A sharp, precise pull saw at a rare all-time-low price

Yes — the Temple Tool Co. Japanese Pull Saw is worth buying if you want a precise, lightweight saw for clean rip and crosscut work at £32.80, especially because that is the all-time lowest price recorded. With a 4.6/5 rating from 57 reviews, it has the sort of feedback you want to see on a specialist hand tool: strong approval, but not blind hype.

First impressions: compact, refined, and clearly aimed at fine work

The 10.5" Kataba format tells you this is not a brute-force saw for rough framing. It is a single-edge Japanese pull saw designed to cut on the pull stroke, which allows a thinner blade and a narrower kerf than a typical Western push saw. In practical workshop terms, that means less waste, less effort, and cleaner lines when trimming hardwoods, softwoods, and joinery stock. The Wingnut wood handle, described as being from the walnut family, and the brass fittings give it a more traditional, premium feel than many budget handsaws.

What does the double-edge blade actually give you?

The standout feature is the dual cutting pattern: rip teeth on one side for cutting with the grain, and crosscut teeth on the other for cutting across it. That makes it genuinely versatile for general-purpose bench work, resizing stock, and medium to large joinery tasks. For UK workshops, that versatility matters when you are moving between oak, beech, pine, and sheet goods without wanting to reach for a different saw every time. Temple Tool also says the blade is made from high-grade Japanese steel, and the claim here is less about marketing flourish and more about the expected result: long-lasting sharpness and cleaner precision cuts.

How does it perform in the workshop?

On paper, the pull-stroke design is the key performance advantage. Pull saws naturally stay in tension during the cut, which helps control blade flex and makes it easier to start accurately. That is especially useful when working to a pencil line on joinery, trimming tenons, or cutting small sections where a wandering blade ruins the fit. The narrow-kerf blade should also leave a cleaner edge than a coarser Western saw, which reduces sanding and paring afterwards.

The limitation is also obvious: this is a 10.5" saw, so it is best suited to controlled cuts rather than aggressive stock removal. If you need to rip through thick timber all day, a larger saw or powered option will be faster. This is a precision tool first, not a demolition tool.

Is the build quality good enough for long-term use?

The build looks strong on the details provided. A solid wood Wingnut handle with brass components is a better sign than moulded plastic or flimsy ferrules, and the Japanese manufacture claim carries weight when it comes to saw-making tradition. Temple Tool Co. was founded by Chris Schoenberg, the woodworker behind Third Coast Craftsman, which suggests the product has been developed by someone who understands real workshop use rather than just shelf appeal.

That said, the product description is a little uneven in the way it is presented, and the listing text appears truncated in places. That does not affect the saw itself, but it does mean buyers should rely on the core specs rather than polished marketing copy.

Is it good value for money at £32.80?

At £32.80, this is strong value if you want a capable Japanese pull saw rather than a disposable tool. The price is particularly attractive because it is currently at the all-time low, with the average price also sitting at £32.80 and no higher recorded price in the available data. Against nearby alternatives, it lands in a sensible middle ground: cheaper than the EZARC chisel set at £42.98 and the Presch set at £44.99, while slightly under the VonHaus chisel set at £34.99. Those comparisons are not direct like-for-like rivals, but they do show that Temple Tool is pricing this as a serious workshop hand tool rather than a bargain-bin accessory.

What should you watch out for?

The main warning is that this saw is optimised for precision, not speed or rough carpentry. If you mostly do heavy site work, cutting deep section timber, or want a saw that can abuse a rough edge, this is not the right profile. Also, because it is a pull saw with a thin kerf, technique matters more than with a cheap Western saw: let the teeth do the work and avoid forcing the cut.

Bottom line

The Temple Tool Co. Japanese Pull Saw is a well-priced, well-specified precision saw with a strong 4.6/5 rating and a genuinely useful double-edge blade. If you do joinery, furniture work, or careful stock preparation, it deserves a place on the bench; if you want a saw for rough, fast, hard use, look elsewhere.