Japanese pull saw metal?

weo

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Sep 21, 2014
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Hello all. Was wondering if anyone knows the metal on the Japanese pull saws from Japan Woodworker. I've got 4 older blades and they seem to be pretty stainless. Wondering if they'd be good for pattern welding.
Thanks
~billyO
 
I don't know if they are good for pattern welding but I wouldn't trade mine for a brand new Stihl chainsaw.

I think a flexible pull cut saw is the best thing since sliced bread. I use for everything from plumbing in hard to reach spots to fine Work on guitars.

I know this doesn't help I just can't imagine doing something like that with mine as long as they have teeth.
 
THe very best ones were traditionally made from high carbon steel similar to W2. Today, who knows what a commercial saw is made out of?????
 
Stacy is right .After spending years learning to sharpen all kinds of saws - today more and more they are now throw away types ! Other things like files have changed also.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm assuming it's some sort of high carbon steel as there aren't carbide tips. Any suggestions on what I should pair it with (my current knife stock is limited to 1080, 1095 and O1) or should I just start playing?
Thanks again
~billyO
 
First, find out if it is stainless or carbon steel ( pull saws don't have carbide teeth). You can sand a piece and put in FC to see how fast it darkens. Carbon will turn dark almost immediately. Then do a test HT on a piece by heating to 1500F for 5 minutes and quenching in your best oil. If it hardens, it is carbon steel.

Pair it with O-1 for a good contrast. 1080 and 1095 are too similar to W2 to get much contrast.
 
Thanks, Stacy. I'll hopefully have time to try in the next couple of weeks and will let y'all know what I find.
~billyO
 
I can't help with what alloy the blades are made of, but the lack of surface corrosion on Gyokucho brand ("Razorsaw") blades is explained by "electroless nickel plating". We wear out about a dozen or so of these saw blades a year, so I'll be interested to see what you find.
 
Electroless nickel is nickel with some phosphorus which actually can be hardened to a small degree. It has been used on some firearms
 
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