How to saw CORRECTLY

[@MattEstlea]

Like the workbench? Watch me make it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImuiqqDZctojbc&t

[@waynerodgers8733]

Hey Matt, when will you be producing more videos? Love watching you mate

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

I wish everybody who makes how-to videos for KZbin would study how you do yours. Your videos are quite possibly the very best how-to videos on KZbin. Always in focus, always within the frame of the camera, always well-spoken and concise, and never a waste of time.

[@mikew5775]

I've been a carpenter and joiner for forty plus years and this is the best instruction on this topic I've ever seen. (And no fast forwards accompanied by irritating, distracting, or occasionally seizure inducing music! A+ !!!)

[@1pcfred]

My grandfather was a carpenter and he always told me, Let the saw do the work. So I sit my saws out in my shop and them lazy things ain't cut no wood yet on their own! But I am a patient man so I'll wait.

[@HouseholdDog]

@@1pcfred Bloody unions.

[@1pcfred]

@@HouseholdDog saws act the same individually as they do collectively.

[@HouseholdDog]

@@1pcfred Maybe, but they have all been on strike since the stone age.

[@SeanCarlo95]

@@1pcfred same here. I tried doubling their pay. Still not doing their work

[@robertbuckley9303]

Excellent teaching technique. It reminds of the old Army technique that I followed during years of teaching medical students : "Tell them what you're about to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them."

[@PapaJoeWalsh]

Exactly what I needed today! I was about to accept that I am never going to saw a straight line! Thanks for another great video Matt - short, entertaining and incredibly relevant.

[@bryanh6856]

Funny, when you first started talking about grip pressure on the saw, and showing the way you can hold it with just one finger, it reminded me exactly what I teach my students in golf.... then you said the exact quote I always repeat. It’s actually credited to Sam Snead, one of the best golfers of all time “grip the club like you were holding a baby bird” also my old club pro said “grip the club like an open tube of toothpaste and try not to squeeze it all over yourself. Matt I absolutely love your videos. You have as much skill for teaching as you do for your Woodworking. Keep it up!

[@ThirdCoastCraftsman]

Matt, you have a great gift of narration and explaination. Are all British folks like you so gifted at articulating what they are doing? I struggle so much with that in my videos, and dread talking to the camera! I soooo wish I could talk so effortlessly like you! Keep up the good work mate!

[@MattEstlea]

I hope to do a video in the future on how I film and edit my videos. Trust me that there are sooo many re-takes in each of these videos that it can take me up to an hour sometimes more to film each one. When you watch the next video, notice the amount of cuts that are happening after every couple of sentences. That cut is usually me getting rid of 5 attempts to say the same sentence whether I've stumbled on my words, someone walks past the window and looks in, or if my explanation doesn't come out clear enough. It still doesn't come natural to me but that's where the power of editing comes into play!

[@ThirdCoastCraftsman]

Ok, well that makes me feel a little better. I usually takes me 5-10 takes just to do a quick into. Forget me trying to do explainations of what Im doing live. I have better luck with voice over for whatever reason. I need to push myself to get in front of the camera more. It helps the audience connect a little better. Looking forward to that next video.

[@MattEstlea]

Yea so I've just finished rendering a 15 minute video. Started with an hours worth of awkward silences, mistakes, and forgetting what I was saying! It's weird to start with but I'm definitely becoming more relaxed in front of the camera. Practice makes perfect!

[@TermiteUSA]

Paul Sellers is the Best

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Yes, when it comes to a natural, relaxed, narration, Paul Sellers is certainly the master. His videos have virtually no edits. Mind you, he's been doing it a bit longer than Matt! For skill and clarity of explanation, though, I don't think there is much to chose between them. A video featuring both, talking about the pros and cons of a particular project, as it was being made, would certainly be instructive and entertaining.

[@pgmreallaw]

This young man is a great teacher!!

[@ElCampiador]

Excellent tutorial, most people think sawing is easy but you have demonstrated the logic of thinking when sawing.

[@argentorangeok6224]

I just went into the garage and, following these techniques even with a cheap old unsharpened saw, made an infinitely more precise crosscut through a 2x6 than I have ever made in my life. Wow. Thank you for this.

[@pemtax557]

Great job Matt, you are a natural teacher ... your attention to the little details, that to often escape the casual instructor, are often the big details to the novice. I love watching your tutorials, it's rare that I don't pick up something new that I can make good use of. The amazing thing is that you are relatively new to woodworking at 5 years, you're a natural. Cheers ...

[@myema5694]

I don't saw too frequently but every time I do I figure there has to be a more efficient way. Thanks for showing me the 'right' way to saw. Great instruction and camera work.

[@masondnatube]

Best sawing video I've seen. Starting the sawing forwards instead of back (western saw) and using the reflection in the saw were new to me. Fantastic videos generally, good humour and very good production so well done :)

[@SethsProject]

Also it’s good to notice how much of the saw you are using. Beginners tend to use very tiny strokes as opposed to using the full length of the saw. This can take a lot longer to cut. Small strokes to establish the cut, and longer strokes to cut fast :)

[@MattEstlea]

Yep! And you've paid for all those teeth, why not use them!

[@markywellsboy2182]

Used to work with a bloke that was an absolute butcher with tools. Saw him go through needle files like tooth picks on a metal work job once. All worn through on the 2 inches in the middle. They weren't even his and the bloke who they belonged to was going nuts. "LONG, SLOW STROKES! USE ALL OF THE BLOODY FILE!!"

[@innocentoctave]

A really useful introduction. I've always admired the ability of woodworkers to hand saw accurately to a line. This should help anyone who is willing to put in the necessary practice.

[@maxhallmark9]

You are quickly becoming my favorite instructional YT woodworker. Your concise, and full of practical knowledge to apply regardless of skill level, keep up the good work.

[@eliegbert8121]

ditto

[@davidhester9716]

Great video on sawing, the best I have ever seen. You must be a born teacher! Best wishes for a successful career.

[@mrfunnynames1742]

I'm 43 and this is the best I have seen as finally have a huge house with lots of repairs :)

[@donschweitzer3045]

Matt, Just saw this piece….been inconsistent in starting my box joints….this helped immensely….thanks for posting, Regards Don

[@snapperpaul3]

Just discovered your page - and proof that I have been doing it wrong for 45 years+ and why I've never been able to see well - now to pick up a saw correctly.

[@benbennett354]

Hands down (not near anything sharp) best teacher out there.

[@eyalbension6059]

i have never watched a woodworking technique tutorial explained so well as this one. well done and thank you!

[@jimwilliams2682]

Excellent explanation of how to use a saw. I will start practicing in the morning.

[@wotdoiknow8573]

Another great video ! One thing that I noticed that others sometimes don't mention is that there is absolutely no movement of your workpiece. No vibration or wobbling which can put people off sawing. Your workbench is commendable. Holding workpieces firm, tight and safely is the first thing to consider, whether working by hand or machine. Well done. I will be recommending your channel to others.

[@rockrebell]

With the right saw, sawing straight is no problem. The problem starts when a line is involved that has to be followed O:) I have really learned a lot from such videos, thank god we have the internet and youtube, and thank god we have fine folks like you to share their knowledge. Thanks a lot for your efforts :)

[@moshekwart4043]

I agree with all of the previous praise. This is real content, excellently presented by someone that knows his stuff.

[@friendlypiranha774]

Wow Matt, I wish you were my woodwork teacher back in grade 6. I would (wood😂) have learned all the correct techniques back then and had 45 years experience by now. Sadly, I have not touched a saw, or any other tools for decades because I was told I was useless at it. Now, in my late fifties, I am trying my hand at it again and am loving it. Thank you so much😀

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

I applied your advice today. By some magic, it worked even for me! Straight cuts at last. Off to do more practicing to really embed the technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrFreesearcher]

A good reason for pulling back on the first cut with a Western saw is to reduce the risk of break out. Many softwoods, such as cheap pine, has a nasty habit of tear out on the first stroke. I always give one pull back, just to mark the wood before cutting.

[@JamesFunkify]

Good day Matt. As a retired teacher, may I say you have excellent teaching technique! I'm relatively new to wood working and your videos are informative and readily understandable. Thanks for this excellent work. Kudos from CAnada, and keep it up!!

[@afidram]

Nice camera focus work - up close shots are a big help in showing what you’re discussing. Nice work!

[@GodotWorld]

It's amazing how we take so many things for granted. I always thought my problem with using these saws was that I've only ever owned cheap saws and while they get the job done they just never did it as well as I like. One of the biggest things I can honestly say I took for granted was "western saws cut on the push stroke". Such a small piece of information that completely changes how you think about the act of sawing. That said, I bough myself a ryobi saw because I've seen a lot of people using them on youtube lately and it was only $30. The thing is a dream to use compared to my push saws. The big thing I find is using it is I stand inline with my cut with both hands on the saw and that helps me stay really square with what I'm cutting and I've gotten much better results with just having that saw in the last few days than with all the western style saws I've had over years of use. I think the Japanese saws are pretty idiot proof in their design.

[@FredomSeeker1969]

Matt thank you for the clear explanation. Now, I'm off to erase twenty years of bad habits.

[@sheldoncarpenter6291]

Nice video! I'm an old woodworker, and I still watch videos like yours because you can never stop learning, and I got a couple of handy tips from you!

[@gordroberts53]

In one short video, you've corrected a lifetime of poor practice, especially do not drag to begin the cut. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[@yinn2yang]

fantastic video... being disabled i've always had a problem with my cuts being angled... this has really helped... thanks

[@petersmedley459]

Depth of knowledge, great skill, first rate communication; Matt, you are a fabulous craftsman and a first rate teacher. Thankyou for your investment of time to produce such an excellent library of techniques and inspiration. As an aside, I cannot for the life of me understand who would downvote your video...perhaps they need a tutorial in manoeuvring their thumbs correctly....either that or just thumbs!

[@sparkyenergia]

As a newbie I've found that starting the cut at the back and the angling the blade right over to start the cut at the front has given me a natural point of reference to slide back to for the back of my cut. Hard to explain, but it gives me some muscle memory of where the blade need be for the back of the cut and just helps out on getting the angle right. I still struggle with cutting plum, practice is getting me there though.

[@sharissejones2874]

I just found your channel and I love the way to teach. I watched two videos and learned a lot about why my cuts don't come out right sometimes. You make it very easy to correct my mistakes. Keep up the great videos. Thank you.

[@emma_freerider]

You are a natural professor, excellent way of teaching, thank You from México

[@Ed-lz4jv]

I just got my LV carcass saw today, did a Crosscut thru cherry, saw videos like this before hand, main thing I did was light as a feather start, almost perfect cut thru, Still learned even more with this video

[@riskmandel1]

Man, I watched this video and went out to the bench to test this. Wow. Suddenly I can cut straight. Thank you!

[@vutukurukarthik3950]

Thank you for showing the right way to saw the wood. By watching this I have got something about sawing. Sir, please make a video about the sawing of mild steel. Thank you Sir, thanks from India. Good explanation Sir.

[@jamesreilly3058]

It can be hard to find good instructions on something like handsaw technique but you have covered everything I was wondering about. Well done.

[@gummistreiterl]

this changed so much for me thank you! i had a lot of problems cutting straight down in a 90° but this helps me a lot! :)

[@casb2480]

This is hands down one of the best tutorials I have ever seen

[@zachadams3492]

I have a touch of the 'tism, and those close-up shots of the saw, along with the thought process, reaaallllyy helped me learn what I couldn't from some other videos! Thanks!

[@nikkion2140]

Thanks a million for this. I will try out as I am a total beginner and never held a saw in my life and my cut lines went wonky!. Wish me luck. Bless.

[@ianturner6062]

Didn't anyone else notice? That is probably the most beautiful work bench I have ever seen! Look at the dove-tail at the right hand end of the bench, for example!

[@jtscustomcutlery317]

Thank you for this. It’s really going to help and I cannot wait to get my saw back in my hand

[@duncanpotter5838]

Thanks much Matt. All my cuts suck. Watching this vid, I think I was making every single mistake you talk about. I am going to make a lot of sawdust today trying to follow your instructions.

[@rickgoebel6724]

Holy crap! In under 15 minutes you explained and showed how to use a saw which has dispelled 50 years of useless bogus data that others have shown me that made my woodworking stink. Thank you so very much. Time to go find where i tossed them.

[@davidharvey5672]

I enjoyed watching this, my sawing is awful and it's about time i did something about it. Thanks

[@stefanhansen5882]

Extraordinary and super nerdy! As someone who has used only my head since birth, and only now is beginning to use my hands for anything of value this is great! Thanks a lot! :)

[@schlaubiderzweite2144]

Yeah, the bady bird. Saw (noPunIntended) this one incomming. Great videos Matt! I´m just a beginner in woodworking, so I´m literally binge watching your videos to get ideas what to improve while working with this beautiful material. Keep up the fantastic work and greetings from Germany.

[@fededamian]

If I ever manage to make a diy workshop at home I’ll make a shrine with your picture in it. Your videos are beyond didactic, top notch quality with a great power of synthesis / get to the point. I really appreciate all your content thank you very much for doing this!

[@stephenmaestas6426]

Well done Matt! I wish I had had you as my shop teacher in JR high school but you hadn't been born yet.

[@DelawareRick]

And now I know how much I DIDN'T know about sawing. Great video, Matt!

[@stuarthartley6824]

Great series of videos Matt, I’ve been enjoying loads of them. Nice and clear explanations with no flannel, perfect!

[@zetaconvex1987]

Many thanks for the video. As a clueless noob, I found it very instructive.

[@askemarina3542]

Thank for the great video Matt. I had bought one of these Veritas saws (based on a Paul Sellers video) but was frustrated with my inability to use it correctly, so I gave up and bought a Japanese saw. I think it's time to revisit the Veritas. I can't believe you have gone 5 years without resharpening it- that is crazy considering how often chisels and planes get sharpened.

[@mxrider525TC]

Great video and demonstration. I picked up a few things from it. Appreciate what you taught

[@MrWireguy]

HI Matt, Thanks for these great videos. Trying my hand at dovetails and the tips that you are providing will certainly help me along the woodworking continuum. I recall watching my father sawing when I was a kid and thinking what the hell is he on about with all the ceremony??? Now I know, and that's why he could cut straight and true. Thanks again.

[@PaulSmith-ml2bh]

Great video Matt. Clear, precise tips. Thanks.

[@timothyball3144]

I liked the speed that you talked in this one. The info was great too.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

This is really well executed, as are all of your videos. I’ve been painstakingly sharpening the full length of the blade to 25 for years. It’s a royal pain. I love the idea of a small 30 degree secondary. I’m gonna start doing that. I’m all for less work and more efficient. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge

[@Fugnuk2047]

I brought one of these saws in 2012 for some projects, after numerous attempts I thought either the saw was dodgy or I was attempting to cut the incorrect wood with the saw. Great tips, can finally bust this out on some timber tomorrow.

[@CarlStammerjohn]

Excellent instruction. I would add that keeping your non-dominant hand on the workpiece (or maybe the bench) keeps you anchored and more stable.

[@MyVinylRips]

These videos are so good. You 've really got a talent for teaching this stuff. Thanks so much! Who cares about a bit of microphone noise!

[@roncamilleri9757]

Really love how you put these tutorials together very informative, keep up the good work young man

[@gav2759]

Many moons ago, as a callow youth I tried starting a cut with a rip saw by dragging it back. The big teeth caused it to jump around, but I was committed to the forward stroke and the before I could stop it I had cut half up my thumbnail. It was a salutary lesson, along with my journeyman's advice to "always start a cut on the push stroke". something I have managed to do on every subsequent occasion. Can I publicly thank Bill for his guidance, but a few seconds earlier would have been great.

[@tomleurquin9320]

Nice video. I'm a beginner but have always had difficulty cutting a straight line or an angled cut for dovetails. I'm glad you emphasized that it takes LOTS of practice to get that muscle memory and skill. I need to just go practice cutting lines one after another and perhaps after doing it a few hundred times I'll have the skill.

[@DeborahWeake]

Great video, just the right amount of detail, thanks so much

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Well I wasn't making all the mistakes you refer to but enough. Thanks Matt, I'm sure this is going to help me saw to my lines much much better

[@BitsOfEternity]

Fantastic video! Awesome techniques and advice! The sawing motion reminds me of moving a cue back and forth when playing billiards. The goal is to move the arm in a straight motion along a single plane, pivoting along the shoulder on the same axis. Cheers m8!

[@richnfamous59]

thanks - great video, well explained and demonstrated I have two comments to add: the first is the height of the saw, ie a carcass saw vs a gentleman's. for the taller saw, any given movement at the top of the saw results in a smaller angular deflection, and so is easier to control secondly, if you're using a Japanese ryoba (double-sided) saw, it's easier to start a rip (or dovetail) cut with the crosscut side, which typically has more tpi than the rip side

[@jimmyrocket02]

Ha! The first thing I make my daughters do when they pick up a saw is to say "light, like a baby bird" to themselves. Awesome instruction here.

[@TheWoodWorkingPilot]

Great technique video! Thanks! It would be great if you could make one that focuses just on Japanese saws - how to grip, how much pressure, where to focus your eyes, etc... I've yet to find a video like that and I'd love to improve my Japanese saws technique as I'm new to them, and there's probably plenty of other people in a similar situation. I'm not even sure wether I should hold them with 1 or 2 hands on that LONG handle :)

[@dal2888859]

Thanks for the tips! Yesterday I continued work on my wife's podium I am making out of mahogany, ambrosia maple, white oak and cherry. Ambitious first woodworking project for sure. I am using through tenons in 6 places, 2 through tenons, through tenons (Bottom cross brace will be through tenons through the through tenons at the bottom of the legs. There's no way to make sense of that in words, I think) at the feet, wedge tenons at the top, and regular mortise and tenon joints in the center panel. I tried to cut the mortises with my newly sharpened chisel set after hogging out the centers with my drill press, and ended up blowing out the backside of the mahogany feet that i had already cut. I know I screwed up the order of build by shaping my feet before cutting the through tenons, and that is a lesson learned. I should have cut my through mortises before I shaped the wood I think. Could you make a video of cutting through tenons? I have seen several videos, i.e. Paul Sellers, et al, but I'd like to see your method. Really enjoyed your workbench build. What a beast! Was drooling the whole time. Many thanks!

[@TheWoodYogi]

Your videos give good info in a very understandable and clear way. Really enjoying these. Thanks :) ॐ

[@MattEstlea]

That's what I like to hear! Cheers!

[@samfoster5380]

Thank you!!!! I thoroughly enjoy your videos, they are straight to the point and highly informative. Nice one!

[@jeffhickman2606]

Fantastic video: following your well articulated and filmed methodology has dramatically improved my own sawing. Thank you!

[@shawnvogel7975]

What a great video! I have been wanting to watch a video like this for at least a year now. Thanks so much for the tips! Wish my Bad Axe saw was here so I can make some sawdust! Thanks again, awesome video!

[@robsaxepga]

So I went and tested this. First time, straight cut! I was surprised. Thank you!

[@bulliethepirate]

Perfect instructions Matt. Thanks a lot for all the content your produced!

[@jasongriffin4790]

Great video. I've been using wood and saws for 6 or 7 years, still picked up a few very helpful tips from this video!

[@juanavila9965]

Thanks for the info! am new at this as a hobby when am not training at the gym .you have a very especial talent young man.from Texas keep up the good job and god bless!

[@jasinAmsterdam1976]

This is enjoyable to watch!! Just starting my woodworking journey and this is great and usefull advice, thank you 👍

[@Ron-FabandBuild]

Great video Matt. Hitting the key points, some of which I had forgotten over the years of not hand sawing as often as before. Keep up the great work as always mate.

[@thefilmppl]

I love this basic videos! Your whole channel is amazing, man.

[@ramblingseth]

Thank you so much for this! I'm starting from square one so it's incredibly helpful.

[@reaper060670]

This is a very informative video Matt mate. Thanks for the tips u gave us here bcos I keep making the same errors when sawing by hand. I really want to learn these techniques so my Laptop will be coming out into my crappy run down old Garage from now on and I'll be watching these videos while practicing..thanks pal..

[@casperarnfred5059]

I've recently started my education in woodworking and it's a whole different level of fine tuned little details. I have a background in roofing working as a tin smith wich has it similarities but this is much more delicate and really a really cool craft! I love you're videos and they really help me break the bad habbits early on! Thank you so much, you're a very big inspiration and make me excited about woodwork! :P Much love and respect from your neighbour in Denmark :)

[@juandeleonjr4997]

Awesome video. You help me answer a lot of questions I had on my sawing mistakes. You are a great teacher.

[@MC-zr7hl]

Thanks for making these videos. Easily one of my favorite channels at the moment I've learned so much. Just want you to know that they're really appreciated and you do a great job.

[@carrangil]

Love the videos mate…keep them coming. Cheers from Fallbrook CA USA

[@alandul7842]

Tip: If you expect to do a lot of sawing, get a fish tank aerator pump. A plastic hose, positioned near the blade (makeshift coathanger wire with duct tape) will prevent you from hyperventilating trying to keep the dust out of the way. A "T" connector or "Y" connector will let you use two plastic hoses, to clear dust from both sides of the saw. I've done it. Works GREAT, and not expensive.

[@lauwykske]

you are an incredible teacher, i've learned so much from this video. :) keep up the amazing video's :)

[@MattEstlea]

Cheers mate! Glad it was useful!

[@tchevrier]

the first few times I tried to cut a dovetail by hand my biggest problem was cutting them square to the edge. After watching Paul Sellers videos, he suggests starting the cut on the near side rather than the far side.

[@onlineda1]

You are a great teacher