Crosscut saw

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For other uses, see Cross cut.

A crosscut saw is a saw that is specially designed for making crosscuts. A crosscut is a cut made horizontally through the trunk of a standing tree, but the term also applies to cutting free lumber.

Crosscut saws have teeth that are designed to cut wood at a right angle to the direction of the wood grain. The cutting edge of each tooth is angled back and has a beveled edge. This design allows each tooth to act like a knife edge and slice through the wood, in contrast to a rip saw, which tears along the grain, acting like a miniature chisel. Some crosscut saws use alternating patterns of the cutting teeth along with others, called "rakers", designed to scrape out the cut strips of wood. Cross saws have much smaller teeth than rip saws, which are used to make straight cuts going along with the grain. Some saws, such as Japanese saws, are designed to cut only on the pull stroke. Western saws, on the other hand, are designed and sharpened to also cut on the push stroke.

[edit] Common Features

Many crosscut saws have a wooden handle with return edge at right angles to the un-toothed edge of the saw blade, allowing the saw to serve as a square for marking material to be cut at a right angle.

"Crosscut saw" is a blanket term that can include both buck saws and felling saws.

[edit] Trivia

• Albert King released a song on his 1967 album Born Under a Bad Sign titled "Crosscut Saw".