. It also comes with a 12-point, extra-fine front teeth which give you a fast and smooth start.
In terms of construction, this saw features 1mm thick blade which provides greater durability and a tapered-pitch nose that increases clearance and stability. It also comes with an ergonomic hardwood handle that is covered with Protouch rubber for a comfortable and positive grip.
Features
- Hard point teeth
- 1mm thick alloy steel blade
- Tapered-pitch nose
- Advanced tooth geometry
- Ergonomic hardwood handle
- Positive, non-slip grip
- 12-point, extra-fine front teeth
- Lightweight design
See Also
- 8 Best Chainsaws for Beginners
- Professional Logging Chainsaws
- Best Self Propelled Electric Lawn Mower For Small Yard
- Best Quiet Cordless Leaf Blowers
How to Choose the Best Hand Saws for Fine Woodworking
When shopping for the best hand saw for fine woodworking, here are some of the important factors you should keep in mind.
Length
Hand saws have different lengths. They range from 3-inch to 26-inch for plate saws and longer than 26” for frame saws. Your ideal length will largely depend on the size of wood you will be working on, whether you need short or long strokes. If you can afford, it’s wise to invest in multiple hand saws with different lengths.
Teeth per Inch (TPI)
If you want to cut wood faster, a hand saw with smaller TPI is your best choice. But for fine wood working, it might not be the best as it results in a rougher surface. Instead, look for a hand saw with higher TPI. It will help you obtain the fine surface that you require.
Weight
A lightweight hand saw is easier to use and more comfortable to work with. Some hand saws are made from carbon steel which is both durable and ultra-lightweight. However, our preferences are different. If you prefer metal hand saws that come with more weight, it’s best to look for that kind of hand saw.
Handle
A handle can either make or break your carpentry experience. Look for a saw that has a comfortable handle. It should be coated with rubber to provide added comfortable and an anti-slip grip. It should also be large enough to fit your hand comfortably.
Tension
Hand saws with frame saws or hacksaws are the best for fine woodworking. You will be able to adjust the blade’s tension to suit the type of material that you are cutting. This allows you to use the same saw on different materials comfortably. On other saws such as plate saws or pull saws, the stress on the edge is either fixed or it relies on the material being cut.
Cost
The cost of hand saws for fine woodworking are highly competitive, however the speak for the quality. A less expensive hand saw will likely have smaller features and be of lower quality. On the other hand, the more expensive models feature better craftsmanship which gives you greater durability and reliability.
FAQs On The Best Hand Saws for Fine Woodworking
What are the two most common hand saws used?
The two most common hand saws used for fine woodworking are rip cut saw and crosscut saw. They are further subdivided into smaller categories like backsaw, frame saw, coping saw and more.
What differences between crosscut saw and rip saws?
The main difference between crosscut saw and rip saws is the number of TPI. Typically, crosscut saws have a high TPI so you are able to cut across the wood grain effectively. On the other hand, rip saws have more prominent teeth and lower TPI for cutting along with the grain easily.
What is the best handsaw for cutting trees?
Any all-purpose hand saw with prominent teeth and ultra-sharp blade is good for cutting trees. It will do a great job at cutting both the branches and the wood itself. Majority of the saws available on the market have a dual function and are suitable for fine woodworking and tree cutting.
Conclusion
Knowing what you need in a hand saw for woodworking can help make the selection process less daunting. To get the most out of the hand saw, make sure that you find a model that suitable for the job you intend to use it for. If you have different woodworking projects, it’s wise to invest in different types of hand saws.