In this article we review, what we believe to be the best coping saws, currently available on the UK marketplace. These are a type of wood saw that has a very thin blade that is held by a D-shaped frame and the blade is kept very tense. They are very similar and can easily be confused with Fret Saws.
These are a very handy item to have in your tool collection if you want to make curved or intricate cuts in wood. With a bit of practice you would be able to cut out virtually any shape in your wood, and it can be used for internal as well as external cuts.
There are quite a few of these available as you will see when you read on. Just before we do that, it is worth just a little time to explain, what they are and what they are used for.
In a Hurry?
We provide a lot of information on this page, so if you want a quick answer, then the best coping saw is the Draper 18052 Coping Saw. This is the best seller and it is a really great saw.
Draper are one of the best known makers of these types of small tools and you can be sure that all their products are good quality.
"With over 1,000 online buyer reviews and a 92% buyer satisfaction rating, this is the most popular choice by UK buyers, based on our extensive research.
What Is a Coping Saw Used For?
This particular style of saw is used mostly to cut moldings or to create coped rather than miter joints. It can be used to create fretwork though it is not as good as an actual fretsaw in intricacy of cut.
Coping saw blades are always thicker and much coarser cutting than typical fretsaw blades though they are brittle and can easily be broken if too much pressure is put on them. Coping saws can however cut curves or shapes in the work, allowing circles to be cut if used carefully.
Unlike a hacksaw the teeth on a coping saw face towards the handle so they always cut on the pull stroke. A handy feature of this saw is that you can take the blade off, pop it through a whole and reconnect it, no other saw can give you this facility.
A good coping saw will cost around £6 - £10 though they can be as cheap as £5 and as expensive as £25. With this type of saw I was always recommend spending that bit extra as the type of work you will be doing needs something that's precise and that gives you the same cut time after time.
Top 5 Rated Coping Saws
Just below you will find a table, where we have placed the coping saws in order. The order we have used is the highest buyer rated first. In other words we have placed the saws in the order, of what buyers judged their quality to be.
We have also included average UK prices, but be aware that these are always subject to change. Always check on the exact date and time when you are making any purchase. The ratings we update on a regular weekly basis.
if you click on the product name, you will be taken to Amazon UK, where you can read other buyer reviews. In this table we have included the rank, hand saw name, an average price, our rating and a grade.
Please note the prices are averages as they change regularly. Always check any price if you decide to make a purchase. The Rating is out of 5 stars.
Rank | Name | Rating | Price | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4.6 | £9 | A+ | |
2 | 4.5 | £8.50 | A | |
3 | 4.2 | £6.50 | A- | |
4 | 4.0 | £9.50 | B | |
5 | 4.0 | £9.50 | B |
As you can see, these cost anything from £6 up to £10.
Coping Saw Summary Reviews
Underneath, we have completed short and concise reviews, on these top 5 products. That way you can see at a glance, which one is the best choice for you.
No 1 Choice - Draper 18052 Coping Saw Frame With 5 Blades
- Chrome-plated frame with wooden handle
- Supplied with five assorted blades
- Blade can be turned through 360 degrees
- Draper Guaranteed Product
- Quite expensive but well worth the extra
No 2 Choice - Bahco 301 Coping Saw
- Ideal for cutting curves and intricate shapes
- Suitable for many materials
- Can be turned through 360°
- Easily tensioned
- Again pretty expensive but you are getting a top quality saw
No 3 Choice - Rolson 58290 Rubber Grip Coping Saw
- Drop forged and with double colour rubber grip handle
- Blade can be turned through 360 degrees
- Supplied with five assorted blades
- Cuts varying materials from wood to metal
No 4 Choice - Eclipse 70-CP1R Coping Saw
- Ideal for cutting and shaping in wood
- Blade can be positioned at any angle to the frame
- Comfortable wooden handle
- Steel Frame
- Pretty well priced
No 5 Choice - Stanley Coping Saw 0 15 106
- Saw for the craftsman and DIY hobbyist
- Fitted with a hardened and tempered carbon steel blade
- Soft grip handle
- Fitted with a hardened and tempered carbon steel blade.
- Deeper than standard frame at 6 1/4 inches
Coping Saw Buying Guide
No one manufacturer dominates the market when it comes to coping saws. You do have quite a few choices to make, so hopefully this buying guide will help. There is nothing fancy about them as they are a fairly cheap product, it really just comes down to two things.
- The handle
- The blade
Which Type of handle?
Although it doesn't do any actual cutting the handle is very important to consider when choosing a coping saw. As you will be holding the saw important that the handle is comfortable and be able to withstand wear and tear. A good saw should have an ergonomic handle that you can hold comfortably for a good period of time.
The handle needs be made from a quality material. It also needs to be strong as it holds the blade under tensional the time. Its not much use if it bends and lets the blade go slack. Basically its just a frame but I would always stick to a manufacturer you know to ensure the saw stands the test of time.
Avoid and plastic framed saws and I probably would avoid the wooden ones too unless you want to pay £50 for a good one.
What blades Are Available?
The blade is the most important part of the saw as it does the actual. There is a lot of debate about which blades are the best and no doubt some are better than others. You will here names like Bacho, Eclipse and Olson. These are top quality blades, of that there is no doubt
For an amateur like myself it doesn't have to be the best of the best in this case. Unless you are using this type of saw every day then I wouldn't go to mad worrying about what's the best. Stick to any named manufacturer that you recognise and you wont go wrong. Personally I like the Bacho blades but that's just me. I don't much work with this type of saw so its not an issue
Video - How to Use a Coping Saw
I found this useful video, which explains how to use a coping saw properly. There is a method where you can avoid any risk of an injury, especially cutting your hand.
Safe Use of a Coping Saw
If you have never used one of these saws before, then please watch the video above. There is a knack to using these so as you do not want to cut yourself or damage the wood you are cutting. You have to learn to let the blade of the saw do all the work. If you find it really hard to cut then you are doing it wrong, it should be smooth and easy.
If you don't think this is the type of saw ypu need then have a look at our article on the Best Hand Saws that will give you a run down on what else is available.
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