HOME > How to use a Japanese saw

How to use a Japanese saw

Last Update:2008/4/1

Part names on a Japanese saw

Choosing a saw

Make sure that the teeth (blades) are sharp

  Blades on the front and back of the teeth should be equal, and the length of each tooth should be equal to the rest.

Play in the metal

  When a properly produced Japanese saw is bent, the summit of the bend should be near the center. (without solid handle)

The thickness of Japanese saws are produced by shaving and finishing the surface with a Japanese draw knife called a "Sen".
Though nowadays a magnet grinder is used, hence thin Japanese saws can be mass produced.

How to use

  1. "Rip saws" are drawn parallel to the wood grain, and "Cross cut saws" are drawn perpendicular to the wood grain.
  2. When initially drawing the nokogiri (saw), raise the handle a bit and place your left thumb nail (for right handed users) by the edge of your cutting marker, and slowly draw the saw. Begin with small draws/strokes and when when more of the saw is set into the wood, one can inscrease their draws. The wood is cut when the saw is drawn, so do not apply too much strength when pulling. Allow the weight of the saw be the only pressure applied onto the wood. Also make sure that the object which is been sawn is firmly held down.
  3. Depending on the type of wood is been sawed, the angle of the saw is changed. For most cuts, holding the saw at a 30°(degree) angle is best. If wood being sawn is tough, the sawing angle is best raised to approximately 45°. If the material to be sawn to very thin or soft wood, then angling the saw at an angle less than 30° would be best.

Sel, kerf and the wood

  • The edge of the Sel acts to reduce the amount of friction bewteen the wood and the saw, and to allow unwanted excess wood (sawdust) to escape. (Fig. A & B)
  • Increase the angle of the sel when sawing wet or not dried lumber.
  • Decrease the sel angle when sawing hardwood timber, dried lumber, fresh lumber or composite materials
  • If the angle of the sel differs as in fig. C, the saw cut will slightly curve towards the more angled sels.
  • If the length of the sel differs as in fig. D, the saw cut will slightly curve towards the shorter sels.

  Depending whether softwood, hardwood, dampwood, or composite wood is being sawed, one can change the angle of the saw blade sel to improve the cutting quality.

Maintenence


  To extend the life of your Japanese saw "Nokogiri", the key is to avoid your saw from rusting. If you saw gets wet, simply dry it and apply oil onto the surface. Simple household vegetable oil can also be used. Apply by wiping an oiled cloth on to the surface of the saw.

Re-setting the teeth

  Over time, the fleam angles on the blades (teeth) of the saw will begin to dull and change shape. When the saw blades (teeth) become dull, with a saw tooth file, one can correct the fleam angles and the sharpness of the saw blade. Setting the fleam angles on a saw is very difficult so a professional saw tooth setter may be required.

Contact us
International Affairs Section Regional Management Division Sanjo City Office
Address: 3-1 Asahicho2, Sanjo-shi, Niigata 955-8686
Tel: +81 (0256) 34-5511 (ext.726)
Fax:  +81 (0256) 36-5111
e-mail: 

Sanjo City Office/955-8686 3-1 Asahicho2, Sanjo-shi, Niigata
Tel:+81 256-34-5511 (ext.314) Fax:+81 256-34-7933

Copyright (c) 2008 City of Sanjo. All Rights Reserved.