I had been using traditional Western saws with no issues for years. However, i developed rheumatoid arthritis in right hand and holding and using the push saws was starting to be difficult. I tried a ryoba to start with for ripping. Due to the different cutting (pull) and grip and less weight compared to a western saw, I can now continue my woodwork with very little pain and the improved grip gives me very accurate cuts. I now have a set of the 4 most useful Japanese saws. Highly recommended for those who may be in a similar position.

Thanks for explaining it so well!

I just finished installing shiplap where I did the entire thing using my dozuki and kataba. Being able to work with little to no noise and producing less dust is a big deal. I love the quietness of using a handsaw and because no two cuts were the same I was able to scribe and cut without having to setup a miter saw each time.

I've started to wear out (bugger up) my Ryoba saw. Initially I hated the rip teeth as I wasn't trying long rip cuts. Recently I built a Tassie oak artist easel, 15 bird houses, and a queen size bed weighing 180kg all using the Ryoba, some chisels, and an f-ton of elbow grease. I've warped the cross-cut blade tip, tooth number 6, and you can see some discolouration in two other places where I didn't do great things. That's four newbie mistakes over around 3 years of woodworking causing minimal functional damage. It is still razor sharp and effective.

Very good explaining. It's obvious by the way you handle them that you love good craftsmansship.

I got these three and also the flush cutting one and I love them - very often I work after dinner and it's lovely to do it without the noise of power tools, besides they give you so much precision - they are joy to work with - thanks for the video!!!!

Thanks for confirming they're Gyokucho; I've also been considering Gikoh/Kakuri but I've heard respected craftsman vouch for Gyokucho saws. For tough cuts you can start the kerf with just the closest end of the blade as these teeth are made closer together for this purpose. The single blade, spineless saw is 'Kataba', not "Kabata", just FYI.

Excellent video. It’s so true about saving time with hand tools. I use a small router for long grooves but the set up time is crazy, not to mention the noise and dust. Hand tools are a pleasure to use.

very clear and nice tutorial

Good stuff, thx.

Nice way to explain..thanks.

Just bought a Dozuki and a Ryoba....and i looooove them

Excellent video.

Really good explanation. Like the idea of cutting the noise. Probably too late to fix my tinitus.

Great Video, thanks for the effort!

Nice video! Kabata is actually Kataba(片刃)which means one side blade. Ryoba(両刃)is both sides blade.

excellent video....even better name!

I would like to add is that they are relatively simple to break. This occurs when the user pushes the blade forward but not exactly at the same angles as the saw cut. I bought a kataba specifically for hard wood and broke it in the first 5 minutes. A wedge or shim could have helped but the wood was very hard and the cut just started. Just a simple warning to be careful and don't rush the cut.

thanks, a great intro to japanese saws

Well done!

Great video! Ty!

Best Review I've Seen :)

Thanks, good explanation, just what I wanted to know. Any info on the clamps? Brand/type? They look like some quick clamp/quick release hold-downs.

Nice video. How about mentioning that camellia oil (tsubaki oil) is good to put on the saws to prevent them from rusting?

Finally,someone who knows what he's talking about and makes sense. And I learned more in 10 minutes than 10 hours from everyone else! Great job,Holcombe San!

Very well explained. The audio quality is amazing. What sort of microphone do you use, if I may know?

The Samurai Carpenter opening?

The dozuki reminds me of a giant straight razor.

Excellent video, thanks for clarifying all the points, now I just need my credit card.....

Does the dozuki make straight cuts, rip cuts or both?

@4:03 You said "Kabata." It's Kataba (Kata=single side, ba=blade). 片刃

What's a good feather file to sharpen those saws?

How to stop it from folding?

Seems your product links don’t work anymore

Oddly enough I make my own and carpenters are always asking me to make them one . All I do is take the handle off a jack saw and turn it around and make a handle from a piece of roofing batten

what need use plywood ? rip cut or crosscut ?

Ok. I like the way you explain things. I like the simple editing. I like the video quality. But something is really bothering me about your background. I don't know if it's your focus, or a cgi background. But it's quite distracting.

#Triple-Like! Greetings from Switzerland, Kay

What does rip cut and cross cut mean?

God if I started sawing in the longeroom my wife would kill me

Have my housemates been speaking to you?

Kataba* 💪

not just 4x2, i cut a 4x4 and 6x6 easy

they good quality one, they are not even cheaper than a jigsaw

Ree Oba. The Y is ee like Tokyo.. Like the tools Reeobi(Ryobi)

Why do some saws draw the essence of the wood to the body, while others push this away..?

"Kabata" is actually "Kataba"

YOU CAN PULL A TRAIN BUT YOU CAN'T PUSH A TRAIN

How do you get a great cut? Same way you get to Carnegie Hal...practice,practice,practice!

Very nice and clear, but... kataba, not kabata :-)

A four by two?

Use In the loundgroom my wife would use the saws on me

You didn't mention that most Japanese saws produce a narrower kerf than western saws.

I once owned a Japanese saw, sorry, I don't recall which one, but my research showed that I should NEVER push it, only pull it through the cut. Any comments?

Hold the saw on about a 15 degree angle it will cut straighter , you will feel it when it's the correct angle

Well, it seems like the modern version of these saws, they expect you to toss the old blade rather than just sharpen it and go back to work. Why? Wasteful to toss the old blades...

....hand made is hand made....by hand tools only!....Mass produced is made for profit with no love or feeling!.. :)

Kataba, not kabata

Why replace the saw blade when it gets dull? With how broad the blades are, it looks like they can take a hundred re-sharpenings. There's a world of difference between a sharp saw and one that isn't dull enough to replace yet and files are cheap.

I'm sure you will find amazing woodworking plans on woodprix plans.

Throw away garbage saws are throw away garbage.

These are throw aways, not a worthy tool to be kept and cherished. Double edge is the best for cutting fingers for some one who might have been using safe western saws, the proper saws which lasts you life time day in day out.

jesus christ stop rubbing your fingers on the edges!

Japanese rule for sawing-- Only cut the surface you can see.-- So from 9.42 you break the golden rule. In this video you have a nice straight grain piece of soft wood. So you were "lucky". But for a teaching video about Japanese saws you broke the rule . Most videos don`t explain how the Japanese rip saw should be used . You got close to the right idea and then shot yourself in the foot by not demonstrating Rip Cutting. You switched back to cross cutting . So I don`t think you understand how a Japanese rip saw works . Just as 5 other videos get it wrong as well . You are not alone .