A handsaw is a cutting tool with a flat metal blade that has sharp teeth along one edge and a handle at one end. You grip the handle and push and pull the saw back and forth across wood, and the teeth bite into the material with each stroke, gradually cutting through it.

Handsaws come in different types for different jobs. A crosscut saw has teeth designed to cut across the grain of wood, while a ripsaw cuts along the grain. A hacksaw uses a thin, fine-toothed blade held in a frame and can cut through metal pipes or plastic. Carpenters keep several handsaws in their toolboxes because each type excels at specific tasks.

Before power tools became common, handsaws were essential for building houses, making furniture, and countless other projects. Even today, many woodworkers prefer handsaws for precise cuts or when working in places without electricity. Using a handsaw well takes practice: you need steady pressure, the right angle, and a smooth rhythm. The satisfaction of making a clean, straight cut with a handsaw comes from the direct connection between your effort and the result.