17 . 07 . 26
Many of the best woodworking tools that money can buy are produced in Japan. The Japanese pull-saw is no exception and those that hang on our workshop walls here at Otter see some heavy use when making our wooden surfboards and other water craft. The ryoba saw, shown in the photos here, is a double edged saw with ripping teeth on one side for cutting with the grain, and cross-cutting teeth on the other side for cutting across the grain.
Japanese saws are thinner, lighter and cut much faster than western saws. The action of pulling the saw under light pressure (rather than pushing it under heavy pressure) keeps the blade in tension throughout the cut. To avoid the saw from sticking when making deeper cuts the blade is hollow ground in the middle, so the thickness tapers in and prevents the blade from binding. The pitch of the teeth also become finer towards the heel of the blade which makes it far easier to start the cut under the tools own weight without having to exert any extra pressure.
These are delicate, beautiful and highly functional tools that are a joy to use. They feature heavily in our surfboard making process, from cutting out the top and bottom skins, to trimming the nose and tail and sawing through rail strips. Folks who join our making courses become familiar with the tool throughout, via guidance from James and the time to explore the feeling for themselves, as the teeth smoothly make their way through the Cedar, on the way to creating a sustainable wave-craft.
Tiny Summer waves, maximum Summer fun on the Paipos...
As seen in the latest Monday Morning Surf Club, we thought we would share some more about this wonderful wave-craft and latest addition to our range!
