Ryoba saws (double-sided teeth)
Ryoba saws (double-sided teeth)
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE RYOBA SAWS
Which Ryoba saw should you choose?
The Ryoba is a robust and versatile handsaw and the traditional Japanese saw used by joiners and carpenters. Its double-sided teeth make it ideal for deep cuts both along and across the grain, whether in the workshop, on site or during installation work. It is available in a wide range of sizes and configurations. The following points will help you choose the right saw:
Choose the appropriate blade length
Typical Ryoba blade lengths range from 180 to 240 mm. With a blade thickness of approx. 0.45–0.6 mm, they are particularly robust. Smaller models, such as the Ryoba Restauro 125, are designed for finer work, for example trimming dowels flush to the surface. Larger saws such as the DICTUM Seiun 300 or the Arashi 270 are widely used in carpentry.
As a general rule, shorter blades tend to have finer teeth, while longer blades are more coarsely toothed.
Choose the right handle
At DICTUM, you can choose from five handle types for Japanese saws, ensuring the right option for your individual requirements:
- Wave Grip: lightweight alderwood handle with enhanced grip
- Traditional Grip: original Japanese wooden handles with rattan wrapping (no plastic or inferior materials)
- Power Grip: rubberised, low-maintenance handles for demanding use
- Interchangeable handle systems: allow different blades to be used with one handle
- Folding handles: hardwood handles for compact transport and protection of the teeth (currently available for Dozuki and Kataba)
Why do Ryoba saws have two different tooth patterns?
Different tooth geometries are required to cut efficiently depending on the direction of the wood grain. A distinction is made between rip cuts (along the grain) and crosscuts (across the grain).
In rip cuts, the cutting edge at the tip of the tooth separates the fibres, while the tooth lifts them out of the structure, similar to a plane blade.
In crosscuts, the fibres are severed by the side edges of the tooth, much like a knife.
This results in longer shavings when cutting along the grain and shorter fibres when cutting across it. These must be cleared efficiently from the kerf. If there is insufficient space between the teeth, the kerf becomes clogged and the saw may bind.
A traditional Ryoba is a true all-purpose saw. It has coarse rip teeth on one side and finer crosscut teeth on the other. The coarser rip teeth provide sufficient space to clear the longer shavings, while the finer crosscut teeth, ground with multiple bevels, ensure clean and precise cuts.
This allows you to switch quickly between cutting directions simply by turning the saw.
How do you use a Ryoba correctly?
Cutting on the pull stroke
Like most Japanese saws, the Ryoba cuts on the pull stroke (in contrast to most Western saws, which cut on the push stroke). The blade is therefore under tension and does not require additional reinforcement.
Control the cutting direction
Always use the side of the saw with the appropriate tooth pattern for the intended cut.
Starting the cut
Position the saw near the handle. Many Ryobas have finer teeth in this area to make starting easier. Begin with short pull strokes until a shallow kerf has formed, then use the full length of the blade.
Progressive tooth pitch on rip-cut teeth
Sawing technique
Crosscuts: Start the cut on the far edge of the workpiece and create a shallow guiding kerf on the top surface. Then deepen the cut on the side facing you, where you can clearly see the marking line. Turn the workpiece and repeat the process from the opposite side.
A small triangular section will remain in the centre. Continue cutting from both sides until you reach the baseline. Then hold the saw level and remove the remaining material.
For particularly clean crosscuts, cut only up to one quarter of the thickness at a time, rotate the workpiece by 90° and repeat. The more often you rotate the workpiece, the finer the result. Small deviations can be corrected immediately in this way.
Rip cuts: When making rip cuts, inserting a small wedge into the kerf prevents the blade from binding and makes sawing easier.
Prevent chatter
If the saw does not run smoothly, adjust the cutting angle (approx. 20°–90° relative to the workpiece). Ensure that the workpiece is securely supported and free from vibration.
Can the blade of a Ryoba be replaced?
Most Japanese saws in our range feature interchangeable blades. These blades have impulse-hardened teeth and cannot be resharpened. They offer long service life and excellent edge retention.
If a blade becomes dull or is damaged, it can simply be replaced. We maintain long-term availability of replacement blades, so suitable replacements remain available even after many years.
Only a few Ryoba saws, such as our Deluxe models, have fixed blades. These are traditionally manufactured in small Japanese workshops and can be resharpened using appropriate saw files.
