Short backed saws used to be common in western tool catalogues, the stubby spine providing a little extra support for the blade whilst still allowing deep cuts to be made, for example when ripping down panels and sheet goods. In Japan short backed saws are still made and very popular. The Gyokucho 400 Ibarame Kataba has quite a stiff blade and 13 crosscut teeth per inch. This saw is excellent for crosscutting timber to length, sizing panels in solid timber and sheet goods, or making square or angled cuts for large scale joinery. It leaves a smooth surface and almost no breakout on the exit side.
The blades of Gyokucho saws are treated using a process called electroless nickel plating, this has three functions. Firstly, it protects the blade against corrosion, secondly it provides a nice shiny mirror surface, and thirdly its low friction properties inhibit resins and sap from building up on the blade - anything that does manage to get stuck to them can easily be washed off with warm soapy water. The teeth are differentially impulse hardened, one by one, bringing the outer surfaces to RC68 or more whilst still leaving the root of the tooth soft and therefore much less prone to fracture - not unlike tiny Japanese sword blades. They are equally happy working in softwoods or temperate hard woods and can, with care and a light touch, be used on exotic timbers too.
The ibrame has what Gyokucho describe as 'super hardened' crosscut teeth, making a wonderful saw for clean accurate cuts on tough sheet materials, veneered ply and composites.
- Blade length 240mm
- Overall length 550mm
- Blade thickness 0.6mm
- Pitch 1.9mm / 13 tpi
- Set 0.125mm per side
- Max depth of cut = unlimited
- Traditional rattan wrapped paulownia wood handle
- Replacement blade = Part No S400
The TPE handle version can be found here - Gyokucho 400 TPE Proton Power Saw Ibarame Kataba 240mm
