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A Full List of Hand Saw Sharpening Tools

Last Updated: | By David Warner

It isn’t necessary to buy a new hand saw every time it becomes dull. In fact, there are currently numerous tools on the market to sharpen all your cutting tools for yourself.

Hand Saw Sharpening Tools

If you usually pay someone else to sharpen your saws, this information will surely help you save some extra bucks in the future. Here’s the complete list of hand saw sharpening tools that every woodworking enthusiast needs.

What is Hand Saw?

A hand saw is a tool commonly used to cut wood. It’s made up of a trapezoidal jagged steel blade attached to a metal, plastic or wood handle.

It’s very simple to use and when its teeth are perfectly sharp, it’s possible to cut even the hardest wood with little effort. The cutting effect is achieved through a back and forth motion that wears out the material, following a straight line.

Some brands give their personal touch to the hand saws they make adding unusual patterns in teeth’s design. Some jagged blades include semicircular grooves to easily eject timber from the slot and prevent getting stuck.

List of Hand Saw Sharpening Tools

Basically only three essential tools are needed to sharpen a hand saw to perfection:

  • Vise
  • Nail file
  • Triangular file

With so few hand saw sharpening tools to use, you might think that the process is easy. However, you need a lot of practice before sharpening a hand saw perfectly. You also need to follow some useful tips.

Details About Hand Saw Sharpening Tools

Here are few more details about sharpening tools of hand saw. So if you are interested to know, you should continue your reading.

Vise

A vise is a mechanical base. It is a solid cast iron. Each piece has notches in the end, like a monkey wrench, for a better grip. A screw and a lever adjust these two pieces.

Usually, vises aren’t large enough to hold the entire body of a hand saw. In these cases, two wooden boards are used to lock the saw’s metal blade like a sandwich, leaving the teeth exposed. Then the complete set is secured in the vise.

Nail File

A nail file is a tool used to remove imperfections from any surface through friction. They’re commonly used as manicure and pedicure tools and that’s the reason for their name.

However, nail files are very useful in other important tasks. For example, before sharpening a hand saw, teeth need to be flattened to the same level. This is done by sliding a nail file over all of them.

It isn’t necessary to apply too much pressure down to obtain an even surface. After two or three passes, the tips of the teeth become flat, forming parallel lines with different lengths (viewed from above).

Triangular File

Triangular files are tools used to sharpen a hand saw’s teeth. It basically consists of a piece of extruded iron with the shape of an equilateral triangle with abrasive faces that gently wear down the steel blade of the hand saw.

The most common technique for sharpening a hand saw consists in applying 2 or more passes in one direction following the shape of the tooth. The main objective is to remove flat tips wearing each side of a tooth.

Following a back and forth motion isn’t recommended in these cases, because it doesn’t ensure the same wearing pattern on each tooth, causing irregular cuts during use.

Conclusion

Every time you use your hand saw sharpening tools, be sure to follow all tips mentioned before to get the best results. Besides of needing good tools, you also need skilled and well-trained hands.

Remember that practice makes the master, so don’t let fear become an obstacle to learning new things. After several attempts, you’ll learn to sharpen all kinds of cutting tools like a pro.

The List of Equipment Used to Cut Down Trees

Last Updated: | By David Warner

Many think that cutting a tree is as easy as taking a saw, cutting and yelling: “Timber!” But that only happens in cartoons. In real life, to cut a tree you need tools and safety equipment to do the job well.

Equipment Used to Cut Down Trees

If this is the first time you dare to cut a tree by yourself, at least you need to know the basic toolkit needed to do it. Today you’ll learn much more than that.

List of Equipment Used to Cut Down Trees

When cutting a tree, you need specialized equipment for safety, pruning and cutting. Today there are hundreds of different gadgets that promise to make the job easier. However, to cut any tree you only need these essential equipments:

For Security:

  • Helmet
  • Glasses
  • Auditive protectors
  • Face mask
  • Gloves
  • Vest
  • Boots
  • Harness
  • Rope or sling

To Prune:

  • Scissors
  • Pole saw

To Cut:

Pieces of Equipment in Details

Well, here details of most common and important equipment used to cut down trees. If you like to know few more, you can read this part.

Chainsaw

By far, a chainsaw is the best tool to cut a tree in record time. You don’t need to make much effort and you won’t end up with your hands full of blisters at the end of the process. You only need strong arms to keep it stable and follow some basic safety measures to use it.

As the name implies, a chainsaw uses a chain with teeth to cut wood. Its main parts are the engine, the cutting chain and the guide bar. Depending on the power source, the motor can be mechanical or electrical.

In the first case, the chainsaw needs lubricants in the engine and the chain to operate smoothly. With electric motors, the chain is the only element that needs lubrication.

To correctly choose the size and power of the machine, it’s necessary to know the hardness of the wood and the diameter of the trunk. For hardwood trees such as maple, oak or mahogany, it’s necessary to use high-power chainsaws to obtain a clean cut.

Hand Saw

A hand saw is a tool usually used to cut wood and is formed by a handle and a trapezoid-shaped serrated steel blade.

To cut, the operator positions the teeth on the surface to be cut and begins to exert pressure with back and forth motion. The wear produced by the teeth on the wood is what causes the cutting effect.

Bow Saw

A bow saw uses the same principle of a hand saw, but is more compact and lightweight. The trapezoidal steel blade is replaced in this case with a rectangular and narrow serrated blade, attached to a metal frame through screws.

Once the teeth wear out, the serrated blade can be replaced by a new one, which makes it a practical and reusable tool.

Pruning Shears

Sometimes, before cutting the trunk, it’s necessary to cut-off the branches to prevent accidents and major damage. When branches aren’t too large and are at an accessible height, pruning shears can be used.

Pruning shears are formed by two steel leafs with the shape of a parrot beak attached to a common axis and connected to two long bars to increase the cutting force.

The tips of the bars are covered with an anti-slip material for better adhesion with both hands.

Pole Saw

A pole saw is essentially a small chainsaw attached to a long pole to reach too high branches. Usually, pole saws use gasoline-powered mechanical engines, because an electric motor would need a too long cable in this case.

Conclusion

Cutting a tree can be very easy or too complicated depending on the tools you use. Obviously, high performance equipment require a large expense, but every penny you spend will be worth it.

There are innumerable brands and models available in the market. Depending on the complexity of the case, you must choose the most appropriate equipment for you.

DIY Guide: How to Cut Logs Into Slices

Last Updated: | By David Warner

Trees give us life. However, sometimes they also give us problems. The branches from a large tree can interfere with windows’ visibility or even worse, displace and exert pressure on walls, ceilings, beams and columns.

How to Cut Logs Into Slices

If the only possible solution is to cut the tree and you don’t want to call a contractor to do the job, here’s a guide to learn how to cut logs into slices quickly and easily. If you’ve already obtained the necessary permission, you only need the right hand tools to get started.

What is Tree Trunks?

Every tree is made up of three main parts: roots, trunk and branches. The tree trunk is the most robust and structurally stable part that serves as support for branches and leaves.

The trunk is attached to the soil through the roots, which are the main elements of foundation and collection of water and nutrients. Also, the trunk is covered by a hard and tough layer called bark, which protects the wood from pests and other external agents.

How to Cut Logs Into Slices – Step by Step Guide

You don’t need to be an expert lumberjack to know how to cut large logs into slices. You just have to follow a few simple steps and use the right tools to do the job like a professional. If you pay attention to these tips, nothing can go wrong.

01. Choose the Right Tool

By far, a chainsaw is the best tool to transform a trunk into slices in a short time. However, it’s also true that it’s a heavy and noisy tool. If you don’t have enough strength in your arms, it could slip and cause an accident.

In the case of medium and small trees, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a new chainsaw. Hand saws and bow saws are very useful tools when used in the right way. Also, they won’t get your neighbors’ attention in the middle of the night.

02. Check the Edge of Your Saw

The teeth of a saw must be sharp and in perfect condition to cut smoothly. Before you start working, make sure your saw’s teeth are complete. The lack of teeth could cause your saw to get stuck in the trunk in the middle of a cut.

If you’re going to use a new hand saw or bow saw, you don’t have to put too much pressure to get a clean cut. If you need additional force in your arms to slide the saw through the wood, there’s surely something wrong with the blade.

03. Remove the Longest Branches

Some long branches can cause damage when falling. To know which branches to cut, define a safe area and identify which branches are out. You’ll need special safety equipment to climb and prune in case they are very high.

04. Cut a Triangle From the Trunk

Before making a cross section cut on the trunk, cut a small 90 degree triangle to one side of the trunk. This will help to define the weak side through which the trunk will fall horizontally after cutting.

05. Start Cutting

Start cutting the log horizontally starting at the tip of the triangle you cut in the previous step. When the tree begins to fall, place yourself in a safe position to avoid accidents.

06. Remove the Rest of the Branches and Cut the Log Into Slices

Once the trunk is resting on the ground, start cutting the branches to get a clean and perfect wood log. After that, start cutting the slices.

Conclusion

As you can see, cutting a log into slices is a piece of cake when you have the best tools in the best conditions. Following the advice of an expert is the best way to save time and money and avoid unexpected accidents.

If you need to cut a tree and you still don’t have the tools you need, don’t waste any more time and find the best options for hand saws and bow saws on the Internet.

Best Hand Saw for Cutting Tree Trunks 2019 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Last Updated: | By David Warner

Using a hand saw for cutting tree trunks can prove to be quite a daunting job. Yes, a chainsaw will help you to do the job easily, but there are reasons why you need a hand saw.

A hand saw is useful to cut down small or medium-sized tree. It’s also lightweight and handy compared to chainsaw. Furthermore chainsaws are noisy and you could startle your neighbors in the process.

A tree trunk is the stem of a tree, where branches grow from it. To cut it with a hand saw, first make sure the saw blade is sharp so that you don’t have to put much pressure when sawing.

Before starting to cut down the trunk, you need to cut down the branches first to make way for easy maneuver around it. You can also use electric saw to cut tree branches.

Then it’s time to cut the tree trunk itself. First cut a triangular wedge on the side the tree is leaning to, about 40% of the diameter. Then cut horizontally on the other side, just a few inches above the other cut. Then down goes the tree.

Best Hand Saw for Cutting Tree Trunks 2019

What is a Hand Saw and How to Use It?

A hand saw is a saw normally worked with only one hand, and it is not assisted by electrical power. To start using the saw, first make a mark on the wood where you want to cut it. Then put the close edge of the saw on the mark and pull it towards you to create a notch.  Afterwards, just continue until you finish the cutting.

What is Bow Saw and Why Use It

A bow saw is a hand saw with the frame looks like a bow. Normally the frame is made of tubular steel for better control during cutting. Due to its bow design, with narrow blade, it is perfect for cutting tree trunks. Also the best tool for cutting tree branches.

Hand Saw vs Bow Saw

Similarity Difference
Not using electric power Bow saw has a bow–like frame
Very sharp blade Bow saw has tubular steel frame
Inexpensive Bow saw has narrow blade
Lightweight Hand saw has no frame
Handy and easy to use Hand saw has handle and wide blade

We will produce a buying guide to pick out the best hand saw for cutting tree trunks. But first, have a look at the top 5 hand saws that we carefully selected based on design, functionality, quality, safety and value for money.

Top 5 Hand Saw for Cutting Tree Trunks Reviews

You can just pick up a hand saw from a hardware store or search in various e-commerce sites. You’d be spoilt for choice for sure. There are hundreds or even thousands to choose from!

Search no further, here are the top 5 hand saw for cutting tree trunks, meticulously hand-picked by experts.

01. Bahco Ergo Bow Saw

Our first product is a huge hand saw and it is tough as well – perfect for use at the backyards as well as at camping sites. This is one of the best bow saw for cutting trees.

The design is such that it has a pointed nose for great access to narrow spots such as the roof.

Despite its big size, this bow saw is surprisingly light. It is made from durable high-quality and lightweight steel.

Orange enamel paint covers the whole frame to prevent it from rusting.

The manufacturers design ergonomic handle so that you can saw easily and securely. There’s a knuckle protector for better safety as well.

Users don’t have to worry about the blade’s durability because it can handle very high tensioning force through an innovative mechanism.

Pros
  • This is a multi-purpose hand saw, great for cutting all types of trees
  • Very durable because the blade is made of tempered steel
  • The blade cover is easy to take off or put back into position
  • Various blade options like pegged tooth for dry wood or raker tooth for green wood
Cons
  • The tensioning screw might give way after a very long usage

02. Bahco All-purpose Bow Saw

This is another variation of Bahco bow saw. It has sturdy steel frame which holds very sharp steel blades.

Design-wise, you can’t really make the difference from our first product above, only that it is bigger. That’s why it is considered one of the best hand saw for cutting logs.

Despite its big size, this bow saw is not that heavy.

Orange enamel paint covers the whole frame to prevent it from rusting.

The manufacturers design ergonomic handle so that you can cut down trees easily and securely. There’s a knuckle protector for better safety as well.

The blade is as sharp and strong as a Swiss Army knife and need no re-sharpening throughout its entire life.

Pros
  • As the name suggests, it is an all-purpose great for backyard usage as well as at camp sites
  • Very long blade to cut bigger trees
  • Simple but strong design
  • Great value for money
Cons
  • Some might need time to get used to man oeuvre it due to its size

03. Irwin Combi-Saw with Wood Cutting/Hacksaw Blades

This bow saw has rigid and compact frame, therefore offers stable and quick sawing. You can either cut wood or metal with 2 choices of blade – wood cutting or hacksaw.

Compact design makes it easy to handle and store.

Although quite small in size, this bow saw is capable of regular cutting – perfect for all-round gardening as well as for camping.

It is equipped with safety features like a knuckle guard and anti-slip handle.

Both wood cutting and hacksaw blades are attached at the same position.

Pros
  • Value for money since it costs just a little more than a regular blade
  • Dual-function blade attached to the frame at the same time
  • Tight and stiff blade that doesn’t flex or twist while sawing
  • Quick and easy to replace blade
Cons
  • Wing nut can fall off while sawing
  • Take longer time to cut bigger trees due to its short blade

04. Truper Handy Bow Saw

Perfect hand saw for a DIYer – you don’t have to be like MacGyver, but to do work at the back yard, this bow saw is handy.

Suitable for medium-sized tree trunks and branches.

When you saw, the blade stays rigid and tight with the cam lever tension system.

Made of durable material and if it is cleaned and oiled after every use, it can last for many years.

Equipped with finger guard and non-slip handle as a safety feature.

The blade is so sharp that it can easily and quickly cut wood like a hot knife through butter.

Pros
  • Very handy to use for many purposes
  • Cuts down tree trunks with ease
  • Cam lever system for blade rigidity
  • Safe blade replacement with locking system
Cons
  • Wing nut can fall off while sawing
  • Take longer time to cut bigger trees due to its short blade

05. Fiskars Budget Bow Saw

This bow saw is our cheapest pick, but it does not lack features that a regular hand saw should have.

It’s not designed to cut big tree trunks, but it’s handy for cutting branches and clearing bushes.

The blade is made of very hard steel and maintain its sharpness after many hard use. Furthermore, it is coated with rust-resisting material. 

The blade is also equipped with tension lever to control the cutting process.

The frame consists of tubular steel, making it lightweight and therefore easy to grip and carry around.

Pros
  • Lightweight and easy to use.
  • Safety tension lever for better sawing control
  • Blade is coated with rust inhibitor
  • It carries a lifetime warranty
Cons
  • It looks flimsy
  • The rivets are not strong enough

Buying Guide: Why You Need a Hand Saw and What Factors to Look For

After looking at all these carefully selected top hand saws, you still have to make that choice! What is your purpose of having the hand saw and what factors you need to look for before you buy?  Here is a comprehensive guide to select a perfect hand saw.

Why You Need a Hand Saw

Most tools today come with power for easy, fast and efficient work.  However, sometimes you have to go back to basics – the old school way of doing things. In this case you don’t need a chainsaw but a hand saw because of the following reasons.

Handy

You don’t need bulky power chainsaw to cut trees at limited space around your house. Even when you go camping, a handy saw would be sufficient to clear some bushes or tree branches.

Cheap

Obviously hand saw is a lot cheaper than power chainsaw. Moreover, the cost to operate power chainsaw is significantly higher since you need fuel or electricity.

Furthermore, it costs money to maintain power tools, compared to almost maintenance-free hand saw.

Power Source

Electricity supply is limited to areas around the house or other static power points. Off course there are batteries, but they won’t last that long.

With hand saw you don’t have to worry about that at all. You can manage to do work anywhere and anytime you wish. Furthermore, you save money on electricity bill!

Safer to Operate

No need to worry too much about chainsaw mishaps or accidental power on. With hand saw, the most you can get is saw slips. After all, almost all hand saw has knuckle protector and anti-slip handle built in.

Easy to Store

Easy to carry around and store because it is compact. It will hang nicely on your store wall, barely taking a space. Also easy to carry around at a camping site or chuck it in your car trunk.

Factors to Look For in a Hand Saw

Take a thorough look at the following factors and features that best suit each individual’s requirement and satisfaction.

The Design

This is one of the most important factors to look at. Good design not only what appears to the eyes, but more importantly on the ergonomics.

A hand saw with excellent ergonomic design means that it is comfortable to use. It will not strain your hand muscles. The handle should feel nice and firm, covered with non-slip material. In this way you can work longer than expected.

Saw Blade/Tooth Quality

Blade quality is utmost important because it is the blade that actually do most of the work. The quality of a saw almost entirely depends on the blade, whilst other factors are secondary.

A sharp and firm blade cuts through wood easily and make the job done fast. If the blade is flimsy and too light, you will tire quickly. However, a super heavy blade will cause you to get tired quickly as well due to the whole weight of the hand saw.

A perfect blade is made of hardened steel, so that it is lightweight but sharp and sturdy. In many cases you don’t have to sharpen it after regular use.

Blade Length

It depends on what purpose you want to use the hand saw for. If you want to cut tree trunks or large branches, then you need a longer blade from one edge to another like a 30 inches blade or more. A shorter blade would be fine for pruning trees and other maintenance work.

Teeth Per Inch

Bigger teeth are meant to cut softer wood and smaller teeth for harder wood or materials. Bigger teeth will cut faster but it also remove more wood when it cuts through.

So if you want finer cut, then smaller teeth will do the trick.

Adjustable Blade Tension

Some hand saw come with tension adjuster. Depending on what kind of wood you want to cut, you can always adjust the tension screw.

Some people believe that blade has to be set at the highest tension to do the best job. However, that is not the case since certain sawing requires less pressure on the blade.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean that a hand saw without tension adjuster is not good. It can be made with optimized blade tension for maximum effectiveness. You can always replace the blade when it is no longer working like it used to.

Great Safety Features

No doubt sawing is a dangerous work. We are dealing with super sharp tool with a powerful force. Using hand saw has its own weakness and danger.

You’re using pure muscle strength to power the saw. You can easily slip the saw due to tiredness and stiffness on the hand and get injured.

Look for hand saw with excellent grip and feel on the handle. The ones with non-slip feature is better.

It must also come with knuckle guard to protect your knuckles and hand in case you slip the saw.

Another important safety feature is that the saw must have protective blade cover. This makes it safe to carry around. Also whilst on storage, the protective cover will ensure no one gets unexpected minor cuts whilst searching for tools, especially in the dark.

Easy to Change Blade

No matter how strong or hard a blade can be, after so many usage most will wear out eventually. When it’s time to change the blade you will need it to be easy and trouble-free. No one wants the process to involve any complex operation or some technical stuff. It should be a simple detach and reattach procedure so that you can get back to work with the saw quickly.

You may not need to consider all of above factors. If you think the ergonomic design is good enough to cut tree trunks, then just go for it.

Let the millennials put their face in the phone, and swipe the screens. The real life is in and around the house, where you can eat, sleep and play.  The lawn and backyards are the best place to play, but you also need to maintain them. Apart from basic tools like a screw driver, plier, hammer, spade and the hoe, a hand saw would be handy to cut down tree trunks and branches. Otherwise, if you’re too weak or lazy you might want to look for best electric saw for cutting trees, less the fun!

Best Brands of Hand Saw for Cutting Tree Trunks

Here are some best brand of hand saw for cutting tree trunks. If you know these brands, you can make your decision easily that which one is perfect for you.

Bahco

Bahco started its origin in Sweden back in the nineteenth century. It produces all sorts of hand tools totalling more than 7000 different tools, including hand saws.  Along the way the company came up with one innovation after another.

After a few mergers and acquisitions, the company is now under the wing of a parent company SNA Europe. However Bahco retain its name and produce the group’s premium brands with a strong 2,500 workforce.

Bahco produces a variety of hand saws and its flagship saw is the Ergo type. All Ergo hand saws are ergonomically designed to give an easy, efficient and comfortable cutting process.

Truper

Truper started off as a small local workshop producing basic hardware such as sledge hammer, axes and clamps. It has been 50 years since and Truper now is a major player in the hardware industry.

It has more than 5000 items in the product list ranging from all kinds of tools in every division of the hardware sector. The tools are made from quality steel and other materials to make them durable and suitable for hard use. The build quality is not compromised through continuous work with concentration on R&D development.

Irwin

Irwin is a famous American tool manufacturer. It was founded more than 100 years ago and now is a major producer of wide range of construction tools. It was recently acquired by Stanley Black & Decker.

The company’s signature product is Vise-Grip locking pliers, but it also produces high quality hand saws. By moving production to China, it makes its hand saw so much competitive in price, without compromising the quality.

Hand Saw for Cutting Tree Trunks FAQs

If you still have any question regarding the hand saw, feel free to check these common questions with answers. Hope you will get solution of your query.

Q1: Can I cut all kind of wood using any kind of hand saw?

A: Not really.  There are hand saws purposely designed to cut different types of wood or even steel, although multi-purpose saws are able to do most jobs.

Q2: Why do blades come in different length?

A: To make it able to cut wood and tree trunks of different sizes. Obviously bigger trees require longer blades.

Q3: Two hand saws can look exactly the same, but how come the price can be so far apart?

A: If you want to buy a Toyota, you pay for the Toyota price. But if you want to buy a Mercedes, then you pay for the Mercedes price!

Similarly, in general, a higher quality saw is pricier.

Q4: Should I cut off dead branches from the trees?

A: Yes. This is called pruning the trees, and it should be done regularly. By pruning, you are able to restrict the tree growth if necessary, and it makes the tree looks tidier.

Q5: What’s the best saw to cut tree branches?

A: There is a dedicated pruning blade to perfectly do the job. However, any reciprocating blade will be as great.

Q6: How much does it cost to cut down a tree?

A: On average it costs from $150 to $1,500 depending on a few factors such as the size and location. If you want to remove or grind the stump, it will bear additional costs, again depending on specific factors.

Q7: Is winter the cheapest time to cut down trees?

A: Not necessarily, because the cost of cutting down trees depends on so many different factors. It much affected by the size of trees, the location as well as the specific purpose, among others.

Q8: Do you require a permit to cut down any tree?

A: Yes, a permit is required to be obtained from city council or counties, even though the tree is in your own backyard. Normally you must pay a small fee to get such permission.

Q9: Do you need to trim trees, and if yes, how often?

A: Yes, it’s necessary to trim trees as you can control the growth to suit your needs. Depending on the size and type of trees, you must trim trees once a year or at longer intervals. Some trees need to be trimmed once in 6 or 7 years.

Q10: How do you cut tree trunk?

A: Keep in mind that when cutting down a tree, it will go down without proper warning due to gravity. So, be prepared for the direction of the tree falling down.

Final Verdict

With all the factors and considerations discussed above, if there is a single hand saw to be picked up it would be the Bahco Ergo Bow Saw.

This is the best hand saw because of its multi-purpose function, ergonomic design, big size, sharp and firm blade, and it has a look with a purpose.

However, you can have all the time to do your own homework and choose the perfect hand saw to cut tree trunks of your own.

See similar buying guide: Best Car Wash Hose Attachment Buying Guide and Reviews 2019