When to Reach for a Hand Saw Instead of the Band Saw
You already know when it makes sense.
Walking a single rack across the room to make one cut on the band saw — that's lost time. A hand saw lives on your bench for a reason.
Here are the four situations where it earns its place.
1. Breaking a Primal
Before you start trimming, a hand saw lets you break larger bone-in sections down fast. It's a cleaner first step that makes your knife work easier and keeps the rest of the process moving.
2. Bone-In Portion Cuts
Ribs, bone-in chops, bone-in steaks — when you need one or two quick cuts, the hand saw is faster than setting up on the band saw. Less movement, less setup, same result.
3. Game Processing
A lot of shops take in deer during season, and plenty of butchers are processing their own. A hand saw handles bone cleanly whether you're in the shop or in the field.
4. When the Band Saw Is Overkill
Not every bone cut needs a power tool. For occasional cuts, a hand saw is already in your hand before the band saw is warmed up.
KASCO's Kam-Lok® is built for butchers in mind. Balanced frame, comfort pistol grip, and sharp teeth. Plus replaceable blades to keep your cutting sharp and productive.
It's a simple tool. But if you're working bone-in product regularly, you'll reach for it more than you'd expect.
Hand saw frames come in 17.5", 20" and 25".
Replacement blades available in sizes: 17.5", 19", 20", 22", 24", 25", 26", 27", and 30".
