Hi Bryan,

I'm nearing completion of my first S&G (I've been nearing completion for a month and a half now and I'm sure frequent readers of this board don't believe a word of it), I have not yet needed a japanese pull saw. Sure, I've run my hands over their sensuously curved handles and promised myself that I would get one as soon as I needed it, but in fact I haven't had any need for one and all my cutting is done. To build your S&G you will need: a jig saw, a block plane, a drill, a sander is nice but not essential, side cutters (wire cutters), linesmans pliers (to twist wires), a soldering iron to aid in removing wires imbedded in epoxy, a comfortable thinking chair to sit in and admire your work (maybe that's why I've been 'nearing completion' for so long!).
That said I'm a bit of a tool junkie, if you want the pull saw buy one!

Happy building!

Ken (your neighbor in the next province)

: Hello,
: I'm going to build a S&G kayak (not sure which) this winter & am starting
: to think about tools needed. I know the Japanese pull saws are
: recommended. From browsing the Lee Valley on-line catalog I see that there
: are several types of Japanese saws: Ryobi, Dozuki, & Azebiki. Which do
: you use? If forced to only choose one saw, what do you recommend? How many
: teeth per inch should it have, etc.?

: Thanks in advance.
: Bryan