Irwin 9-1/2" Double-blade Plastic Handle Pull Saw

Sometimes a tool is so useful, cheap and durable that you don’t think about it much. It becomes part of the background of your shop. It’s always there. It doesn’t ask for maintenance. It always does what it’s supposed to do.

I cannot remember having a workshop without this Irwin saw hanging around. It has a cheap plastic handle with black rubber grips. Plus, a steel blade with impulse-hardened crosscut teeth and big-ol’ rip teeth. And – this is important – a hang hole in the blade.

If it don’t come with a hang hole, it’s going to get one. (This saw comes with a hang hole.)

These saws last forever, even within a busy workshop/classroom/laboratory. The blade is thick enough that it won’t buckle, even when students abuse it. The teeth are hard and sharp enough that even when I recycled our previous Irwin saw after 12-plus years of service/horrific treatment I was a bit salty about it. It still cut OK. Not fantastic, but usable.

Last month, I bought us a new Irwin saw for $18 at Menards, and it is just as good as its predecessor. That is, this saw hasn’t yet been enshitificated. (Meaning: Buy a lifetime supply now.)