Gyokucho razorsaws, the original replaceable blade Japanese saws, have long been renowned for their cutting efficiency and excellent durability. The latest generation of Gyokucho saws have blue handles made from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) a remarkable material that is simultaneously hard and resilient yet feels velvety to the touch and affords a superb grip.
The Gyokucho 374 is a professional crosscut dozuki, an accurate saw with a very thin plate and a full length spine used for similar tasks to a western carcase saw; trimming components to final length, defining the shoulders of half laps and housings etc. Identical to the 373 in all respects apart from the depth of the plate, giving this saw slightly more depth of cut, possibly at the expense of a little nimbleness.
The blades of Gyokucho saws are treated using a process called electroless nickel plating, this has three functions. Firstly, it protects the blade against corrosion, secondly it provides a nice shiny mirror surface so you can gauge your cutting angles, and thirdly its low friction properties inhibit resins and sap from building up on the blade - anything that does manage to get stuck to them can easily be washed off with warm soapy water. The teeth are differentially impulse hardened, one by one, bringing the outer surfaces to RC68 or more whilst still leaving the 'root' of the tooth soft and therefore much less prone to fracture - not unlike tiny Japanese sword blades. They are equally happy working in softwoods or temperate hard woods and can, with care and a light touch, be used on exotic timbers too.
- Blade Length 240mm (9⅜")
- Overall Length 550mm (21⅝")
- Max depth of cut = 60mm (2⅝")
- Blade thickness 0.3mm (¹/₆₄")
- Pitch 1mm / 25.4tpi
- Set 0.125mm per side
- TPE handle
- Pull Saw
- Replacement blade = Part No S-371 (S-370 and S-372 will also fit this handle and spine)
