WFOEJEJ Japanese Hand Saw, 6-Inch Double-Edge Pull Saw, SK5 Flexible Blade,11/17 TPI Blade with Soft Grip Handle for Hardwood & Softwood Woodworking.

A compact pull saw that earns a spot in the apron pocket

I’ve been testing a compact Japanese-style pull saw from WFOEJEJ for the past several weeks. I’ll call it the WFOEJEJ pull saw. It’s a 6-inch, double‑edge blade made from SK5 steel with a soft-grip handle and two tooth patterns: a coarser 11 TPI on one edge and a finer 17 TPI on the other. On paper, it’s meant to straddle flush trimming, fine joinery touch-ups, and small general-purpose cuts in both hard and soft woods. In practice, it hits most of those marks—especially if you keep your expectations aligned with its size.

Build and ergonomics

The saw is compact and light, which is a big part of its appeal. The soft-grip handle is grippy without feeling gummy, and the profile provides a neutral wrist angle. I could use it for extended sessions without hotspots or fatigue. The handle-to-blade junction felt solid, and the blade has the right mix of flexibility and spring: it flexes willingly for flush cuts but snaps back straight rather than staying kinked.

The blade itself is SK5, a common high-carbon steel for hand saws. SK5 tends to take a keen edge quickly and offers good toughness for thin kerf tools. Teeth are very sharp out of the box. I didn’t notice obvious burrs or inconsistencies, and the plate is evenly ground. The set is modest, which is what you want for flush trimming near finished surfaces.

Fit and finish aren’t fancy, but everything lines up the way it should. For a small saw that will live in a tool roll or glove box, that’s exactly right.

Cut quality and control

A pull saw lives or dies by its feel on the backstroke. This one tracks straight with minimal pressure. If you’ve only used Western push saws, the technique adjustment is simple: relax your grip, let the saw bite on the pull, and don’t lean on it. The WFOEJEJ pull saw rewards that approach with fast, clean cuts and predictable starts.

• Flush cuts: Trimming hardwood dowels and tenons flush with a face frame is where this saw shines. The flexible plate lets you keep the teeth parallel to the surface, and the minimal set helps avoid scratch marks. On oak and maple face frames, I could slice dowels nearly flush, then take one or two wispy passes to finish cleanly. No tear-out, and no divots.

• Joinery touch-ups: The fine-tooth edge is excellent for refining shoulders and easing a proud joint. I used it to sneak up on a bridle joint, and it removed fractions of a millimeter at a time without diving off line.

• Small stock and tight spaces: The short blade and stiff spine make it easy to work in corners—cutting shims behind casing, trimming a back panel in a cabinet, or sawing through lath behind plaster. It’s also handy for undercutting jambs for flooring. The short stroke means you’ll take more pulls, but you can keep the saw on track even with limited clearance.

• Light outdoor tasks: For pruning up to about 3/4 inch, the coarse edge moves quickly and leaves a neat cut. I wouldn’t use it as a primary pruning saw, but for tidying small branches it’s convenient.

Tooth patterns and speed

With two TPI options on one blade, you have a useful range. In my shop:

• The 17 TPI edge gave the cleanest surface in dense hardwoods and was my choice whenever I was working near a finished surface.

• The 11 TPI edge was noticeably faster in softwoods and for general trimming where surface finish mattered less.

The saw clears dust well for its size. Kerf is narrow, so cuts wander only if you push. Letting the pull do the work keeps it straight. On soft pine, I could see slight compression at the cut edges with the coarse side, which is normal—switching to the finer edge solved it.

Durability and maintenance

After several weekends of on-and-off use—flush-trimming oak dowels, trimming cedar shims, and pruning a few small branches—the teeth are still plenty sharp. SK5 holds up well, but like most fine-tooth pull saws, it will dull faster if you hit nails or dirty wood. It’s not a demolition tool.

A few notes that help longevity:

• Keep the blade clean and lightly oiled. Pitch buildup increases friction and heat.
• Store it with a guard (a simple scrap of folded cardboard and tape works).
• Don’t pry with it. The blade is designed to flex, not lever.

As with many compact pull saws, blades are thin and can be kinked if you twist mid-cut. If you stay aligned and use light pressure, it springs back fine.

Limitations to expect

• Short stroke = more strokes. The 6-inch blade is ideal in tight spaces but slower on longer cuts. If you’re breaking down thick stock, you’ll want a longer ryoba.

• Flex is a feature and a liability. It enables flush cuts, but if you’re rough with it, the blade will feel whippy. It’s not meant to plow through framing lumber or be your only saw on a remodel.

• Unknown blade compatibility. Replacement blade availability isn’t clearly documented, so I treat the tool as a compact, budget-friendly saw rather than a long-term “system.” That said, mine shows minimal wear so far.

Who it’s for

• Furniture and cabinet folks who need a pocketable flush-cut saw for dowels, plugs, and proud joinery.
• DIYers tackling trim, flooring transitions, and small repair work where a narrow kerf and clean finish are important.
• Hobbyists and model makers working with small parts and needing fine control without committing to a larger saw.
• Homeowners who want a versatile “small cuts” tool for the shop and occasional garden tidying.

If you primarily do timber framing, deck building, or heavy pruning, look for a larger, stiffer saw. This one is built for precision and convenience, not brute force.

Tips for best results

• Start with a light, short pull to set the kerf, then lengthen your stroke.
• For flush cutting, flex the blade slightly so the teeth are parallel to the work surface, and pull with even pressure.
• Switch edges deliberately: use the finer teeth where surface quality matters; use the coarser teeth when speed matters.
• Support the offcut to avoid binding near the end of the cut.
• Let the saw do the work. If you find yourself pushing, you’ll wander off the line or kink the blade.

Value

As a compact, double-edge pull saw with SK5 steel and a comfortable handle, the WFOEJEJ pull saw offers strong value. It doesn’t have the refined fit and replaceable blade ecosystem of premium Japanese brands, but it costs considerably less and covers 80% of the small-cut tasks those saws handle. The combination of cut quality, versatility, and portability is the selling point here.

The bottom line

The WFOEJEJ pull saw has become my go-to for flush trimming and small, precise cuts. It’s sharp, easy to control, and genuinely useful in tight spaces where a full-size saw is awkward. The compromises—short stroke and a blade that prefers finesse over force—are inherent to the format, not flaws in execution.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to anyone who needs a compact, affordable pull saw for woodworking and general DIY tasks. It excels at flush cuts, joinery touch-ups, and small trimming jobs, and the two tooth patterns make it more versatile than a single-edge flush saw. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty all-rounder or rely on replaceable-blade ecosystems, look elsewhere. But as a pocketable, precise cutter that punches above its size, it’s easy to keep within arm’s reach—and hard to beat for the price.