14 Types of Hand Saws Every Woodworker and DIYer Should Know

14 Types of Hand Saws Every Woodworker and DIYer Should Know

Most beginners only recognize a basic handsaw and maybe a hacksaw, but woodworking and DIY projects become much easier when you understand the different types of hand saws available. Every saw is designed for a specific kind of cut, material, or level of precision. Some are built for rough cutting lumber while others are made for delicate joinery work that requires clean and accurate cuts. Access over 16,000 woodworking plans 

Knowing which saw to use saves time, reduces mistakes, and gives cleaner results with less effort. Blade length, tooth shape, and teeth per inch all affect how the saw performs. Here are 14 important types of hand saws every woodworker and DIYer should know.

1. Dovetail Saw

The dovetail saw is a small precision backsaw used for fine woodworking joints like dovetails and box joints. It has a thin blade with a rigid spine along the top to keep the cut straight and accurate.

  • Blade Length: 20–30 cm
  • Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 14–20
  • Best For: Fine joinery and precision cuts

Its fine teeth leave smooth edges and help prevent tear-out on hardwoods.

2. Tenon Saw

A tenon saw is larger than a dovetail saw and is designed for cutting tenons, shoulders, and other woodworking joints. Like the dovetail saw, it has a reinforced back for stiffness.

  • Blade Length: 30–40 cm
  • TPI: 10–14
  • Best For: Joinery and furniture making

It provides straighter and deeper cuts than smaller backsaws.

3. Back Saw

The back saw is the general category that includes dovetail and tenon saws. It features a rigid metal spine that strengthens the blade for accurate cutting.

  • Blade Length: 25–40 cm
  • TPI: 10–16
  • Best For: Fine woodworking

Back saws are commonly used with miter boxes for clean angle cuts.

4. Crosscut Saw

A crosscut saw is made for cutting wood across the grain. The teeth are shaped like knife edges that slice wood fibers cleanly.

  • Blade Length: 50–70 cm
  • TPI: 7–12
  • Best For: General lumber cutting

This is one of the most common saws used in DIY and carpentry work.

5. Rip Saw

Unlike a crosscut saw, a rip saw cuts along the grain of the wood. Its teeth act more like chisels that remove wood quickly.

  • Blade Length: 60–75 cm
  • TPI: 4–7
  • Best For: Ripping boards lengthwise

Rip saws cut aggressively and are excellent for breaking down lumber.

6. Coping Saw

The coping saw has a thin narrow blade stretched across a U-shaped frame. It is designed for curved and intricate cuts.

  • Blade Length: 15–17 cm
  • TPI: 12–20
  • Best For: Curves and detailed cuts

It is commonly used for trim work and decorative woodworking.

7. Bow Saw

A bow saw uses a long blade held under tension inside a metal or wooden frame. It is useful for rough outdoor cutting.

  • Blade Length: 50–75 cm
  • TPI: 3–8
  • Best For: Green wood and branches

Campers, gardeners, and woodworkers often use bow saws for fast rough cuts.

8. Hacksaw

The hacksaw is designed primarily for cutting metal, plastic, and PVC pipes. It has a fine-toothed blade mounted in a metal frame.

  • Blade Length: 25–30 cm
  • TPI: 18–32
  • Best For: Metal and plastic cutting

Different blade tooth counts are available for thick or thin materials.

9. Pull Saw

Japanese pull saws cut on the pull stroke instead of the push stroke. This allows the blade to stay thinner and create extremely clean cuts.

  • Blade Length: 20–30 cm
  • TPI: 12–20
  • Best For: Fine woodworking and precision cuts

They require less effort and leave very smooth surfaces.

10. Pruning Saw

A pruning saw is designed for cutting tree branches and shrubs. The blade is usually curved to improve cutting speed.

  • Blade Length: 25–40 cm
  • TPI: 5–8
  • Best For: Tree trimming and gardening

The aggressive teeth cut quickly through wet or green wood.

11. Keyhole Saw

Also called a jab saw, the keyhole saw has a long pointed blade used for cutting small holes and tight openings.

  • Blade Length: 15–30 cm
  • TPI: 8–12
  • Best For: Drywall and tight spaces

Electricians and plumbers often use keyhole saws to make access openings.

12. Two-Man Saw

The two-man saw is a large traditional logging saw operated by two people. It was commonly used before chainsaws became popular.

  • Blade Length: 1.5–2 meters
  • TPI: 1–3
  • Best For: Large logs and tree cutting

Its massive blade allows deep cuts through thick timber.

13. Pocket Chainsaw

A pocket chainsaw is a portable survival saw made from chainsaw-style cutting teeth attached to flexible chain links.

  • Blade Length: 60–90 cm
  • Teeth Style: Chainsaw teeth
  • Best For: Camping and emergency wood cutting

It folds into a small pouch and works surprisingly fast on branches and logs.

14. Veneer Saw

The veneer saw is a small specialized saw with double-edged teeth used for cutting thin wood veneer sheets.

  • Blade Length: 10–15 cm
  • TPI: 13–18
  • Best For: Veneer trimming and fine detail work

It helps prevent splitting delicate veneer material.

Choosing the Right Hand Saw

The best saw depends on the material, type of cut, and level of precision needed. Fine-toothed saws create smoother cuts while coarse teeth remove material faster. Long blades work better for large cuts while smaller blades provide better control.

For most beginners, a good starting collection includes:

  • Crosscut saw
  • Rip saw
  • Coping saw
  • Pull saw
  • Hacksaw
  • Pruning saw

These cover most common woodworking, DIY, and outdoor projects.

Learning how each saw works will improve cutting accuracy, reduce wasted material, and make every project easier from start to finish.

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