Hishika Handmade Japanese Ryoba Saw for Hardwood

The blade of this Japanese saw has been hand tensioned and scraped, making it fractionally thinner in the middle than at the toothline. Through hardening makes the saw sublimely accurate, and the extra stiffness actually makes it a little bit easier to use than a replaceable blade saw. However, it also makes them intolerant of abuse, so please don't use it when you're in a rush or let anyone borrow them.

This saw has been filed and heat treated for use in mild hardwoods - excellent for precision stock preparation and larger furniture joints like tenons, bridles and lap joints. Used correctly, the teeth will remain sharp for years if not decades. Resharpening this type of saw is the work of the metate or Japanese saw doctor. This can be done by post and is usually quoted on an individual basis once the metate has seen the saw. If the saw has been used hard or damaged, be prepared for the possibility that it may be more cost efficient to replace it.

If you are a confident and experienced user of Japanese handsaws and work in a calm, relaxed, methodical way, this precision instrument will give you the most refined hand sawing experience possible.

Begin on the far edge of the timber with a full but extremely light stroke. Your saw will cut at full efficiency under its own weight, so gradually allow more of the saw's weight to be borne by the timber, resisting any temptation to apply downward pressure. If you want to go a little faster once the cut is established, gradually increase the emphasis on the pull part of the stroke. The progressive toothed rip side will generally start smoothly if the teeth are exiting the cut through the end grain. If you need to enter through, or cut across the endgrain, start the cut with the crosscut side, then flip the saw and proceed gently with the rip teeth.

The smaller 210mm ryoba is an ideal light precision joinery saw, suitable for smaller workpieces.

The standard 240mm ryoba is the most popular size for general work, light and easy to handle it tracks beautifully and makes sawing a pleasure.

The large 295mm ryoba is perfect for larger scale joinery like bench building or timber framing as well as stock preparation and resawing boards.