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A good coping saw belongs in the shop or tool box of any woodworker, regardless of skill. Small and versatile, these saws have thin, flexible blades with sharp teeth that are great for many uses, including cutting molding and baseboards, cutting in non-straight lines, and making intricate cuts too small for other saws. In fact, a coping saw should be one of the first tools a beginning craftsperson learns to use—which is why we tested five of the best saws on the market, judging them based on factors like comfort, ease of use, quality of cuts, and more.
While these types of saws mostly look the same, the devil is in the details. The best coping saws are those with a comfortable handle and a firm mechanism for locking the blade in place. Our favorite is the Bahco 301 61/2-inch coping saw, which makes a great addition to any woodshop with its incredibly comfortable handle and solid cutting action. But there are many other saws worth considering, including a few we liked but weren’t able to test ourselves. Read on to find out more information and help pick the best coping saw for you.
- BEST OVERALL: Bahco 301 6½-Inch Coping Saw
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Irwin Tools 2014400 ProTouch Coping Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Olson Saw SF63510 Coping Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST VERSATILITY: MegaCast 3-in-1 Saw Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SET: Kakuri Coping Saw Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CLASSIC DESIGN: Eclipse 70-CP1R Steel Frame Coping Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LONG-LASTING: Magic Saw Magic Frame Coping Saw
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Bahco 301 6½-Inch Coping Saw
What We Like
- Smooth beechwood handle is comfortable for long use
- Hand screw mechanism holds blade tight with no give
- Blade cuts easily cuts through both hard and soft wood
- Attractive design for such a simple tool
What We Don’t Like
- A little pricey, but worth it
- Swedish tool may be difficult to find in brick-and-mortar retailers
Specs
- Handle Material: Beechwood
- Weight: 9.2 ounces
- Total Length: 11.8 inches
- Blade Length: 6.5 inches
Our Ratings: Comfort 5/5; Cutting action 5/5; Visual appeal 5/5; Ease of use 4/5; Price 4/5
Simplicity can sometimes be deceiving. There isn’t much to a coping saw, but quality does matter. While the Bahco 301 looks like a bare-bones tool, there’s more than meets the eye. Out of the box, it looks like it could be just another coping saw—but once it’s your hand, you know that it’s something special.
Consisting of a nickel-plated steel frame with a bright orange handle, the saw is both visually appealing and incredibly effective. The handle is comfortable. Even though it’s a wooden coping saw handle, it feels soft and easy to hold. It’s so comfortable, in fact, that after using it for almost an hour, we hardly felt any hand fatigue. The action on the saw is also great. The included blade (6 ½ inches with 14 teeth per inch) is by far the best we tested. From an efficiency standpoint, the saw is fantastic. It didn’t matter what wood we put the saw to; it glided through without issue. From pine and birch to walnut and maple, the Bahco 301 cuts easily without ever stalling or suffering from blade bend. This is a wonderful tool for intricate, bending cuts and straight joinery.
On the downside, the price is a little steep compared to the other saws. There are some quality coping saws out there for under $10, but the Bahco 310 ranges from $17 to $25. Take our word for it, though: it’s worth it.
What our Tester Says: “I loved the feel of the Bahco 301. It literally feels like the extension of your hand when you’re using it. The blade cuts incredibly smooth and makes this saw a must-have.” —Mike Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Get the Bahco 301 Coping Saw at Amazon, Pro Tool Warehouse, or Abolox.
Runner-up
Irwin Tools ProTouch Coping Saw (2014400)
What We Like
- One of the more reasonably priced saws, especially because it works so well
- Blade stays tight and does exactly what you want it to do
- Handle remains comfortable even after lengthy use
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic handle and tighteners don’t look quite as nice as some of the other saws with wood handles and steel tighteners
Specs
- Handle Material: Plastic and rubber
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Blade Length: 6.5 inches
Our Ratings: Comfort 4/5; Cutting action 4/5; Visual appeal 3/5; Ease of use 4/5; Price 4/5
The Irwin ProTouch Coping Saw is one of the highest-performing saws that we tested. With sturdy construction and a comfortable handle, the saw features a 6.5-inch blade that includes 17 teeth per inch, perfect for coping saw use. The mechanism that holds the blade does a great job, keeping it tight for any number of cutting applications.
From an efficiency standpoint, the Irwin saw works as well as any we tested. The blade cut straight and had no issues with any of the wood species we tested on, from soft pine all the way to the harder oak and walnut. Cuts were crisp, leaving behind no markings on the wood.
Our only complaint about the saw has nothing to do with the way it works. Compared to the others we tested, the Irwin just doesn’t look as good. The plastic handle and tightening knobs don’t have the same sleek visual appearance, so for woodworkers who value the look of the tools hanging on their pegboards, this might not be ideal. But looks aren’t everything, as they say, and this is a high-quality, high-performing saw at an affordable price.
Get the Irwin ProTouch Coping Saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Olson Saw SF63510 Coping Saw
What We Like
- One of the best and most affordable saws available
- Cuts beautifully with little effort
- Blade is 360-degree adjustable
What We Don’t Like
- Blade needs to be tightened after extended use
Specs
- Handle Material: Hardwood
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Total Length: 11 inches
- Blade Length: 7.5 inches
Our Ratings: Comfort 4/5; Cutting action 4/5; Visual appeal 3/5; Ease of use 4/5; Price 5/5
The Olson Saw SF63510 is the epitome of a truly quality product that is genuinely affordable. While the Bahco 301 might be a Cadillac of coping saws, the Olson is more like a Volvo; it looks great, works great, and comes at a good price.
Again, the saw looks simple, featuring a natural wood finish on the handle. The blade action on this saw is smooth and flexible. While there was a little bit of resistance on the hardwood species—the walnut required a little extra care and finesse—for the most part, the saw cut through most of the species easily. A solid saw for either a DIYer or a professional, the saw’s 360-degree adjustable blade was useful when making complicated or angled cuts.
The Olson Saw is also one of the lighter saws we tested, making it easy and comfortable to use. Our only real criticism with this particular saw was that after using it for a long time, the blade had to be tightened to keep it moving smoothly; not a huge problem and something users should be checking periodically on any saw, but nevertheless something to watch. Despite this one downside, the Olson Saw is still a solid and affordable choice.
Get the Olson SF63510 Coping Saw at Home Depot or Walmart.
Best Versatility
MegaCast 3-in-1 Saw Set
What We Like
- Only saw we tested with an adjustable frame
- Includes several blades and a bench clamp
- Beveled wooden handle feels good in the hand
What We Don’t Like
- Adjustable frame needs to be tightened frequently
Specs
- Handle Material: Wood
- Weight: 9 ounces
- Total Length: 12 inches
- Blade Length: Adjustable from .5 inch to 5 inches
Our Ratings: Comfort 4/5; Cutting action 4/5; Visual appeal 3/5; Ease of use 4/5; Price 4/5
While technically not a true coping saw, the MegaCast jeweler’s saw works the same way, and can be used on a variety of materials. The key to the MegaCast is its adjustable frame, which can handle an array of different blade sizes. Smaller, finer blades can cut through thinner woods and metals, while bigger, sturdier blades can cut through thick woods and plastics.
Due to its adjustable frame, the MegaCast looks a little bit more complex than the simpler coping saws, but it is still extremely easy to use. With a beveled wood handle, the saw is easy to hold and allows for hours of comfortable cutting. The only downside is that the screw that holds the frame in place once it’s adjusted to the proper length does need to be tightened from time to time.
The saw includes several blades in five different sizes, giving the user plenty of options right out of the box. This is a perfect saw for a hobbyist who needs a saw for both intricate cuts and more rough work.
Get the MegaCast Saw at Amazon or WoodArt Supply.
Best Set
Kakuri Coping Saw Set
What We Like
- All-purpose design can cut wood, plastic, and light metals
- Includes several interchangeable blades
- Deep frame allows for cutting thick items like plastic
What We Don’t Like
- Short handle may be hard to grasp
Specs
- Handle Material: Wood
- Weight: 7.4 ounces
- Total Length: 11.8 inches
- Blade Length: 5.1 inches
Our Ratings: Comfort 3.5/5; Cutting action 4/5; Visual appeal 3/5; Ease of use 4/5; Price 4/5
The Kakuri coping saw is a fine option for anyone looking to cut a variety of materials. From wood to metal and plastic, the Kakuri does a great job. The action from the included blades is great, and the saw performs well, making straight, clean cuts in all of the materials we tested. One of the highlights of this saw is that it includes five different blades from small to large. The larger blades can tackle thick hardwood, while the smaller ones work best on softer woods or thin metal pipes.
The saw also features a 6.3-inch deep frame, which is about an inch deeper than all the other saws we tested. A deeper frame allows it to cut through thicker materials.
Our only downside with this saw was its handle, which was just a little too short for our liking and could make managing the saw difficult for those with larger hands. The weight of the deeper frame coupled with the short handle made it feel a little top-heavy at times. While not a deal breaker for us, it’s still worth considering if balance and a larger grip surface are important.
Get the Kakuri Coping Saw at Amazon or Sears.
More Great Options
There’s no shortage of good coping saws out there, and while we were able to put many through their paces in our testing, there were a few others we came across in our research that we think are worth considering. If you’re still wondering about options after reading the above reviews, check out the ones below.
Best Classic Design
Eclipse 70-CP1R Steel Frame Coping Saw
What We Like
- Attractive look with a polished wooden handle and a black steel frame
- Sturdy tool that can keep up with a steady workload
- Unique blade can spin 360 degrees
What We Don’t Like
- Higher price than similar saws
Specs
- Handle Material: Wood
- Total Length: 12 ⅜ inches
- Depth: 5 ⅛ inches
What you see is what you get with the Eclipse, a solid, well-made coping saw. Eclipse has an impressive pedigree in the tool-making industry, having produced saws since 1909. You don’t stay in business for that long without making quality products.
At 12 ⅜ inches long and with a depth of 5 ⅛ inch, the Eclipse is a versatile saw that can handle a variety of materials, from wood to plastic and even metal. A blade that swivels 360 degrees makes it possible to cut at any angle. The only downside is that you will probably pay a bit more for the Eclipse than some of the others we tested: At just under $30, this is on the higher end for coping saws.
Get the Eclipse Coping Saw at Amazon, Walmart, or Woodcraft
Best Long-Lasting
Magic Saw Magic Frame Coping Saw
What We Like
- Cuts through a range of materials
- Included blade is made of strong, flexible carbon
- Strong blade doesn’t give even under stress
What We Don’t Like
- May be difficult to replace non-standard blade size
Specs
- Weight 6 ounces
- Total Length: 10.83 inches
- Depth: 4.9 inches
The first thing we thought when we saw the Magic Coping Saw was that it was definitely unique. The saw features one-piece construction, with the frame and handle as one. This not only gives it a look that stands out, but it also lends it a more sturdy feel. However, the real advantage of the saw is a carbon blade that can cut through just about anything, including wood, bamboo, wrought iron, aluminum and plastic. This is a true coping saw for metal, which can be difficult to find, and it offers the benefit of cutting other materials as well. It cut through any material we threw at it smoothly and uniformly.
Unfortunately, the saw doesn’t use standard blade sizes, so new ones need to be purchased directly through the manufacturer, Han-A Tools.
Get the Magic Coping Saw at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Coping Saws
Choosing the best saw for your needs is harder than it looks. If you Google “coping saw” you’ll get pages and pages of saws that, for the most part, look exactly the same. So when choosing saws to test, we looked at tools that had been mostly well-reviewed by people who had bought them, tools that were no more than $30, and tools that looked like quality products to our experienced eyes. We wanted to test saws that we would want to buy, as well as saws that looked solidly constructed and would last. We also limited ourselves to hand saws, choosing not to include electric coping saws or power coping saws.
The testing process was mostly uniform, with each saw being used for about an hour on several different materials, including different species of wood as well as different metals and plastics. To test blade efficiency, we timed ourselves while cutting uniform strips of wood with each saw, trying to maintain the same cutting speed and pressure. As a way to gauge comfort, we used our bare hands on each saw.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 1 hour |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $10-25 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Coping Saw
As we’ve discussed, while many coping saws are similar, they are not all the same. If you’re wondering “what is a coping saw?” or trying to determine the many uses of a coping saw, we’ve laid out the basics to help you on your way.
Blade Type
The blade is, not surprisingly, the most important part of the saw. Steel coping saw blades seem to be the norm, although more expensive carbon blades will stay sharper longer. However, steel blades work just fine for cutting most materials. Be cognizant of how many teeth per inch your blade has—15 to 20 is normally a good range.
Blade Connection and Tension
While the blade is the most important part, a saw is useless without a good means of keeping it locked in place. Look for saws that have screw turn tensioners, preferably with easy-to-grip heads. Having to use a screwdriver to torque down the blade will waste time.
Throat
Most coping saws have a throat depth between 5 and 7 inches. This can be important depending on the size of the material you’re cutting. If you plan on doing molding work, where material is only going to be a few inches thick, a smaller throat is fine. But for cutting large PVC pipe, a bigger throat is a better choice.
Handle and Ergonomics
No matter how effective a saw is, if it’s not comfortable to use, you might as well get rid of it: An uncomfortable tool will cause hand fatigue sooner and result in less-precise work. In our testing, we found that polished wood and plastic handles felt great. A nice bevel or an ergonomic shape were definitely beneficial, but not worth spending a lot extra for over the standard smooth handles.
FAQs
Coping saws are simple tools, but choosing one that works well for your project and your hand makes a big difference in the outcome of the work. You still might have some questions about coping saws, including how they work and how they differ from other saws such as miter and chop saws. We answered a few here to help as you begin shopping.
Similar to hand scroll saws, coping saws are designed for a specific use—namely cutting materials that are only a few inches thick. Their relatively small throat depth means they’re not ideal for cutting especially thick or dense materials, and also means that the size of the cuts they can make are limited. While we tested some versatile models, a coping saw is not an all-purpose tool.
The short answer is yes. The reasonable answer is, yes, but it’s probably not worth it. Coping saw blades are relatively inexpensive to replace. The small teeth on a coping saw blade makes it really difficult to sharpen effectively, so when the blade gets dull, just buy a new one.
Most people only think of using a coping saw for wood, but most coping saws should be able to handle both materials as long as an appropriate blade is installed: Blades for wood and metal are different. As long as the wood blade is changed out for one designed for cutting metal, coping saws should be able to cut metal effectively.
Meet the Tester
Mike Larson is a professional journalist and DIYer in Pittsburgh. He’s become an experienced coping saw aficionado after replacing the baseboard trim in his 100-year old house. As a product tester, he likes to use a method and criteria that reveals the value of the product as a whole in a way that helps other DIYers and craftspeople.
Additional research provided by Mike Bruton.
