Säge

Säge is the German word for a saw, a tool used to cut material by means of a toothed blade that is moved across a workpiece. The blade is typically made of steel and may be reinforced or supported by a back, frame, or handle to provide rigidity. Saws are used for cutting wood, metal, plastic, and other substances, with wood being the most common material in carpentry and construction.

Common designs and variants include hand saws and power saws. Hand saws cover a wide range of uses: generic handsaws for rough wood cutting, rip saws designed to cut along the grain, crosscut saws for cutting across the grain, and backsaws or dovetail saws used for fine joinery. A frame or bow saw is used for longer cuts in green wood. For metal or plastic, hacksaws with a fine-toothed blade are common, while keyhole or compass saws handle interior or curved cuts.

Tooth geometry is a key differentiator. Rip teeth have fewer teeth per inch and are shaped to pull fibers apart along the grain, producing a rougher but faster cut. Crosscut teeth are sharper and more numerous, designed to sever fibers cleanly across the grain. Some blades use a combination tooth pattern to balance ripping and crosscutting performance, while specialized blades may feature carbide tips or tougher alloys for specific materials.

Power saws operate with motorized action and include circular saws, band saws, reciprocating saws, mitre saws, and scroll saws. These expand cutting speed, accuracy, and capacity beyond manual operation but require attention to safety, proper blade selection, and secure handling.