Learn more About japanese saw
Z-Saw - A Pioneer in Saw Manufacturing
Okada Hardware Mfg.Co.,Ltd (Z-Saw) is one of the leading pioneers in Japanese hand saw manufacturing and is based in Miki, the renowned heartland of the Japanese hardware industry. Okada Hardware was established in 1943 as a local tool manufacturer, naturally continuing the great tradition of Japanese hand saw manufacturing while introducing extensive modern technologies into the entire saw manufacturing process.
In more than half a century, Z-saw has developed hundreds of Japanese saw models to meet the changing demands of the times and the needs of customers. To protect customers, Z-Saw has been working with ISO9001/2000 quality management system since 2000 to ensure the high quality of products.
Z-Saw was the first company in Japan to introduce hard pulse heat treatment, which is considered one of the great innovations for maximising saw tooth hardness. Z-Saw is proud to have developed its own automatic saw making system and many other innovations in the hand saw industry.
Thanks to constant innovation and decades of experience, Z-Saw is able to provide customers with top quality Japanese saws that fully support their craftsmanship. Z-Saw has a very good reputation that constantly encourages them to be the best saw manufacturer for existing and potential customers all over the world.
SŌMASUTĀ 日本 - Probably the highest quality traditional Japanese saws
The master sawmaker manufactures probably the highest quality Japanese saws in the third generation using the traditional quenching method. The saw is made entirely of steel, which is hard, straight, elastic and strong. The production of a saw according to the traditional Japanese method requires a high degree of skill and a lot of work. The high-quality Japanese hand saws can be used for many years after repeated refinement. His promise: "I have to make hand saws that people really want to use."
Why is a Japanese saw so special?
The Japanese saw, also known as the "Japan saw", is a special type of saw that originated in Japan. It is often referred to as a "pull saw" because, unlike Western saws, it is pulled rather than pushed. The Japanese saw is known for its high efficiency, precision and ease of use and has gained a worldwide reputation.
What are the most popular Japanese saw types?
The Japanese saw is available in various types, including:
Dozuki (back saw): This saw is known for its fine and precise cuts. It is often used for woodwork such as mitre cuts and fine woodwork.
Ryoba: A double-sided saw with different teeth on both sides. One side has coarse teeth for cutting fast, rough cuts, while the other side has finer teeth for more precise work.
Kataba: A single-sided saw with a non-reinforced back. It is mainly used for deep cuts and requires a guide to achieve precise results.
Kugihiki: A special pull saw often used for cutting tenons.
The Japanese saw is particularly popular with woodworkers, carpenters, hobbyists but also violin makers as it is easy to handle and allows precise cuts. It is well suited for working with delicate wood or thin materials as it puts less tension on the workpiece, minimising the risk of cracking or chipping.
To ensure the longevity and efficiency of a Japanese saw, it is important to maintain it regularly by cleaning and drying it after use and storing it in a sheath or case to protect the teeth from damage. With proper care, a quality Japanese saw can be an indispensable tool that will give you many years of precise cutting.
Best Japanese Saw Types
Ryoba Japanese Saws
A ryoba saw is a Japanese hand saw with a double-sided blade that has fine teeth on one side for cutting wood and coarser teeth on the other side for cutting wood in the direction of the grain. It is often used in woodworking.
The Ryoba saw is usually used to make precise and clean cuts in wood. Its fine teeth of the cross-cutting (yokobiki) 横挽き blade make it particularly suitable for cutting hardwood, veneer or delicate wood. The coarse teeth (ripping (tatebiki )縦挽き blade) on the other side are excellent for quickly cutting wood in the direction of the grain or for removing material in coarse steps.
The Ryoba saw is often used by carpenters, joiners, joiners and other craftsmen in woodworking. It can also be used by hobbyists who enjoy working with wood.
Dozuki Japanese saw
Dozuki is a Japanese hand saw known for its thin, flexible blade and precise teeth. It is commonly used in woodworking, especially for fine cuts and mitre cuts.
Dozuki saws have a narrow, flexible blade with a thin spine that minimises twisting and allows for more precise control. The saw teeth are very fine and cut on the pull motion, which means less pressure needs to be applied, increasing accuracy. Because of their precise cutting performance, Dozuki saws are often used for fine work such as cutting mitres, fillets and tenons.
Dozuki saws are also capable of making clean, smooth cuts in hardwood, veneer and other delicate woods. They are very versatile and can be used for a variety of woodworking projects including making jewellery boxes, desk accessories, furniture and much more.
Kataba Japansaws
Kataba Japansaws are used for fine cuts in wood, plastic and other materials. Unlike Dozuki saws, the Kataba saw has teeth on only one side and is used on tension like all Japanese saws.
Kataba saws are often used in woodworking to make accurate and clean cuts. They are particularly useful for mitre cuts, cross cuts and precise cuts through wood. Unlike a Dozuki saw, the Kataba saw has no bow. This allows you to make cuts through deep wood.
Kataba saws are also used in other areas such as plastics processing and jewellery making as they are able to make fine and precise cuts in these materials. They can also be used for DIY projects or other fine cutting applications where high precision is required.
What types of teeth are there for Japanese saws?
As a rule, two types of teeth are used for Japanese saws. A coarse triangular toothing for cuts in longitudinal wood and a fine trapezoidal toothing for cross-cuts. There are also special types, such as the Ibarra saw tooth type for particularly fine and tear-free saw cuts.
Ripping (tatebiki )縦挽き blade
The triangular ripping (tatebiki )縦挽き blade with good chip removal is used for sawing along the grain. With this toothing, the chips roll up during longitudinal cuts. In order to be able to take up the larger volume of chips with longitudinal cuts, the distance from tooth tip to tooth tip is greater with ripping (tatebiki )縦挽き blade than with cuts for transverse to the grain. During sawing, the chips in the space between the teeth are reliably removed from the saw kerf, and the saw does not jam.
Cross-cutting (yokobiki) 横挽き blade
Fine to medium trapezoidal cross-cutting (yokobiki) 横挽き blade is used for saw cuts across the grain. This saw tooth has three cutting chamfers. Similar to a knife, these cutting surfaces cut through the wood fibres in cross cuts and produce an extremely precise and clean cut edge. With cross-cuts, the chips produced during sawing tend to be fine-grained and less fibrous, so they do not curl up as with triangular toothing. The volume of the chips is smaller with cross-cuts, which allows for a closer spacing between the tooth cutting edges.
Ibarra saw tooth type
A special feature is the fine Ibarra saw tooth type イバラ. This type of saw tooth is a mixture of triangular toothing of the ripping (tatebiki )縦挽き blade and the alternation of the outer cutting chamfers used in trapezoidal cross-cutting (yokobiki) 横挽き blade. In addition, with the Ibarra saw tooth type イバラ the saw blade is ground (like a knife). This gives you a set of saw teeth for a saw cut that is no wider than the saw blade itself. The Ibarra saw tooth type イバラ is used for particularly fine saws, mostly in restoration work.
How do I care for a Japanese saw properly?
Proper care of a Japanese saw is crucial to maintaining its performance, cutting power and longevity. Here are some comprehensive steps and tips on how to properly care for your Japanese saw:
Cleaning after use: after each use, you should thoroughly clean your Japanese saw to remove wood chips, resin and other debris. To do this, use a brush or compressed air to clean the teeth of the saw and the back of the saw blade. Make sure to remove all residues to prevent the saw teeth from sticking.
Removing resin: Resin can build up on the saw teeth, especially when using the Japanese saw for hardwood. To remove this, you can use a solvent such as turpentine or a special resin cleaner solution. Carefully apply the solvent to the teeth and clean them thoroughly with a cloth.
Dry storage: After cleaning, you should dry the Japanese saw thoroughly before storing it. Avoid storing the saw damp or wet as this can lead to rust formation. Store the Japanese saw in a dry place, ideally in a protective cover or saw holder to protect it from dust and moisture.
Regular inspection: Check your Japanese saw regularly for signs of wear, damage or deformation. The saw teeth in particular should be sharp and undamaged to ensure clean and precise sawing. Replace damaged or worn saw blades if necessary, especially if saw teeth are broken.
Sharpening the saw teeth: To maintain the cutting performance of your Japanese saw, you should sharpen the saw teeth regularly. To do this, use a file or a special saw tooth sharpener that is suitable for the teeth of your Japanese saw. Make sure you use the correct angles and sharpening techniques to achieve an even sharpness.
Oiling the saw: To reduce friction and prolong the life of your Japanese saw, you can occasionally treat the saw with a thin layer of oil. To do this, use a high-quality lubricant such as hardwood oil or special saw oil and apply it evenly to the saw blade and teeth.
By carrying out these comprehensive maintenance measures regularly, you can ensure that your Japanese saw is always ready for use and delivers optimum results. A well-maintained Japanese saw is not only more effective, but also more durable and ready for the most demanding woodworking projects.
