Nakaya Eaks - rip cut questions

[Brian]

I'm looking for a replaceable blade saw that works well in hardwoods for a rip cut. I've used up the Mitsukawa 'hardwood' rip cut dozuki and I'm looking to move on.

I'm finding that I really only use a dozuki for fine dovetails, larger dovetails (case sized) move along quicker with a small ryoba.

Am I on the right track considering the Nakaya Eaks rip saw. IIRC I saw Chris is using one, Chris how do you like yours?

Do you guys find that you can clean up the teeth a saw file once or so? I'd like to get a little more time out of these saws if possible.

[djwong]

I have used the Nakaya Eaks for dovetails and joinery in 1/4" and 3/8" thick stock. Mostly birch, some live oak, and cedar. Even with a light touch, I somehow managed to break a couple of crosscut teeth. I have never tried to resharpen the rip teeth. My overall impression of the saw is that it requires more skill to use than I possess. The saw plate is so thin that it is very easy to bend in the cut and cause the cut to wander. The 0.2mm kerf is very seductive however...

[Vips]

This may not match your requirements exactly, but I've been considering this saw recently, http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Gyo ... 300mm.html

[Brian]

Thank you both!

David, thanks for sharing your experience. I bought a diamond file in the hopes that I can give the teeth a slight touch up on the Mitsukawa (it's the akagane line, IIRC). Outside of that I may see if Teshiba can track down a good saw to replace it that offers a replaceable blade.....or I may go the opposite direction and just buy one I can sharpen.

I like the replaceable blade saws on the whole, especially the ryoba's and crosscut saws since they can loose teeth a little easier. However I might be making a mistake in sticking with them for the rip cut.

[Chris Hall]

Hadn't heard of an 'Eaks' saw before, and then looked them up and realized it is what they are calling the kumiko-use saw now. I have a couple of them, one rip and one cross cut. I find them durable enough, and have been ripping bubinga with the rip saw without any issues with breakage. They are delicate, all the same.

[Brian]

Thanks Chris! If they stand up to bubings they will handle pretty much anything I will throw at it.

[indranil]

The Nakaya saws seem fragile at first but even for a low skill woodworker like myself they work wonderfully well. I use them on hard woods, typically Teak, Ash and even Saal and they said through withiout a problem. The cross cut saw is particularly fast - easily the fastest saw I possess. I find the saws work well if left to work themselves, meaning with little or no pressure they will cut cleanly and quickly.

[Brian]

I have the crosscut and like it a lot. Glad these are holding up well in hardwoods. All told I may end up buying both the Nakaya and a mitsukawa handmade.

[Jack Straus]

Just a heads up - the "Suizan" brand saws, available for a good price on Amazon, seem to be re-branded Nakaya. I bought the small flush cutting saw this week and "Nakaya" is stamped on the handle. In case anyone is looking to get into these saws or needs replacement blades cheap.

[Chris Hall]

Here's a link for those interested:

https://www.amazon.com/SUIZAN-Japanese- ... B0725WJDB1

Sure looks like the Nakaya product in the pics.