By Mark Clement
November 14, 2006—If you're one of those carpenters who has to think about where your hand saw is—if you even have one—you're not alone. But well through the middle of the 20th century, hand saws—sharp ones—could likely be found on most sites cutting the boards that built the houses of our history.
In the 21st century, however, we've entered the epoch of slide-compound-laser-guide-wormdrive-cordless everything. Hand tools don't gain much toe-hold on the jobsite anymore.
But before you text this newsflash to your crew, there are still times, materials and situations on site for which an old-fashioned handsaw is the best tool for the job. And when you make your living with your tools, the best tool is usually the right tool.
Enter Stiletto's hybrid handsaws. The 22- and 26-inch blade saws with classic American walnut handles may look like the handsaw that hung on a nail in your dad's or grandfather's shop, but take a closer look. First, the blade is stainless steel. What that means to me is that I can store this tool in my unavoidably damp shop, yet-to-be waterproofed jobsite or in an open job-box for a long time. Then when I use it, the blade isn't pocked with rust marks, as has happened with my standard saws. It's not like a standard saw blade decays to the point of failure in these conditions, but a blade that isn't pocked cuts better.
And—if this makes me a tool geek, I'm guilty as charged—it feels better when I take it to a piece of wood.
The tooth grind is where the saw ultimately earns its keep, and on this saw, it's relentlessly sharp. Stiletto calls the technology Japanese edo-mi and claims it produces super-sharp teeth. They're right.
Edo-mi-style tooth configurations are used in other saw brands, mostly short bladed "tool box saws." The punchline is that the saws cut on the push and pull strokes, making them cut twice as fast. The reason: traditional American handsaws cut on the push stroke; traditional Japanese saws cut on the pull.
What I like about the Stiletto—and why I call it a hybrid—is that not only do I get the wood-gobbling tooth configuration of a tool-box-type saw, I get the stroke length of a traditional American hand saw combined with a blade that'll never rust. And for me, means I can cut better and faster on site.
I used the Stiletto saws where I would use any hand saw, as a complement to my power tools. I cut stair stringers, plowed through 2-inch rigid foam insulation, and made oddball cuts. Not surprisingly, the Stiletto was great finishing off stringer cuts. The sharp teeth easily bit into the 2-by and finished the cut cleanly. It also ripped through stacks and stacks of 2-inch rigid foam.
It was here, ironically, in this modern material that this classic tool made hay. Its stroke length cut down the amount of strokes I had to make in a day cutting foam, and its teeth remained sharp on this tough material. (It may not seem tough on an edge, but it is.) So, when I had to compound cut 2-by collars ties for hip-roof retro-fit framing that was so-o-o-o compound my power tools didn't know what to do, I reached for the Stiletto. It sailed through hem-fir without a hiccup. Impressive.
Whether you are a hand-tool purist or you only need to use a hand saw occasionally, this is one you should consider. Between its speed and durability, it's a winner.
Mark Clement is a remodeler and author of The Carpenter’s Notebook and Kid’s Carpenter’s Workbook, Fun Family Projects! Find out more at www.TheCarpentersNotebook.com.
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