Types of saw

By Tom Drake | 14th August 2023 | 5 min read

Find the perfect saw for your job

There are a huge range of different saws available, all with their own specialised uses. In this guide, we take you through all the different types of saw available so you can find the right one for the job.

Types of saw:

• Panel saw
• Coping saw
• Hacksaw
• Bow saw
• Plasterboard saw
• Tenon saw
• PVC saw
• Pruning saw
• Flush cut saw
• Compass saw
• Toolbox saw
• Pull saw
• Laminator saw
• Floorboard saw
• Block saw
• Dovetail saw

Panel Saws

Panel saws are probably the most common and recognisable type of saw.

Panel saws cut on both the push and pull stroke, which makes them a highly efficient tool. They can be used to quickly create straight or angled cuts in timber.

When choosing your panel saw, you’ll have a choice of different numbers of teeth per inch (TPI). A saw with a higher TPI will give you a finer finish. A saw with a lower TPI will give you a rougher finish, but you’ll be able to cut the timber faster.

Coping saws

A coping saw is a fine-toothed saw used for precision cutting in wood or plastic.

The blade on a coping saw is long and thin, with teeth that are very close together. These teeth face towards the handle of the saw and cut on the pull stroke, which allows extra control and precision when compared to other saw types. The blades of a coping saw are also thin and flexible, which allows it to follow a curve without bending or breaking.

Coping saws also feature removable blades. This means you can drill a hole in your material, place the blade through the hole then attach it to the saw to start working from the centre of the material.

Hacksaw

Hacksaws are a highly versatile saw that can be used for wood, metal, plastic, pipes and tubes. This makes them a really handy tool to keep in your tool bag in case you ever need to make quick cuts in any of these materials.

Hacksaws also feature removable blades that can be swapped out depending on the material you’re cutting.

Bow saw

Bow saws are designed to be used in the garden. They feature a large bow shaped handle which gives you lots of different grip positions. Bow saws also feature teeth that allow them to cut on the push and pull motion. This makes them a very efficient cutting tool, perfect for cutting trees and larger shrubs.

Plasterboard saws

Plasterboard saws, as their name suggests, are designed for cutting plasterboard. Also known as jab saws, they feature a pointed nose that can be used to push through plasterboard walls to help you start the cut. They're ideal for cutting small holes in plasterboard for light fixtures or plug sockets.

Tenon saws

Tenon saws are named after the tenon and mortice joints they were traditionally used to cut. They feature a stiffened blade and a high number of teeth per inch. This means they can make deep, accurate cuts without bending.

Alongside creating tenon and mortice joints, these saws are ideal for a range of other joinery projects, furniture making, and any other carpentry job which requires a fine and accurate cut.

PVC saws

PVC saws have specially designed teeth that allow them to cut through plastic and PVC with ease. These are mainly used for cutting PVC profiles and PVC pipes such as waste pipes.

Pruning saw

Designed to cut through wood in the garden, pruning saws are perfect for cutting smaller tree branches or shrubs if you don’t have a chainsaw. Unlike bow saws, pruning saws are lightweight and relatively small. This makes them easier to handle than larger saws and also makes it easier to cut in confined spaces, such as between branches.

Flush cut saw

Flush cut saws are designed to be used flush against a workpiece. They include a thin, flexible blade that won’t mark the workpiece and are used to cut off dowels and plugs to leave behind a flat surface.

Compass saw

Compass saws are designed to create curved cuts known as compasses in wood or plastic. They are also ideal for making cuts in difficult spaces where a large saw wouldn’t fit.

Toolbox saw

Toolbox saws are smaller versions of standard saws. As their name implies, they’re lighter and smaller so they can easily fit in a toolbox or be carried in a toolbag. They feature a push and pull cut for efficient cutting and are the perfect saw to keep on hand for any odd small sawing jobs.

Pull saw

Pull saws cut on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke. This, coupled with their thin blades and teeth, allows them to cut with greater accuracy than other saw types. They're ideal for making fine cuts, and cuts close to other materials.

Laminator saw

Laminate saws are designed to help you cut through laminate flooring with ease. As laminate flooring is hard and often composed of lots of different materials, laminate saws feature strong blades which are designed to cut through these layers, leaving behind a smooth cut.

Floorboard saw

Floorboard saws are specifically designed for cutting floorboards before or after they’ve been laid. They feature teeth on their rounded end which is designed to make it easier to start a cut in floorboards.

Block saw

Block saws have specially designed teeth to help you cut through aerated concrete blocks with ease.

Dovetail saws

Dovetail saws have been specifically designed to cut dovetail joints. These are a type of joint used to join two pieces of wood together. These joins require a high level of precision and dovetail saws feature a high teeth per inch count and a thin blade to help you achieve this.

Once you've decided which saw is right for you, take a look at our complete hand saw range. If you're undertaking a large DIY project, you might also want to consider power saws. Although these are a more costly option, if you're making a large number of cuts or accuracy is key, they will be worth it in the long run. Take a look at our guide to power saws for more information.