wintersedge Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Most of the Japanese saws I have seen use disposable blade. I have seen a few saws that are close to $100 and I would assume that those are meant to be resharpened. Does anyone use Japanese saws and resharpen their blades? Do I need a special saw file to be able to do so? The triangle files I have from Lee Valley seem tailored for Western Saws. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 I sharpen regular handsaws, and backsaws, but I've never attempted to sharpen a Japanese saw. I don't see why you couldn't do it though. I use a Japanese saw for some things, but I just buy the 20 buck Irwins and toss it when it doesn't cut good any more. The only time I can think of when I use one is when bending the saw while cutting is a good thing-like narrowing a tenon without touching either shoulder. There are special files. A triangular file is too wide. As they say, a poorly sharpened saw will cut better than a dull one, so even a half-assed attempt should be better once it gets dull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Wilbur did a series on it a while back: http://giantcypress.net/tagged/Japanese_saw_sharpening/chrono ...and yes, the triangular files are for western saws only...as you'll see from WIlbur's series you use a different kind of file on Japanese saws. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Does anybody know where to get one of those files for sharpening Japanese saws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 A google search for "Japanese saw file" found many: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32951&cat=1,43072,43089&ap=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rozaieski Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 You need feather files for sharpening japanese saws. The smaller the saw teeth, the smaller the file, just like western saws. There are several retailers that sell them. Tools For Working Wood and Tools From Japan to name 2. Rip teeth are pretty easy as they're almost identical to filing western rip teeth. Crosscuts are a bit more of a challenge, but certainly doable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wm_crash Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 I have a diamond coated feather file that I have used on two saws (look for it on Amazon). It does a good job on impulse hardened saws. You have to be careful not to dig it too strong between teeth and rip out diamonds when you move it. Another thing that helps is evening out the set with a diamond stone. Two full length strokes on a medium grit does the trick. cheers, wm_crash, the friendly hooligan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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