Dozuki Recommendations

[Jim Eller]

I'm looking to purchase my first "eastern" saw and I'm not a hand tool guy. No flaming please.:)

I will not be using it for dovetails just general cutting when I need to do small jobs and need a good cut.

Recommendations and reasons please.

Thanks,
Jim

[Maurice Ungaro]

Believe it or not, the Dozuki "Z", which can be had at Woodcraft, was rated rather high about 2 years ago from FWW. Other than that, I would check out the offerings from Lee Valley. I have a Silky dozuki, which folds up into the handle. It seems pretty good, but I bought it from Highland Woodworking on a trip last year basically because it came in a promotional pack with an extra blade. Like I said, it seems like a good saw to me.

[Dale Osowski]

The Mitsukawa hardwood ryoba from Hida is very nice, about $90.00. If your not planning on cutting dovetails and want a saw for general use a ryoba would be a better choice than a dozuki. However, if you do want a dozuki Hida also has a great Mitsukawa in either rip or crosscut. If you decide to cut dovetails, you can still do so with a ryoba.

[Casey Gooding]

+1 on the Z saw. I really like mine.

[Pam Niedermayer]

Please read the Best Japanese Dovetail Saw for the Money (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=130356) thread, then come back.

Pam

[Bob Strawn]

I'm looking to purchase my first "eastern" saw and I'm not a hand tool guy. No flaming please.:)

I will not be using it for dovetails just general cutting when I need to do small jobs and need a good cut.

Recommendations and reasons please.

Thanks,
Jim


Starting out, I don't know how you could do better than get a Razorsaw 650. (http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/index.php?pr=Razorsaw_650) Some might prefer the 651, but I think the slightly stiffer saw blade is better to start with.

You can get one here. (http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=316_318_437&products_id=614)

The wider blade of the ryoba lets me look down the blade and line it up with better accuracy than a saw with a spine would let me.

I love my Gyokucho saws. (http://www.razorsaw.co.jp/english/kikaku.htm)

Bob

[Jim Eller]

As usual, thanks for the good and quick info.

Seeing I have a Woodcraft in the area I may start with a look at the "Z".

Still open to suggestions.

Jim

[Jerome Hanby]

It's not exactly what you were asking about, but I picked up one of these Shark Saws (http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Corp-10-2440-Fine-Cut/dp/B0000224U3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1265209443&sr=8-1) to try. They got good reviews, and were about $20, so didn't cost me much to try this style saw. I haven't used it more than twice, but it cuts well. Also picked up one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Shark-10-2204-Dowel-Dovetail-Detail/dp/B00004TBPU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1265209610&sr=8-3), but haven't made any cuts with it yet.

[Bob Strawn]

Lee Valley (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1,42884,50663&p=50663) has a really nice Kugihiki (Flushcut) Item number 60T0621. It is fine toothed, has no kerf and does a great job on dovetails.

http://www.battlering.com/woodworking/images/Japanese%20Saws/Japanese%20Saw%2015.JPG

I have tried quite a few Japanese Saws. The Z saws are good, If you stone them carefully, you can improve the finish they cut and have a fairly amazing saw.

My sharks I reserve for cutting pvc pipes and stuff. They take abuse and a few missing teeth don't matter.

the Bakumas tend to drift on me, so I have no love for them.

If you go high end, there are saws that will beat the RazorSaw 650 ryoba. The high end saws require a bit more care and skill to use.

None of the replaceable bladed saws I have used come close to being as nice as the 650. I prefer the Lee Valley Kugihiki for really thin wood and small cuts. With deep cuts, the lack of kerf can make this saw a pain however, so for the most part I prefer the 650 It will leave behind a finish equal to 220 sandpaper or even better, while making a straight cut. It is also pretty fast.

Bob

[James Carmichael]

Believe it or not, the Dozuki "Z", which can be had at Woodcraft, was rated rather high about 2 years ago from FWW.

+1 on the WC Dozuki. They frequently go on sale for $29.99. I believe it's the same saw Tashiro hardware sells as their Dovetail Saw.

[Jim Eller]

Bob,

That's quite an assortment. I'm just lookin' for one saw to grab when I need to make a quick smooth cut.

You said, "The high end saws require a bit more care and skill to use." Some of those words aren't in my vocabulary. I'm a power tool kinda guy. If ya need hearing protect to use it, I like it:D

I really admire hand tool guys. I wish I could do it, but it's just not my style. I think the key work for hand tools for me is "patience".

Thanks,
Jim

[Dell Moore]

Hey Jim!

Don't forget, whatever you buy, get one that has replacement blades that are EASY TO FIND! Remember the headache I ran into at Rockler last weekend??? :eek:

Dell

[Bob Strawn]

Hey Jim!

Don't forget, whatever you buy, get one that has replacement blades that are EASY TO FIND! Remember the headache I ran into at Rockler last weekend??? :eek:

Dell

I have five spare unused 650 blades. And I am on a pretty tight budget. This saw makes me look like I know what I am doing, so I don't want to do without it. Ever.:rolleyes:

Bob

[Jim Eller]

I have five spare unused 650 blades. And I am on a pretty tight budget. This saw makes me look like I know what I am doing, so I don't want to do without it. Ever.:rolleyes:

Bob

Yer right Bob.

That pic had me fooled:)

[Kent A Bathurst]

......bought it from Highland Woodworking on a trip last year..........

A-HA!! Once an addict, always an addict, eh Maurice? You made it sound like you had kicked the habit.:D