Best Rip Cutting Saws (Using Purpose And Our Recommendations)

Published on: February 12, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

We all know that a saw is a tool that is used for cutting wood. So, is there any difference if one uses it along the wood grain or across the wood grain? This question is quite common to me, and I get it mostly from DIY woodworkers or hobbyists.

However, rip-cut is when you are cutting a wooden piece parallel to its grains. On the other hand, cutting perpendicular to the grain is called cross-cut. 

The performance of the same saw is not the same during rip-cuts and crosscuts. As the wood grain is parallel to the saw blade, if the wrong blade is used, the blade may tend to bind up. Later, the cut will be slow, inaccurate, and aggressive.

As a result, you have to put your effort further into sanding the cut-out side to make it finer. So, as you can see this might be something you already experienced because you hadn’t the knowledge of a rip-saw or hadn’t had one. Now, to make your projects more enjoyable, we give you four top-notch saws that are good at rip-cutting to choose from.

Does One Really Need a Saw for Rip-Cutting Only? 

Yes and no. Not everyone takes woodworking seriously. If carpentry is the source of bread earning for you, then a rip saw can make your job a lot easier. For seasonal woodworkers or homeowners or beginners, the scenario is not the same. Besides, there is no saw available in the market tagged as a ‘rip-saw’.

Obviously, marketers want to get as many customers as they can get; putting a tag on the title will make the market more shrunken for them. 

So, we took the time to research, test, and review some universal types of saws. The ones that were good at ripping are enlisted below so that you can get one if you need to. You don’t have to go through all the trial and error processes we have gone through to get the quality tool you need. 

View the Top 4 Rip Cutting Saws, Below-

1. IRWIN Tools- Hand Saw for Rip-Cut and Universal Use

• 11 TPI, 15 inches saw;
• Doesn’t bind up.

To cut along the wood grain, a saw is required which has uniform teeth and cuts fast. While rip cutting a long piece, and saw other than higher TPI may cause binding and make the cut coarse and inaccurate. So, here we have an IRWIN saw that is actually a universal one but falls into the category of a good-quality rip saw. This 15-inch saw has an 11 TPI triple ground teeth blade that will ensure you get the speed of a coarse-cutting saw but gives the finish of a fine-cutting saw.

To eliminate binding with the softwood, the blade has a special coating on it. The handle of this saw is made of resin and molded into a perfect shape so that you can have a comfortable grip for long-term projects. However, while cutting hardwood, the performance of this saw may not seem as good as cutting softwood. Hardwood may have a coarse edge while rip-cutting. 

Pros

• Triple-ground teeth cut faster;
• A water-based coating eliminates binding;
• Comfortable, fatigue-free grip.

Cons

• Leaves a rough edge on the hardwood. 

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2. HAUTMEC Affordable Saw for Rip Cutting

• 14-inch saw length;
• 11 TPI blade;

To cut hardwood, shallow teeth take longer to make a rip cut. I find this Hautmec saw has a deep set of teeth that works better on hardwood compared to another rip-cutting saw we are reviewing here. Needless to say, it cuts even better on hardwood. It has a 14-inch length, which is enough for backyard DIY projects and seasonal pruning when required. 

This saw is surprisingly affordable. The razor-sharp blade is thicker than a rip saw which causes less vibration. It has a special coating that reduces friction drastically. Moreover, due to its plastic protection on teeth, the sharpness remains for a long time. For affordable rip cutting, this one is the best for small to medium jobs. 

Pros 

• Affordable price;
• Deep gullets for cutting hardwood easily;
• Fine cuts;
• Low friction and low vibration blade. 

Cons

• Not found.

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3. Spear & Jackson Saw for Precise Rip Cuts

• 22-inch 10 PTS high carbon steel blade;
• Hardwood Handle.

Those, who are obsessed with precision can consider this one as their next-level rip saw. It is a traditional style saw that can be resharpened. So, you can customize the saw as you want and transform it into a rip saw or a crosscut saw by reshaping the tooth. However, the luxury of personalization is the main reason for the high price of this saw.

But, this beauty is worth every penny you spend on it. Because, unlike other disposable saws, you don’t have to dump it when it gets dull. Rather, you can use this saw for years to come and outlast the investment. 

This saw has a hardwood handle which is skewed back for better balance. Balance is the key to making rip cuts precise and perfect. For every cut, you are ever going to make it will be perfect if you use this as a magic wand. 

Pros

• Cuts different materials;
• Well balanced;
• Precise cut;
• Can be sharpened;

Cons

• Overpriced.

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4. Stanley Sharptooth Saw for Effortless Rip Cutting

• 9 points per inch, 15 inches saw blade;
• Three-sided tooth design.

This one is my other favorite for effortless rip-cutting. The three-sided tooth design makes any material cut like butter under a hot knife. When it comes to ripping hard or softwood, it is even more useful. This saw is so handy that you wouldn’t even think about dragging out a power tool for small jobs.

For those who have a large hand or like to wear protective gloves in their workplace are going to love this saw. The large opening on the handle will allow you to get a tight grip on the saw even while wearing a glove. 

However, this saw is affordable and stays sharp for a long. If buying a saw just for ripping doesn’t make sense to you, then you can take this all-purpose saw at home. Other than rip cutting, you can make it usable for cutting other materials as well.  

Pros

• Long Lasting sharpness;
• A large opening on the handle;
• Cuts fast and aggressive;
• Affordable.

Cons

• It cannot be replaced upon defects. 

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Conclusion 

If you are not a professional, you really don’t have to keep a saw polished to use just for ripping wood. Rather, you can use a universal kind of saw that has many advantages, but ripping is one of those. So, we decided to make our list short and simple in this article so that you can get an idea of an ideal rip saw to use on your upcoming projects. 

For professional carpenters or woodworkers, I strongly suggest getting an actual saw, not the disposable one for effective ripping on various wooden materials. In fact, you should keep the teeth sharpened as a rip saw and use the saw solely for its intended purpose only. This way you can assure that you are getting the most out of it. 

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