Japanese saw
The Japanese saw or nokogiri (鋸) is a type of saw used in woodworking and Japanese carpentry that cuts on the pull stroke, unlike the European saw that cuts on the push stroke. This allows it to have thinner blades that cut more efficiently and leave a narrower cut width (kerf). On the other hand, a pull stroke does not easily permit putting one's body weight behind a stroke.
Japanese style saws have also gained popularity outside Japan. [citation needed]
Types of Japanese hand saws
- Dōzuki (胴付鋸)
A type of backsaw. The Japanese means "attached trunk", thus a saw with a stiffening strip attached, i.e., a backsaw.
- Ryōba (両刃)
Multi-purpose carpentry saw with two cutting edges. The Japanese means "double blade". There is a cross-cutting (yokobiki) blade on one side and a ripping (tatebiki) blade on the other.
- Azebiki (あぜ引き)
A small ryōba saw used for cutting into the flat surface of a board rather than from the edge. The blade has a convex curve which can begin the cut anywhere on the surface.
- Mawashibiki (回し引き)
A thin saw used for cutting curves, the Japanese version of a keyhole saw. The name means "turning cut".
- Kaeba (替え刃)
A saw with a disposable blade. The Japanese means "changing blade".
Other Japanese saws
- Oga
A large two-person saw used for ripping large boards in the days before power saws. One person stood on a raised platform, with the board below him, and the other person stood underneath them.