japanese saws

The sizing of teeth in Japanese saws is generally directionally proportional to the size of the saw itself. A larger saw usually means a larger tooth pattern, meaning a saw can cut faster and more aggressively, but the finish it leaves will be rougher. The smaller a Japanese saw is, the finer the teeth, which are capable of leaving extremely fine surfaces, but require more strokes to achieve the same cut. Japanese saw teeth are also graduated along the saw blade — often, the teeth closest to the handle are smaller and finer than the teeth farthest away, which are intentionally larger. This allows the user to start the cut with the fine teeth and progress to the more aggressive teeth once a kerf has been established.

Gyokucho Gyokucho saw blades receive a special surface treatment called electroless nickel plating. The plating produces a very smooth surface that resists corrosion and the adhesion of tree resins as well as providing a reflective surface that can be used to accurately align the cut. The teeth of Gyokucho saws are hardened by a highly developed version of impulse hardening - only the very tip of the tooth is hardened to well over RC67 (harder than a file) while leaving the interior soft for maximum strength. This extremely precise differential hardening process is the secret behind Gyokucho's reputation for unparalleled quality among woodworkers worldwide.