5 Best Hand Saws (2024 Guide)

A hand saw is a classic wood-cutting tool that’s a must-have for any carpentry or home improvement enthusiast. In this round-up and buying guide, I evaluate the best hand saws for just about every woodworking project. Here are my top recommendations.

Top 5 Handsaws

• Best Folding Blade: Corona Razor-Tooth Folding Saw
• Best Double-Bladed Saw: SUIZAN Double-Edge Japanese Ryoba Pull Saw
• Best Curved Blade: Tabor Tools Folding Saw
• Best Long Blade: Craftsman Hand Saw
• Best Electric Hand Saw: BLACK+DECKER Electric Hand Saw

Best Folding Blade

Courtesy Amazon

Corona Razor-Tooth Folding Saw

• $19.46
• $24.44
• 20% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I like that the molded plastic handle of this hand saw is designed for easy gripping. The saw’s seven-inch blade also features six teeth per inch to make quicker, smoother, and more accurate cuts. The edge of this hand saw folds down when it’s not in use, lowering the risk of injury. This hand saw is also lightweight and portable, making it ideal for yard work and other outdoor projects.

• $19.46 at Amazon

Best Double-Bladed Saw

Courtesy Amazon

SUIZAN Double-Edge Japanese Ryoba Pull Saw

• $40.8

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Known as a ryoba, this steel Japanese hand saw features two bladed edges—one for cutting with the grain and one for cutting against it. I found that this saw requires less effort than other hand saws, as it cuts by pulling with the blade rather than pushing against it. This saw also has a 9.5-inch blade and a 14.5-inch handle for a total length of 24 inches.

• $40.8 at Amazon

Best Curved Blade

Courtesy Amazon

Tabor Tools Folding Saw

• $16.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The curved blade of this hand saw allows it to make smooth cuts through circular items, such as branches and shrubs up to four inches in diameter. I was impressed by its lightweight design that’s perfect for bringing with you on the go while camping or hiking. This saw features a non-slip grip and has rugged razor-tooth blades that deliver strong, accurate cuts.

• $16.99 at Amazon

Best Long Blade

Courtesy Amazon

Craftsman Hand Saw

• $14.16

Prices taken at time of publishing.

I found that this sturdy hand saw features a 15-inch steel blade and an ergonomically designed handle. It can make cuts at 45- and 90-degree angles. Craftsman’s long-bladed hand saw is made from induction-hardened steel, allowing it to stay sharper for longer. The handle is made from two materials with a solid plastic base and a soft rubber grip to balance durability and comfort.

• $14.16 at Amazon

Best Electric Hand Saw

Courtesy Amazon

BLACK+DECKER Electric Hand Saw

• $64.91
• $69.99
• 7% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Cut for longer without getting tired with help from this electric-powered hand saw that can make up to 4,600 strokes per minute. I like that BLACK+DECKER’s electric hand saw comes with a built-in safety button that keeps the machine idle until you’re ready to cut. Plus, its blades snap in and out for easy replacement when they get dull.

• $64.91 at Amazon

Buying Guide to Hand Saws

A hand saw lets you make small, detailed cuts that larger circular saws can’t handle. This buying guide will help you choose the best hand saw for your home improvement projects.

Type

Hand saws come in many forms. Some are operated manually, while others use electricity for power. The blades can also differ with single-edged, double-edged, curved, and straight options. When considering the different types, choose the one that matches your project’s needs.

Blade Length

Hand saws usually have longer blades for larger cuts. Typical hand saw blades are between 7 and 14 inches long, with 10 and 12 inches being popular.

Blade Edges

Different hand saw blades have different tooth patterns for finer or coarser cuts. Popular patterns include:

• Coping: This makes fine cuts, such as those along joints.
• Cross: This type cuts across the wood grain.
• Keyhole/compass: This type makes cuts with rounded edges.
• Rip: This cuts with the wood grain.

Safety

Hand saws often have features, functions, or accessories to prevent injury during use. Common ones include:

• Non-slip handles
• Foldable blades
• Blade sheaths
• Auto-stop buttons

Accessories

Hand saws can come with a variety of accessories, including:

• Storage bags
• Extension cords
• Blade sharpening tools

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Saws

What can I use my hand saw for?

You can use a hand saw to cut wood of any kind. A hand saw is not as powerful as a rotating chop or miter saw, but it can make smaller, more precise, and more detailed cuts. Many DIY enthusiasts use hand saws to build furniture or to make improvements around their houses in tight spaces.

What’s a ryoba?

A ryoba is a specific type of Japanese hand saw. The word “ryoba” means “pair of blades” in Japanese. True to its name, a ryoba has two cutting edges rather than one. Typically, one edge will feature a rip pattern for cutting along the wood grain, while the other will feature a cross pattern for cutting against the grain.

How often should I sharpen my hand saw?

Sharpen your hand saw as soon as you notice that the blade is getting dull. This is usually every two to four weeks if you use yours regularly.

How We Selected the Best Hand Saws

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of hand saws with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. I looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: I then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, I pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published numerous tool reviews, from cordless drills and impact drivers to tape measures and laser levels.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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