A simple but strong folding saw for fine pruning jobs in the garden, with a specially shaped beechwood handle and a locking device to keep the blade in place. Ibara-me teeth are angled to cut both along and across the grain, giving a very fast, efficient action. Cuts on the pull stroke, like all Japanese saws.

Materials: SK5 steel, beech wood handle

Made by: Niwaki

Made in: Sanjo, Japan

Specifications: 16.5" open, total length (7.5" blade);  9.25" folded

Use: 

Japanese pruning saws cut on the pull stroke, not the push, which means the blade is under less pressure when cutting and uses less energy, resulting in a far cleaner, faster cut. They whizz through green wood, but the blades are more fragile than traditional western saws and incorrect use can result in damage.

• Use a smooth, gentle sawing action, doing the cutting on the pull, and gliding back on the push
• Don’t let the weight of the branch pinch or catch the blade
• Don’t twist the blade while sawing
• Don’t use a small saw for a large job. Treat 1/3 of the length of the blade as the absolute maximum sensible cutting diameter. (In this case, we recommend a max cut diameter of 60mm.)

Further Reading: Shirai san, 3rd generation saw maker, has been making woodworking and gardening saws for 45 years.