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I'm afraid that's like asking which is your favourite child.

I have half a dozen or so hand saws that I use for various jobs according to which will do the job best. A couple of 'gentleman's' saws, one of which is very fine, two Japanese saws one bound back the other not, and also a tenon saw which is still the best tool for me for cutting slots on a Spanish heel. Oh and also one of the Stew Mac fret cutting saws (Which is actually a British 'gentleman's' saw with the blade reversed to make it a pull cut.)

I don't think any of them could reasonably be expected to substitute for the others.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

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Hi Tony, I'm one of those guys who likes those throw away Japanese saws! Here's the one I probably use the most; a mini duzoki from Dick gmbh in Germany.



It’s super sharp and works great for little trimming jobs. And since it's not expensive I'm not afraid to use it even though it is quite fragile and should not be abused. I have regular size duzokis too, but for bigger things I like to use a sturdier western style back saw. My best one is an ancient Disston, don’t know what number it is but the blade is about 400 mm long and I keep it nice and sharp.

Another small saw I like a lot is the German Blitz saw that has blades in many thicknesses; it is handy when I want a little saw with a stiffer blade than the duzoki. I’m also fond of the set of small “gauged saws” from Stewmac.

I have other saws too of course, but these are the ones I use for guitar building. No fancy pants stuff for me!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Hey arnt,

Thats my favourate saw as well i love the hook on the tip which is great for starting cuts.
i have may other japanese saws but his is the one i usualy reach for,

joel

Well what do you know?!!! This is my favorite saw as well. Like you said it is fragile,but in many years I have only replaced the blade once.It's amazing what you can do with this little sucker!!

All things considered and not speaking on task dependent my Lie-Nielsen Indedendence back say is one of my pride and joys but I have a couple Jap saws and a Zona that get far more use.

Far and away my fave is a little douzuki like Arnt showed. Next to that is an Xacto saw, which I use backwards to cut on the pull stroke. A little awkward, because I can't use a handle that way, but the cuts are dead straight.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I too have two of the independence saws but I got them post LN: Crosscut and Rip. They both are awesome. The only thing is that I think I'd like a crosscut saw the size of their "dovetail" saw (which is filed rip). I haven't checked LN's website in a long time though, perhaps what I want is available.

p.s. the small crosscut is available...I wish I hadn't checked - there goes $130

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Anyone have a link to a site to purchase one of these Mini Dozuki saws that
Arnt showed?? Looks like a handy saw to have!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

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Frank

Eddie Sirotich runs a one-man shop and makes fabulous saws.

http://www.adriatools.com/

I recently splurged on the Lie Nielson back saw with the wide blade (not sure which model) in order to more effectively make the cuts to do the classical head "V" Joint. It's really nice.
I don't use it for run of the mill cutting jobs as I want to preserve it for the most demanding tasks........it was expensive but I certainly don't regret buying it.

http://www.guitarsbydavidlaplante.com/

The Blitz saw!!!!!
removeable blades !
From .5mm----1.5mm-blades for finish work,rough cuts,fret work-etc.....
I install the blade to cut on the pull stroke!!!

I'm not sure if their are still available here!!

Mc

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Mike Collins

Band saw, sliding compound miter saw, and table saw! I do use hand saws (Japanese, and little razor saws) occasionally, but usually just make quick work of it on the band saw. Flip the switch, zip, done!

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

A chain saw is a great tool for starting off.
(Well... I suppose you would if you cut your own trees).

Seriously though... the Japanese saws are just awesome, so easy to let the saw do the work, and so precise.

Rod

I adore my Japanese ryoba. I got it at Woodcraft, but you can fine them in plenty of places. One side is for rip cuts, the other for cross cuts. It is great for flush cutting as well.

Same one as Arnt uses for me. For small fiddly stuff I'll use a razor saw from the local hobby store. For bigger stuff I'll use the 18" Jet bandsaw.

Chain saw.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

try here http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-JSDOZU1.XX&Category_Code=TSJ a little closer and basically looks to be the same

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

I have three Lie-Neilsen saws, the gents, dovetail, tenon, and several other rip/cross saws. They're great saws, but, I have to admit the one I reach for most, especially on classical neck/heel-work, and the easiest for me to use, is a $19 Ryoba style saw I bought at lowes. It's very sharp, cuts a thin kerf straight on the pull, has rip and cross blades, easy to start.

Thanks Frank !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I believe this is the same saw also, from Japan Woodworker: http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product. ... t_id=13085

My "razor saw" is a Gyros brand. It is very well made, and like many, ipulled the blade and re-installed for pull. I am blessed to have a ridiculous selection of custom back saws from Wenzloff, Tim Hoffman(Spruce Mills), Medallion Toolworks and Nordic( long term sabbatical at present). They range from panel saws to joinery saws(dovetails and M & T). for anyone interested, I will photo and post, and will provide introductions. The LN saws are quite fine too- I have one dovetail rip, and a progressive on the way.mike