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Home PRODUCTS Handtools Hand Saws Japanese Hand Saws

Japanese Hand Saws

Temple Tool – A Modern Interpretation of the Japanese Pull Saw

Temple Tool Co. is a woodworking tool brand founded by American craftsman Chris Schoenberg (known from “Third Coast Craftsman”). The brand’s mission is to combine Western and Japanese craftsmanship, design, and quality into a single refined concept.

Temple Tool’s Japanese pull saws are designed in the USA and handcrafted in Japan, in a region renowned for its century-long tradition of saw-making. The result is a tool that unites razor-thin Japanese steel blades with ergonomic Western-style handles — perfectly balanced for precision joinery and fine woodworking.

Designed by woodworkers, for woodworkers – ideal for joinery and fine cuts.
Handcrafted in Japan by skilled sawmakers.
Includes Dozuki, Ryoba, Kataba, and flush-cut models.

Japanese Pull Saws (Nokogiri) – What Makes Them Unique?

Japanese saws, known as nokogiri (?), cut on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke used by Western saws. This pulling action allows for a thinner blade, cleaner kerf, and far more control with less effort.

Pull-stroke cutting – less force, higher precision.
Thinner blade with a narrow kerf reduces waste.
Ideal for clean, accurate woodworking and detailed joinery.

History and Tradition

Japanese pull saws have been a cornerstone of traditional Japanese carpentry and temple construction for centuries. Iron saws were already in use during the Kofun period (3rd–6th century CE), and specialized types emerged during the Edo period.

Today, these saws are highly valued by professional and hobbyist woodworkers around the world for their precision and the effortless, tear-free finish they produce on both softwoods and hardwoods.

Technique and Joinery

Japanese saws use specific tooth profiles for different cuts: crosscut teeth for cutting across the grain, rip teeth for cutting along the grain, and combination teeth for versatile work.

They are especially favored for precise joinery techniques such as:

Mortise and tenon joints – frames, doors, and structural joinery.
Dovetail joints – drawer and box corners.
Halving joints – frames, supports, and panel structures.
Kumiki (??) – complex interlocking joints made without glue or nails.

Because the pull stroke does not flex the blade under compression, Japanese saws leave an exceptionally smooth surface, often eliminating the need for sanding after cutting.

Main Types of Japanese Saws: Dozuki, Ryoba, Kataba, and Kugihiki

Dozuki – The Precision Backsaw

Dozuki (???) features a thin blade reinforced by a rigid spine, allowing extremely fine cuts. It is the go-to saw for delicate and precise joinery work.

Perfect for dovetail and tenon shoulder cuts.
Stiff spine ensures straight, ultra-thin kerf cuts.
Ideal for detailed cabinetry and box making.

Ryoba – The Double-Edged All-Purpose Saw

Ryoba (???) is a double-edged pull saw, with one side designed for ripping along the grain and the other for crosscutting. It’s the most versatile of all Japanese saws.

Two saws in one – rip and crosscut edges.
Excellent for general carpentry and furniture work.
Suitable for both softwoods and hardwoods.

Kataba – The Single-Edged Saw for Deep Cuts

Kataba is a single-edged saw without a spine, which allows for deep, long cuts. Available in rip, crosscut, or hybrid tooth patterns.

Ideal for deep joinery, trimming, and larger panels.
Good choice when a Dozuki’s spine limits cutting depth.
Available in versions for both fine and rough cutting.

Kugihiki – The Flush Cut Saw

Kugihiki is an ultra-thin, flexible flush-cut saw used for trimming dowels, pegs, and joints flush with the surface. Its teeth usually have no set, preventing surface scratches.

Flush trimming of dowels, plugs, and tenons.
Allows cutting perfectly level with the wood surface.
Essential for fine finishing and furniture making.

Summary – Why Choose a Japanese Saw and Temple Tool?

Pull-stroke cutting means less effort and higher accuracy.
Ideal for dovetail, mortise-and-tenon, and kumiki joinery.
Different types – Dozuki, Ryoba, Kataba, Kugihiki – cover every task from coarse to fine cutting.
Temple Tool merges traditional Japanese blade-making with modern Western ergonomics – handcrafted in Japan for today’s woodworkers.

Keywords: Japanese saw, Japanese pull saw, nokogiri, Dozuki, Ryoba, Kataba, Kugihiki, Temple Tool, Japanese hand saw, joinery saw, mortise and tenon, dovetail saw, kumiki, woodworking tools, Japanese craftsmanship, fine joinery.

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