Razor Saw Questions And Help Choosing

NEW222 Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:55 pm

While I am currently building, I have seen many threads that have one of these pictured. After a bit of searching, I found that what I was looking for was called a razor saw. Up till now, I either have to go outside to use my jigsaw, or hand saw to cut plywood, or as I mostly have done or use a razor blade and take forever, along with sore fingers. I thought this just may be the big ticket I was looking for, but not knowing it till now. Anyways, as I know absolutely nothing about these, I am coming here to please ask for help, opinions, and or suggestions on the 3 following models. I will not be getting it right away, but shortly. I am personally really leaning to the 4-in-1 as it has both fine and very fine blades with it. Or would one of the individual saws be better and stronger? The biggest difference to me is that one cuts with a kerf of .010" and the ultra thin has a kerf of .008". Of course, TPI may also play a deciding factor. Anyways, my choices in order of me wanting them is:

1. 4-in-1 Saw Set with Four Interchangable Blades
https://www.amazon.ca/Zona-35-140-Interchangable-Blades-36-555/dp/B000EROWJ4/ref=asc_df_B000EROWJ4/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335224403027&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4928966117000089635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001173&hvtargid=pla-437332129567&psc=1

2. Fine Razor Saw, 42 TPI.010-Inch Kerf
https://www.amazon.ca/Zona-35-550-TPI-010-Inch-Length-16-Inch/dp/B000BRESQY/ref=asc_df_B000BRESQY/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292948034357&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4928966117000089635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001173&hvtargid=pla-456520793492&psc=1

3. Ultra Thin Razor Saw, 52 TPI.008-Inch Kerf
https://www.amazon.ca/Zona-35-050-TPI-008-Inch-Length-16-Inch/dp/B0006N736A/ref=asc_df_B0006N736A/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335179885420&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4928966117000089635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001173&hvtargid=pla-421739992549&psc=1

Just to clarify. I would like this to cut balsa sticks, as well as 1/8" ply, if this helps in your opinions. Thank you.

Levent Suberk Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:07 pm

I use this razor saw set. 24 tpi for plywood and 42 tpi for balsa and other light wood.

https://www.micromark.com/10-piece-Deluxe-Razor-Saw-Knife-Set

NEW222 Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:40 pm

Well, that is both very good and interesting to hear. Reason being is that I had looked at a similar set from a craft store online here, but had heard bad stories about the blades twisting/turning in the handle and why I had abandoned the idea of that model. But those were online reviews, and I do generally take them with a grain of salt. However, hearing about it firsthand from someone I know and can trust is a different story. Thank you.

aspeed Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:55 pm

I wore the teeth off the one I had as a kid. Got another one a couple years ago. The blade twisted a bit the first time I used it on 1/8" plywood. OK for balsa only IMHO. I use a mini hacksaw or the garage sale bandsaw more. Not sure which brand mine is but it has no handle.

cstatman Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:26 pm

after destroynig xacto razor blades, and hobby-store razor saws,

I made a mistake. I was ni Berkeley, and a pal took me to Hida. they specialize in Japanese saws and blades

https://hidatool.com/item/2591

sadly out of stock at the moment, but! this saw? cuts anything, smoothly, and well

do not browse their site, it will slurp money right out of your wallet! so much cool stuff@

sosam117 Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:02 pm

I had Zona saws for years but a friend gave me a Hida saw.
I never went back to a Zona saw after that.
Currently I have 5 different Hida saws that have now lasted me more than 15 years.

I have used them for cutting contest grade balsa to cutting the baseboards on the walls.
Hida has nicely hardened cutting teeth and have lasted longer than the Zona saws would have under the same usage.

Like Charleston Hesston said " you'll have to pry them from my dead cold hands!

rsv1cox Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:20 pm

I have several different razor saws (model train track cutting etc.) including one like Levent pictured. They are fine for the purpose intended, but don't try cutting anything harder than brass. I find that they tend to drag when cutting thicker balsa, luan, or basswood and I find myself wanting to oil the blade.

While in Lowes today I bought this:

Razor Saw Questions And Help Choosing P1011922

Not really a razor saw but I expect that it will get a lot of use. Cheap enough $5.98, blades were $3.18. Tiny thing, but perfect for my model use.

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