pit saw

tool

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

A pit saw is a type of handsaw operated by two people. One person stands above or on the log being cut, while the other stands below, often in a pit, to help saw the wood into planks. This tool was first used in 1678. Saws, in general, are ancient tools that evolved significantly with the advent of metalworking. Early saws were made of copper and later iron, with innovations like setting the teeth to create a wider kerf for easier cutting and reduced friction. The pit saw was a common method for ripping logs lengthwise before being largely replaced by other saw designs.12

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hand tool
Saw
…this purpose were generally called pit saws because they were operated in the vertical plane by two people, one of whom, the pitman, sometimes stood in a pit below the timber or under a trestle supporting the timber being sawed. The other stood on the timber above, pulling the saw…
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…this purpose were generally called pit saws because they were operated in the vertical plane by two people, one of whom, the pitman, sometimes stood in a pit below the timber or under a trestle supporting the timber being sawed. The other stood on the timber above, pulling the saw…
Read More