Types of saws Hand saws

There are a number of different categories of saw, all with the same purpose of accurately making larger pieces of material into smaller pieces of material. The first and largest division is between hand-powered saws and mechanically powered saws.

Note that the names used for different types of saw are by no means universal. Names have changed over time and even today the same name may be used for different kinds of saws in different parts of the world or by different manufacturers. Also, the same saw may be referred to by different names.
Hand saws

Hand-powered saws fall into three divisions, which are defined by the way they hold the blade stiff (a requirement to get an even, clean cut).

A Hand saw uses either simply a blade thick enough to be stiff, or cuts on the pull stoke which reduces the stiffness requirement. This division includes the following specific types of saws:

* Crosscut saw, for making cuts perpendicular to the grain
* Rip saw, for cutting along the grain
* Hand saw, saws operated by hand as opposed to power saws
* Floorboard saw, with curved blade
* Japanese saw, hand saws that cut on the pull stroke with straight handles
* Keyhole saw or padsaw or compass saw, with narrow pointed blade
* Two-man saw, for cutting large logs or trees
* Plywood saw, fine-toothed blade to reduce tearing of plywood
* Veneer saw, two edged saw with fine teeth used to cut veneer

Although their use is dwindling the jigsaw and sabre saw (unpowered tools) may also refer to blade style saws.