The Best Hand Saw For Cutting Wood (Trees, Woodworking, Woodcarving)

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For a hand saw that is able to adapt and manage materials with jobs like tree or general wood cutting, camping, hunting, and woodworking, the Shark Corp 12-inch Carpentry Saw is your best option. Its strong frame is unparalleled, and is the best hand saw for cutting wood.

Best hand saw for cutting wood, woodworking, and woodcarving

1. Shark Corp 12-inch
2. Double-Sided Shark Corp
3. EverSaw 8.0 
4. Spear & Jackson Tenon Saw
5. IRWIN 15-inch

Why the Shark Corp is our top pick

About: Shark Corp specializes in hand saw crafting, deriving much of their influence from ancient Japanese culture where even the most meticulous detail attributes to the quality of a tool. A well-designed hand tool is indispensable and lasts a lifetime.

Benefits: The 12-inch Shark Corp is a heavy-duty, yet manageable, carpentry style panel saw used for cutting shapes into wood, so think carpentry, at-home projects, and flush cuts. The Shark Corp will certainly satisfy any customer with its many high valued qualities and uses. With 14 teeth per inch that are hardened and triple diamond ground, this tool shaves down bark like butter. Not to mention, more teeth per inch and a razor thin blade means the finish on your cuts will be easy and even, regardless if it is soft or darkwood. This saw can also be used to touch up or customize store-bought items due to its low-friction. A no-snag design was implemented to eliminate potential issues so it will not damage the finish!

The Shark Corp can be used on any type of wood or lumber, particle board, drywall, and even plastic piping. It performs well against flush cuts, or general carpentry, and work around the house. In comparison to most options available, Shark Corp remains unparalleled in experience and design.

To continue, the best hand saw for wood crafts cuts on the pull stroke, offering ease, control, and precision. The carpentry saw is a convenient and realistic alternative to power tools, which can often be expensive, messy, and noisy. The pan will get the job done just as easily while producing very little sawdust. Another great quality is that the blade is removable with a twist lock, so it stores easily or replace the blade if necessary. A convenient hole in the blade offers another simple storage solution for those with a pegboard.

The Shark Corp Carpentry Saw is made with a soft pistol style grip. The unique bent angle and material of the grip makes for a comfortable and sure grip. No more blistered hands or losing your grip in the middle of a cut! With a plastic handle and a steel blade, there is no need to worry about water damage when it comes to this Shark Corp.

The Shark Corp is definitely the best hand saw for wood carving and general carpentry. With a slightly bigger scope of use than a folding saw, the Shark Corp allows you to get anything done while still being portable and simple to use. Great quality and versatility come all in one package with the Shark Corp Carpentry Saw.

Disadvantages: The blade has a flex to it, so using it for cutting logs or trunks. Instead, it should stick to small branches and rough cuts for projects. However, if it’s too much for the Shark Corp to handle, it’s safe to say you should use power tools instead.

Second best hand saw for wood cutting

Benefits: The double-sided Shark Corp will be reliable for years no matter the material you’ll be cutting. After utilizing it for cabinet work, flush cutting, and general woodworking projects, we found it is 15% thicker and 50% faster to cut than conventional saws. Due to the SharpTooth technology, it is also 5 times stronger. 

The best hand saw for cutting wood is the double-sided Shark Corp which makes cutting through even hardwood easy. This particular tool implements the pull to cut method for easier precision with its diamond cut teeth. It’s a really efficient tool with one side that has 9 tpi to cut with grain and the other side has 17 tpi to cut against the grain. The Shark Corp is great for carpenters with demanding projects in woodworking shops.

In comparison with our top pick, the 12 inch Shark Corp, it is identical in toughness, and efficiency at handling crafty tasks. With that being said, since the double sided saw has a lower tpi (teeth per inch) with longer teeth, it removes more material, but if used wrong it can be a difficult process. Our top pick has a higher tpi, although might not be a better match for cutting harder material, the double sided option will get that done much faster.

It’s comfortable and convenient design relies on the back of the saw to mark 45 degree and 90 degree angles for fast measuring. This tool comes with an ergonomically designed rubber grip for easy maneuverability. Storage and mobility isn’t a problem with the Fine Cut Saw, because, although the tool is 17.8 inches long, it weighs less than a pound. Light as a feather, and thin enough to stick in between tight, secure spots.

Disadvantages: I briefly mentioned that using this tool wrong can come with difficulties. For one, misuse or accidental impact can seriously damage crosscutting teeth. In which case you would need to ether buy a new blade or sharpen it. Sharpening itself is pretty time consuming, but luckily the blade is a twist-off, so replacing it isn’t that bad, just a little tedious.

Additionally, the length of the tool makes it hard to put into a convenient spot. Folding tools obviously don’t have this issue, but there’s plenty of ways to go about storing it properly.

Runner Up

The EverSaw 8.0 is a tough, all purpose best wood cutting hand saw perfect for using it on anything just short of needing a chainsaw. Whether its home is in your toolbox, garden shed or camping kit- this is the best hand saw for cutting wood that will live up to your expectations.

 EverSaw 8.0

About: A pruning tool with hardened triple cut razor teeth and multipurpose functionality makes it capable for any job.

The EverSaw has an 8 inch carbon steel blade (carbon steel offers a mix of flexibility and solidity that make it easy to use in any setting) and an adjustable bolt that gives you the freedom to tighten or loosen the blade as needed. The bolt also gives you the ability to remove and replace the blade if necessary.

Benefits: This is the one tool you can really take for any excursion. Not to mention, the length of the blade makes it so versatile, and convenient to put it away. The EverSaw 8.0 is long enough for some of the toughest jobs, and can cut up to 4″ in diameter through any material. Basically, this tool should be the last resort to cutting any wood before grabbing an electric tools. Thanks to the triple cut razor teeth the blade stays sharp, hardened and resistant to wear and tear.

9 teeth per inch means a smoother cut on any surface. Whether it’s wood, bone or plastic- this is the best hand saw for cutting wood, logs, trees, and branches.

The EverSaw 8.0 is a Japanese style pull cut tool, much like the Shark Corp, which means it will cut as you pull, not as you push. Plus, the blade is uncoated, and has no exposed teeth, so there’s no chance of snagging. These factors reduce the friction tremendously, and make the saw glide easily through the material with significantly less effort. No matter what you’re cutting through, the EverSaw 8.0 allows for a smooth push and pull flow as you cut.

To continue, the EverSaw is ergonomic, and safe to carry. The folding blade comes with a gear style locking mechanism, so no matter how much pressure you put on the blade, it will not snap back towards you. The simple spring-loaded locking mechanism is not only extremely easy to open and close, but the blade will not get stuck open like most other options. It also folds completely into the handle with zero possibility for snags. The safety of the EverSaw helps get the job done fast, and without any hesitations or worries making it valid contender for the best hand saw for wood.

The rubber handle is solid, and slip-resistant, bringing the most comfort to your hand while handling long pressure exposure. Even with all of these features, it is extremely lightweight at just 10 ounces. Plus, it only extends to 17″ and is 9.5″ when folded down, making it very easy to fit into limited storage space.

Another interesting feature this tool specializes in is pruning. Arguably the best hand saw for cutting logs and wood, this tool tears through dead and overgrown pesky branches. This is great for finding new pieces in wood working because it will easily cut down even hardwoods.

Without a doubt, the EverSaw 8.0 is a great all purpose choice for anyone looking for the best hand saw for wood cutting. It’s perfect for yard work, carpentry, wood carving, hunting and practically any other situation. Boasting high-quality performance, this folding saw will last as long as you need it, and complete every job. It is a compact, and manageable tool which also means that anyone can use it with ease. The EverSaw 8.0 is definitely the one saw you need for any wood project.

Disadvantages: The blade itself is 8″, and, depending on how big the wood is, could be biting off more than the tool can chew. Some jobs could require an electric tool.

It is a folding tool, so the locking mechanism could lock in place, making it especially difficult to close, and store properly. This is not a quality issue, it is more so just the nature of its function.

How the rest compared

Throughout our extensive testing and research, we found a total of 5 hand saws that really exceeded our expectations, but the last two didn’t quite live up to the hype that the other three were at. That being said, I definitely feel that they are certainly worth mentioning considering their cost, and quality.

About: The Spear & Jackson Tenon Saw is made by a company with an impressive history, dating all the way back to the 18th century. Their development has spanned over generation, and has come along way from their original product focus: cutlery. Now, they manufacture and distribute anything from garden tools to magnetic equipment. However, their main pride and specialty remains with steel. The item is about 10″ in length, and weighs about 1.21 lbs. It has a nice, fine row of sharp row of teeth with a 13 tpi.

Benefits: A close contender with the EverSaw 8.0, but S&J’s tenon style option compliments precision cuts from pull saws much better than a pruning one does. The teeth, made from high carbon steel, can be applied to most general uses for cutting wood, and can go with or against the grain. Its rigidness can be most attributed to the solid brass back frame. Sharpening the blade when it gets dull isn’t an issue since the teeth have not been hardened. It specifically excels at joint cutting, sawing small pieces of wood, and general use.

About: Often compared to Shark Corp’s level of quality (the best hand saw for wood cutting), is the 10 tpi aggressive cross-cutting IRWIN 15-inch Pull Saw. This pull action tool has a 2-polymer handle structure called the ProTouch which is pretty comfortable, more so than our top pick: the Shark Corp. In terms of rating, this tool in particular is synonymous with the 12-inch Shark Corp. The thin blade makes flush cuts easy to perform while being able to maintain its solid cuts.

Benefits: Perfect carpentry style saw for aggressive cross-cutting material. It can be used on both pvc, and wood, but it is most suitable for wood. The blade doesn’t wear as fast, and you’ll spend less time sharpening it if you cut with wood. There’s some flexibility to it as well, so flush cuts are easy to do with a 10-tpi blade.

Disadvantages: As far as pvc cutting goes, you might be a bit disappointed at what this option can provide. I find it a little too aggressive for my needs, which recently has been plumbing repair, so I often cut lengths of pvc pipes. The teeth are just a bit too coarse for this type of work, but you’ll get a better result with wood.

About: The Craftsman 15-inch wood cutting saw is another one of the top choices online currently. Craftsman is an all purpose tool company, ranging from anything from power tools to garden essentials. They also offer storage solution options to organize any workspace. What’s most important is their ability to re-engineer historically reliable products for the sake of saving tons of money on news ones that aren’t designed for long-term use.

Benefits: The shape of the tool is relatively traditional. It has a strong and sturdy bi-material handle that steers the tapered blade accurately. The handle also offers a square/mitre feature that measure 45 and 90 degree angles. All tools eventually require sharpening, but induction hardened teeth make it so that its sharpness lasts much longer than the average. Rapid or frequent dulling is a direct correlation to the quality of a blade. 4

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Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose

A tool is only as good as what its functions pertains to, and it can be hard to know which qualities to look for. When you’re spending money on a tool, you need to make sure that it’s reliable – you want to find the best for the job. With thousands of options available, this task can be overwhelming. Ideally, you want to avoid poorly designed options that ultimately lead to its demise, and, sometimes worse, using tools that aren’t meant for certain things. There’s nothing worse than buying a tool that is incompetent for the job. So save yourself the time and extra money and read this quick buying guide for finding the best hand saw.

Material

The metal material of the blade has a big impact on its durability and reliability. A significant factor in the best hand saw is a blade made out of high carbon spring steel. Higher amounts of carbon in the metal make the blade extremely strong and solid, even though it is thin. This means the performance of the blade will be very high caliber and it will be able to cut through even the toughest and thickest of materials.

Plus, high carbon steel offers an extremely high level of resistance to wear. It will not scratch or degrade easily. The higher the carbon level, the stronger the blade! For these hand tools this is a great feature. The blade works hard and doesn’t demand too much exertion from you. Spring steel is also a very flexible type of metal and will stay straight and strong no matter how you use it. The best hand saw for cutting wood feature spring steel as it is useful for flush cutting and unique carpentry jobs.

Another quality to look out for is whether the blade is coated or not. While many blades are coated for protection against scratches and rust, uncoated blades are ultimately better for performance. With nothing in between the blade and the material, and no chance of the coating wearing off- an uncoated blade provides much less friction and an easier cut.

Blade

The blade of the tool is an important feature that will control the effectiveness of the tool. There are many things to consider when looking at the blade of a hand saw. First, keep an eye out for the amount of teeth per inch. More teeth per inch (usually 10 and upwards), are best for clean cuts and work well with hard materials. When looking for a saw to cut wood, higher amounts of teeth per inch are best as they won’t create too much sawdust or snagging.

For softer materials or quicker cuts, less teeth per inch (under 10) can be more effective because they will cut through the most material in the least amount of time. It’s important to ask yourself what kinds of materials you will be using the saw for most often in order to decide which is best.

Another great quality to look for out of these hand tools is an easily removable blade. Many feature a twist bolt which makes storage a breeze. This also means the blade can be replaced at any point, which will extend the life of the saw. For more compact hand saws, you can also look for blades that fold into the handles, such as the EverSaw 8.0. Such hand saws are a great option for smaller jobs. The thickness of the blade is another key aspect to keep into account. The best wood saw features a very thin blades because it is able to create clean cuts and is flexible enough for flush or rip cutting.

The best hand saw feature hardened, razor sharp teeth for the maximum amount of cutting power. It’s also important to make sure that none of the teeth will cause snags in the material by being out of line or at acute angles. To continue, the length of the blade is a major quality to keep in mind. Shorter blades are perfect for smaller, more straightforward jobs. These blades are solid, which is great for durability- but not the best option for flush-cutting or large jobs. For these types of jobs, a long blade is the best option. The long blade isn’t as solid, but is perfect for flush cutting. Plus, a longer blade will get through more material and is great for bigger jobs.

Convenience

It’s important to focus on qualities of comfort and convenience when choosing a hand tool. Such features will significantly improve your experience with it and make it much safer to use.

The first quality to evaluate is the handle of the hand saw. Since this is a hand tool, it’s a very crucial aspect. The best hand saw feature angled or pistol-grip handles which can be gripped comfortably for long periods of time. The best saw for cutting wood feature such handles as they encourage precise and smooth cuts.

The handle should be made with slip resistant materials such as rubber or elastomer. These materials will not strain your hands. You can put your effort into cutting, not holding onto the tool.

Type

When purchasing the best hand saw, it’s necessary to evaluate the type you’re looking at. First, check whether it’s a pull saw or a push saw. Push saws cut the material as you push the blade. This is a good quality and makes the tool more robust. But, push saws put pressure on the blade every time you cut, which can have an effect on their durability. Not to mention, they are much harder to use, requiring a lot of strength from the user.

The best wood cutting saw are pull saws. These saws, as the name suggests, cut as you pull the blade back towards yourself. With no tension on the blade, this type of saw is much more long lasting and puts less strain on the user. It can also provide a cleaner cut, giving you more control over its path.

Using this guide will make choosing any hand tool much easier as you can evaluate each quality of the tool. Choosing a reliable tool based on the features above will ensure you are getting your money’s worth and a saw that is versatile, durable and effective.

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Final Thoughts

Without a doubt the EverSaw is the top pick for work requiring multiple jobs. This is not limited to woodworking, but also cuts easily with pvc plastic, and bone. If you’re looking to hack down bigger pieces of any of these materials then definitely reconsider for the SharkCorp 12″, that monster does work.