The different types of Japanese saws / Nokogiri: kataba, ryoba, dozuki

The great variety of Japanese saws / Nokogiri:

The word nokogiri defines the Japanese saw as a tool. There are probably more than a dozen types of Japanese saws. There are single-edged saws: kataba, anahiki, tatebiki, temagori, maebiki, mawashibiki, and kugihiki. There are back saws, the dozuki. And finally, double-edged saws, the ryoba and the azebiki.

Azebiki are small ryoba with a convex tooth line. You can also find what are called anahiki ryoba with a convex tooth line.

Why use a Japanese saw instead of a European one?

Anyone who has ever used Japanese saws knows their great efficiency. But where does it come from, and why are they so different from European saws? First of all, Japanese saws, the nokogiri, are usually much thinner than European saws for the same function. We can find very thin back saws among our English friends, but otherwise, it is rare to find thin saws.

Their efficiency comes largely from the geometry of the teeth. These teeth, which are inclined in only one direction, allow for a single bevel on the tooth. This differs greatly from isosceles teeth. These teeth only work on the pull stroke, which keeps the blade in tension and allows for a very straight cut. There is no spring effect as with our handsaws; when you push the saw, the blade bends and the kerf widens.

Which Japanese saw for which function?

Each saw shape in Japan has a particular function. A ryoba is very practical for making joints because it has two sets of teeth: one for ripping and one for cross-cutting. Depending on their size, they will be used by the cabinetmaker, the joiner, or the carpenter.

As for kataba saws, they are used for different tasks depending on their size and the shape of their teeth, for ripping or cross-cutting as needed. They are used for resawing, sawing, cross-cutting...

Dozuki are most often extra-thin saws. Their back serves to stiffen the thinness of their blades. They are useful for all cabinetmaking work. They are very delicate saws that provide a very thin and very clean cut.

Azebiki, which have double convex teeth, are very practical for sawing in the middle of a piece (like with a plunge saw). They are used for making openings in the middle of a piece. They can be used in cabinetmaking and for making the dai (the plane body) when opening the throat.

Anahiki-shaped (convex) ryoba are very practical for avoiding sawing the edges of a joint. It is the favorite saw of carpenters.