The abundance of modern machines has not caused the disappearance of hand tools from workshops. Independence from the availability of power supply, the possibility of use in field conditions and other advantages do not allow traditional devices to leave the arsenal of professionals and amateurs. One of the most popular types is the hacksaw. Everyone needs it - owners of private houses, gardeners, lovers of wood crafts and many other craftsmen. Let's take a closer look at this topic.
What is it and what is it for?
A hand saw is a saw blade, the working part of which is equipped with a notch of teeth. On one side there is a handle, holding it to make reciprocating movements. At the same time, the teeth come into contact with the material being processed and saw it in a given direction. A hacksaw is primarily designed for working with wood, although there are special varieties for cutting metals, plastics and other materials.
Despite its main purpose, it is not recommended to cut wood derivatives (chipboard, MDF plywood, etc.) with a regular hacksaw. The teeth become dull quickly and require sharpening. To cut these materials, special tools with carbide tips or hardened teeth are used.
The purpose of a hacksaw is to cut (sawing) materials. It cannot perform any additional functions, but it copes with basic tasks perfectly. The cutting process is the same for all materials, although the quality of the blade is different in each case. The tool is convenient for performing work in the field, has a compact size and light weight, which allows you to take it with you on hikes or trips.
Best hacksaw for drywall
When cutting drywall, the hacksaw has to go through the paper structure and then the plaster. Therefore, the blade must not only be hard and sharp, but also have a certain configuration of teeth. Handsaws with a classic shape are suitable for craftsmen, but for novice finishers it is better to use a compact and lightweight tool in the form of a knife. Experts advise paying attention to the following models.
Stanley 2-20-149
Rating: 4.9
The Stanley 2-20-149 hacksaw has a durable design. It is designed to make precise and even cuts on difficult materials such as gypsum-containing boards and panels. To manufacture the blade, the manufacturer used high-strength high-speed steel U8A. Experts drew attention to the triangular sharpening of the teeth; to strengthen the cutting part, it was subjected to selective heat treatment. The handle not only has a comfortable shape and a pleasant-to-touch surface. The angle between the cutting part and the line of the worker’s hand was chosen very well. The model becomes the winner of our rating.
Users have no complaints about the quality of the hacksaw. With its help, you can make cuts in drywall evenly and quickly.
Advantages
- triangular sharpening of teeth;
- ease of use;
- two-component handle;
- anti-friction coating.
Flaws
- high price.
Bahco PC-24-PLS
Rating: 4.8
The Swedish drywall hacksaw has a special configuration of the cutting part. First there is a line of small teeth (GT geometry), and then there are several groups of teeth (4 pieces each), alternating with cavities. Thanks to this distribution of cutting elements, it was possible to increase sawing efficiency due to the timely removal of chips and dust. The blade length is 600 mm, which is optimal for working with drywall. It is very convenient to work with a hacksaw; one of the reasons for the comfort is the two-component handle.
Many finishers use a Swedish hacksaw, noting the high-quality manufacturing and efficiency of use. Serious problems arise only with sharpening the blade. Experts gave the tool second place in the rating.
Advantages
- unique cutting part configuration;
- two-component handle;
- durable fabric;
- efficient sawing.
Flaws
- difficult sharpening.
Types, features, purpose
A hand saw is used to work with wood. However, its tasks do not end there. There are a large number of tasks - from clean cutting of small elements (adjusting glazing beads or platbands, sawing out precise parts) to rough cutting of logs or boards into pieces. All these issues are resolved using different types of hand tools, which have their own characteristics and capabilities.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
A specific feature of most hacksaws is the position of the blade. It is free and is held in a given plane only by the metal’s own elasticity. Sometimes this becomes the reason for marriage. To strengthen the blade, a backing saw was invented (with a reinforcing element installed on the upper edge of a wide blade), to a bow saw (with a blade stretched between two support strips, pulled together at the top through a spacer). In addition, there are saws with thick blades that have increased rigidity and resistance to lateral loads.
All varieties are designed to perform specific tasks. For a clean cut, choose a tool with a small (mouse) tooth; for longitudinal or transverse sawing, there are different methods for sharpening the teeth. There are also universal types that can perform a large number of operations. Home craftsmen usually choose such hacksaws, and they come with special models designed to solve special problems.
The best hacksaws for metal
The narrow and thin blade of a metal hacksaw is capable of penetrating into the most inaccessible places where a grinder cannot reach. It will be easier to make cuts in different directions if you can rotate the blade at the desired angle. Here are some effective tools.
Bahco 325
Rating: 4.9
A unique metal hacksaw for professionals is the Bahco 325 model. It has a durable aluminum frame with a spring tension mechanism. This design allows you to quickly and conveniently replace the hacksaw blade. After installation, the cutting element is centered, resulting in perfect balance. The blade can be installed at an angle of 55 degrees. The manufacturer equips its product with Sandflex bimetallic sheet 300 mm long. Thanks to its high hardness, the edge remains sharp for a long time.
Craftsmen consider the Bahco 325 hacksaw the best tool for cutting metal. Experts highly appreciated the quality of the product, giving it first place in our rating.
Advantages
- high quality;
- aluminum frame with spring mechanism;
- bimetallic sheet;
- two cutting angles.
Flaws
- high price.
Advantages and disadvantages of the tool
The positive qualities of hacksaws include:
- Simplicity and relative safety of use.
- The ability to cut any materials that do not exceed the hardness of the metal blade.
- Compact, light weight, easy to use.
- No special training is required to use the tool. The necessary skill comes in just a few minutes of work.
- A large number of varieties and models.
- Possibility of restoring functionality (sharpening, wiring) with your own hands.
The disadvantages of hacksaws are:
- The result of the work depends on the experience and skills of the master.
- The need for periodic setting and sharpening of teeth.
- The ability to cut materials depends on the quality of the metal of the hacksaw.
- The canvas has to be protected from mechanical influences, in particular from bending or breaking the surface.
- The metal is susceptible to corrosion, from which the tool must be protected.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
Despite the existing disadvantages, the use of hacksaws is not becoming more rare or forced. Any master always has a hand tool, with which, if he has the skills and experience, he can perform precise and clean operations.
You may be interested in: Cordless reciprocating saw. How to choose, rating of the best models
Rating of the best hacksaws
| Nomination | Place | Name | Price |
| The best hacksaws for wood | 1 | Bahco 2600-16-XT11-HP | 2 220 ₽ |
| 2 | Stanley 2-20-180 | 1 342 ₽ | |
| 3 | Fiskars 124810 | 1 316 ₽ | |
| 4 | Gross 23100 | 942 ₽ | |
| 5 | Zubr 1524-100 | 1 150 ₽ | |
| The best hacksaws for aerated concrete | 1 | IRWIN 10505549 | 4 509 ₽ |
| 2 | Zubr 15157-70 | 1 059 ₽ | |
| 3 | STAYER 2-15096 | 736 ₽ | |
| The best hacksaws for metal | 1 | Bahco 325 | 4 316 ₽ |
| 2 | Stanley 0-20-108 | 2 350 ₽ | |
| 3 | Matrix 77593 300 mm | 470 ₽ | |
| 4 | Gross 77604 | 1 650 ₽ | |
| Best hacksaw for drywall | 1 | Stanley 2-20-149 | 1 980 ₽ |
| 2 | Bahco PC-24-PLS | 2 137 ₽ | |
| 3 | IRWIN 10505705 | 1 389 ₽ |
Classification
There are several varieties designed to perform individual tasks. They are divided into groups according to different characteristics.
By type of canvas:
- Narrow . Used for cutting out various shapes with a relatively large radius of curvature of cutting lines.
- Regular . This is the most common type of saw, has a standard blade width and is designed to perform different jobs.
- Obushkovaya . These tools have a wide blade with fine teeth. Capable of performing clean cuts with high precision. Used for precise, critical work using a template or pre-applied markings. A special feature of backed hacksaws is the need to process material that is obviously thinner than the blade - the presence of a backing will prevent it from being passed through the cut.
- Luchkovaya . A narrow sheet with a small tooth is stretched between two support bars. This design combines several capabilities - clean, neat cuts, cutting accuracy and high productivity.
By type of tasks performed:
- Classic . It is used in most situations when it is necessary to saw off a piece of board, saw through timber or solve other issues of a common nature.
- Trimming . Used to adjust elements protruding above the plane. The handle of such a saw is placed in such a way as not to interfere with the blade coming into contact with the material along its entire length. A special case of a scoring saw is the abutment construction. This group also includes tenoning and edging saws.
- Circular . The narrow blade allows you to make figured cuts. You can cut a closed contour by starting work from a pre-drilled hole. The free end of the blade is not secured, which requires caution during operation—it is easy to bend or deform the saw with a careless movement.
- Plywood saw . It has a wide blade that allows you to hold a straight cut without the danger of taking it to the side. The teeth at the beginning of the blade allow you to start cutting from the middle of the plane.
- Award . This saw is capable of performing specific tasks - cutting grooves and other structural elements. It has several handles, and the method of operation is closer to the method of processing with a plane. Requires skills and experience from the master.
- Folding saw . Typically, such a tool has a handle that is detached or rotated, making the overall length of the hacksaw noticeably shorter. Convenient for a hike, trip or other field conditions.
There is a separate group of tools - Japanese saws.
The traditions of carpentry in this country require virtuoso mastery of the instrument, the quality of which has been elevated to the level of art. The technique of working with Japanese saws cannot be repeated with a conventional hacksaw, since the elasticity of the blade and the ability to maintain shape and plane are used.
The names of the tools are little familiar not only to beginners, but also to experienced specialists:
1-Kataba 2-Ryoba 3-Dozuki
- Kataba . A saw with teeth on one side of the blade. It has a universal sharpening that allows you to perform both longitudinal and cross cuts.
- Rioba . The blade of these tools is equipped with teeth on both sides of the blade, and on one edge there is a notch for longitudinal cutting, and on the other - for cross cutting.
- Dozuki . The flexible blade is designed for precise and accurate cutting. in the area of the handle, the teeth become smaller, which is convenient for performing critical work.
- Mawashibiki . A narrow blade with fine teeth, capable of producing fine and clean work.
A common feature of Japanese hacksaws is their relatively small size and specific method of use. Unlike European tools, which are effective when moving away from you, Japanese saws are all designed to move towards you. This is unusual at first, but experienced people testify to the significant advantages of this technique.
The best hacksaws for aerated concrete
Foam and aerated concrete blocks have become a popular building material for building walls. To cut through dense structures, hacksaws with large teeth are used. The length of the blade varies in the range of 500-700 mm; the teeth must be tipped with carbide. Experts have identified several good models.
IRWIN 10505549
Rating: 4.9
A necessary tool for a mason is a hacksaw for aerated concrete. The IRWIN 10505549 saw is designed for long-term work with block materials. The safety margin is enough to build several houses. The length of the blade is 700 mm, it is made of Swedish steel with a thickness of 1 mm. The cutting part is made using TGT technology (triangular sharpening), every second tooth is carbide-tipped. For comfortable operation of the operator, the manufacturer has equipped the hacksaw with a soft, ergonomic handle. It is connected to the canvas using a screw fastening. During storage and transportation, the blade is protected by an interactive cover.
Users call the saw one great advantage. With its help, you can make precise and smooth cuts, and the tool will serve you for many years. The model takes first place in our rating.
Advantages
- Swedish steel;
- carbide-tipped teeth;
- triangular sharpening;
- ergonomic handle.
Flaws
- high price.
Zubr 15157-70
Rating: 4.8
Decent quality at an affordable price allowed the Zubr 15157-70 hacksaw to take second place in the ranking. To work with solid material, the manufacturer used several new technologies. The steel sheet is protected from corrosion and mechanical stress by an anti-friction coating. Special large teeth are tipped with carbide “VK8”. A special soldering technology was used to connect the carbide to steel. The blade is attached to the two-component handle using 3 screws. Impact-resistant plastic is combined with a soft polymer pad. The hacksaw can be stored in a suspended position thanks to the hole on the edge of the blade.
Builders note the high-quality production of the saw and reasonable price. But in order to get an even cut, you need to adapt to the movement of the blade.
Advantages
- carbide teeth;
- hanging hole;
- acceptable price.
Flaws
- there is a movement of the canvas to the side.
How to choose your instrument: selection options
The main indicators of the instruments are:
- Canvas length . To perform precise work, small tools with a working base of about 30 cm are used. More productive and efficient results can be obtained by using a hacksaw with a blade of 45-55 cm. In this case, the path of the working edge along the workpiece increases, increasing the cutting speed;
- Web width . This indicator demonstrates the stability of the saw when performing precise work. The wide base allows for more precise control of the vertical, which ensures a clean and straight cut;
- size and type of tooth sharpening. The size of the teeth is determined by the degree of cleanliness of the cut - the more precise it is, the smaller the size and distance between the elements of the notch. The sharpening method allows you to obtain a blade designed for longitudinal sawing (triangular teeth with apexes directed forward), cross-cut (notch in the shape of an isosceles triangle), and a universal type (triangular apexes are slightly ground off for softer contact with the part);
- Wiring . To reduce friction and heating of the blade, the tops of the teeth are alternately deflected from the plane by a certain amount. Modern tools immediately go on sale fully prepared for work, but on old hacksaws the wiring has to be updated as the notches are ground down. If there are carbide brazings, wiring is not required, since their thickness is greater than that of the blade;
- The grade of metal from which the tool is made . The stronger and stiffer the canvas, the more freely the master works with it. Increases productivity and quality of sawing;
- Type and angle of inclination of the handle in relation to the cutting edge . This indicator refers to the organoleptic properties of the instrument. A comfortable handle, installed at the correct angle to the working edge, allows the worker to more confidently control the direction and quality of cutting the material, spend less effort and get a more effective result;
- Saw blade material . The harder the metal, the fewer problems with the cleanliness and accuracy of the cut. Steel from 45 HRC is considered the norm, but harder grades 55-60 HRC can provide increased operational reliability. Some hacksaws have an additional Teflon layer, which eliminates friction and heating of the blade during operation.
Some indicators can be perceived subjectively - it may be more convenient for users to work with a non-standard tool, this is normal, for each master the blade can be slightly modified (the sharpening is changed, the handle is rotated, etc.).
The best hacksaws for wood
It is better to choose a hacksaw for wood depending on the purpose. A universal saw is one that has a blade 450-500 mm long with an average tooth size. It is more convenient to prune a garden with a shortened beam or circular model. And only a long two-handed saw can handle logs. Experts have selected several high-quality products.
Bahco 2600-16-XT11-HP
Rating: 4.9
The Swedish hacksaw Bahco 2600-16-XT11-HP can handle various materials on a wooden base. The universal type model is designed for cross cutting, although in skillful hands it will also be capable of longitudinal cutting. Experts highly appreciated the unusual geometry and durable sharpness of the teeth, giving the model first place in our rating. It should be noted that there is a low-friction coating; it reduces friction during operation. This has a positive effect not only on worker fatigue, but the fabric heats up less. In addition, the protective layer prevents corrosion. The handle has a two-component structure, it has a comfortable grip and reliable attachment to the blade.
Users especially like the quality of the cut. The disadvantages include blackening of the cut at the initial stage of application.
Advantages
- high quality;
- light weight (0.45 kg);
- comfortable handle;
- perfect cut.
Flaws
- high price.
Stanley 2-20-180
Rating: 4.8
The Stanley 2-20-180 hacksaw was created specifically for laying laminate flooring. The manufacturer made the blade from high-strength quick cutters. The latest heat treatment technology is used to harden the teeth. It allows you to withstand high loads without additional sharpening. At the same time, working with hand tools is quick and comfortable. The American hacksaw is quite light (0.46 kg), the blade length (450 mm) is enough for cross-cutting laminate and parquet boards. The tool is well held in the hand thanks to the ergonomic two-component handle.
Finishers praise the Stanley 2-20-180 hacksaw, highlighting the quality of the materials used and the smooth cut. In terms of cutting speed, a hand tool is not inferior to a jigsaw, winning in accuracy. The model is in second position.
Advantages
- high-quality manufacturing;
- precise cut;
- unique hardening of teeth;
- long service life.
Flaws
- high price.
