Best Hand Saw Reviews and Buying Guide

Power tools like jigsaws are convenient, but nearly every workshop still keeps a hand saw. It is quiet, needs no outlet, and works indoors or out.

Below we compare six hand saws on blade length, teeth and handle, followed by a buying guide.

OUR TOP PICK

The WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw is our first choice. It has a 16-inch blade with hardened teeth and a comfortable non-slip handle.

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The Best Hand Saws Are…

Product	Details
1. WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw	1. WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw Top Pick	- Weight: 13.6 ounces - Dimensions: 18.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches - Blade length: 16 inches	Check Current Price
2. Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw	2. Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw	- Weight: 14.1 ounces - Size: 17.8 x 5 x 1.3 inches - Blade length: 15 inches - Warranty Description: Limited lifetime warranty	Check Current Price
3. MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw	3. MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw	- Weight: 9.1 ounces - Dimensions: 9.4 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches - Blade size: 7.5 inches - Blade material: Carbon steel	Check Current Price
4. AIRAJ Hand Saw	4. AIRAJ Hand Saw	- Weight: 1.05 pounds - Dimensions: 22 x 6 x 2 inches - Materials: Manganese steel, and rubber	Check Current Price
5. GreatNeck N2610 Hand Saw	5. GreatNeck N2610 Hand Saw	- Weight: 1.65 pounds - Dimensions: 29 x 6.5 x 0.1 inches - Blade size and materials: 26 inches, carbon steel	Check Current Price
6. Shark Corp 10-2312 Hand Saw	6. Shark Corp 10-2312 Hand Saw	- Weight: 8 ounces - Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches - Blade size and material: 12 inches, steel - Teeth configuration: 14 teeth per inch	Check Current Price

1. WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw: Best Hand Saw for Cutting Wood

This WilFiks Pro Hand Saw is our first pick. Its 16-inch blade handles lumber, plywood, branches, drywall and plastic pipe, which makes it a good all-purpose saw for DIYers.

The non-slip handle is a medium size that suits most hands.

The teeth have three cutting edges and are induction hardened, so they stay sharp longer. A cardboard sleeve protects the teeth in storage.

Specs

• Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Dimensions: 18.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Blade length: 16 inches

Pros

• High carbon steel blade
• Induction-hardened teeth stay sharp longer
• Comfortable non-slip handle

Cons

• Hardened teeth cannot be resharpened

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2. Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw

The Stanley FatMax 20-045 is a 15-inch carbon steel handsaw with 9-point SharpTooth teeth. Its compact length fits in a toolbox.

Stanley says its three-sided teeth cut up to 50% faster than its conventional saws and the induction-hardened teeth stay sharp up to 5 times longer, per Stanley's 20-045 product page.

The thick handle helps reduce slipping, and the back of the saw marks 45-degree and 90-degree angles.

Specs

• Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Size: 17.8 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Blade length: 15 inches
• Warranty Description: Limited lifetime warranty

Pros

• It uses SharpTooth technology for faster sawing
• The saw can be used to mark 45-degree and 90-degree angles
• Comes with an ergonomic handle
• Affordable
• Sold with a lifetime warranty

Cons

• Not ideal for cutting very tough wood

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3. MOSSY MO-17009 Hand saw

The MOSSY MO-17009 is a folding hand saw. Its blade folds fully into the handle, so it is safe to carry.

The hand saw is sold with three types of blades, a blade for plastic, a blade for wood, and a blade for metal. All of them are carbon steel and 7.5 inches long. Carbon steel holds an edge well but can rust, so wipe the blades dry.

The wood blade has triple-cut teeth. At 7.5 inches, the blades suit thin metal, small branches and plastic pipe rather than thick lumber.

Specs

• Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Dimensions: 9.4 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches
• Blade size: 7.5 inches
• Blade material: Carbon steel

Pros

• Multipurpose
• Comes with a convenient carrying bag
• Easy to fold and use
• Cheap

Cons

• The blade is short and flimsy
• Not good for cutting large and tough pieces

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4. AIRAJ Hand Saw

The AIRAJ Hand Saw has an 18-inch blade, long enough for boards and small logs.

Grooves in the blade help clear sawdust from the cut, so it binds less in thick wood.

The teeth have three cutting surfaces for faster cuts in wood and plastic.

To make cutting with the saw easy and fun, its handle is big enough to suit people with either small or big hands. It is also rubberized to give you a solid feel when sawing.

Specs

• Weight: 1.05 pounds
• Dimensions: 22 x 6 x 2 inches
• Materials: Manganese steel, and rubber

Pros

• Three-sided teeth
• Grooves help clear sawdust
• Long 18-inch blade

Cons

• Requires a lot of strength when cutting workpieces

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5. GreatNeck N2610 Hand Saw

The GreatNeck N2610 is a traditional full-length 26-inch crosscut handsaw for general carpentry.

Its high carbon steel blade has about 10 teeth per inch, a middle ground between fast rough cuts and smooth crosscuts in framing lumber and boards.

The long blade takes full strokes, which makes it quicker than short saws on wide boards.

Specs

• Weight: 1.65 pounds
• Dimensions: 29 x 6.5 x 0.1 inches
• Blade size and materials: 26 inches, carbon steel

Pros

• Long blade for full strokes
• Comes with an ergonomic handle
• Good general crosscut saw

Cons

• The blade can be a bit stiff
• Heavy

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6. Shark Corp 10-2312 Hand Saw

The Shark Corp 10-2312 is a 12-inch Japanese-style pull saw for trim and general carpentry. It cuts on the pull stroke, so the thin blade stays straight.

When the blade dulls, you swap in a replacement blade.

Its 14-TPI teeth leave a clean cut, which suits trimming and detailed work.

You will also notice that the saw rocks a different design compared to others; it has a pistol style handle. It provides you with an excellent grip and control that many other saws won’t.

Specs

• Weight: 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches
• Blade size and material: 12 inches, stainless steel
• Teeth configuration: 14 teeth per inch

Pros

• The blade is replaceable
• Ideal for general purpose sawing
• Easy to use

Cons

• Thin blade can kink if you push it
• The blade is short

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Guide For Buying The Best Hand Saw For Woodworking

Start with the job: framing lumber, fine joinery, trim or yard work.

Then, consider the following features:

Teeth Per Inch (TPI)

To understand the performance of a saw, the primary component to look for is teeth configuration. Teeth per inch (TPI) is the number of teeth that the saw has for every inch. Fewer, bigger teeth cut faster but rougher. More teeth cut slower but smoother.

For example, an 8-TPI saw suits rip cuts, while a 12-TPI saw gives a finer crosscut, per This Old House's handsaw guide.

Size

Western hand saws range from short toolbox saws of about 15 inches to full-length 26-inch saws. Shorter saws are easier to control and store.

Longer saws take longer strokes, so they cut wide boards and framing lumber faster.

Blade Material

Most good saw blades are high carbon steel, which holds an edge well. Coated or stainless blades resist rust. Induction-hardened teeth stay sharp longer but cannot be resharpened.

Brand

Established brands with good warranties and replacement parts include Stanley and WilFiks**.**

Hand Saw Type

Hand saws come in several designs. Apart from the basic hand saw, the main types include:

• Ripping saw: These saws are recommended for cutting along the grain.
• Crosscut saw: As the name suggests, this hand saw is ideal for cutting across the wood grains.

Dovetail Back Saw: A short saw with fine teeth and a stiff spine along the top, built for precise joinery cuts.

Final Thoughts

The right hand saw depends on what you cut most. A pull saw suits trim, a 26-inch saw suits framing lumber, and a folding saw suits yard work.

For an all-purpose saw, the WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw is our top pick for its hardened teeth, comfortable handle and versatile 16-inch blade.

Sources

• 15-in FATMAX Hand Saw 20-045, Stanley
• How To Choose Handsaws for Your Next Home Project, This Old House