Newbie saw questions - hard to start cuts?

[lowell holmes]

I have three Lie Nielsen back saws, a dove tail saw and two carcass saws.
One carcass saw is filed crosscut and the other is filed rip. On the dovetail,
it doesn't make much difference, but on the carcass saws, it does.

[Warren Mickley]

Why is it preferred or better to start on the push stroke?

When you start on the back stroke the saw tends to crush fibers rather than cutting cleanly. These crushed fibers make it harder to start pushing than is the case with wood that is intact.

[Stewie Simpson]

Carcass Saws are sharpened to suit cross grain work.

[Bill McDermott]

Pat, I hear you. I learned to start by drawing back and that is simply how it was done for years. I still draw back to start very often. I suggested going for it with a push start to Monte because that was suggested to me, when I was trying to get better joinery cuts "off the saw". I tried the push start and it taught me how to control the downward pressure of the saw - and to develop confidence. It was an exercise that helped me saw more accurately which I do not think I would have tried had I not been challenged.

[lowell holmes]

They are awesome to use. I bought the Lie Nielsen dovetail saw in 2002 and the others as they were introduced.

As far as I am concerned, they set the standard. I like having the rip and crosscut tenon saws.

[steven c newman]

Look closely..
mortise jig.jpg
That is a Disston No. 4.....14", 11 ppi rip. Has been my "do-everything" backsaw.