Types of Handsaws

By: Shane Wilson  | 
Man cutting a plank of wood with a crosscut saw
It's always important to use the right tool for the task at hand. Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images

Why use a handsaw? Well, you've made your measurement. You've chosen your material. It's time to cut.

There are many different types of handsaws to choose from, but they all have one thing in common: Unlike power saws, which use electricity, handsaws are manual.

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Crosscut Saw

When you think "saw," a crosscut saw is probably what comes to mind. It has a thick blade used to cut across the grain of wood. Crosscut saws usually have eight to 15 pointed teeth per inch.

The number of teeth per inch is important — saws with fewer teeth are best for making quick, rough cuts. More saw teeth equals more precision.

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A bow-cut saw is a type of crosscut saw. It has crosscut teeth (good for cutting wood) but instead of a saw blade attached to a handle, bow saws have a narrow blade held in tension by a bow-shaped frame.

A wide selection of handsaws is available to perform a variety of cutting tasks.

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Ripsaw

It looks just like a crosscut saw, but this handsaw (also sometimes spelled "hand saw") rips through the grain of wood like a chisel. A ripsaw cuts with the grain of the wood, rather than against it. With about five pointed teeth per inch, rip-cut saws are less precise than crosscut saws.

A dovetail saw is a type of rip-cut saw with a thick blade that makes it look a bit like a cleaver. With 15 to 22 points per inch, precise dovetail saws are ideal for cutting — you guessed it — dovetails. The dovetail saw falls into the category of tenon saws — handsaws that cut wood very precisely.

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Backsaw

If you're into woodworking, you need a backsaw. Backsaws (also spelled "back saws") cut against the grain, like crosscut saws, but they have a stiff, narrow blade with 11 to 20 teeth per inch, making them ideal for angle cuts, wood joints (like miter joints) and trimming molding.

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Keyhole Saw

With a removable blade, a keyhole saw (also known as a wallboard saw) is used for cutting holes and other openings that are too large for a drill.

Also known as jab saws, keyhole saws have a pointed blade. They look like something you would use to carve a pumpkin, but are incredibly useful for hand-cutting smaller details — like a keyhole.

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Drywall saws (also known as plasterboard saws) and compass saws have a similar design but are larger with a coarser cutting edge.

Coping Saw

The thin blade of a coping saw allows the user to make contoured or smooth fine-line cuts. The blades on coping saws sits on a tension frame like a bow saw, but they're much smaller than bow saws and also have a handle.

Use your coping saw to make intricate cuts in wood. A coping saw is also handy for cutting curves.

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Hacksaw

When you need to cut metal, plastic or pipe, this saw fits the bill. Hacksaws have fine teeth that can cut through plastic or metal pipes. A hacksaw is the ideal saw for cutting thin metal sheets by hand.

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Pruning Saws

Pruning saws are used for pruning plant branches that are too thick for pruning shears but don't require a chainsaw. These wood saws are typically small, with a curved blade and sharp teeth ideal for trimming branches. These often fold up, which is great if you have very little storage space.

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Lots More Information

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  • Home Repair Tools: Review all the different types of tools you can use to make simple improvements around your house.
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  • Materials: The kind of materials you use will dictate the tools and methods necessary to complete home repairs yourself. Learn the difference between the various materials in this article.
  • Power Saws: For a quick and smooth cut, just add electricity. Take a look at these saws for a powerful cut.

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