ripsaw

A ripsaw is a handsaw engineered specifically to cut wood parallel to the grain, producing long boards or strips from larger stock. Unlike a crosscut saw, which has teeth shaped to slice across the grain, a ripsaw has larger, more widely-spaced teeth filed with a steep angle that act like chisels, breaking wood fibers ahead of the cut rather than scoring them. The result is a relatively rough surface but fast removal of material in the direction the wood naturally wants to split.

The tooth geometry is the critical difference. A ripsaw typically has teeth set at around 8 to 12 points per inch, meaning fewer and more aggressive teeth than a crosscut saw's 10 to 20 points. Each tooth is filed perpendicular to the saw plate, and alternate teeth are bent outward (set) to create a kerf slightly wider than the blade itself. This prevents binding in deep cuts. The coarser pitch makes ripsaw work faster and less physically demanding over long rip cuts, though the finish requires planing afterward if a smooth surface is required.

Ripsaws vary in length from 20 to 28 inches, with longer saws covering more wood per stroke. A saw meant for ripping is sometimes called a pit saw when used vertically by two operators, one above and one in a pit below, though pit saws are primarily commercial tools for breaking down logs. The hand ripsaw remains common in small workshops where a bandsaw or table saw is not available or practical.

What fails in a ripsaw is usually the teeth. They become dull from passing through boards containing dirt, sand, or nails, and must be re-sharpened by hand filing or sent to a specialist. Teeth may also break if the saw binds during a cut, which happens when the kerf closes in on the blade, typically from twisting the handle or feeding at the wrong angle. Keeping the saw blade vertical and steady through the cut, and occasionally waxing the plate to reduce friction, prevents most problems.

The name comes directly from the job: to rip is to split or tear lengthwise. In woodworking, ripping describes any cut that runs parallel to the grain, as opposed to crosscutting. The ripsaw sits between hand tools and machines in modern shops; it remains useful for small jobs, repairs, and situations where power tools are too coarse or too loud. Understanding when a ripsaw is the right choice, rather than reaching for a crosscut or general-purpose saw, separates efficient work from wasted effort.