How to Woodcut by Hand
- 1). Measure the portion of wood that you need to cut and draw a line on the wood using a square or straightedge. Squares are used for drawing lines across boards at right angles and straightedges are used for angled lines.
- 2). Set your portion of wood on a sawhorse or workbench so you can lean over the wood and place weight on it with your non-dominant hand or knee. Body weight on the wood will decrease vibrations and allow for an easier cutting process.
- 3). Using a saw with your dominant hand, place the teeth that are close to the handle at the beginning of the line you drew in the first step. Angle the bottom of the saw blade at 45 degrees over the wood in the direction you are cutting. The sides of the blade must always be perpendicular to the wood when making square cuts. Make three upward strokes by pulling back on the saw to create a small groove.
- 4). Perform downward strokes keeping the bottom of the blade at a 45-degree angle to the wood in the direction you are cutting. Place gentle weight on the saw, allowing the teeth of the saw to do the work. The saw teeth do the cutting, not your arm.
- 5). Keep the saw at a right angle to the board throughout the cutting process. Use your wood block as a reference by laying it flat on the wood and keeping the 10-inch edge close to the blade. Your saw will be parallel with the vertical side of the block if it is at a right angle to the wood you are cutting.
Source...