Specifications
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Blade Length | 9.5 in (240 mm); long enough for straight, precise rip and cross cuts |
TPI | 9 & 15 TPI; coarse 9 TPI for fast rip cuts, fine 15 TPI for smooth cross cuts |
Blade Material | Japanese steel; stays sharp and resists wear |
Handle Type and Material | Hand-wrapped TOUMAKI-style handle; provides a comfortable, non-slip grip |
Saw Type | Ryoba double-edge pull saw; cuts on the pull stroke for cleaner edges |
Cutting Angle / Set | ASARI tooth set for smooth cutting |
Weight | 0.44 lb (0.2 kg); light for easy control |
Replaceable or Fixed Blade | Replaceable blade; swap in a new blade when cutting performance drops |
Note: We don’t test products ourselves. We review user feedback and/or community discussions to recommend top options with their necessary information. This info can be susceptible to misinterpretation.
The Good
- Sharp Cuts: Razor-sharp teeth slice through wood like butter, reducing effort and improving control.
- Clean Finish: Thin kerf leaves minimal waste and smooth edges, cutting down on sanding time.
- Effortless Stroke: Pull-action design and thin blade minimize user fatigue and require less force.
- Versatile Edges: Dual rip and crosscut blades tackle various tasks without swapping tools.
- Lightweight: At 0.44 lb (0.2 kg), it’s easy to maneuver for prolonged use.
- High Durability: Japanese steel holds its edge well through extended use.
The Bad
- Handle Quality: Plastic or polymer wrap feels cheap and may slip under use.
- Rip Performance: Coarse rip edge can snag and wander, making long-grain cuts challenging.
- Blade Durability: Occasional broken teeth and flimsy blade thickness raise longevity concerns.
- Ergonomic Strain: Straight, unpadded handle grip can cause wrist or elbow discomfort over time.
- Quality Control: Reports of teeth defects and damaged blades on arrival suggest inconsistent manufacturing.
What did others say?
This saw is a good entry into using Japanese hand saws.
Low handle-grip may cause accidental slips.
Scores
Feature | Details | Score (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
Blade Length | 9.5 in (240 mm) | 7 |
TPI | 9 & 15 TPI | 10 |
Blade Material | Japanese steel | 8 |
Handle Type | Hand-wrapped TOUMAKI | 8 |
Overall Score | – | 8.3/10 |
How does it compare with others?
Ryoba Saw | Blade Length Sc. (1-10) | TPI Sc. (1-10) | Blade Material Sc. (1-10) | Handle Type Sc. (1-10) | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUIZAN 9.5″ Ryoba | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8.3/10 |
1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 5.8/10 | |
7 | 9.5 | 6 | 8 | 7.6/10 |
Should you buy it?
Buy If:
- You need razor-sharp cuts with minimal effort.
- You want a lightweight tool for extended use.
- You appreciate having both rip and crosscut edges in one saw.
- You prioritize smooth finishes that cut down on sanding.
Don’t Buy If:
- You require a sturdier, non-slip handle grip.
- You rely heavily on long-grain rip cuts without snagging.
- You need a blade proven against broken teeth over time.
- You have wrist or elbow sensitivity and need extra ergonomics.
This Ryoba excels at precise pull-stroke cutting and versatility, but its handle and rip edge may disappoint under heavy or long-grain workloads. Consider your primary tasks before choosing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What materials can it cut?
This Ryoba pull saw is built specifically for wood—everything from softwoods (pine, poplar) to hardwoods (hard maple, walnut, osage orange), plus bamboo, melamine particleboard, baseboards, trim and small grooves or dovetail prep—delivering clean cross- and rip-cuts on boards, moldings, and frames.
It isn’t suited for non-wood materials like PVC pipe, plexiglass, porcelain tile, metal or bone, which either dull the blade quickly or cut poorly.
Does its blade retain sharpness over time?
The SUIZAN Ryoba’s thin, Japanese-steel blade holds a keen edge through months of typical hobby use—many users report it still cutting sharply after six months—thanks to its hard, tempered teeth.
When it does eventually dull or chip, you can swap in an affordable replacement.
Routine care includes keeping the blade clean, sheathing it when not in use, and tightening or re-epoxying the handle screw as needed to maintain stability.
While tooth breakage is rare, having spare blades on hand ensures uninterrupted performance.
Is it suitable for intricate or detailed cuts?
This Ryoba’s ultra-thin, trapezoidal blade and fine-tooth edge handle small grooves, fret slots, baseboard trims and even dovetail cuts with a steady hand.
Its pull-action keeps the kerf alive on your line—but it lacks the rigid spine of a Dozuki, so truly intricate joinery demands practice or a purpose-built backsaw.
Is it suitable for cutting curved or angled shapes?
The SUIZAN Ryoba excels at straight and angled cuts. Its narrow kerf and pull-action keep bevel and miter cuts crisp (even compound angles when used with a steady hand or miter guide).
But it isn’t designed for true curves or tight radii; you’ll maintain a straight path by applying minimal pressure and “letting the saw do the work,” yet for intricate curved shapes a finer-tooth coping or fret saw remains a better choice.
The Grain Bros was started to serve woodworkers who can’t find products for their specific use case. We found out that there are not many media outlets extensively covering this topic. That’s why, we are here, to do the research and find the perfect products for your next DIY project. So you don’t have to juggle your tools and laptop at the same time.