I'm curious about what would happen if I were to cut Western-style teeth but in reverse into a Japanese pull saw. Would it actually cut anything? I'm looking to understand the mechanics behind it and if it's worth trying out.
3 Answers
I see where you're coming from, but I think it could work, just not well. If you manage to get it set up, odds are it would cut but not efficiently, so you'd want to temper your expectations. If you're looking to do a lot of work, maybe investing in a dedicated saw would be better.
Definitely keep us posted if you try it out! I'm curious how it’ll turn out.
There's a lot of speculation about this! I think you should definitely give it a shot. Worst case, you learn something—and then you can update us all on your findings. Just make sure your Japanese saw is one that can be sharpened, or else you've got a tough task ahead with a hardened blade! Before you start, check out some existing designs online; some specialize in blending these styles.
Every great experiment had to start somewhere! If nothing else, it’ll be a good story!
That sounds fun! But isn't it a bit of a risky move? What if it doesn't cut at all?
Honestly, I don't think it would work that well. The differences between Western and Japanese saws go beyond just the cutting direction; the tooth geometry is key. Western saws push down and into the wood, while Japanese saws pull and don't apply downward pressure. So, putting Western teeth on a pull saw might just make it skip over the wood instead of cutting it properly. Plus, the thinner blade of a Japanese saw would buckle under the push, as it relies on pulling to maintain tension. Just not a great match!
Right? It's not just about the teeth; the whole design philosophy is different.
Yeah, it's interesting how those designs affect cutting! I guess fundamentally it's about how the force is applied during the cut.
That sounds like a fair approach! I don't have a Japanese saw yet, so I'm debating whether to buy one or a Western one.