While the convenience of power tools, such as jigsaws, is not in doubt, some manual tools remain stable in almost all wood workshops. One perfect example is the hand saw.
Despite its sheer simplicity, the hand saw is flexible in both indoor and outdoor applications. So, to make your toolbox feel complete, you need the right hand saw for woodworking.
But we must indicate here, and we are talking from experience, that selecting the best hand saw can be challenging because of the diverse models on the market.
We tested the best hand saw models on the market and reviewed them to assist you in identifying the perfect option for your operations. So, check closely to pinpoint the hand saw that will revitalize your operations!
The Best Hand Saws Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw |  |
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| 3. MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw |  |
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| 4. AIRAJ Hand Saw |  |
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| 5. GreatNeck N2610 Hand Saw |  |
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| 6. Shark Corp 10-2312 Hand Saw |  |
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1. WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw — Best Hand Saw for Cutting Wood
This WilFiks Pro Hand Saw is our first pick. With its long and sturdy 16-inch blade, the saw easily rips through tree branches, drywall, plywood, wallboard, pipes and so on. Regardless of whether you are a hobbyist or contractor, this hand saw is likely to deliver more than you asked for!
When using hand saws, one of the most important aspects is ergonomics. If the handle has a poor design, your hand will suffer severe calluses and pain. This hand saw is designed with a non-slip handle for total comfort. Furthermore, the handle has an average size that works well for people with big as well as small hands.
The hand saw is made with three cutting teeth of varying lengths for faster and better cuts. Because they are induction hardened, they also stay sharp longer than usual. Plus, the saw comes with a cardboard sleeve that makes storage easy and secure.
Specs
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
- Blade length: 16 inches
Pros
- The bade is made of flexible yet rigid high carbon steel
- Secure blade design reduces the risk of accidents
- Cuts 50% faster than traditional saws
Cons
- Pricey
2. Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw
Coming in the second position is this 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw from Stanley, which is one of the most respected brands in designing construction tools. It is one of the popular hand saws out there because of its universally convenient 15-inch size configuration and integrated SharpTooth technology.
One of the most notable features of the hand saw is its thick blade. It is 15% thicker compared to conventional saws so that you can make clean straight cuts without worrying about bending. We also liked its triple cutting surfaces that allow you to cut faster than common saws.
When it comes to the handle, Stanley spared no effort into making this hand saw extra comfortable. The handle is well balanced, firm, and features non-slip construction that makes it feel natural even when cutting tough materials.
Specs
- Size: 14.1 ounces
- Weight: 17.8 x 5 x 1.3 inches
- Blade length: 15 inches
- Warranty Description: Limited lifetime warrant
Pros
- It uses SharpTooth technology for faster sawing
- The saw can be used to mark 45-degree and 9-degree angles
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Affordable
- Sold with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting very tough wood
3. MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw
This MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw is the leading folding hand saw that we found in the market. The saw opens and folds effortlessly, and its blade retracts fully into the handle so that you can toss it into the pocket without worrying of getting hurt.
The hand saw is sold with three types of blades, a blade for plastic, a blade for wood, and a blade for metal. All of them are designed with carbon steel and are 7.5 inches long. The steel construction helps to make the blades rust-resistant, durable, and enables them to maintain sharpness for longer.
You will like the hand saw’s triple-cut, razor-sharp teeth that make cutting through your workpiece easy and fast. But with a length of 7.5 inches, the blade is relatively short, which makes it less effective for cutting tough pieces of wood. However, we found it a perfect pick for ripping through thinner pieces of metal, wood, or plastic.
Specs
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 9.4 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches
- Blade size: 7.5 inches
- Blade material: Carbon steel
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Comes with a convenient carrying bag
- Easy to fold and use
- Cheap
Cons
- The blade is short and flimsy
- Not good for cutting large and tough pieces
4. AIRAJ Hand Saw
If you are looking for a hand saw that is comfortable, can cut fast, and is super-comfortable, the AIRAJ Hand Saw could be the answer. With its 18-inch long blade, this saw is long enough and a perfect option for cutting large planks of wood, including logs.
When cutting big planks of wood, the loose chippings generated by a saw can easily get blocked and make cutting tough and rough. But the AIRAJ Hand Saw comes with unique anti-backing grooves that expel the wood chips, making sawing smooth and fun.
The hand saw also uses three cutting surfaces on the teeth that help you to cut faster. In every task, whether cutting plastic or wood, we finished the job faster with the saw compared to traditional models.
To make cutting with the saw easy and fun, its handle is big enough to suit people with either small or big hands. It is also rubberized to give you a solid feel when sawing.
Specs
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions: 22 x 6 x 2 inches
- Materials: Manganese steel, and rubber
Pros
- Cuts faster than most traditional saws
- Uses detachment grooves that clear wood chippings
- Durable
Cons
- Requires a lot of strength when cutting workpieces
5. GreatNeck N2610 Hand Saw
This N2610 is another hand saw built for elegance and durability. GreatNeck, a renowned global leader in designing high-quality tools for about 100 years, wanted to craft a saw that can be used for app purpose cutting, and they did not disappoint.
The saw is made with high carbon 26-inch steel blade that makes it tough enough, even for cutting very hard materials. With its ten teeth-per-inch (TPI) setting, the saw is also a great tool for most types of cuts you need to make in the workshop or in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Well, whether you target aggressive, fine, or detailed cuts, this saw will be efficient and fast, so that your projects will be completed quickly.
This GreatNeck N2610’s blade is precision set and its teeth razor sharp. Besides, it rocks a great deal of flexibility that offers much-needed control, which is necessary for cross-grain cutting. And to top up the impressive attributes, the hand saw is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Specs
- Weight: 1.65 pounds
- Dimensions: 29 x 6.5 x 0.1 inches
- Blade size and materials: 26 inches, carbon steel
Pros
- Made for rough and aggressive cutting
- Comes with an ergonomic handle
- Sold with a lifetime warranty
- Ideal for both indoor and outdoor working
Cons
- The blade can be a bit stiff
- Heavy
6. Shark Corp 10-2312 Hand Saw
The Shark Corp 10-2312 is another high-performance hand saw for all-round sawing. Although it takes the style of a ripping saw, it is incredibly versatile and easily turns into the go-to saw for most cutting tasks.
The blade of this saw is made from stainless steel, which not only helps to keep it sharp but also makes it durable. You can expect to continue enjoying using this saw in your workshop for many years. And when you feel that the blade is wearing out, you can get a replacement and easily replace it.
The design of this saw makes it the perfect tool for trimming tasks. And with its 14-teeth per inch (TPI) configuration, we found the saw equally effective for detailed cutting.
You will also notice that the saw rocks a different design compared to others; it has a pistol style handle. It provides you with an excellent grip and control that many other saws won’t.
Specs
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches
- Blade size and material: 12 inches, stainless steel
- Teeth configuration: 14 teeth per inch
Pros
- The blade is replaceable
- Ideal for general purpose sawing
- Can be used for cutting both plastic and wood of varying thickness
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting very tough materials
- The blade is short
Guide For Buying The Best Hand Saw For Woodworking
When you go out looking for the best hand saw, the first consideration should be the nature of the cutting tasks. Does your job involve cutting thick and tough materials, or ripping light workpieces around the home?
Then, consider the following features:
Teeth Per Inch (TPI)
To understand the performance of a saw, the primary component to look for is teeth configuration. Teeth per inch (TPI) is the number of teeth that the saw has for every inch. If your cutting tasks mainly involve ripping softwood, consider the hand saw with bigger teeth. These saws will also get the job done faster.
Size
The length a hand saw for woodworking is determined by the size of the blade. Most hand saws range between 7.5 inches and 30 inches. Shorter hand saws that are fewer than 20 inches provide greater control when cutting.
Blade Material
When checking the size of the blade, you should also factor its material. The aim is to identify the hand saw with a tough blade, which is resistant to rust and that can easily cut through hard materials with ease. Some of the best materials include stainless steel and high carbon steel.
Brand
If you want to know a good hand saw for woodworking, go for the models designed by top brands. You cannot trust every brand in the market because some of them overate their tools, resulting in disappointments. So, go for tested and proven brands such as Stanley and WilFiks.
Hand Saw Type
Hand saws came in different designs that make them suitable for varying cutting purposes. Apart from the basic hand saw, the other types of hand saws include:
- Ripping saw: These saws are recommended for cutting along the grain.
- Crosscut saw: As the name suggests, this hand saw is ideal for cutting across the wood grains.
Final Thoughts
The perfect hand saw to buy depends on the nature of your tasks and intensity. You should target identifying the hand saw that is tough, easy to use, and durable.
The hand saws we have reviewed out are the best in the market; they rock the best features, and are designed by trusted brands. And the saws also have a wide price range, so you are sure of getting the perfect piece.
While all the six pieces in our hand saw reviews above are the leading options you can get (really awesome), the WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw was the best of all of them. Its design and features make it very effective for both professional and DIY tasks.
