Looking to get my 11yo interested in woodworking so I need a safe hand saw or cutting tool that's not completely terrifying but actually works. Seen some junior saws on Amazon but reviews are mixed. Has anyone actually used these with their kids? Or should I just supervise him with my regular tools?
What kind of woodworking were you thinking? Like birdhouses, cutting boards, or open-ended? The answer matters because some tools are better for specific projects
The key is something that actually works or he'll get frustrated fast and lose interest. Don't cheap out on the tool itself even if you're budgeting. Maybe skip the expensive wood and get him a good saw instead
Wait, you're doing this after the skateboard ramp? Because that's actually genius progression - he learns respect for tools building the ramp, then moves to the saw. My kid did it backwards and we had a panic moment
Get the Flexcut saws if you can find them. They're pricier but actually sharp and the handles fit smaller hands. Reviews on Amazon suck because people expect power tools and this requires actual technique
The Suizan saws are solid. Bit of a learning curve but they're sharp and safe if he's paying attention. What kind of wood are you planning to start him with?
Those Japanese pull saws come in kids versions now and they're supposedly safer design-wise. Might be worth checking out - harder to mess up the motion with a pull saw
Started my 10yo with a Japanese pull saw. Changed everything. But honestly? Start him on something even simpler first - coping saw on softwood. Less intimidating, teaches proper technique, and he'll actually have success
I went down this rabbit hole last year. Skip the junior saws - they're usually dull garbage. Get a proper pull saw but with adult supervision. My 11yo actually respects a tool that WORKS versus fighting with something under-engineered
Agree about skipping the Amazon junior stuff. My kid had one and it was basically plastic. We upgraded to a real saw and suddenly he actually wanted to use it because it didn't feel like a toy
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I got my 10yo a Flexcut junior saw and honestly it's been solid. Real teeth, actually cuts, feels less like a toy than those Amazon ones. Bit more $$$ but worth it for safety