What is a ryoba saw for?

The most versatile of Japanese saws, the ryoba, has little teeth for cutting across the wood grain and bigger teeth for making rip cuts with the grain.

Which are the best Japanese saws?

The Best Japanese Hand Saws

  • Gyokucho Razor Dozuki Saw with Blade.
  • SUIZAN Japanese Hand Saw 9-1/2 Inch Dozuki (Dovetail)
  • Gyokucho Ryoba 9-1/2ā€³ Double Edge Razor Saw.
  • Gyokucho Razor Ryoba Saw with Blade.
  • Dozuki ā€œZā€ Saw.
  • SUIZAN Japanese Pull Saw Ryoba for Woodworking.
  • Gyokucho Razor Saw Dotsuki Takebiki Saw.

What size is a ryoba?

180mm to 295mm
Ryoba are typically available in a range of sizes from 180mm to 295mm. The smaller side of the range is typically used for detail and furniture work, where the larger sizes are typically used in heavy ripping or carpentry work.

Why do Japanese saws cut on the pull?

Cutting on the pull stroke is claimed to cut more efficiently and leave a narrower cut width (kerf). On the other hand, a pull stroke does not easily permit putting one’s body weight behind a stroke. This can be readily solved by using a vice or clamping.

Can you use a ryoba saw for dovetails?

I go back and forth on that myself, but I find that using the crosscut side of the 210 mm ryoba works well for dovetails as well. In the western saw world, the 210 mm ryoba would take on the role of the rip and crosscut tenon saws, and the dovetail saw. My 210 mm ryoba is used for cutting tenons and dovetails.

What are the different types of Japanese saws?

The three most important types of saw are:

  • Dozuki – a saw with back that lends rigidity, enabling very precise cuts to be made.
  • Ryoba – a saw with teeth on both sides of the blade, for crosscuts and ripcuts.
  • Kataba – a saw without back, with teeth on one side of the blade. The Kataba comes as a crosscut saw.

Why do American saws cut on push stroke?

Characteristics. Generally, push stroke saws are designed for cutting through tougher materials. This is because it’s easier to exert pressure on the saw when pushing it rather than pulling it.

What makes a Ryoba saw different from a back saw?

Like a western back saw, it has a stiff rib along the top of the blade to prevent flexing. These only come in crosscut configurations, and the rib prevents them from cutting too deep. Next is the ryoba, which features two sets of teeth on either side of the blade: crosscut and rip cut.

What’s the difference between a Dozuki and a backsaw?

The dozuki is just the ticket. Like a Western backsaw, it has a thick steel spine that keeps the blade rigid as you cut. But unlike a Western backsaw, a dozuki cuts on the pull stroke, and it has a much thinner blade that excels at precise cutting.

What makes a Japanese saw different from a Western saw?

The main difference between a Japanese saw and a western saw is that Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke versus the push stroke. There are many types of Japanese saws ā€“ one for every cut you will need to make. In most toolboxes, you will see three types of saws: Ryoba, Dozuki, and Kataba.

What kind of wood can you cut with a ryoba?

However, some manufacturers have come up with other variations of the Ryoba where it can cut softwoods on one side and hardwoods on the other side. Unlike the Ryoba, the Kataba Japanese hand saw is single-edged. It only has a set of teeth on one edge of the blade. This saw is commonly used for general woodcutting purposes.