Tools for kids...Hammer and saw from Vaughan

We use a Japanese style pull saw with the elementary students at Clear Spring. The fine teeth make it easy to begin the cut. It is light weight and agressive, so the children can cut wood quickly. The Vaughan Bear saw is a bit stiffer than normal Japanese saws, so the blade won't bind or kink as easily and the blades can be removed from the handle and replaced periodically. We use bench-hooks to make repeat cuts to precise measurements. Clamp it in the vise, and then clamp a stop block in place to control the length of the parts. In the photo below, the student is checking the distance from the stop-block to the saw cut before putting the wood in place to be cut. The saw cuts in the front and back of the bench-hook guide accurate placement of the saw on the bench-hook and assure that the cut will be made square.