How to make a handle for a Japanese saw?

Making a Japanese saw handle or a Japanese knife sheath:

Making a saw handle is a fairly easy task to carry out. It is a good exercise for a beginner. And it is always better to make your own handle to your own proportions and desired size. The operation consists of shaping two flat strips of wood, the thicker one will receive the thickness of the tang (the insert point). You must cut out the tang as tightly as possible, stopping just before the tip of the tang. This will later have to be force-fitted by being heated red-hot using a blowtorch.

Once our two strips of wood are finished, they will need to be glued together. You must carefully avoid letting the glue overflow inside so as not to block the path of the tang.

Now you can shape your handle with a plane, a slight hollow in the middle, an oval shape, or a hexagonal one. You can shape it into whichever form you prefer. Traditionally, it is oval and the handle should be long (longer than the blade) to balance the movements. You can now wrap the handle.

Which wood species to choose?

Traditionally, it is magnolia or paulownia. You need a light and soft wood. You can choose other species but they must be light; once again, it is a matter of balancing the saw, the weight must be concentrated towards the blade.

Which shape and which wrapping choice?

You can wrap it with cotton cord, cane, and also grip (tennis racket) or handlebar tape for the longest saws (carpenter's). Once again, it is a matter of choosing what suits you best between aesthetics and practicality. Personally, I always add shellac to the cane after oiling it; this increases the lifespan of the cane and provides a better grip.