Pull-type Handsaws for cutting bamboo

[Mark Meckes]

Vaughan Bear Saws
(USA) Available most places with a Lowes store
Price - Generally under $20, replacement blades less
Works well with bamboo, from harvesting to general cutting
Have only tried two models. Need to try other (finer teeth) models for finer work.
Mark

Supplier quote
"Vaughan Bear Saws are made to cut on the pull rather than on the push stroke. This allows for a thinner blade, which removes less material, making sawing easier, faster and more accurate. Bear Saw blades are durable spring steel, plated for rust resistance. The specially ground, tri-edge teeth are impulse hardened to retain their sharpness. Interchangeable blade styles match any task, from rough cuts to fine woodworking; any blade can be used with either style handle. Blade locks securely in handle, yet saw can be quickly disassembled for convenient toolbox storage.*Blade guard protects teeth when saw is stored."

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-821F.JPG
Vaughan Bear Saw - Coarse to Medium (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1251)
Works well for harvest/cutting large diameter bamboo at the base.
(used it for Phyllostachys edulis to 5" dia)

Specifications: Model BS333C Bear Saw
- Blade (replaceable) Coarse to Medium
- Cutting Length 13" (333mm)
- Blade Thickness 0.35" (0.90mm)
- Kerf 0.051" (1.30mm)
- Pitch 9TPI (Teeth Per Inch)
- Best cutting angle O-15 degrees
- Overall Saw Length 20 3/4" (525mm)
--------------------------------------

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-039F.JPG
Vaughan Bear Saw - All purpose Medium to Fine (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1253)
Good for all purpose sawing of bamboo, though with smaller diameter green or light-weight bamboo there may be some splintering at the cut. Wrap pole cutting line with masking tape prior to cutting to prevent fraying, for fine cuts.
Specifications Model BS265M Vaughan Bear Saw
- Blade (replaceable) Medium/Fine
- Cutting Length 10 1/2" (265mm)
- Blade Thickness 0.024" (.60mm)
- Kerf 0.035" (0.88mm)
- Pitch 14 TPI (Teeth Per Inch)
- Best Cutting Angle 0-15 degrees
- Overall Saw Length 17 1/2" (445mm)

[TribalWind]

Nice one mark :)

"Shark" also makes great japanese pullsaws, but not at the crazy japanese prices..maybe a lil over 20 though. they have a double edge one with different tooth count on either side. course and fine. works great!

[Bamboofount]

Mark.
Many days ago I read your post about handsaw to cut bamboo.
Last Oct/04 I was in La at ABS conference and take a part in a workshop of
Carol Strangler who demonstrate uses of tools to work with bamboo including handsaw. Very similar this one you specify at your post.
Here in Brazil this kind of tools are not common, because they are very specific, but I found a imported handsaw with the following characteristcs:
Handsaw Rondy(France)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/Handsaw-Rondy-France.jpg

Cutting length: 7''(180mm)
Blade thickness:0.9mm
Pitch: 10 TPI
Saw lenght w/grip:15.7 inches(400mm)

It is very similar to other pull saws and very low price (near US$10)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/Handsaw_Rondy_2_pieces.jpg view larger pic (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1256)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/Handsaw_-_General_view.jpg view larger pic (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1257)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/Handsaw_-_Rondy_-Teeth_details_.jpg teeth close-up (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1258)
I have used it to harvest and to prepare poles for my crafts.

[Troppo]

Nice one mark :)

"Shark" also makes great japanese pullsaws, but not at the crazy japanese prices..maybe a lil over 20 though. they have a double edge one with different tooth count on either side. course and fine. works great!

Hi Tribal.

Which model would you suggest for harvesting?

Takumi or their own Shark brand?

cheers :)

Troppo

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Troppo,
What kind and diameter of bamboo are you working with?
I haven't tried the saws TribalWind mentioned, nor have I managed to get a fancy Japanese saw yet, though my wife let me try hers out (once ;)), which is nice for fine cuts. Fancier fine toothed (more expensive saws) should not be borrowed out as they may be dulled on return, which is why I don't mess with the missus' saw.
(will need to coax her to post info about it).

My latest favorite (affordable) pull type handsaw is the Vaughan Bear Saw - Extra Fine Cross Cut:
(... shown here harvesting Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse karr')
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/SawBearXF-5300.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1721) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/SawBearXF-5302.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1720)

Vaughan Bear Saw - Extra Fine Cross Cut

Specifications: Model BS240P Bear Saw
Blade - Fine (240RBP)
Blade Length - 9 1/2" (240mm)
Blade Width - 1 1/4" (320mm)
Blade Thickness - 0.024" (0.60mm)
Kerf - 0.037" (0.93mm)
Pitch - 17 TPI Cross Cut
Best cutting Angle - 0 - 15 degrees
Overall Saw Length - 15" (380mm)

This has been my latest favorite hand saw for harvesting bamboo which I've been using on our Phyllostachys aurea grove, up to around 2 1/4+" / 6cm diameter culms, and also on other various clumping bamboo.

Though I also use the other Medium - Coarse Bear Saw for harvesting larger diameter bamboo:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-821F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1251) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-818F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1252)

... and like the wider blade of the Medium - Fine Bear Saw for making cross cuts on larger diameter bamboo:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-039F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1253) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/506/thumbs/1MVC-042F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1254)

The reason I like the Extra Fine saw are as follows:

* A few more teeth per inch - 17 TPI (Extra Fine) vs 14 TPI (Med-Fine) vs 9 TPI (Coarse-Med)
When cutting green bamboo there is less fray.

* The width of the blade (1 1/4" / 3.2cm) - enables getting into narrow, difficult to manuver places, especially useful for clumpers.

* The blade is stiff yet flexible enough to cut in tight places and can take a bend without kinking.

* The blade is replaceable and reasonably priced.

Mark ... first blade still cutting along ... :)

[Troppo]

Hi Mark.

3" (75mm) max.

I hope to retire to the Andaman coast (8 deg N) in October & establish a grove asap.

The tool prices and choice you have in the US is remarkable, but for some reason, US firms are paranoid about going to the Post Office and posting a parcel outside the USA.

It costs $15 per pound, a no-brainer, & a 3 line form to fill in! Grrr... :rolleyes:

Rant over.

edit; 2 links for Vaughans
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/bearsaw_frameset.html
& http://www.toolpeddler.com/bearsaw.htm (prices)

Shark: http://www.sharkcorp.com/takumi.html

cheers

Troppo