Most masonry saws cut on the push stroke only, though there may be models available which cut on both the push and pull stroke only. If the saw cuts on the push stroke, you should only apply pressure to the saw when pushing it through the material, and ease off as you bring the saw back towards you. If you use a lot of force when pulling the saw as well, it won’t cut any quicker and you will simply tire yourself out.
Starting your cut
Step 1 – Rest blade against material
Begin by resting the heel of the blade on the surface of your material.
Step 2 – Pull saw towards you
Pull the saw back towards you, applying very little downward pressure in one long, slow stroke
Sawing masonry requires quite a lot of effort, which is why we advise you to use a power saw if you’re planning on cutting a large quantity on a regular basis.
If you’re not an experienced hand saw user, getting a feel for the amount of force needed can take a bit of practice, but don’t be put off. Test out your sawing technique on some scrap material to get an idea of how much pressure to apply and the speed at which you feel comfortable.