Japanese Woodworking Tools

Japanese Pull Saws & Ryoba Saws

Pull-stroke Japanese saws for clean, accurate cutting in woodwork and garden use.

Japanese pull saws cut on the pull stroke, which keeps the blade in tension and allows a thin, accurate cut. This collection includes ryoba saws, folding saws and other Japanese saws for timber work, garden pruning and general hand cutting.

For related tools, browse Japanese woodworking tools and saws. Keep saws clean, dry and protected, and use Japanese tool care and sharpening products where appropriate.

Best all-round longer ryoba

270mm ryoba · rip + crosscut edges

Yoshmitsu 270mm Ryoba Saw

Vintage NOS general woodworking saw

Choose it for: Timber breakdown, workshop cutting and joinery preparation when you want useful reach and two tooth patterns.

The larger blade rewards a light pull stroke and careful alignment rather than heavy pressure.

Best compact traditional ryoba

210mm ryoba · pre-1980s construction

Vintage 210mm Forge-Welded Ryoba Saw

Forge-welded tang and hand-set teeth

Choose it for: Compact general woodworking, joinery and both rip and crosscut work in one older hand-finished saw.

Traditional hand-set teeth should only be serviced by someone experienced with Japanese saw geometry.

Best preserved presentation

240mm ryoba · original wrap and insert

Vintage Ikusaburo 240mm Ryoba Saw

Later-vintage Kanei saw from Miki

Choose it for: General rip and crosscut work with original maker material and a cleaner later-vintage presentation.

This is later factory production, not an early hand-finished pre-1980s example.

Best traditional visual character

240mm ryoba · rattan-wrapped handle

Vintage 240mm Rattan-Handle Ryoba Saw

Balanced general-purpose vintage format

Choose it for: Controlled rip and crosscut work with a traditional wrapped handle and more visual character than a modern saw.

Maker history is not verified; review the photos for patina and age-related condition.

Best for small joinery

210mm backed saw · fine toothline

Vintage Japanese Dozuki Saw 210mm

Hand-forged carbon steel NOS blade

Choose it for: Dovetails, shoulder cuts, box making and smaller joinery where compact control matters most.

The stiff back limits cutting depth; choose a ryoba for unrestricted general rip and crosscut work.

Best for longer joinery cuts

240mm backed saw · longer stroke

Vintage Japanese Dozuki Saw 240mm

Hand-forged carbon steel NOS blade

Choose it for: Furniture-scale joinery, longer shoulder cuts and fine work that benefits from more reach.

The backed blade is for controlled joinery, not deep ripping or large unrestricted cuts.

Best for green timber

400mm coarse saw · long wrapped handle

Vintage Japanese Anabiki Saw 400mm

Large traditional saw for heavier work

Choose it for: Branches, green wood, poles, small logs and rough stock beyond the intended range of bench saws.

This is not a fine furniture or joinery saw; expect vintage patina and cosmetic variation.

Compare the saw matrix

Saw	Format	Cutting role	Best work	Construction / condition	Important limit	Price & status
Yoshmitsu 270mm Ryoba Saw	270mm double-edged ryoba	Rip teeth on one edge; crosscut teeth on the other	General woodworking, timber breakdown and joinery preparation	Vintage unused old stock with storage-related cosmetic variation	Longer blade needs more working room than a compact 210mm saw	$110.00In stock
Vintage 210mm Forge-Welded Ryoba Saw	210mm double-edged ryoba	Compact rip and crosscut work	General woodworking and joinery where close control matters	Pre-1980s hand-forged blade, forge-welded tang and hand-set teeth	Traditional teeth need specialist sharpening and setting	$70.00In stock
Vintage Ikusaburo 240mm Ryoba Saw	240mm double-edged ryoba	Balanced rip and crosscut work	General woodworking plus buyers who value original accessories	Later-vintage factory production with cloth wrap, insert and labels	Not an early hand-finished pre-1980s example	$150.00In stock
Vintage 240mm Rattan-Handle Ryoba Saw	240mm double-edged ryoba	Balanced rip and crosscut work	General woodworking with a traditional wrapped-handle feel	Vintage blade and rattan-wrapped handle; maker history unverified	Patina and age-related marks should be judged from the photos	$170.00In stock
Vintage Japanese Dozuki Saw 210mm	210mm fine-tooth backed saw	Short, controlled crosscuts and fine joinery	Dovetails, shoulders, boxes and smaller detail work	Hand-forged and heat-treated carbon steel unused old stock	Back limits cutting depth; not a general ripping saw	$120.00In stock
Vintage Japanese Dozuki Saw 240mm	240mm fine-tooth backed saw	Longer controlled crosscuts and fine joinery	Furniture-scale shoulders, boxes and longer detail cuts	Hand-forged and heat-treated carbon steel unused old stock	Back limits cutting depth; not for unrestricted deep cuts	$150.00In stock
Vintage Japanese Anabiki Saw 400mm	400mm coarse single-blade saw	Fast cutting in green and heavier timber	Branches, poles, small logs and rough stock	Vintage broad blade, coarse teeth and long wrapped handle	Too coarse and large for fine bench joinery	$150.00In stock

What changes between saws

Tooth purpose and blade support matter more than the price.

RyobaTwo cutting edges cover ripping with the grain and crosscutting across it without a stiff back.
DozukiA reinforcing spine supports a thin blade for clean joinery cuts but also limits cutting depth.
AnabikiA long blade and coarse teeth trade fine control for reach and faster work in green or heavier timber.
Vintage constructionThese are finite vintage or new-old-stock saws. Condition varies, and traditional teeth require specialist sharpening.

Prices and availability update from the current product listings. Review each product’s condition photos, keep the carbon-steel blade clean and dry, and apply a light protective oil before longer storage.

Choosing a Japanese pull saw

Start with the cut you need. Ryoba saws are versatile because they usually combine rip and crosscut teeth. Dozuki saws suit fine joinery and controlled shallow cuts. Larger pruning saws are made for garden timber rather than bench joinery.

Why pull saws feel different

The pull stroke keeps the blade in tension for cleaner tracking.
Thin blades remove less material and feel lighter in the cut.
Fine teeth can leave a cleaner surface on timber.
Vintage saws are limited and may not be repeatable once sold.

Buying in Australia

East West Tools ships Japanese pull saws from Perth, with selected modern and vintage options chosen for practical use rather than generic catalogue filler.

Japanese Pull Saw FAQs

What is a Japanese pull saw?

A Japanese pull saw is a hand saw that cuts on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke. This allows for a thinner blade, a lighter feel in use, and a cleaner, narrower cut in many woodworking tasks.

What is the difference between vintage and modern Japanese pull saws?

Vintage Japanese pull saws are older unused stock and are usually bought for their character, scarcity, and traditional appeal. Modern Japanese pull saws are current-production tools, often better suited to regular workshop use, easier replacement, and more consistent future availability.

Which Japanese pull saw should I choose?

The right saw depends on the cut and the work you do most often. A ryoba is often a good general-purpose choice, a dozuki is better for fine joinery, and a kataba is useful where deeper cuts and more blade clearance are needed.

Do you ship Japanese pull saws from Australia?

Yes. East West Tools packs and dispatches orders from Perth, Australia.

Tools that sharpen, not replace

Built for longevity. Proper care reduces waste and improves performance over time.

Care guide

Crafted in Japan

Forged by skilled makers using time-honoured techniques. We buy direct from small workshops.

Fast dispatch from Perth

Orders placed before 12pm ship same day from Perth. Delivery times vary by location.

Shipping policy