Back Saws get their name from the steel or brass back (labelled on the diagram). The heavy back gives the saw its weight which is useful when sawing wood. The weight of the saw along with the forward sawing motion allows the saw to cut through woods relatively easily. The two main types are the tenon saw and the dovetail saw.
TENON SAW : for general sawing and cutting mortise and tenon joints.
DOVETAIL SAW : for cutting joints such as dovetails

HOW THE SAW IS HELD?

The saw has to be held in the hand carefully. The index finger must point in the direction of sawing and it also helps to support the whole saw as it moves forward. The saw must not move from side to side or it will jam in the wood making sawing difficult.

PROCEDURE FOR USING THE TENON SAW

1. The wood to be cut is marked out carefully using a try square and marking knife (see try-square information sheet).

2. When sawing a piece of wood, it is usually placed on a bench hook. The wood is held in position by the left hand whilst the right hand guides the saw so that the saw groove is straight (for left handed people - the other way round)

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ANIMATION ABOVE ?

Concentration is very important. The saw must always be held straight and the first few cuts with the saw must be made slowly. Once an initial groove has been cut sawing should be easier. However, slow down the cutting motion when the wood is almost sawn through - this will prevent the wood splitting as the saw finally cuts the wood into two pieces.

2. Try sawing a piece of scrap wood using a bench hook and tenon saw as shown in the animation. There is something wrong with the way the saw is held and its position. What is it?