Shark Corp 10-2312 12-Inch Carpentry Saw

After this little guy got some use today I am going to be buying a set of Japanese saws. Excellent.This Shark Corp. 12" saw allowed me to make some very intricate pieces that I could only make with a hand saw; no rotary power saw could have done it. My subwoofer enclosure project is an old design I found online that I highly modified to maximize the available airspace for the driver to function at its potential.I took a design that was for a .23cf box and turned it into a .33cf one, and that means I had to break up many larger, simple pieces that had been used in the past by others and make the box much more form-fitting to the available space inside the armrest. I also gave up the remainder of the storage space to do this. Anyway, this left me with sixteen small, intricately shaped parts to assemble into a sealed box and no real way to cut them out accurately.I bought this saw in hopes that I could cut as accurately as I did with a *real* Japanese pull saw many years ago. I tried it; I love it.I was able to cut some very difficult parts with no real issues save for the relative slowness needed for accurate hand sawing.The blade bites deeply so that you can saw with only two fingers, using the saw's own weight as you work. The super-thin blade is flexible, but stayed true throughout the trough of my cuts. It was more easily controlled than the one I used in the 1980s. And for a hand saw that you use with little pressure, it cuts very quickly. I have used it on MDF and Baltic birch, so far. I have some hardwood I will try it on soon.It comes in a sort of storage pouch with this really badly made ziplock-type opening. Mine was blown apart when I got it. The pouch is basically junk. The saw blade is what you are really buying here, and this one is *very* nice for the price. The handle is solidly moulded and the blade lock works well. It is tight but easy to undo. The blade has a cheap, plastic blade guard. I *highly* recommend that you do NOT toss this out. These teeth are SHARP and you will cut yourself up if you do not store it with the blade guard installed. DAMHIK!The only tip of the hat to American saws and saw method is the pistol grip. A real Japanese saw for the Japanese market would have a straight handle wrapped in rattan. I would prefer that, I think, but this saw *did* out-perform the real one that I used in the 1980s. I think it is the pistol grip and my American way of seeing the task at hand. It works better for me to use this grip with this blade, I think. Not really sure.The long and the short of this review is that I highly recommend this saw to those who need accuracy and have the time to work towards that end; this saw can get you there.

This is a fantastic all-around carpentry saw. I started with a smaller Shark pull-saw for doing detail work, and after my experience with it, I really started noticing the shortcomings of my regular push-type crosscut handsaw. Since I bought this just two weeks ago, I've been using it pretty consistently, and it works great. I use it the most for finishing corners from a circular saw. I always used to use a regular push-type handsaw, but this one is so faster, more convenient, and makes cleaner cuts too. I've even used it on wet treated lumber (I cut a lot of stair stringers for an outdoor deck), and it cut through it just fine.I was initially concerned that the 12" blade would be too short for general work, but it's perfect for finishing corners and general trimming. It cuts so much faster than you would think from looking at the teeth, so precise short strokes just slice through the wood. The longer versions of this saw may be better if you're doing more extensive cutting (hand-cutting plywood, for example), but for general trimming, I'd go with the 12" one.Another nice feature is the stainless steel blade plastic handle, so a little dampness or moisture doesn't hurt it.The only criticisms are the handle doesn't look as sturdy as I would like, but I won't knock it until I see how it holds up over a while. It also doesn't rip cut nearly as well as it crosscuts, but that's no fault of the saw. Optimal performance in rip and cross-cutting take different tooth profiles, and this one appears to be oriented more towards crosscutting. It rip cuts just fine for small trimming and plywood, but for rip-cutting long stretches in sawn lumber, you'll want to get a saw with a more purposeful rip-cutting tooth profile.Overall, this is a great little saw that I wish I would have bought much sooner.

This is the BEST handsaw I have ever used. My brother has owned one for about five years, and put it through more abuse than I care to mention. Despite years of use, neglect, and among other things, cutting roots in soil, his saw still cuts almost as well as a new one. I finally got one for myself, and it is a joy to use. A handsaw that actually cuts effortlessly? Yes, this saw is it. It takes less than 20 seconds to cross cut a 2x4, and that's if you're trying to cut a straight line. A rough cut takes less time. Wet pressure treated lumber isn't a problem either. Takes a bit more time, but still a breeze. With so many power tools these days, corded and cordless, hand tools are often overlooked. However, the convenience of a hand tool can't be dismissed. Instead of having to drag out a bulky, heavy, noisy power saw, you can use this awesome saw and make a few quick cuts in the same time it would take to get ready to make the cuts with a power tool. The blade is thin, high carbon steel with hardended SHARP teeth. Easy to change too! The handle is comfortable in the hand. With a thin kerf and teeth this sharp, the pull stroke cutting action allows more precise control. Just an excellent tool. Make sure to keep the blade gaurd on the teeth when not in use to protect them, and yourself. Made in Japan.

It's good, better than most saws, so you can go ahead and buy it if you want. It cuts faster than most saws, but not like a power saw, so you have to be realistic in your expectations. It's accurate, but not absolutely accurate. It produces very little sawdust. The blade is flexible, so you still have to watch what you're cutting, though not as much as with conventional saws. The blade seems to be strong even though it is quite thin. You would have to take a pliers to it to really bend. It is sharp, so it is not hard to prick your finger. I checked the screw on the handle before I used it, so I had no problem with the handle coming off. It made my work faster and easier. This is a useful addition to anyone's tools.