How to cut wood at blazing speed with a hand saw

In this week's exuberant new video you'll learn how to cut wood at lightning speed without any power tools!  Plus, the searing battle as Mag and Andy go head to head comparing a traditional hand saw against a Japanese style saw. 

Get the winning saw for about $30 at Lee Valley Tools.

Comments

[Bob]

I see the advantage of the Japanese saw at the start of the cut - I like that. But why did it cut faster (I like that too), when neither saw buckled? It went through the board twice as fast as the conventional saw! Is it the saw, or is it that one of you has much better-developed sawing technique?? ;-) Is the cut just as smooth? I need to hear more about saws! :-/

[Mag]

Bob, the Japanese saw cuts a narrower kerf since the blade is thinner than the western saw, so I had to remove less wood than Andy to complete my cut. Also, I slipped Andy a fiver as I handed him the old beater saw so he'd let me win. Plus the board was clamped a bit crooked, so technically Andy would have had to saw through the hardwood worktable to complete his cut. I left nothing to chance.

There's a good article about pull saws at AskToolTalk.com (http://www.asktooltalk.com/articles/productstools/pullsaw.php)
and Lee Valley Tools sells a nice range of pull saws including one made for cutting plywood. I've tried that - it takes longer than a circular saw but it produces nicely rounded rear deltoids.

Mag

[Pam Shobbrook]

I love the show called ASK THIS OLD HOUSE and I have emailed HGTV that we need a show like this in Canada and you are the answer. I would love to see you show on HGTV

[ToolGirl]

Thanks Pam - that's a huge compliment.

xo
Mag