*
I’ve got a couple of them new fangled Japanese style pull saws from shark saw. I have two of the straight handled “general carpentry” saws because they re-designed the handle (the old one sucked) and I loved my first one so much, duct taped handle and all, that I bought the new handled one on first sight. I use the old one for abusive work where it might find a nail or concrete, and the new one for all my fine work, (I’ve got a couple of “real” pull saws in the shop, and that’s where their staying)
They have gotten me out of the most impossible situations, (being able to bend the blade into a corner and saw at a 90 angle to the handle for one) flush cutting, you name it.
Just thought I’d share one of my favorite tools with you. Remember heavy rubber handle- good, light plastic handle- bad. and forget about the other models, the long handled straight one can do it all.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about continuing education, minisplit heat pumps, compact home shops, and building science.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Send me one, and I'll give you my review in about a month.
b : )
*Those things have to be one of the handiest damn tools I've ever laid my hands on. Only drawback seems to be how delicate the teeth are. However, even with a few teeth missing, they cut like the devil. Sam
*If those Shark saws are what Woodworkers Warehouse sells they are junk compared to this one at Garrett Wade>>> replacable blade ryoba sawI like the detachable handle so it fits in a toolbox and you can have an extra blade for those jobs you know you shouldn't be using this saw for, and yes, you HAVE to have one of these.
*I have the shark saw and I used it for just about everything , a quick cut on a piece of wood cutting pvc/abs and anything else I can use it for. It also has a replaceable blade even though I havent needed to replace it yet..
*Otrmeg, I know that there are much better pull saws out there, I've got several, but they are $$$ and don't leave my shop. The point about the shark saw is that they are fairly cheap, and a new blade costs about 15.00. Like Sam said, even with a lot of missing teeth they still keep cuttin'. I'm going to use my old one till it's ain't got but one left. I'd never do that to one of my goodns'
*Justus, the one I linked to is only $10 more than the Shark, so it is still a throw-away. The thing is, I was in a spot and "needed" one quick and bought the Shark and hated it compared to the one from Garrett Wade, to make matters worse I got in another spot and bought a replacement blade for the damn thing. We don't have a GW store around here anymore so I have to order one by mail, and to do that I would have to sit down and think, the odds are against that happening anytime soon.One thing I use these saws for a lot is trimming the bottom of installed casings for flooring and whatnot, and a neat trick is to cut the tip of the blade where there are no teeth with some snips so you can get into corners. (I know, I am a hack)
*I agree with you Justus, my sharksaw is the kits tits. I keep it handy for all the things I won't use a good pull saw for. I even cut out some door openings in drywall with it when my rock saw was on the ground floor and I was on the third.
*there's nothing better for cutting off door shims either, (I'm trying to get a sharksaw sponsorship:)The rip side will make short work of sheet rock,
*I liked the Sharksaw very much until the handle broke when I was cutting some trim. Wasn't even putting much stress on it at all.now I have a really sharp blade that doesn't fit onto anything...MD
*MD,Make your own.Why, for just 300 dollars, I can send you a genuine vine maple make your own shark saw handle kit. Be the first on on your block to get one. Be the envy of all the other carpenters. If you make your own shark saw handle using this kit, you will have wimmins falling all over you. You will get 20 MPG more from your beat up old work truck. And your children will put themselves through college !!Time's a wastin', bro, send that money today !!***Legal disclaimer... YMMV The wimmins are not guaranteed to be good looking. Your children may decide on dog grooming college. Envious co-workers can sometimes get a bit testy.*** ***Don't look at me, my 25 dollar lawyer forced me to write that disclaimer stuff.***
*Luka,You outta save some of this stuff, send it to NBC, and tell them they can save millions (Jay Leno's salary) just by hiring you for enough to get your cabin finished, some propane, and your phone bill paid for the next twenty years...
*Mad dog, did you have the old crappy plastic handle, or the new rubber coated one?
*i the new rubber coated oneMy offer of the do it yourself handle kit does not include free condoms. If you want a rubber coated handle, you'll have to buy your own condoms...
*Crappy old plastic one.Just went and looked at the blade, still perfect, so maybe Luka can make a handle, with a rubber SHEATH.
*The new handle is much better, it has a solid glass resin type core and a rubberized handle, (thank you very much) it is a 100% better. I wonder if sharksaw would send you a new one?? Never hurts to ask.
*Worth a try. Maybe they realized the old handles weren't doing it, changed them to make them better, not cheaper.The little nail puller that came with the saw is the greatest tool, it's worth the extra cost of the saw to have this thing, so I've always thought it was a wash in the first place.MD
*'Dog, I've got an extra (handle), get in touch and I'll send it your way..... Sam
*Sam, Thanks. You'll probably need it someday though, better keep it for then. See any sharks in Australia?
*Hey Sam, I just tried to email you, got returned. Can you email me with your latest e-address? Thanks.
*I was SOOOO disappointed to see the new Sharksaw handle since I've had two of the old plastic versions (first one broke). Hopefully I can manage to break this one too and have an excuse to buy the new. The Shark nail pullers are THE best, and the prybar has no equal.
*I've got to break mine, too. That new handle sounds sweet.BTW, I found that these saws are the best for cutting rigid foam insulation. They just tear through it in a reasonably straight line. Use the one that's missing some teeth - just in case you hit the concrete underneath
*Good tip Benjamin,But the "best" for cutting foam insulation is a hot knife!
*Electric carving knife.Works well on cushion foam too.
*Okay, this is a little off the subject- and should probably be over in the cooks forum- but I couldn't resist: For hot bread just out of the oven which is impossible to cut till cool, use the electric carving knife. Works like a charm. Sam
*Sam, got any tips for how to keep the gingerbrread men from breaking when you try to get them offa the pan? Even Martha Stewart couldn't tell me...
*Keep those japanese saws away from koreans, you could start W.W.III
*You wear work slippers, don't you ?
*Yeah, they came with the saw.Actually, it was a "kit". Saw, slippers, and chopsticks.
*Well, I might as well jump in with my two cents. I have the rubber handle, it does detach for easy storage, I still have the plastic blade protectors and I keep them on when not in use cuz I darn near cut my finger off when I accidently sideswiped it while it was laying on the bench. It was razor sharp out of the box and after many months of use for all types of stuff it is still darn sharp. If I break this one, you wouldn't want to race me to the store for a new one cuz you'd loose.
*Steve- If you ever lose those blade protectors (I did) you can get the same thing at the office supply store for cheap. Ditto those blades are wicked sharp- the protectors are for you, not the saw!
*Damn sharp. I still have a good scar on my left index finger from when I tried to cut a tenon and cut a tendon instead. I used some 1/4" tubing (polyethylene, I think) when I lost my blade guards. Still works well.
*I'm late to this discussion but thought I'd throw in my two cents 'bout "pullsaws". I get mine from http://www.tashirohardware.com. For around $30 you can get set up with a handle and a blade (replaceable). I recommend the timber blade for general, aggressive cutting and then one of the finer blades for, well, finer work. You can even purchase the metal locking part of the handle ($5?) and make your own handle. I made one out of a piece of plum wood I pruned :)out of my back yard, makes me smile every time I use it. The blades last forever if treated right and when they wear out for general use you can still abuse them for those extra-rough jobs and toss 'em. BTW- http://www.tashirohardware.com is all that remains of a Seattle hardware store started circa 1900 by the grandfather of the current proprietor (Mr Tashiro, oddly enough).
*Well it ain't japanese but I got the el cheapo stanley flush cut saw. it's a pull saw as well and does have replaceable blades. thing cost me 10 bucks and you can get em at just about any place that carries stanley products. the thing is sharp as hell, flexible and I don't know what I'd do without it. that's my input on the subject. lovin it!
*I bought my pull saw (noko-giri) in Hiroshima. Great souvenir, and I use it all the time. I've also used it for cutting rigid foam. Works great. --TJM
*TJM,How did you get it out of Japan, mail it? When I was there in 88 you could not take any cutting edge tool through customs. A friend of mines son managed to ship them for me via Marine (US) postal service.If the laws have changed, I'll have DW contact her cousins, so I can buy direct. Her cousins have children attending college over here, so they can bring the tolls directly to me, if they can get them through customes.
*I was there in June, 1998. I don't recall formally claiming anything. I just put it in my checked luggage, so I didn't have access to it anyways. I also bought a Japanese hand plane (kana?), which I also put in checked luggage. I'll bet the current climate in travel might make it alot more difficult. But, that's all I did. I tried to shop for chisels in Germany, but had no success. It's tough to find woodworkers who know what I am looking for, and can tell me where to find a proper shop, while overseas on business. I work in the auto industry, so that probably explains it:)I doubt this helps you, but that's my story! Good Luck. --TJM