Japanese Style Pullsaws vs. Western Style

[J.F. Custom]

Hi All,

Just noticed Stewmac now sell these -

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_su ... t_Saw.html

Probably some of you already knew this, I'm not sure how long they have had it available.

The reason for the post however is I'm wondering how many of you use them for any aspect of guitar making let alone this one (fretting). Do you prefer them to Western style saws or only for particular jobs?

I 'switched' over to pullsaws many many years ago and have a good range of them now, in all sizes for all jobs. I have been cutting fret slots with them for years despite owning a stewmac original fretsaw too - which though tested, has seen little if any use.

I just can't recommend them enough. I find them so much easier to use and control. The accuracy, kerf and speed of cut are amazing. It really does seem to me that we have it back the front cutting on the push stroke. I have tried several more Western Style saws since converting but though I keep them, I find I don't reach for them very often.

Having said that, I don't own any quality fine western saws such as Lie Nielson produce. I am told these cut as easily and accurately as the Japanase, in reverse style.

All in all, if you haven't tried one or were put off by the different nature of the beast, I suggest you give one a go. I doubt you will be disappointed and it's about time Stewmac offered this option.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[Rick Turner]

One alternative is to remove the blade from Western-style dovetail and back saws by opening up the pressed brass back, cut the blade down in height with good metal shears, and replace the blade in the brass back but reversed so it's now a pull saw. I did that years ago before you could buy fret saws from LMI or StewMac, and it worked great. Then learn how to sharpen the saw yourself. It's not all that hard to do.

[Allen]

I love Japanese saws. I've got a couple of western style ones, but never reach for them either. Can't say I'm a fan of hand cutting fret slots after getting set up to do them on the table saw though.

[Rick Turner]

I'm with you, Allen, but the one remaining justification for having a really good hand fret slot saw is for doing multi-scalar fanned fretboards.

[J.F. Custom]

I'm with you, Allen, but the one remaining justification for having a really good hand fret slot saw is for doing multi-scalar fanned fretboards.

Agreed here, and this is just what I have on the go at present. The only other option here is CNC. I don't currently have the tablesaw set-up that many do, but I'm not sure how you would do Multi-Scale on it. I am considering however, designing and making a modified mitre box that will allow two fret templates at once to cut the multi-scale fretboard accurately, repeatedly. See how I go.

BTW Rick, I do have a 'fret saw' made by Pax of England that is a Western Set tooth, but set in the spine reverse to cut on the pull. It does cut better than the older push models but still not as easy as the Japanese one. The multi-faceted teeth on the Japanese saws are superb. Super hardened and razor sharp, the only drawback being they are somewhat brittle being that hard and buggered if you could sharpen them! But then, thats why most of them have replaceable blades. There is only so much time in a day - setting teeth and hand filing them sharp doesn't fit into my schedule at the mo! It is a great skill to have though and undoubtedly I'll need it at some point. Thankfully, it is not a frequent task and a good sharp saw will require little work for years in our craft.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[Lillian]

I ordered the fret saw from Japanese Woodworker. I'd love to tell you about it, but its on back order. I guess I wasn't the only one who thought it was worth the money.

[Lillian]

The saw arrived today. I was eager to see what it could do, so I grabbed a piece of EIR scrap. Wanted to get a feel for the saw so I didn't clamp the wood or use a guide. I was pleased to see that there wasn't any skipping or skating as it started. It caught easily and cut smoothly. The kerf is clean with crisp edges and straight walls. So far, I rather like it. Was it worth the money? Dunno, but I wasn't disappointed in it. So for me, yeah it was worth the money, especially after some of the things I heard about other fret saws fresh out of the box.

[rocket]

The Japanese fret saw sounds good, i think i'll get one with my next order from stu-mac

[Lillian]

Rocket, I didn't get the saw from Stew Mac. I came from the Japanese Woodworker. Its linked in my first post.

[rocket]

Lillian,,,,, i'm sorry, i was refering to the fret saws j.f. custom, mentioned in his post. A Japanese style pull saw with a suitabe kerf, sounds like worth giving a go . Cheers

[Lillian]

No need to apologize. I should know better than to post on 4 hours of sleep.