18/06/2025
The art of the Ryoba. Japan's iconic saw.
This time I'll talk about one of my favourite tools in my repertoire. The Japanese saw, which I've been using for several years now. In one job a client asked me about it as it was standing out to him and hadnt seen one. He said to me "if you wear them by your hip, it's like you are a samurai". Here's a bit of info about the Ryoba.
The ryoba saw is a traditional Japanese woodworking tool with a history dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868). Unlike Western saws, which cut on the push stroke, Japanese saws like the ryoba cut on the pull stroke. This design allows for thinner, sharper blades that require less effort and create cleaner, more precise cuts. The ryoba, meaning “double-edged,” features two sets of teeth: one side for rip cuts (along the grain) and the other for crosscuts (across the grain). This versatility made it a favored tool among Japanese carpenters, furniture makers, and joiners.
Over time, the ryoba saw evolved with advancements in metallurgy and manufacturing techniques, improving durability and sharpness. Despite modern power tools, the ryoba remains widely used by both traditional craftsmen and contemporary woodworkers worldwide due to its efficiency, accuracy, and ability to make fine, controlled cuts. Today, Japanese saw manufacturers continue to refine ryoba saws, often using impulse-hardened teeth for longer-lasting sharpness. The tool's enduring popularity highlights the effectiveness of traditional Japanese woodworking techniques.
