Build a Japanese Pull Saw Holder for the Tool Wall
Japanese pull saws are among the most useful cutting tools in a hand-tool shop. They cut on the pull stroke (the reverse of Western saws), which gives the operator more control, allows thinner blades with finer teeth, and produces a kerf that requires almost no cleanup. They’re also easy to damage – the thin blades kink if stored carelessly, and the teeth are much finer than Western saw teeth, meaning they’re harder to re-sharpen if dulled from impact. A dedicated wall holder for Japanese saws protects them properly and keeps them immediately accessible.
Materials
- 1×6 hardwood board, 24 inches long
- 1/4-inch plywood for a backing panel
- Thin leather or cork sheet for blade contact surfaces
- Small brass screws and finishing nails
Design for Japanese Saws
Japanese pull saws typically have a pistol grip handle and a thin, replaceable blade that attaches at the heel. The blade needs to hang in a nearly horizontal position – not vertical – so gravity doesn’t stress the attachment point at the heel. The handle needs a positive registration point so the saw can’t slide sideways and fall. The teeth must contact nothing in storage – any contact damages the fine set on Japanese saw teeth.
Building the Holder
Cut two L-shaped cradles from 1×6 hardwood – each cradle is a horizontal shelf with a short vertical back. The horizontal shelf supports the blade near the heel and near the toe; the vertical back keeps the blade from sliding off the shelf. Line each cradle shelf with thin cork or leather so the blade contacts nothing but padded material. Position the two cradles for each saw so they support the blade at the two outermost stable points – 1/4 of the blade length from each end.
The Handle Support
The handle sits in a separate cradle shaped to fit the pistol grip. Cut a curved relief (roughly semicircular, matching the grip diameter) into a small block of hardwood. The grip drops into this relief and is supported without pressure on the blade teeth. The handle cradle is positioned at the handle end of the holder with the blade extending horizontally away from it on its blade cradles.
Pro Tips
- One holder position per saw. Japanese pull saws come in different tooth configurations: ryoba (double-sided, rip and crosscut on the same blade), dozuki (fine crosscut, for joinery), and kataba (single-sided). Each needs its own holder – they’re not interchangeable.
- Label each holder position with the saw type and blade TPI. When you reach for the right saw in a hurry, knowing exactly which is which saves time and prevents using the wrong tooth pitch.
FAQ
Can I store a Japanese saw vertically (blade down)?
Short-term, yes. Long-term storage vertically is not ideal because the weight of the handle stresses the blade-to-handle attachment joint. Horizontal storage in a holder is better for long-term blade life.
My Japanese saw blade is bent. Can I straighten it?
Very slightly bent blades can be carefully straightened by placing the bend over a rounded piece of hardwood and applying gentle, even pressure across the full width of the blade. Do not try to straighten a kinked blade – the thin steel often cracks when bent back, making the blade unsafe. Replacement blades for most Japanese saws are inexpensive and widely available.