Whether you are a professional tradesman or a DIY home renovation enthusiast, you need a sharp and also sturdy hand saw. One of the common types of manual cutting hand tools, a hand saw is a highly versatile tool that can be used for all sorts of indoor and outdoor projects, from woodworking to carpentry tasks, to home renovations or general maintenance jobs.
The 7 Best Hand Saws
- Stanley 20-045 Fat Max Hand Saw
- Ryoba Double Edge Razor Saw
- Great Neck N2610 – Cross Cut Hand Saw
- Shark Corp 10-2312 Carpentry Saw
- Vaughan BS240P Pull Stroke Handsaw
- IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw (Our Top Pick)
- Crown FLINN1 Dovetail Saw
Our Top Pick for the Best Hand Saw
Our top pick for the best hand saw is the IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw. You can rely on the IRWIN Tools Universal hand saw to deliver a top-quality cutting performance every time. Whether you have DIY renovations to complete around your home or you are a professional tradesman who needs a reliable hand saw that you can trust for all of your on-site jobs, the IRWIN universal hand saw is the only saw you will ever need.
The saw’s extra sharp teeth can cut and also rip through all types of wood. Its uniquely designed handle gives you that extra operator control. As it can cut with the speed of a coarse-cutting saw as well as providing a quality fine finish, this superbly designed hand saw comes at a very affordable price, which makes it a must-have hand saw for your toolbox.
Check the price on AmazonIntroducing the Hand Saw
A hand saw is an indispensable hand tool that offers you a lot of cutting versatility. It can be used for all sorts of projects or tasks, like trimming tree limbs, cutting up hardwood lumber from a felled tree, building a house, cutting up floorboards for a home renovation, fine detailed joinery work, or cutting through PVC plastic pipes. Whatever type of cutting you have to do, the hand saw can do it all.
Aside from its high cutting versatility, the best thing about a hand saw is that it does not require electricity or batteries. So it is always ready to work when you are and you can take it anywhere: to the job site or when you are out and about on your property doing some maintenance work.
A hand saw comprises two parts, the blade, and the handle. The blade will usually be made out of high carbon steel, and the handle will either be made out of thick plastic like the Vaughan BS240P Pull Stroke Handsaw or the IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw. Or exquisitely hand-crafted beechwood like Crown Tools hand saw.
The secret to a hand saw’s cutting success lies in its jagged edge or teeth. The teeth are measured by inch and most sizes range from 9 teeth-per-inch to 17 or 20 teeth-per-inch.
How to Choose the Best Hand Saw
To be able to choose the right type of hand saw for your woodworking project, you need to think about what you want to use the saw for and what type of cuts will you be making. Some hand tools are great all-round saws, like the Shark Corp 10-2312 Carpentry Saw, the Stanley 20-045 Fat Max Hand Saw, or the Great Neck N2610 – Cross Cut Hand Saw, which can be used for almost any kind of cutting task, from carpentry work to general DIY maintenance or trimming tree branches.
If you have more complex woodworking or carpentry jobs, choose a hand saw that is tailor-made for these tasks like the Vaughan BS240P Pull Stroke Handsaw or the Crown FLINN1 Dovetail Saw. Also, the type of hand saw will depend on whether you will be cutting with the grain or across the grain. There are three main types of basic hand saws: a cross-cutting saw, a rip saw, and also a dovetail back saw.
Cross Cut Hand Saws
If you are cutting across the grain of the wood, you need a crosscut saw. The teeth on a crosscut saw are angled straight up and have a beveled edge like knifepoint. This cross-cutting design allows the saw to act like a sharp knife that cleanly slices across the wood’s grain and severs each of the fibers. When you use the crosscut saw, you use a push and pull action.
Rip Hand Saws
When you are making a cut with the grain of the wood, use a ripsaw. In comparison with a crosscut saw, the teeth on a ripsaw are angled to the left and they are not beveled. The teeth bend left and right in an alternating pattern, which allows each tooth to act like a chisel that chips away small pieces of wood as you saw along the wood grain. Also, the rip saw’s blade cuts on the push stroke, not on the push and pull stroke, like you would with a cross-cutting hand saw.
To further understand the differences between a crosscut and a rip hand saw, have a look at this helpful video.
Dovetail Back Saw
A dovetail back saw, like the Crown FLINN1 Dovetail Saw, is specially designed for working with hard and softwoods and also for fine woodworking applications that need very precise, small cuts and a nice neat finish. These types of hand saws are for making dovetail joints where two wood pieces should fit perfectly together.
The dovetail saw has a small blade that is more rigid than the cross-cutting or rip saw so that it can cut nice straight lines on shorter pieces of wood. It also has more TPI, which means it can create a neater finish. The dovetail hand saw also has a cylindrical handle that can be turned freely in your hand, which gives you greater control over the shape of the cuts you need to make with the wood.
Depending on what you want to use it for, the hand saw may have a traditional “panel” design and teeth along one side of the blade. The handle might have a “d-shaped” integrated handle, a straight handle, or a 90° handle. Or the hand saw may have a double-sided blade that has teeth on both sides like the Ryoba Double Edge Razor Saw.
Teeth-Per-Inch
Hand saws vary in their teeth-per-inch or TPI, which will make a massive difference to the way you cut through wood.
If you want a neat and tidy trim, choose a hand saw with a higher teeth-per-inch (TPI) range. For cutting larger pieces of wood for framing, choose a hand saw with a lower TPI. Keep in mind that a hand saw that has a lower TPI may cut faster but it may give the wood a rougher cut. If you want a finer cut you need more teeth on the blade.
Size
The length of the blade determines the size of the hand saw. Short Panel hand saws range from 12 to 20-inches and they are usually for fine woodworking tasks as they give you more control. Longer hand saws from 24 to 30-inches are ideal for cabinet-making or general tasks.
7 Best Hand Saws – Reviews
1. Stanley 20-045 Fat Max Hand Saw
Stanley has been the premier name in home and also commercial tools for over 170 years, and whatever type of carpentry, woodworking task tasks you have to do, the Fat Max Hand Saw is the perfect tool and it is also excellent value for money.
The Stanley Fat Max 15-inch crosscut saw has a 9 teeth-per-inch thick steel blade. As it has been designed with SharpTooth TM technology, it allows you to cut through all kinds of wood and plastic. It is especially proficient at cutting straighter cuts with less binding.
Working with the Stanley hand saw is a handyman’s dream as its three cutting surfaces can cut up to 50% faster than conventional saws, and its “Induction hardened” teeth stay sharp up to five times longer than standard teeth, so you can expect a high level of durability and cutting performance. It is especially good at cutting quick lumber cuts and also sharp enough to trip 2-inch tree limbs.
Gripping the hand saw is effortless and easy to control even when you are working with hardwood as the thick plastic handle has an ergonomically designed rubber grip that is comfortable to hold and helps to reduce any slipping. A versatile hand saw, it can be used for DIY renovations or carpentry jobs as the back of the saw can be used to mark 45 and 90° angles for quick and easy measuring.
Stanley offers a limited lifetime warranty on their durable, high-quality hand saw.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Great cutting performance
- 9 teeth-per-inch thick blade and 15-inch blade
- Induction-hardened teeth stay sharp up to five times longer than standard teeth
- SharpTooth technology cuts 50% faster than conventional saws
- Can cut 2-inch tree limbs
- Ergonomically handle with rubber grip reduces slipping
- Durable
- Delivers sharp, clean cuts
- Can use the back of the saw to measure 45 and 90° angles
- Easy to use
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting firewood
- Not ideal for cutting very thick or hardwood
- Will need to resharpen it after continuous use
2. Ryoba Double Edge Razor Saw
This beautifully handcrafted Japanese-style Ryoba Double Edge Razor Saw is designed to cut through hardwood or abrasive woods such as maple, oak, teak, and exotic hardwood. As it can be used for a lot of different woodworking tasks, it is excellent value for money.
The strong and durable saw has a 24-inch blade that has 22 teeth-per-inch, which is more than comparable saws of its size. As the teeth are impulse hardened, you can rely on them to deliver an exceedingly smooth, quality cut every time.
A highly versatile hand saw the blade has rip teeth on one side and cross-cutting teeth on the other so it will cut through all types of wood with ease and can be used for fine cuts and will cut cleanly across the grain, which makes it the perfect saw for making detailed furniture making.
The Ryoba razor saw gives you that much-needed woodworking control as the blade is held in perfect tension during use. For extra control during the cutting process, the soft wooden handle is wrapped in bamboo which makes the handle easy to hold and grip on the cut and pull stroke.
The steel blade can be interchanged and also includes a brochure that shows you how to get the best use out of the razor saw.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- High-quality Japanese design
- Designed for cutting hard or abrasive woods such as maple, oak, teak, and also exotic hardwood
- Crosscut teeth on one side and rip teeth on the other
- Durable impulse hardened teeth
- Double-sided blade with rip and cross-cutting teeth
- Delivers an exceedingly smooth, accurate quality cut every time
- Ideal for furniture and also cabinet-making
- Easy to use pull hand saw
- Soft wooden handle with bamboo wrapping
- Very sharp clean cutting saw
- Ideal for fine cuts
- Includes brochure detailing use
Cons
- Not ideal for large heavy duty cutting jobs
3. Great Neck N2610 – Cross Cut Hand Saw
Great Neck has been the global leader in manufacturing high-quality hand tools since 1919 so you can expect to receive a reliable crosscut hand saw that will last for years. The Great Neck Cross Cut Hand Saw is proudly made in the US and it is an excellent choice for all-purpose woodworking applications.
With a strong high carbon 26-inch steel blade and 10 teeth-per-inch, the Great Neck is a highly versatile tool that you can use for rougher, more aggressive cuts as well as fine, detailed cuts. It will cut effortlessly through all types of wood from softwood to hardwood lumber such as red oak and maple, so all of your projects will be done quickly and efficiently.
The saw’s blade is precision set and has extra sharpened teeth. It has a good amount of flexibility to give you that much-needed cutting control for all sorts of cross-grain cuts. For indoor and outdoor use, the Great Neck has a weather-resistant dark stained hardwood handle and it is also very comfortable to hold. The Great Neck hand saw comes with a lifetime warranty cover.
Pros
- High quality
- Strong, rigid 26-inch high carbon steel blade
- 10 teeth-per-inch precision set and extra sharpened teeth
- Designed for rougher, aggressive cutting
- Ideal for cutting hardwood lumber
- Excellent cutting ability
- Ideal for indoor and also outdoor uses
- Weather-resistant dark stained hardwood handle
- Comfortable to hold
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Blade can be a little stiff
4. Shark Corp 10-2312 Carpentry Saw
The Shark Corp 10-2312 Carpentry Saw is a great all-around “rip-style” hand saw for all types of general cutting and also trimming tasks inside and outside your property. Whether it is slicing through untreated wood or laminated hardwood, finishing corners, trimming tree roots, or carving through PVC or ABS plastic pipes, the Shark Corp can do it all.
The 12-inch hand saw has a strong stainless-steel blade with 14 teeth-per-inch, which means it cuts fast and also smoothly through all types of wood. It also has a natural flex for flush cutting, baseboard trimming, and molding.
For that much-needed operator control, the pistol-style plastic handle provides you with an excellent grip which is especially important if you are working on a hot day and your hands become sweaty. If the blade becomes dull, it is replaceable. However, if you keep it sharpened and oiled, it will last for years. Shark Corp offers a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Fantastic all-around carpentry hand saw
- Great value for money
- Perfect for cutting untreated and treated wood and also plastic
- Delivers fast, smooth cut
- 14 teeth-per-inch allows for smooth, fast cuts
- Well balanced blade has natural flexibility for flush cutting
- Smooth cuts in all wood and plastic material
- Flexible blade for flush cutting
- Replaceable blade
- Backed by a one-year warranty
Cons
- Not for cutting metal
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cutting
- Can be slow with hardwood
- Pistol type handle can be difficult to use
5. Vaughan BS240P Pull Stroke Handsaw
Since 1869, the Vaughan family has been committed to producing high quality innovative “Made in the US” hand tools that are not only made for the home handyman or woman in mind, but their tools are highly versatile. They can be used for lots of different cutting tasks and they also come at an affordable price. The highly popular Vaughan BS240P Pull Stroke Handsaw has been made according to Vaughan’s strict manufacturing specifications.
It features a thin, spring-steel blade that is durable and also rust-resistant. As the Vaughan hand saw is specially designed to cut on the pull rather than on the push stroke action, it is a good choice for more demanding woodworking tasks.
The main stand out feature of this well-made hand saw is that it has a thinner (0.022-inch blade), which provides faster and more accurate cutting results for extra fine woodworking tasks.
A tough hand saw, the Vaughan has 17 teeth-per-inch tri-edge teeth that are impulse hardened to retain their super sharpness so you can expect the saw to cut clean, straight cuts every time. The blade has a 0.033-inch wide kerf, which gives the blade a good level of flexibility.
Vaughan also includes some extra safety features like the securely locking blade, the easy-gripping plastic handle, a blade guard that protects the teeth when you store the saw. You can remove the blade from the handle for replacement or easy storage in your toolbox.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Affordable price
- Ideal for small to medium woodworking or carpentry tasks
- Specially designed for extra fine trimming and finish work
- Spring-steel blade is durable and also rust-resistant
- Can use it for rougher carpentry tasks
- Easy to use pull action
- Cuts straight and also smooth cuts
- Thinner blade provides faster and also accurate cuts
- Very sharp impulse hardened 17 teeth-per-inch
- Securely locking blade
- Blade guard
- Removable blade
- Easy gripping plastic handle
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cutting tasks
- Can buckle in hardwood on the push stroke or long strokes
6. IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw
Whether you are a DIY home maintenance enthusiast or a professional tradesman, the IRWIN Tools hand saw is the only saw you will ever need. A super-fast cutting tool, the IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw will have you powering through all sorts of cutting-related tasks from detailed woodworking, carpentry, or general DIY maintenance. Its compact blade means it is easy to use in tight spots.
The reason why the IRWIN Tools hand saw is such a highly sought after woodworking tool is that it rewards you with exceedingly high cutting performance. It has a high-quality design, and it is also very easy to use.
The amazing 15-inch hand saw has special ‘triple ground’ extra sharp teeth that can cut and rip through wood three times faster than other similar hand saws. The universal tooth grind is designed to remove material quickly. Its innovative design combines the speed of a coarse-cutting saw with the finish of a fine-cutting saw, so you can expect a clean and accurate cutting action.
The thick-body blade incorporates a special water-based lacquer coating to help the blade to deliver fast, controlled cuts. The tapered-pitch nose also improves clearance and provides extra stability throughout the cutting process.
Whatever types of cutting tasks you need to perform, from rough cuts to finer cuts that need more operator control, the patent-pending blue and yellow handle has a unique design that eliminates binding and delivers full blade strokes. The high-density resin has been molded into an ergonomic shape, which is very comfortable to hold and also reduces any hand fatigue.
IRWIN stands behind all of its products and is proud to offer a full lifetime guarantee on the Universal hand saw.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Ideal for home use and professional tradesman
- Superior high cutting performance
- ‘Triple ground’ extra sharp teeth
- Cuts and rips through wood three times faster than other hand saws
- Patented universal tooth grind
- Very good clean and also accurate cutting action
- 15-inch blade is perfect for working in tight spots
- Good level of stability
- Ergonomic high-density resin molded comfort grip handle
- Unique handle design eliminates binding and also delivers full blade strokes
- Full lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Cannot re-sharpen it
- Not ideal for hardwood or long cuts
7. Crown FLINN1 Dovetail Saw
The Crown FLINN1 Dovetail Saw is an exceptional hand saw that is proudly manufactured in Sheffield, England by the highly regarded tool manufacturer, Crown Hand Tools and it comes at a very affordable price.
For over 50 years, Crown Hand Tools have merged both old and new metallurgical techniques to create quality hand tools that are not only beautiful but also functional.
You can expect a quality cutting performance from this elegant hand saw. A highly versatile hand saw you can use it for small general DIY repairs and also dovetail joint work. It is well suited for tabletop work and cutting close to flat surfaces when trimming dowels.
The hand saw has a greater TPI, 17 teeth-per-inch, which provides a clean and precise cut. The 1½- inch blade is made from hardened steel with extra brass backing which gives the blade that extra strength to cut through all types of wood, soft and hardwood, and gives it additional resistance to any wear or tear or corrosion, so you can be confident of high-quality results.
As well as its excellent cutting performance, the Crown dovetail saw has a stunning looking 100% plantation-grown Beechwood handle that is comfortable to grip and the handle is securely fastened to the blade with a brass ferrule.
All of CROWN’s products are manufactured from the finest materials by skilled craftsmen and CROWN undertakes to replace any tool that does not perform to your total satisfaction.
Pros
- High-quality hard steel blade
- Ideal for DIY repairs and also carpentry
- Can use it for soft and hardwood
- Perfect for dovetail/ joinery work
- Especially useful for tabletop work
- Can use it for crosscutting and rip cuts
- Extra 17 teeth-per-inch
- Provides a clean and also accurate cut
- Beautiful easy-grip beechwood handle
Cons
- Has a relatively wide kerf
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cutting
- Need to re-sharpen it
Our Top Pick for the Best Hand Saw
Our top pick for the best hand saw is the IRWIN Tools Universal Hand Saw. You can rely on the IRWIN Tools Universal hand saw to deliver a top-quality cutting performance every time. Whether you have DIY renovations to complete around your home or you are a professional tradesman who needs a reliable hand saw that you can trust for all of your on-site jobs, the IRWIN universal hand saw is the only saw you will ever need.
The saw’s extra sharp teeth can cut and rip through all types of wood. Its uniquely designed handle gives you that extra operator control. As it can cut with the speed of a coarse-cutting saw as well as providing a quality fine finish, this superbly designed hand saw comes at a very affordable price, which makes it a must-have hand saw for your toolbox.
Check the price on Amazon
