Unpopular opinion: those fancy Japanese pull saws aren't worth the hype for framing work

I picked up a $12 Ryoba from the hardware store last Tuesday and it cut through a 2x4 just as clean as my buddy's $80 Z-saw, but took half the time because the teeth didn't clog. Am I missing something, or are we all just paying for the brand name on these things?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimblack12d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, did I just totally write off this whole category of tools for the wrong reason? I was one of those guys who swore by the expensive Japanese saws for trim work, but honestly I never really tried one for framing because I figured the thin blade would just bind up. But you're making a good point about the teeth not clogging, my Z-saw would gum up after like three cuts through pressure treated lumber and I'd be standing there cleaning it. Maybe I got sucked into the hype of "oh it's from Japan it must be better for everything" when really these saws have different strengths. For the price difference, I might have to grab one of those hardware store ryobas and see if I've been wasting money this whole time.

mason.drew12d ago

Yeah, I went through the same phase. Bought a fancy Japanese saw for dovetails once and thought I was hot stuff, then tried framing with it and felt like a total chump when it got stuck halfway through a 2x4. Now I've got a $15 Ryoba from the hardware store hanging next to my expensive ones, and honestly it gets more use.

the_felix12d ago

I mean, NGL that $80 Z-saw detail is kind of blowing my mind right now. Tbh I thought those were supposed to be the gold standard for everything, not just dovetails and stuff. But hearing you say it gums up on pressure treated lumber after three cuts makes me wonder if Ive been fooled this whole time. I almost bought one of those last month because everyone in the woodworking groups raves about them, but now I'm glad I stuck with my cheap Ryoba. Dude, $80 for a saw that cant handle a 2x4 without clogging is wild.