A Performance Comparison of Japanese and American Hand Saws

Abstract

This study examined, by measuring the time required and oxygen consumption, the efficiency of three types of hand saws cutting a standardized block of wood. An American saw which cuts on the push stroke was compared to a Japanese saw which cuts on the pull stroke and to a two handled bow saw whose teeth were clearly raked toward one handle. The bow saw was used twice, once cutting with the push stroke only and once with the pull stroke. The results showed no significant difference among saw types in the time it took to cut the wood, but did show differences in the amount of oxygen consumed. By this measure the Japanese saw was most efficient, the push bow saw and American saw second, and the bow saw cutting on the pull stroke the least efficient.