Saw

A saw is a tool used to cut solid materials like wood, metal, or rock. It can either be hand operated or power driven and consists of a thin metal blade or disc with sharp edged teeth.

The blade is most often made of brass, steel, or diamond. Brass is a cheap material that is easy to cast. Steel is also relatively inexpensive and easy to shape, but stronger than brass. Diamond is very strong but also very expensive, and is therefore generally only used for really heavy cutting jobs.

Depending on the blade and its action, a different type of cut will result. A crosscut is used in woodworking to describe a cut made across the grain of the wood. A rip cut is a cut made parallel to the grain. A plytooth cut is the result of a circular saw with small teeth designed specifically for cutting plywood.