Unusual saw

[mklotz]

I'm not a woodworker by any means but I subscribe to the idea that it's a lot easier to pull a rope than to push it. A saw blade handled at only one end isn't exactly a rope but the saying still obtains.

I have several Japanese wood saws and, for me, it's much easier to cut a straight line with them. Neophyte woodworkers should at least give them a try. The Japanese, lacking wood in long lengths, are masters of intricate joinery done with pull saws and chisels. Incidentally, GIF animations of some of these marvelous joints can be seen here...

Animated GIFs Illustrating the Art of Japanese Wood Joinery | Spoon & Tamago

Pull sawing is just as useful in the metalworking arena. Several of my hacksaws have the blades mounted so as to cut on the pull stroke. All of my jeweler saws have the blades so mounted. I believe that jewelers normally mount their blades that way when cutting on a birdmouth bench pin.